The Sacred Mile: the review
The verdict. 4.9 out of 758 reviews: the highest rating of the six visits I compare. Three hours on foot starting from the catacombs and ending at Piazza Cavour, with all entrances included. It’s not the visit for someone with a one-hour gap between appointments: it’s a half-afternoon, and should be decided as such.
The route, step by step
We start at the Catacombs of San Gennaro, a fifty-minute guided tour. Then the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, another forty minutes. After a fifteen-minute break, we continue: Palazzo San Felice, a ten-minute walk, Via Vergini 19, another ten minutes, Piazzetta Crociferi 4, another ten, and we arrive at Piazza Cavour. The common thread is what gives the itinerary its name: from the tomb of San Gennaro to his Treasure, crossing the neighborhood in between. The page Sacred Mile provides details of each stop.
Why it has the highest rating
Because those who book it already know what they are buying: three hours on foot with a guide who speaks almost the entire time. Those who arrive with that idea in mind are rarely disappointed. The 758 reviews are few compared to the 8,718 of the catacombs alone, and that’s normal: a long format selects the audience even before departure. A very high rating from a self-selected audience says something, but not the same as a high rating from everyone.
What works well
- The catacombs, the basilica and the palaces in a single route
- All admissions are included
- The neighborhood is explored on foot, not viewed from a window
- Supports the revival projects of the Rione Sanità
Things to know before
- Three hours on your feet, with climbs and stairs
- Only one fifteen-minute break
- You finish at Piazza Cavour, far from the starting point
- Long format: it can be tiring with small children
Who should skip it
Those who can’t stand for three hours, who have knee or back problems, or who are traveling with children who run out of patience after forty minutes. Those who only want to go underground and come back up: in that case, the Catacombs of San Gennaro alone are enough. And those who have another commitment right after, because three hours can easily turn into three and a half, including the time before and after the Rione Sanità.
Closed shoes with a sturdy sole, and an extra layer in your backpack: underground the temperature is cooler than outside in any season, and in three hours you go in and out several times. I discuss this in what to wear.
Dates not working for you?
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Frequently asked questions
How much walking is there really on the Sacred Mile?
Three hours in total, of which ninety minutes are guided inside the catacombs and the basilica, and the rest on foot between Palazzo San Felice, Via Vergini and Piazzetta Crociferi, up to Piazza Cavour. The breakdown of the times for each visit is in how long the tour lasts.
Is it suitable for children?
It depends on age and stamina. Three hours with only one break can be a lot for a small child, while a teenager who can keep up will manage well. The minimum ages for the various routes are in visiting with children.
Are the entrances included in the price of the visit?
Yes: the guide and admission tickets to all stops are included, so you don’t pay anything along the way. What each option includes is explained in how much the visit costs.
Why does it have such a high rating?
4.9 out of 758 reviews, and the number of reviews explains half the answer: those who choose a three-hour itinerary already know what to expect and arrive prepared. It’s a genuine rating from a self-selected audience.