Underground Naples in the historic centre: what it is and what you see
Underground Naples comprises three different sites
This is the confusion I hear most often, stemming from a name used as if it were a single label. Beneath Naples, there are at least three visitable places that share nothing in common except being below street level.
Catacombs of San Gennaro, Via Capodimonte 13: early Christian cemetery on two levels, wide and level galleries, frescoes from the 2nd to the 10th century. About one hour, guided tour only.
Underground Naples in the historic centre, Via dei Tribunali: Greco-Roman aqueduct, remains of the Roman theatre, Summa Cavea. One and a half to two hours, narrow tunnels.
Ipogeo dei Cristallini, Via dei Cristallini: Greek necropolis, four 4th-century B.C. burial chambers twelve metres underground, steep descent, groups of ten.
There is a fourth, less mentioned: the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, beneath the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, with 17th-century noble burials. If you must choose just one, the answer lies in which catacombs to visit.
What you see beneath Via dei Tribunali
The route follows the old Greco-Roman aqueduct, which supplied the city for centuries, and reaches the remains of the Roman theatre with the Summa Cavea, incorporated into the historic centre’s houses. The visit lasts one and a half to two hours, is conducted in English and Italian, and has the support of a multilingual app.
The part worth mentioning before booking concerns the dimensions. In some tunnels, you pass through sideways, not frontally. Alternative routes exist, but they do not cover all areas: if narrow spaces make you uncomfortable, be aware now rather than halfway through. The galleries of the Catacombs of San Gennaro are the exact opposite—wide and almost entirely level: I compare them in which underground Naples to choose.
The rating, read in full
4.4 out of 25,315 reviews: the highest number of reviews and the lowest rating among the six routes I compare. The two things are connected. This is the underground site with the highest visitor flow in Naples, the passages are narrow, and the experience varies greatly depending on the guide you get. This is not a negative review: it is a highly visited site with a good average rating and high variance. The full review is in the review of Underground Naples.
What works well
- Greco-Roman aqueduct and Roman theatre in the same route
- In the heart of the historic centre, beneath Via dei Tribunali
- English and Italian, with multilingual app support
- One and a half to two hours: fills half a day well
Things to know before
- Very narrow passages, in some sections you have to walk sideways
- Alternative routes do not cover all areas
- Average rating 4.4: the experience depends heavily on the guide
- It is not a catacomb and does not replace San Gennaro
If you only have one day and must choose between the two, consider what type of underground site interests you: hydraulic engineering and a Roman theatre on one side, a Christian cemetery and frescoes on the other. They are not the same visit in two different places.
Both, if you have time
You can do both on different days, and the order I recommend is catacombs first. The Catacombs of San Gennaro explain why digging took place here, and the historic centre is easier to understand afterwards. Just remember that the catacombs ticket also includes San Gaudioso for twelve months, while the Underground Naples ticket is separate: what the ticket includes.
The classic in the city centreUnderground Naples: ticket and guided tour
Most bookedCatacombs of San Gennaro: ticket and guided tour
Maximum 10 peopleIpogeo dei Cristallini: guided tour
If you want to compare all formats before deciding, start with all tours or from guided tours.
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Check the other available tours of the Catacombs of San Gennaro and find the slot you need — instant confirmation and free cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
Are Underground Naples and the Catacombs of San Gennaro the same thing?
No. Underground Naples is the Greco-Roman aqueduct beneath Via dei Tribunali, with the remains of the Roman theatre; the catacombs are a Christian cemetery in Capodimonte, on two levels. They are two separate tickets, two different locations and two distinct visits: see which catacombs to visit.
How long does the visit to Underground Naples last?
Between an hour and a half and two hours, in English and Italian, with the support of a multilingual app. The guided tour of the Catacombs of San Gennaro lasts 45–50 minutes instead: the comparison between the formats is in guided tours.
Are the passages really narrow?
Yes. In some tunnels you have to walk sideways and alternative routes do not cover all areas. Those who prefer more space should choose the catacombs’ galleries, which are wide and almost entirely flat: you can find them in guided tours.
Which underground site should I visit if I only have one day?
It depends on what you are looking for: the aqueduct and Roman theatre in the historic centre, or a paleo-Christian cemetery with frescoes from the 2nd to the 10th century in Capodimonte. I have included the full comparison in which underground Naples to choose.