Visit to the Catacombs of San Gennaro, Naples: hours, prices, and tips

If you are planning a weekend or a longer stay in Naples, you definitely cannot miss a visit to the Catacombs of San Gennaro, the place where the first Christians of Naples and bishops of the city were buried. By visiting this site, you can learn about the roots and soul of one of Italy's most beloved cities, but be warned: the tour takes place underground, which is an important factor to consider, especially if you do not like enclosed spaces.
Here are all our tips for organizing your visit to the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

Hours and Prices

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The Catacombs of San Gennaro are open every day and can only be visited through guided tours. Tours start every hour and last about 1 hour, during which you will be accompanied by a guide to discover this underground site. By purchasing the ticket, entry to the Catacombs of San Gaudioso is also included, the second most important Paleochristian cemetery in the city.

In addition to the visit to the Catacombs, on Sunday mornings you can walk the Holy Mile: a guided itinerary in the Rione Sanità discovering places related to San Gennaro. Departure is scheduled for 9:30 AM, duration 3 hours. Reservations are essential, preferably in advance!

Hours every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM with guided tours. Departures every hour, average duration 1 hour / Holy Mile only Sunday morning, departure at 9:30 AM, duration 3 hours
Best time to avoid lines at opening time or around lunch
Ticket price $11.00 - book online / Holy Mile $17.00 - book online
Discounts $5.00 for under 18 - $7.00 for students, seniors, and law enforcement
Free admission for people with disabilities and children up to 6 years

What to See and How to Visit the Catacombs of San Gennaro

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The Catacombs of San Gennaro are one of the symbols of Christianity in Naples. Here you can discover a millennia-old history and the close bond between the city and its Patron, San Gennaro. The catacombs can only be visited through guided tours, lasting 1 hour. To secure a spot at your preferred time, we recommend purchasing a priority entry ticket. The Catacombs are also accessible to visitors with disabilities: in this case, a special entrance has been created, located at Vicoletto S. Gennaro dei Poveri, 22.

The entrance to the Catacombs is located on Via Capodimonte, near the Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio. Once you pass the ticket office, you can navigate a staircase of about 100 steps that will take you to discover this ancient place. A real jump back in time. Let's detail what the places that make up the Catacombs of San Gennaro are:

Lower Catacomb was carved into the tuff, creating a grid structure with ceilings up to 6 m high. The entire structure revolves around the Basilica of Sant'Agrippino, where Holy Mass is still celebrated today and where the remains of Sant'Agrippino, the first Patron of Naples, are preserved.
Upper Catacomb this is the burial place of the Bishops. It was built starting from an ancient tomb, dating back to the 3rd century AD, after the transfer of the remains of San Gennaro, which occurred in the 5th century. The catacomb thus became a pilgrimage site.
Tomb of San Gennaro the tomb that gives its name to the entire system of catacombs and where San Gennaro, Patron of Naples, rests. Located in the Upper Catacomb, from here extends the entire structure built to host the remains of the bishops of Naples.

Holy Mile

If you want to learn more about the sacred bond between Naples and its Patron San Gennaro, only on Sunday mornings is it possible to participate in a guided tour along the Holy Mile, always departing from the Catacombs of San Gennaro. Duration is about 3 hours, departure at 9:30 AM.

Walking the Holy Mile you can discover the most important places in the Rione Sanità, through its history and the people who have inhabited this area. First, you will visit the Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio, then explore the Catacombs of San Gennaro. After an hour, you will move to the Basilica di San Gennaro Extra Moenia, continuing on to the Cimitero delle Fontanelle, which is an ancient tuff quarry that became an ossuary in the mid-seventeenth century, housing the bodies of victims of the epidemics that struck the city. Then continue with the Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanità, the Palazzo Sanfelice, the Palazzo dello Spagnuolo, ultimately concluding at Porta San Gennaro.

Make a stop at the Basilica di San Severo: recently restored thanks to significant renovation work, the Basilica is one of the centers of aggregation in the Rione. Unfortunately the catacomb of San Severo and its frescoes are not yet accessible to the public, but the Basilica is definitely worth a visit!

Where They Are and How to Get There

On foot at Via Capodimonte, 13. Easily reachable on foot from the Museum and Royal Park of Capodimonte (1 km, 15 min) and from the Basilica dell'Incoronata Madre del Buon Consiglio (80 m, 1 min - Get directions).
By bus reference stop Capodimonte - Basilica dell'Incoronata and Catacombs of San Gennaro. Several bus lines, the fastest are 168, 178, C63, R4 (from the historic center in about 15 min).
By metro the nearest metro stop is Museo (line L1) 2.2 km from the Catacombs of San Gennaro (22 min walk). From the metro stop, direct buses to the Catacombs, several lines (15 min).

Useful Tips for Visiting the Attraction

Wake up early ideally, you should reach the entrance by 10:00 AM;
Priority ticket buy the ticket with priority entrance to avoid long lines and ensure a spot at the best available time. Info and prices here;
Holy Mile if you visit Naples on Sunday morning, you can participate in a guided tour along the Holy Mile, retracing all the sacred sites of San Gennaro. Duration 3 hours. Info and prices here;
Beware of restrictions bringing water or food is not allowed, make sure you do not have any with you. Photography with flash or tripods is not allowed. Do not stray from the group and the guide and always remain on the designated path;
Minimum time the guided tour has an average duration of 1 hour;
Dress in layers wear comfortable shoes and bring a sweater or hoodie with you even if you visit Naples in summer. The average temperature in the Catacombs ranges from 15° to 22°;
Guests with disabilities the Catacombs are also accessible for visitors with reduced mobility or who use wheelchairs. Disabled access, by reservation, is located at vicoletto San Gennaro dei Poveri 22 - Get directions.

Historical Notes and Curiosities: What to Know in Brief

The original core of the Catacombs of San Gennaro developed in the 2nd-3rd century, around the tomb of a wealthy Roman family. With the burial of Sant'Agrippino, sixth bishop of Naples and first Patron of the city, this place became a destination for pilgrimage and veneration, especially following the transfer of the remains of San Gennaro. From this moment, the catacombs developed exponentially: tombs multiplied and, above all, were richly decorated. They host, in fact, an artistic heritage of inestimable value: you can admire paintings ranging from pagan pre-existing ones dating back to the 2nd century to the wonderful Byzantine paintings of the 9th-10th centuries. One of the most decorated places is certainly the Catacomb of the Bishops.

But not only architecture and painting: the charm of the Catacombs of San Gennaro is also enhanced by the use of modern technology. The entire structure is indeed skillfully illuminated, thanks to a lighting system created by Officina dei Talenti that uses LED technology, in order to best preserve this incredible place.
See also: What to see in Naples: top attractions and things to do