Museum Tickets and Tours in Naples

Naples is an Italian city steeped in history. Its rich artistic and cultural heritage is reflected in its museums, whose collections celebrate art, creativity and innovation, offering a unique and unforgettable experience.

There is a wide range of museums in the city, which you can include among the things to see and do in Naples. You can enjoy the sacred art of the Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro, contemplate the ancient art and artefacts of the National Archaeological Museum, discover the history of Neapolitan medicine at the Museum of Health Arts and much more.

The famous Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro is located in Naples Cathedral . There, you can enjoy an extensive collection of sacred art from the 13th to the 18th centuries, which will allow you to delve into local history and traditions.

The museum is associated with the veneration of the patron saint of Naples, San Gennaro. In its rooms, you will see an interesting collection that will immerse you in the history of the saint and the miracles attributed to him. This is achieved through religious objects, sculptures and paintings by artists such as Giordano and Caravaggio.

With tickets to the Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro , you will also have the opportunity to see the exhibition of jewellery and goldsmithing, with diadems and crowns decorated with precious gems. There is also a series of relics and sacred objects used in ceremonies, including reliquaries, chalices and more.

If you are interested in continuing to discover the city's religious heritage, after exploring the museum's rooms you could visit the Catacombs of San Gennaro. This funerary complex is home to the tomb of the patron saint of Naples and is located just a 15-minute drive from the museum.

Useful information

• Admission: ticket prices start at around £10 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), Sunday (9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.).
• Location: Via Duomo, 149, 80138 Naples, Italy.

Another of the city's best cultural institutions that is not to be missed is the Archaeological Museum of Naples. Its history began in the late 18th century and it is now considered one of the most important museums in Europe thanks to its impressive collections of ancient art and artefacts. All of them focus mainly on Roman civilisation and Greek culture.

Visiting the National Archaeological Museum is like travelling back in time. In its rooms , you will see a section dedicated to the Greek period, featuring a collection dating from the 8th to the 3rd century BC, consisting of ceramics and sculptures representing gods and mythological beings. There is also a Roman exhibition with mosaics, frescoes and more.

Another collection that will amaze you is that of Pompeii and Herculaneum, which shows what life was like in ancient Rome through a series of objects (kitchen utensils, tools, busts, frescoes, mosaics) recovered from the excavations carried out in Pompeii after the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. You can enjoy all this and more by purchasing tickets for the National Archaeological Museum.

Useful information

• Admission: around £3 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:00 to 19:30.
• Location: Piazza Museo, 19, 80135 Naples, Italy.

If you want to make the most of your trip to Naples and immerse yourself in Italian art and culture, you must visit the Capodimonte Museum. Its large halls display a vast collection of over 47,000 works ranging from the Middle Ages to the 21st century: paintings, sculptures and decorative art.

The museum was founded in 1957 and established in the former royal residence, the Capodimonte Palace. It is a neoclassical building dating back to 1738, when King Charles VII of Spain commissioned its construction from the architect Giovanni Antonio Medrano.

Among the collections on display, you will see paintings by Renaissance artists such as Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio. There are also sculptures by Bernini, Antonio Corradini, Francesco Queirolo, and others. In the decorative arts section, you will find examples of Neapolitan ceramics, collections of historical furniture, decorations, and more.

You can explore the rooms on your own or join a private tour of the Capodimonte Museum. The latter will allow you to delve deeper into the history of each work and the artists, thanks to the detailed commentary usually provided by the guide.

Useful information

• Admission: prices start at around £10 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
• Location: Via Montalbino, 1, 80131 Naples, Italy.

The Città della Scienza Museum is undoubtedly a place to discover science and technology in an interactive way . Its rooms house a series of surprising exhibitions that explore the mysteries of the universe, the fascinating world of insects, the human body and other scientific topics.

Città della Scienza is a museum with an original concept, capable of providing an immersive experience. The interior of the building is divided into several rooms with temporary and permanent exhibitions, offering both interactivity and experimentation. All this focuses on specific topics related to science and technology.

A very popular room in the Città della Scienza Museum is the Bugs&Co exhibition, which shows the characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of more than 150 million insects and invertebrates. These include ants, cockroaches, hermit crabs, etc. You will also see exhibitions with scientific experiments.

Another exhibition area included with admission to the Città della Scienza Museum is CORPOREA. This is a museum dedicated to health that allows you to explore the human body in a totally interactive way. It is definitely a good option if your 3- or 5-day itinerary in Naples allows you time to visit.

Useful information

• Admission: approximately £10 per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Closed on Mondays.
• Location: Via Coroglio, 57/104, 80124 Naples NA, Italy.

The history of medicine and healthcare through the centuries in Naples is on display at the Museum of Health Arts. This fascinating venue is located in the former Hospital of Naples and houses a collection of unique medical tools and rare anatomical specimens, among other things.

This local history museum focuses its exhibits on ancient medicine and the techniques that existed to treat diseases. The exhibits are spread over three floors, where you can discover amazing surgical instruments, anatomical models, books and medical documents.

Highlights include the malformation room and an exhibition showing art from a health perspective. There is also an exhibition of shrunken heads and a pharmacy area with traditional medicines and potions.

