Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea): what you see, how the tour works and tips
Beneath the old centre of Naples lies another city: tuff quarries dug by the Greeks, aqueduct cisterns used for centuries and shelters where Neapolitans hid from the bombing. The Napoli Sotterranea tour starts from Piazza San Gaetano, a few steps from San Gregorio Armeno.
At a glance
- Meeting point
- Piazza San Gaetano 68, on Via dei Tribunali
- Tour
- Guided only, with departures throughout the day; about 1–1.5 hours
- Tickets and times
- On the official website napolisotterranea.org: online resellers may add fees
- Depth
- About 40 metres below the street, with lots of steps
- Note
- One passage is very narrow: not recommended if you suffer from claustrophobia, but you can skip it
- What to bring
- Comfortable shoes and a sweatshirt: it is cool down there all year round
What you see
- The tuff quarries: when the Greeks founded Neapolis, they quarried stone from here to build the city above.
- The aqueduct and the cisterns: in Roman times the cavities became a network of cisterns linked by tunnels, which supplied water to homes for centuries through wells that reached into the courtyards.
- The Second World War shelters: during the bombing thousands of Neapolitans lived down here; writings and objects from those days remain.
- The narrow passage: a stretch of tunnel just a few tens of centimetres wide, to be walked through by candlelight. If you don't feel up to it, you can wait for the group.
- The Roman theatre: the route usually also includes the remains of the theatre of Neapolis, hidden beneath the houses of the neighbourhood.
Tip: book on the official website and compare the final price with that of the online resellers. Get to Piazza San Gaetano 10–15 minutes early.
Napoli Sotterranea or Galleria Borbonica?
There are several underground routes in Naples. Napoli Sotterranea, in Piazza San Gaetano, is the most central and tells the story of the Greco-Roman city. The Galleria Borbonica (Bourbon Tunnel), near Piazza del Plebiscito, is a 19th-century tunnel with cars and objects from the war. If you only have time for one, in the historic centre choose Napoli Sotterranea.
How to get there
Piazza San Gaetano is on Via dei Tribunali, halfway between Via Duomo and Piazza Bellini. Metro Line 1 Dante or Line 2 Cavour, then 10 minutes on foot.
Nearby
- Spaccanapoli and San Gregorio Armeno2 minutes on foot
- Sansevero Chapel5 minutes on foot
- Cathedral and Treasure of San Gennaro5 minutes on foot
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Naples Underground tour take?
About an hour to an hour and a half, always with a guide.
Is Naples Underground suitable for people with claustrophobia?
There is a very narrow passage, but it is optional: if you suffer from claustrophobia you can skip it and wait for the group.
Where do you buy tickets?
On the official website napolisotterranea.org or at the meeting point in Piazza San Gaetano 68.
Where to stay near Naples Underground
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.
