Today, we are sharing recommended Tours to see Underground Naples. We love Naples, it’s a city that never stops surprising and having visited many times, we are always excited to discover something new. While its lively streets, historic piazzas, and world-famous pizza draw millions of visitors each year, few realise that there’s an entire hidden city beneath their feet. This underground labyrinth tells the story of Naples across more than two millennia, from its Greek foundations to modern wartime history.

If you’re planning a visit, choosing the right underground Naples tour is key. Here’s everything you need to know, plus a look at some of the best underground tours to book in Naples.

Best Underground Naples Tours to Book

1. Napoli Sotterranea (Naples Underground Tour)

The most popular way to explore the underground is through Napoli Sotterranea tours. These tours provide a comprehensive introduction to the underground city. You’ll descend approximately 40 metres below street level into a network that dates back over 2,000 years. Guides explain how the ancient Greeks first quarried the stone and how the Romans later transformed these spaces into a functioning water system.

Highlights include:

• Greek and Roman tunnels carved from volcanic rock
• Sections of the ancient aqueduct system
• Large cisterns used for water storage
• WWII air-raid shelters with preserved graffiti and artefacts

Some tours include an optional narrow tunnel section, where visitors can pass through a tight, candlelit passage. This part is not always included and can usually be skipped.

All visits are guided due to safety regulations.

Best for: First-time visitors, families with older children, and anyone wanting a complete overview of underground Naples.

2. Bourbon Tunnel (Galleria Borbonica Tour)

The Bourbon Tunnel offers a more atmospheric and less conventional underground experience.

Commissioned in the 1850s by Ferdinand II of Bourbon, the tunnel was designed as a military passage and potential escape route connecting the Royal Palace to barracks. It was never fully completed for its original purpose.

Today, guided tours take visitors through large underground chambers where you’ll see:

• Historic vehicles and motorbikes stored underground during 20th-century clearances
• Remains of its use as a WWII air-raid shelter
• Impressive vaulted spaces and Bourbon-era engineering
• Occasional water-filled sections depending on the route

Some routes are more adventurous, involving uneven terrain or low lighting, which adds to the experience.

All visits are guided.

Best for: History enthusiasts, returning visitors to Naples, and those looking for a more immersive or unusual tour.

3. Catacombs of San Gennaro

The Catacombs of San Gennaro offer a different perspective on the city’s underground, focusing on early Christian history rather than infrastructure.

These catacombs date from the 2nd to 4th centuries AD and are among the most significant in southern Italy. The layout is more spacious than other underground sites, with wide passageways and large chambers.

During the visit, you’ll see:

• Burial chambers carved into the rock
• Early Christian frescoes and mosaics
• Tombs of bishops and important religious figures
• Architectural features reflecting early Christian worship

The site is also part of a local regeneration project, helping to support the surrounding community.

All visits are guided.

Best for: Families, visitors who prefer open spaces, and those interested in religious history and art.

A City Carved From Rock

The origins of Naples’ underground date back to the ancient Greeks, around the 7th century BC. They excavated the soft volcanic rock, known as tuff, to create quarries that supplied building materials for the growing city.

During the Roman era, this network expanded into an advanced infrastructure system. Aqueducts and cisterns distributed water throughout Naples, demonstrating remarkable engineering that can still be seen today.

Underground Naples During WWII

By the 19th century, much of the underground network had fallen into disuse. During World War II, however, these tunnels became essential shelters.

Thousands of residents of Naples took refuge underground during bombing raids. Families created sleeping areas, cooking spaces, and communal zones within the tunnels.

Today, visitors can still see graffiti, beds, and personal belongings, offering a powerful insight into daily life during the war.

What You’ll See on an Underground Naples Tour

Most guided tours descend approximately 40 metres below the surface, revealing:

• Greek and Roman quarries
• Ancient aqueducts and water systems
• WWII shelters and artefacts
• Layers of architecture spanning more than 2,000 years

Tours are typically available in English and Italian and usually last between 1 and 2 hours.

Tips for Visiting Underground Naples

To make the most of your visit:

• Book in advance, especially during peak travel seasons; tours book up
• Wear comfortable shoes, as surfaces can be uneven
• Bring a light jacket, temperatures underground are cooler year-round
• Check accessibility in advance, as some routes include steps and narrow passages
• Arrive early near Piazza San Gaetano

Why Exploring Underground Naples Is Worth It

Naples offers so much for visitors, from exploring the port area, visiting Pompei, to taking the ferry to Sorrento or exploring beneath the city, which offers a unique perspective on the city’s history. These underground spaces reveal how Naples has evolved over centuries, from ancient Greek quarries to Roman infrastructure and wartime shelters.

It is an experience that combines history, engineering, and human stories in a way few destinations can match.

If you’re planning your itinerary, consider combining an underground tour with a walk through the historic centre or a visit to Mount Vesuvius for a deeper understanding of the region.