A visit to this museum usually takes between 90 minutes and 2 hours, so once you're done, you'll have time to continue exploring the city. You might want to join a guided tour of Naples or hop on one of the Naples tourist buses.

Useful information

• Admission: the cost of admission starts at around £10 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Saturdays are by reservation only. Closed on Sundays.
• Location: Via dei Tribunali, 292, Naples. Italy.

In the historic centre of Naples is the Donnaregina Museum of Contemporary Art, also known by the acronym Madre. Opened in 2005, the museum is housed in a restored 14th-century convent and houses an outstanding collection of contemporary art including paintings, sculptures and more.

In the rooms of the Madre museum, you will have the opportunity to discover contemporary art through different artistic expressions. You will see paintings, installations and sculptures by iconic artists such as Joseph Beuys, Andy Warhol and Anish Kapoor, among others.

In addition, the museum often presents temporary exhibitions featuring emerging artists and special cultural events. Although dates and times vary annually, if you are in Naples in the summer, you will have a better chance of enjoying these activities, as this is the high season.

Useful information

• Admission: approximately £10 per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday (10:00 to 19:30). Closed on Sundays.
• Location: Via Settembrini, 79, 80139 Naples NA, Italy.

The San Martino Museum, located on the Vomero hill in Naples, offers a fascinating insight into Neapolitan history and art. Its history dates back to 1866 when it first opened its doors to the public after the unification of Italy. Inside, it houses impressive works of art, sacred objects, furniture and more.

The museum's collection includes pieces from Neapolitan churches and convents. You can see an impressive 18th-century nativity scene made with more than 160 terracotta figures. Also noteworthy is an exhibition of valuable porcelain pieces from the Royal Capodimonte Factory, founded by Charles VII of Bourbon.

In another room, you can enjoy masterpieces by important Baroque artists. These include the Spanish artist Jusepe de Ribera and the Neapolitans Luca Giordano and Francesco De Mura, among other painters.

The museum also offers the opportunity to explore the 14th-century Benedictine monastery, located in the same complex. You will see the cells of the former monks, a pair of cloisters, the church and the hanging gardens with views of Naples.

Useful information

• Admission: prices start at €6 per person.
• Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Closed every Wednesday.
• Location: Largo S. Martino, 5, 80129 Naples NA, Italy.

The Pignatelli Museum, housed in an elegant 18th-century noble palace, is another of the city's treasures. This fascinating venue preserves an important part of Neapolitan history and art through the private collection of the Pignatelli family , which includes antiques, furniture and paintings, among other items.

The rooms of this noble palace reveal the Pignatelli family's passion for decorative art and their refined taste. Among the most notable exhibits, you will see a collection of silver, ceramics, glass and porcelain objects.

In addition, the museum has collections of paintings and sculptures by Italian and European artists from the Baroque, Neoclassical and Romanesque periods. Francesco Solimena and Giovanni Battista Castello are among them. You will also see an exhibition of antique furniture and Italian tapestries.

Whether you visit Naples in winter, summer or any other time of year, if you are enthusiastic about decorative arts and history, then the Pignatelli Museum is a must-see destination. You will enjoy a unique experience.

Useful information

• Admission: approximately £6 per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 19:30. Closed on Mondays.
• Location: Via Domenico Morelli, 2, 80121 Naples NA, Italy.

The Ascione Coral Museum is a fascinating destination, located in an old palace in the centre of Naples. The museum takes its name from the former Ascione coral factory, whose legacy of artisan jewellery has endured throughout the centuries in the Neapolitan region.

In the first section of the museum, you will gain an in-depth understanding of the different types of coral and their origins, as well as the fishing methods and tools used to extract them. You will also learn about the process of making cameos, from the shells to the final stages of production.

The next area of the museum displays an amazing collection of jewellery made from coral, lava stones and cameos. See more than 1,600 pieces dating from the 18th century to the early 20th century, showcasing the region's rich craft tradition.

You can also learn about the history and importance of the legendary Ascione factory through photographs, documents and some interesting objects. A visit to the Ascione Coral Museum is definitely something to consider during your 3-day trip to Naples or longer.

Useful information

• Admission: between £5 and £10 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday (10:00 to 13:00 and 16:00 to 19:00). Usually closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Location: Galleria Umberto I, Piazzetta Matilde Serao, 19, Naples, Italy.

The Zoology Museum in Naples was founded in 1813 by King Gioacchino Murat. Its rooms house important finds related to biodiversity and natural history, originating from exchanges with other museums and donations from famous scientists such as Stefano delle Chiaje and Gabriele Cost, among many others.

Inside the building, you will find an exhibition area of approximately 1,200 square metres. This space is divided into two rooms: the Salone Maggiore, which is the main room, and the Salone Minore. Both spaces were inaugurated on the occasion of the 7th Congress of Italian Scientists in 1845.

Among the museum's collections , the display of preserved skeletons stands out , where you can see different species and learn about preservation methods. The fossil exhibition reveals the evolution of species over the centuries. You will also have the opportunity to see the collection of ecosystems, with various representations that include the biodiversity that inhabits them.

Useful information

• Admission: from £5 per person.
• Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.). Monday and Thursday (9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.). Closed on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Location: Via Mezzocannone, 8, 80134 Naples, Italy.