Naples Underground — About, History, Tours & Visitor Info (2025)

Descend beneath the historic center of Naples into a hidden world of Greek quarries, Roman aqueducts and World War II air-raid shelters. Learn how Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea) was carved into the soft tuff rock, what you’ll see on guided tours, and how to combine it with Bourbon Tunnel, catacombs and city walks in one unforgettable day.

About Naples Underground

Naples Underground is a maze of tunnels, cisterns and passageways lying around 40 meters (130 feet) below the streets of the historic center. For centuries, Neapolitans quarried the soft volcanic tuff stone here to build palaces, churches and houses — leaving behind huge cavities that later became water reservoirs and, eventually, wartime shelters.

Today, guided tours take you through narrow corridors, candlelit chambers and rock-cut staircases. You’ll see traces of the ancient Greek and Roman aqueduct, cisterns once filled with drinking water, graffiti and objects from World War II, and even underground gardens and small chapels carved into the rock.

What Makes Naples Underground Special

Unlike a normal museum, Naples Underground is a living piece of the city’s geology and history. You’re literally walking inside the stone that holds Naples up — with stories from more than 2,000 years layered on top of each other.

  • Greek-Roman quarries and aqueduct tunnels carved into volcanic tuff.
  • World War II air-raid shelters, storage rooms and handwritten messages.
  • Atmospheric passages lit by lamps and candles, with constant cool temperatures.

Where It Fits in Your Naples Plan

The main Naples Underground entrance is close to Piazza San Gaetano in the heart of the historic center, a short walk from Via dei Tribunali and Spaccanapoli. It’s easy to combine with San Gennaro and San Gaudioso catacombs, the Bourbon Tunnel (Galleria Borbonica), and guided walking tours of the old town.

Suggested combo: Do a morning underground tour, enjoy pizza and coffee in the historic center, then explore the catacombs or Bourbon Tunnel in the afternoon for a full “hidden Naples” day.

Brief History & Timeline of Naples Underground

The story of Naples Underground mirrors the story of the city above it — from ancient settlement to modern metropolis:

  • Greek foundations (4th century BC) — Early settlers dig the first tunnels and quarries into the tuff rock beneath Neapolis, using the stone to build walls and houses.
  • Roman era — The underground system expands into a complex aqueduct and cistern network that brings water from sources outside the city into fountains, bathhouses and homes.
  • Middle Ages – 19th century — As Naples grows, new wells and staircases are cut down to the cisterns. Some spaces are abandoned, others are adapted as cellars, storage rooms and escape routes.
  • World War II — During heavy bombing, many of the old quarries and tunnels are cleaned, reinforced and used as air-raid shelters for civilians. Families spend nights underground, leaving drawings and personal objects behind.
  • Post-war rediscovery — Interest in the underground grows. Local associations and experts begin to map, clear and make parts of the network safe for guided visits.
  • Late 20th – 21st century — Organized tours of Napoli Sotterranea and Galleria Borbonica open to the public, adding lighting and walkways while preserving the raw rock surfaces and original wartime features.

Today: Naples Underground is one of the city’s most popular experiences, offering a mix of archaeology, engineering, wartime history and urban legends — all in a cool, atmospheric setting below the UNESCO-listed historic center.

Tours, Tickets & Underground Experiences in Naples

You can visit Naples Underground on a focused guided tour or combine it with catacombs, city walks and even Pompeii. These GetYourGuide options give you flexible ways to explore:

Naples Underground Entry Ticket & Guided Tour

Join an official Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea) tour with a local guide. Descend deep below the historic center to explore ancient quarries, cisterns and wartime shelters.

Bourbon Tunnel (Galleria Borbonica) Guided Tour

Explore the dramatic Galleria Borbonica, an underground tunnel system built in the 19th century and reused during World War II. See wartime vehicles, escape routes and impressive engineering carved into the tuff rock.

Rione Sanità Underground Walking Tour

Discover the Rione Sanità district with its palaces, churches and hidden underground sites. Many tours include access to hypogea and catacombs that show another side to Naples beneath the surface.

