Bourbon Tunnel (Galleria Borbonica): cisterns, shelters, vintage cars

An hour beneath Chiaia, in the Bourbon tunnel. The standard route takes you through the cisterns of the old water system, the passages that served as air-raid shelters during the Second World War, and the storage areas where vintage cars and motorbikes have stood still for decades. On the walls and floors there are still objects left behind by the people who sheltered here from the bombs. The guide, in Italian or English, pieces together the stories of these spaces. With nearly three thousand reviews and a 4.9 rating, it’s one of the best-loved underground visits in the city.

4.9(2,772 reviews on Viator) Chiaia

Bourbon Tunnel (Galleria Borbonica): cisterns, shelters, vintage cars — Photo: Associazione Culturale Borbonica Sotterranea, CC BY-SA 4.0 · credits

Duration

1 hour

Group

up to 8

Languages

English, Italian

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Days

every day

Start

Chiaia

What you’ll do

You go down with the guide into the oldest part of the route, the great cisterns that were part of the area’s old water system. From there you move into the corridors that in the 20th century became an air-raid shelter: here the guide stops at the objects and marks left by those who spent bombing nights underground.

The last stretch is the most striking: passages full of vintage cars and motorbikes, left there and never moved again, with dust settling on them over the years. The tour lasts an hour and runs in a small group, up to 8 people, in Italian or English depending on the slot you booked.

The visit is told, not just shown: the guide reconstructs why the tunnel was dug, how its use changed over time and how the cars ended up there. That’s why it’s worth booking the slot in the language you understand best, Italian or English.

Who it’s for

Good for anyone short on time: in an hour you see one of the most unusual things in Naples without leaving the centre. Works with kids and teenagers, who are wowed by the abandoned cars, and with anyone who prefers 20th-century history to museums. The group is small, so you hear everything. If you don’t like enclosed spaces, think about it first: you’re underground for the whole visit.

Local tip

The entrance is in Chiaia, a few minutes’ walk from Piazza del Plebiscito and the seafront: it pairs well with a morning between the Palazzo Reale and Castel dell’Ovo. Slots are small and sell out, so book a few days ahead and choose your language. It’s cooler underground than on the street: a light jumper in your bag won’t hurt.

What’s included

Guide in Italian or English.

Price, availability and details come straight from Viator and are kept up to date. If you book through us, we get a small commission; it costs you nothing extra.

Frequently asked questions

How long is the visit and how many people are there?

The standard route lasts about an hour. Groups are small, up to 8 people, so the guide can answer questions and you can hear well even in the corridors. You book a specific slot with a start time.

What language is the visit in?

The guide is available in Italian and English: you choose the language when booking and are put in the matching slot. The ticket includes entry and the guided visit.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes, cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time, with a full refund. After that the ticket isn’t refunded, so double-check the date and time of the slot you choose.

Read before you go

from€15Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

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