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Top things to do in Naples

Catacombs of San Gaudioso

Dating back to the 4th-5th centuries AD, the Catacombs of San Gaudioso blend early Christian burial practices with Renaissance art. Highlights include the striking painted skeleton frescoes, the Madonna della Sanità fresco, and the tomb of Saint Gaudiosus, a North African bishop.
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Slide 1 of 15, Catacombs of San Gennaro, ancient underground burial site with illuminated arches and passageways.
Catacombs of San Gennaro, ancient underground burial site with illuminated arches and passageways.

Catacombs of San Gennaro Entry Tickets & Guided Tour

1 hr

  • Explore the Catacombs of San Gennaro on a 1-hour guided tour through one of Naples’ most important early Christian burial sites.

  • Walk through vast underground galleries, ancient tombs, chapels, and frescoed spaces carved into volcanic rock.

  • Learn about Naples’ early Christian history, burial traditions, and the legacy of Saint Gennaro from an expert guide.

  • Choose between an English or Italian-guided tour, depending on the option selected.

  • Your ticket also gives you access to the Catacombs of San Gaudioso within 12 months, giving you more time to explore Naples’ underground heritage.

More details

  • Explore the Catacombs of San Gennaro on a 1-hour guided tour through one of Naples’ most important early Christian burial sites.

  • Walk through vast underground galleries, ancient tombs, chapels, and frescoed spaces carved into volcanic rock.

  • Learn about Naples’ early Christian history, burial traditions, and the legacy of Saint Gennaro from an expert guide.

  • Choose between an English or Italian-guided tour, depending on the option selected.

  • Your ticket also gives you access to the Catacombs of San Gaudioso within 12 months, giving you more time to explore Naples’ underground heritage.

from
€13
Slide 1 of 8, Visitors touring the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, Naples, Italy, with ancient frescoes.
Visitors touring the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, Naples, Italy, with ancient frescoes.

Catacombs of San Gaudioso Entry Tickets & Guided Tour

1 hr

  • Experience an unforgettable guided underground tour of Naples with an experienced English or Italian-speaking guide.

  • Explore the resting place of Bishop San Gaudioso and more, all under the bustling Sanità district.

  • Step into the world of Gennaro too and discover hidden churches, catacombs, historic neighborhoods, and local markets.

  • Experience the eerie beauty of frescoes made from real bones and skulls as they honor the dead in a uniquely macabre way.

  • With a ticket upgrade, access a plethora of other monuments and perks in the Campania region. Entry to the first 5 sites will be completely free!

  • Fun fact: The catacombs are said to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl who was buried there. Legend has it that if you leave a gift for the girl, she will grant you a wish.

More details

  • Experience an unforgettable guided underground tour of Naples with an experienced English or Italian-speaking guide.

  • Explore the resting place of Bishop San Gaudioso and more, all under the bustling Sanità district.

  • Step into the world of Gennaro too and discover hidden churches, catacombs, historic neighborhoods, and local markets.

  • Experience the eerie beauty of frescoes made from real bones and skulls as they honor the dead in a uniquely macabre way.

  • With a ticket upgrade, access a plethora of other monuments and perks in the Campania region. Entry to the first 5 sites will be completely free!

  • Fun fact: The catacombs are said to be haunted by the ghost of a young girl who was buried there. Legend has it that if you leave a gift for the girl, she will grant you a wish.

from
€13

Pro tips to help you make a pick

Pre-book a timed guided tour, especially in high season or on weekends. The main benefit is securing a slot; there is no documented large skip-the-line security queue.

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About Catacombs of San Gaudioso

Guided entry only makes the Catacombs of San Gaudioso a structured underground visit beneath an active Baroque basilica. The route combines the tomb of Saint Gaudiosus, early Christian burial galleries, and 17th-century skull-and-shoulders wall tombs in about 45–60 minutes. Tours are run by La Paranza, linking the site to conservation and community work in the Sanità neighborhood.

AddressVia Sanità, 123, 80136 Napoli NA, Italy
Also known asSan Gaudioso catacombs
Year opened1985

Did you know?

The site grew around the tomb of Saint Gaudiosus, a 5th-century African bishop exiled to Naples, whose burial turned the area into a Christian cemetery and pilgrimage site.

Why visit Catacombs of San Gaudioso?

The 5th-Century Tomb of Saint Gaudiosus

The catacombs developed around the burial of Saint Gaudiosus, a 5th-century African bishop exiled to Naples. His tomb turned the site into a Christian pilgrimage and cemetery, and the fresco decoration emphasizes his episcopal status and Naples' link with North African Christianity.

Plan your visit

Basilica Main Entrance - Piazza Sanità

This is the main surface-level entrance to the Basilica di Santa Maria della Sanità, opening directly onto Piazza Sanità. All visitors use this entrance to reach the Catacombs of San Gaudioso, since the underground site is accessed through the church. Inside the basilica complex, staff direct visitors to the catacombs desk or meeting point for ticket checks before the guided tour begins. Waits are usually minimal or none, apart from possible delays during major religious services. The front steps may be challenging for visitors with limited mobility, and detailed ramp information is not confirmed. On maps, search for the basilica name rather than the underground site alone.

Catacombs Access Stairway (Inside Basilica)

After entering the basilica, ticketed visitors are directed by staff or signage to the internal stairway leading down to the catacombs. This is where guided groups assemble before descent, and mobile or printed vouchers are checked at the catacombs desk or meeting area nearby. Expect a brief wait while the group gathers, even if you have a reservation. This access point involves staircases, and no elevator is confirmed, so it is likely challenging or impossible for wheelchair users and difficult for anyone unable to manage stairs. The route below also includes narrow passages, uneven floors, and low ceilings.

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What our guests say

Antea M

Croatia
Couple
Jun 2026
The girl that lead us was great in explanation and demostration, she was born for this job. Catacombes are really interesting and the story is stunning.

Catacombs of San Gennaro Entry Tickets & Guided Tour

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