Pompeii & Naples Underground Day Experience

Combine a guided walking tour of Naples, a visit to the underground and a trip to Pompeii in one day. Ideal if you have limited time and want both city and ruins without organizing transport yourself.

Historic Center & Underground Combo Tours

Some tours blend old town sightseeing with an underground visit. You’ll see key streets like Spaccanapoli, churches and piazzas above ground, then descend to the tunnels below for the full story.

Evening & Small-Group Experiences

Look for small-group or evening departures if you prefer fewer people and a more atmospheric visit. These can be great for photos and storytelling-focused guided tours.

Flexibility tip: Many Naples tours on GetYourGuide offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before your activity starts — ideal if you’re watching the weather or still finalizing your itinerary.

What You’ll Experience in Naples Underground

Tunnels, Cisterns & Wartime Shelters

Every underground route is slightly different, but most Naples Underground tours include:

  1. Long staircases cut into the rock, taking you down to around 40 meters below the surface.
  2. Narrow passages where you sometimes walk single-file, lit by small lamps or candles.
  3. Ancient cisterns that once stored drinking water for the city, with traces of plaster, channels and inspection wells.
  4. World War II spaces used as air-raid shelters, storerooms and field hospitals, with old beds, objects and graffiti.
  5. Rock-cut chapels and small shrines, sometimes decorated by locals or guides to explain religious traditions and legends.

Atmosphere & Storytelling

The environment is cool, slightly humid and very quiet. Guides usually mix hard history with local stories and a bit of humor, covering everything from ancient engineering to modern urban myths.

  • Feel the temperature drop as you leave the busy streets and enter the rock.
  • Hear how builders, water carriers and wartime families used the same spaces in very different ways.
  • Learn about earthquakes, eruptions and geology that shaped the Neapolitan landscape.

Tip: If you’re prone to claustrophobia, tell your guide before the tour starts — some routes offer alternative sections or brief “escape” options back to the surface.

Insider Tips for Visiting Naples Underground

Best Time to Visit

Late morning or mid-afternoon tours often strike a good balance between availability and crowds. In summer, the underground is pleasantly cool, so it can be a great escape from midday heat.

Clothing & Footwear

Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes with good grip — some surfaces can be damp or uneven. A light jacket or sweater is useful, as temperatures underground are cooler than the streets above.

Accessibility & Fitness

Most Naples Underground routes involve many steps, narrow passages and low ceilings. They are generally not suitable for wheelchairs, strollers or visitors with serious mobility issues. If in doubt, check the accessibility notes on your chosen tour.

Photography & Etiquette

Photography is usually allowed without flash, but rules vary by site. Follow your guide’s instructions and be mindful of other guests in tight spaces. Keep voices low so everyone can hear the commentary.

Visitor Cheatsheet — Naples Underground

Main Location

The best-known Naples Underground entrance is near Piazza San Gaetano in the historic center, close to Via dei Tribunali and major churches like San Lorenzo Maggiore.

Tour Duration

Most standard tours last about 1.5 to 2 hours, including time for group assembly, walking down and back up, and explanations at several stops.

Languages

Tours are commonly offered in Italian and English, with other languages available on some departures. Always check the language option and departure time before you book.

Age & Health Considerations

Children are usually welcome when accompanied by adults, but very young kids, people with severe claustrophobia or serious mobility issues may find the experience challenging.

What to Bring

Bring a small bottle of water, your ticket or e-voucher, and a fully-charged phone if you plan to take photos. Keep bags small so they don’t get in the way in narrow tunnels.

Combining With Other Sights

Pair Naples Underground with catacombs, the Bourbon Tunnel, historic-center walking tours or a pizza-making class for the perfect mix of history, culture and food in one day.

Ready to Plan Your Naples Underground Day?

Secure your spot on a Naples Underground guided tour, add Bourbon Tunnel or catacombs, and build a custom itinerary that reveals the stories beneath the streets of Naples in 2025.