My Brilliant Friend filming locations in Naples: what you can visit
The neighbourhood in My Brilliant Friend is real: it is Rione Luzzatti, on the eastern edge of Naples. The HBO and Rai series, however, rebuilt it on a huge set in the former Saint-Gobain factory at Marcianise, near Caserta. Other scenes were shot in central Naples, on Ischia and in Gaeta. You can visit the real neighbourhood and the city locations, but not the set.
At a glance
- The novel's neighbourhood
- Rione Luzzatti, eastern Naples, between Gianturco and Poggioreale
- The set
- Former Saint-Gobain factory, Marcianise (Caserta): no public access reported
- Getting to the neighbourhood
- Metro Line 2 to Gianturco, one stop from Garibaldi, then on foot
- Cost
- Streets, murals and squares are free
- Time needed
- About 1 hour for the neighbourhood; a full day for every city location
What you can and cannot visit
| Place | In the series | Can you visit? |
|---|---|---|
| Rione Luzzatti | The neighbourhood in the novels | Yes: streets and murals, free |
| Former Saint-Gobain, Marcianise | The neighbourhood set | No public access reported |
| Former Ospedale della Pace, Via dei Tribunali | Lenù and her father go to enrol her at the school | Partly: council offices, exhibitions and events |
| Palazzo Gravina | School scenes | University building (Architecture): sources mention no visits |
| Galleria Umberto I and Piazza del Plebiscito | The girls meet elegant Naples | Yes, public spaces |
| Gran Caffè Gambrinus | The café seen from outside | Yes, it is open to everyone |
| Lungomare Caracciolo | Lenù sees the sea | Yes, public seafront |
| Via Petrarca, Posillipo | Lenù and Nino's home, season 4 | Residential road: pass through only |
Rione Luzzatti: getting there and what to see
The neighbourhood was built as public housing in the 1920s and 1930s. Today it is a lived-in area of regular streets, squares and low apartment blocks. It is not a tourist site, so there are no tickets or opening hours.
- Getting there: take Metro Line 2 from Garibaldi to Gianturco, just one stop. Then walk, using the map on your phone.
- The Lila and Lenù mural: on Via Leonardo Murialdo, opposite the Biblioteca Andreoli library. Based on a shot by photographer Eduardo Castaldo, it was unveiled on 28 January 2019.
- The Gomez mural: visible from Piazza Lo Bianco. It dates from 2019 and started from a drawing by local school pupils.
- The Gianturco tunnel: the city lists it among the recognisable spots, though the production also built a tunnel on the set.
This is where people live. Please do not photograph residents, windows or doorways, and stay out of courtyards.
Tip: go in the morning and take Line 2 back to the centre. Check service notices first, because works and timetable changes are common on this line.
A route through the centre
Go back to Garibaldi and continue on foot:
- Corso Umberto I, known as the Rettifilo, used in the series.
- Via dei Tribunali, with the former Ospedale della Pace.
- Palazzo Gravina, in the Monteoliveto area: from the outside.
- Galleria Umberto I, then Gambrinus and Piazza del Plebiscito.
- Piazza dei Martiri, in elegant Chiaia.
- Lungomare Caracciolo, to finish by the sea.
Naples city council suggests a similar itinerary of 8 stops and 26.1 km. It adds Port'Alba and Posillipo and allows about 9 hours using all kinds of transport.
Beyond Naples
- Ischia: Ischia Ponte and the Aragonese Castle, Sant'Angelo, Panza and Maronti beach, in season 2.
- Gaeta: many of the season 2 beach scenes were shot here, not on Ischia.
- Casertavecchia: Lila's wedding reception.
- Florence and Turin: in seasons 3 and 4, for Lenù's life away from Naples.
More film locations
- Film and TV locations in Naplesall our guides
- The Sea Beyond locationsthis series also filmed in Rione Luzzatti
- Seafront and Castel dell'OvoLenù's walk by the sea
- Naples to Ischiathe island of season 2
Frequently asked questions
Where was My Brilliant Friend filmed?
The neighbourhood was rebuilt in the former Saint-Gobain factory at Marcianise, near Caserta. Other scenes were shot in central Naples, Posillipo, Ischia, Gaeta, Casertavecchia, Florence and Turin.
Is the neighbourhood in My Brilliant Friend real?
Yes. It is Rione Luzzatti, on the eastern edge of Naples near Gianturco and Poggioreale. It is a residential area, and you can walk its streets freely with no ticket.
Can you visit the My Brilliant Friend set?
Our sources report no public access to the Marcianise set. In Naples you can see the real neighbourhood, its murals and the city centre locations.
Where are the Lila and Lenù murals in Naples?
In Rione Luzzatti: one on Via Leonardo Murialdo, opposite the Biblioteca Andreoli library, and one visible from Piazza Lo Bianco. The handiest stop is Gianturco on Metro Line 2.
Can you go to the Gambrinus café from My Brilliant Friend?
Yes. Gran Caffè Gambrinus is open to everyone, on Piazza Trieste e Trento next to Piazza del Plebiscito.
Where to stay near the Central Station
47 places to stay in the Central Station area on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
