How to get to the Sansevero Chapel

The chapel is located at Via Francesco De Sanctis 19/21, in the heart of Naples’ historic centre, behind Piazza San Domenico Maggiore. The simplest way to reach it is by metro to the historic centre and then on foot: you cannot arrive by car, as the last stretch is a narrow alley in a limited traffic zone.

By metro, the simplest choice

Metro Line 1 stops at Dante and Università: from both stations you can reach the Sansevero Chapel on foot in about ten minutes, walking through the historic centre. Alternatively, there is Line 2, with stops at Montesanto or Cavour, always followed by a stretch on foot. If you don’t know Naples, Line 1 is the most direct choice: fewer changes, easier route to follow on a map.

From Napoli Centrale and Piazza Garibaldi

Those arriving by train at Napoli Centrale can take Line 1 to Dante or Università and continue on foot as above, or walk directly along Corso Umberto and then through the alleys of the historic centre: it’s about twenty to twenty-five minutes, a route that passes through a lively part of the city, not just a journey to rush through.

The last stretch is always on foot

It doesn’t matter where you start: the last stretch to the Sansevero Chapel is always on foot. Via Francesco De Sanctis is a narrow alley, and the entire surrounding area is a limited-traffic zone. It’s not worth arriving by car: there’s nowhere to stop, and searching for parking in the historic centre takes more time than you’d save compared to the metro.

How to dress for the walk

The historic centre of Naples has uneven paving, the classic volcanic stone polished by centuries of footsteps: comfortable shoes matter more than you might think, especially if after the Chapel you plan a longer walk along Spaccanapoli and San Gregorio Armeno. The rest of what to wear is in what to wear, and the best day to go is in when to visit.

If you’re coming from another part of Naples

Those staying near the seafront or in Chiaia can still rely on Line 1: the stops in the historic centre remain the simplest reference point, even when starting from areas further from the old town. It’s best to avoid taxis during rush hour, when traffic around the historic centre slows down more than the metro.

If the meeting point is not at the Chapel

Guided tours often have a meeting point that isn’t right at the Chapel’s entrance: Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, the Obelisk of San Domenico, Piazza del Gesù Nuovo or Piazza Bellini, depending on the option chosen. It’s worth checking the exact meeting point address before leaving, because these are all different spots just a few minutes apart, but not the same: the comparison of the six tours’ meeting points is in which is the best tour.

The historic centre is not designed for cars

Not only Via De Sanctis is impassable by car: much of Naples’ historic centre consists of narrow alleys, limited-traffic zones, designed to be crossed on foot for centuries. Those arriving by car from outside the city would do better to leave it in a car park near a metro stop and continue from there, rather than trying to get as close as possible to the Chapel by car. Even those who know Naples well by car end up driving around in circles between one-way streets and road closures, wasting more time than those who got off at the first useful metro stop.

If you are visiting from outside Naples for the day

Those arriving from Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast or another part of Campania by train will still find Line 1 the easiest way to cover the last stretch, once they have alighted at Napoli Centrale or Garibaldi. There is no need for a different means of transport or a private transfer: the metro network covers this route well, provided you allow a few extra minutes for changes. It is best to check regional train timetables before leaving, so as to have enough leeway to avoid arriving late for the booked time slot, with at least half an hour’s buffer.

Frequently asked questions