Naples National Archaeological Museum (MANN): what to see in 2–3 hours
It's one of the most important archaeological museums in the world: this is where the mosaics, frescoes and objects from Pompeii and Herculaneum ended up, together with the great statues of the Farnese collection. If you're going to Pompeii, come here too: it completes the visit.
At a glance
- Address
- Piazza Museo 19
- Hours
- 9:00–19:30, last entry 18:30
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Ticket
- Prices and reductions on the official MANN website; buy at the museum or online
- Free entry
- On the Italian Ministry of Culture's free Sundays (some sections may stay closed on those days)
- Metro
- Line 1 Museo, Line 2 Cavour: the exit is in front of the museum
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours for the main works
Don't miss
Ground floor: the Farnese collection
The great Roman sculptures collected by the Farnese family and inherited by the Bourbons: the Farnese Bull, the largest sculptural group to survive from antiquity, and the Farnese Hercules, more than three metres tall.
Mezzanine: the mosaics
The mosaics from the houses of Pompeii, including the famous Alexander Mosaic of the battle, found in the House of the Faun, and the mosaic of the chained dog with the words cave canem (beware of the dog).
The Secret Cabinet
The room with erotic objects and frescoes from Pompeii and Herculaneum, closed to the public for centuries. Today you can visit it; with children, it's your call.
First floor: frescoes and the Villa of the Papyri
The frescoes from Pompeian houses, the large scale model of Pompeii and the bronze statues from the Villa of the Papyri in Herculaneum, including the famous runners.
The Egyptian section
One of the oldest Egyptian collections in Europe, with mummies, statues and funerary objects.
Tip: go in at opening time, 9:00, and follow this order: Farnese on the ground floor, mosaics and Secret Cabinet on the mezzanine, frescoes on the first floor. In three hours you'll see the essentials without wearing yourself out.
Before or after Pompeii?
Better before: at the museum you understand what the houses of Pompeii were like, full of colour, mosaics and objects, and at the ruins you'll recognise the places they came from.
Getting there
The museum is in Piazza Museo, at the start of Via Foria. With metro Line 1 to Museo or Line 2 to Cavour you come out practically in front of the entrance. From the historic centre it's a 10-minute walk.
Nearby
- Pompeiithe houses the works come from
- Catacombs of San Gennaro15 minutes by bus
- Spaccanapoli10 minutes on foot
Frequently asked questions
What day is the Naples Archaeological Museum closed?
Tuesday. On other days it's open from 9:00 to 19:30, with last entry at 18:30.
How long do you need to visit the MANN?
Two or three hours for the Farnese collection, the mosaics, the Secret Cabinet and the frescoes.
Should you visit the museum before or after Pompeii?
Before: it helps you understand what the houses of Pompeii were like and recognise the places during your visit to the ruins.
Where to stay near the Archaeological Museum
202 places to stay in the Historic Centre on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
