The main Napoli Sotterranea entrance is on Piazza San Gaetano, within easy walking distance of Spaccanapoli. Guided tours run regularly through a network of ancient cisterns and tunnels — some wide enough to walk through comfortably, some narrow enough to require turning sideways. The atmosphere is genuinely evocative: cool, dimly lit and very quiet.
The tunnels were part of the ancient city's aqueduct system, channelling water from the hills above. They remained in use until the 1885 cholera epidemic led to the city's modernisation. In WWII, they served as air-raid shelters for the Neapolitan population — sections are preserved with wartime artifacts.
Temperature underground stays around 15°C year-round. This makes Underground Naples an excellent choice on a very hot summer day — a genuine retreat into cool, historically rich space.
Tours are guided, typically 1–1.5 hours, and run in multiple languages. Book in advance online during peak season. The entrance on Piazza San Gaetano and Via dei Tribunali is easily reached on foot from the historic centre.
Highlights
- Ancient Greek-Roman cisterns and tunnel network
- WWII air-raid shelter sections, preserved with period artifacts
- Cool at 15°C year-round — excellent on hot summer days
- Guided tours in multiple languages
Tips
- Book in advance during peak season — tours fill quickly
- Bring a light layer — 15°C underground is noticeably cooler than a summer street
- Allow 90 minutes total including the walk to and from Spaccanapoli
- Check current tour times and booking options before your visit