Naples Underground: Complete Guide to Aqueducts, Bomb Shelters & Catacombs

Bring your walking shoes and a light jacket and get ready to head underground! Underneath the streets of Naples lies a labyrinth of ancient aqueducts, catacombs, and bomb shelters—making it one of the most fascinating hidden gems Naples has to offer. Whether you’re planning your Naples itinerary or simply looking for unique things to do in Naples, these underground Naples tours provide a glimpse into over 2,000 years of Naples history. It’s a hidden city worth exploring.

Naples has been continuously occupied for over 2,000 years. The current city is like a stone tiramisu, with layers upon layers of history. Use this article to help choose and book your tour, and get a fresh new perspective on the city. We’ll also share some great spots to eat and drink around each site in case you work up an appetite.

Best Ways to See Subterranean Naples

Napoli Sotterranea Piazza San Gaetano

There are two competing tours called Napoli Sotterranea. Why? Naples hides so much to see belowground, and the name Napoli Sotterranea means simply, “Naples underground.” That is why you see a duplicate!

This first tour, which many consider more well-known, starts from the heart of the historical center in Piazza San Gaetano, next to the Basilica di San Paolo Maggiore. The underground Naples tours will take you on a journey through the history of the aqueducts from Roman times to WWII.

During the war, locals used the abandoned tunnels as bomb shelters, and wartime artifacts help paint a vivid picture. The tour ends with a fascinating look at the ancient underground Teatro di Nerone. There’s often a line, but you can book tickets online at a premium.

Insider’s Tip: You should peek inside the baroque basilica of San Paolo Maggiore if you have the time—and it’s free to enter.

Where to eat nearby

Hungry after (or before) the tour? The entrance to the tour sits close to one of the best pizzerias in Naples, called Gino e Toto Sorbillo. To skip the line, go early—12pm lunch or 6:30pm dinner—or prepare for a wait.

You will also find a great vegan restaurant nearby, Sbuccia e Bevi (Via Duomo, 238) that serves up delicious vegan lunches and desserts.

Napoli Sotterranea Quartieri Spagnoli

This underground tour focuses on the ancient Greek aqueducts, some of which date back to 400 BCE. It goes under the bustling neighborhood of Quartieri Spagnoli and starts from the famous Gambrinus coffee shop. Start your visit early to grab an espresso at the 19th-century spot, which also serves one of the best coffees in the city.

Once you head underground, you’ll feel like you have entered a parallel world of caverns and old cisterns. A highlight of this particular tour includes well-preserved graffiti from WWII, a time when locals camped inside to escape bombings.

If you plan your Naples itinerary, you will find this to be one of the hidden gems Naples feels especially proud of—rich with both adventure and local history.

Where to eat nearby

Back above ground, you’ll find yourself in an area filled with quality bars and eateries. Consider these options:

• Grab a tagliere (cured meat and cheese plate) from Antico Grottino (Via Sergente Maggiore, 29)
• Sip a craft beer on tap from NaBeer (Via Sergente Maggiore, 39)
• Enjoy a glass of local wine from Spuzzule (Via Sergente Maggiore, 54)
• Nab a spot at the tiny salumi shop and restaurant Da Maria (Vico S. Anna di Palazzo, 31) if you feel hungry

Galleria Borbonica

The Galleria Borbonica originated in the 1850s as an escape tunnel for King Ferdinand II in case of riots. Nowadays, the tunnel offers not only daytime tours but also nighttime musical events. Notably, one of their most memorable event series is the Concert in the Dark, where musicians play a classical concert in a spacious but pitch-black cavern. If you do not fear the dark, you should definitely try it.

The Bourbon Tunnel (as people call it in English) features four different tours. You can book all of them online. The standard tunnel tour stands out as the most accessible in this list for people with reduced mobility. The Via delle Memorie tour delves deeper and stops at a beautifully restored underground cistern. For anyone feeling adventurous, you can sign up for the Adventure Tour or the Speleo Tour Light, which explore the complex aqueduct system. Always check the meeting point when booking, since not all tours start in the same place.

If you want things to do in Naples beyond the usual surface sights, you must include this in your underground Naples tours.

Where to eat nearby

You can enjoy standout eateries near Galleria Borbonica, such as:

• Classico, an upscale contemporary Italian eatery
• Pescheria Mattucci (Vico Belledonne a Chiaia, 27), a tiny, high-quality fishmonger and restaurant

Le Catacombe di San Gennaro

The Catacombs of San Gennaro trace their origins to the 2nd century CE. This incredible space represents one of the earliest sites of Christian practices in Southern Italy. It houses the remains of the first patron saint of Naples, Sant’Agrippino, but also once held the bones of San Gennaro, its namesake. San Gennaro became the official patron saint of the city in 472 CE. Interestingly, Naples actually honors 52 patron saints!

If you care about Naples history, you will gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s spiritual roots and ancient traditions by visiting these catacombs. The site offers complete accessibility for people with reduced mobility, including tactile models and signs for visually impaired visitors. Because this site lies just outside the historical center, we recommend that you take a bus from the National Museum. Certainly, you should see the beautifully illuminated and restored catacombs.

Where to eat nearby

Unfortunately, you will not find many food and drink options near Catacombe di San Gennaro. Therefore, we recommend that you take the bus back down to the National Museum for refreshments. Try one of these options:

• Order a specialty coffee or a bite to eat at picturesque Lazzarelle, a women-owned coffee house
• Opt for a delicious gluten-free pastry at Leopoldo Cafebar
• Prefer a sit-down lunch? Vitto Pitagorico (Piazza Museo, 15) serves up awesome vegan and vegetarian fare

Le Catacombe di San Gaudioso

The Sanità area in Naples owes its name to the presence of saintly tombs under the city. The catacombs of San Gaudioso sit nestled under the neighborhood and still preserve early Christian traditions. The site began as a cemetery in the early 400s CE, then grew in popularity when St. Gaudosius was buried there in the 450s. St. Gaudosius, exiled from Tunisia, represents the historical multiculturalism of Naples.

If you seek hidden gems Naples treasures, these catacombs deliver one of the most unique things to do in Naples—perfect for anyone enriching their Naples itinerary with wonder and a touch of the macabre.

Tour guides often tell morbid tales about the practice of draining the dead. This involved cleaning a dead person’s bones before burial, but you should let the guide share the details. The catacombs of San Gaudioso are one of nine known catacombs under the city, yet only three have been restored and opened. The others remain abandoned. Creepy!

Where to eat nearby

If you work up an appetite during the macabre tour, you will find that the vibrant Sanità neighborhood is home to some delicious places to eat and drink, such as:

• Isabella De Cham Pizza Fritta (Via Arena della Sanità, 27), a women-owned business serving mouth-watering fried pizza
• Poppella, the original storefront of one of the best pastry shops in the city, if you crave sweets
• Antica Cantina Sepe (Via Vergini, 55) for a glass of wine, if you prefer a drink

FAQ: Underground Naples Tours and Itineraries

What are the best underground Naples tours for first-time visitors?

Many first-time visitors choose Napoli Sotterranea Piazza San Gaetano, Galleria Borbonica, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro. Each tour offers a unique perspective on Naples history and its hidden subterranean world.

How should I incorporate underground sites into my Naples itinerary?

You should add at least one underground tour to your Naples itinerary. Since many tours are located near major attractions and fantastic eateries, you can easily combine a historical adventure with local cuisine and other things to do in Naples.

Are the underground sites accessible for people with reduced mobility?

Some underground sites, such as Galleria Borbonica and the Catacombs of San Gennaro, offer accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility. Always check with the tour provider in advance to confirm accessibility for your needs.

What should I bring or wear for an underground Naples tour?

Wear comfortable walking shoes and a light jacket, because underground spaces can feel cool and require some walking or stair climbing. Following these tips ensures you’re ready to explore the hidden gems Naples is famous for.

Why are the catacombs and underground tunnels so important in Naples history?

Naples history lies layered beneath the city streets, with underground aqueducts, catacombs, and shelters telling the story of ancient civilizations, early Christianity, and World War II. Exploring these sites provides one of the most unique things to do in Naples.