Underground Tour. From the Royal Palace to the Bourbon Gallery

If you’re planning a trip to Naples and want to uncover some of its lesser-known treasures, this Underground Tour from the Royal Palace to the Bourbon Gallery could be a fantastic choice. It’s a chance to walk through historic tunnels, see iconic landmarks, and get a glimpse of the city’s underground engineering marvels—all in about four hours.

What really drew us in are two standout features: first, the small-group size that promises a more personal experience with a knowledgeable guide, and second, the unique opportunity to see underground tunnels and ride a raft across an underground canal. That kind of adventure doesn’t come around every day.

However, a key consideration is that the tour does not include tickets to the Bourbon Gallery or the Royal Palace, so you’ll need to budget extra for those. Also, since the itinerary involves a fair amount of walking and exploring underground, it’s best suited for those comfortable with physical activity and possibly uneven surfaces.

If you’re a history buff, a curious traveler wanting a deeper look beneath the city, or someone who loves a mix of city sights and underground adventures, this tour should fit the bill.

Key Points

• Intimate Group Setting: Small tour size ensures you get personalized attention from your guide.
• Unique Underground Exploration: Visit the Bourbon Tunnel, ride a raft, and see underground canals.
• Iconic Landmarks: Walk the streets around the Royal Palace, Piazza del Plebiscito, and Lungomare Caracciolo.
• Cost-Effective: At $57.84, considering the exclusive underground experience, it offers solid value—though tickets for the Bourbon Gallery and Royal Palace are extra.
• Flexible Timing: Multiple start times from morning to late evening offer flexibility.
• Highly Rated: With a perfect 5.0 rating from five reviews, travelers find it interesting and enjoyable.

What to Expect from This Naples Underground Tour

This experience is built around giving you a comprehensive taste of Naples’ underground and surrounding sights. It’s not just a walk through tunnels; it’s a layered experience that combines city sights, history, and underground engineering marvels.

Starting Point: Piazza del Gesu Nuovo

Your adventure kicks off at Piazza del Gesu Nuovo, a lively square full of history and activity. It’s a natural meeting point, with the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola and the Royal Palace nearby. The tour begins with a monolingual guide, which means you’ll get in-depth insights in one language—perfect for those who prefer streamlined, clear explanations.

A visitor named Viaro_S described the guide as “very friendly and knowledgeable, with anecdotes and curiosities about Naples’ history,” which is a great sign that you’ll be in good hands.

Exploring the Streets: Lungomare Caracciolo

Next, you’ll stroll along the Lungomare Caracciolo, a scenic seaside promenade offering views of the Castel dell’Ovo and the bustling waterfront. It’s the kind of walk that allows you to soak in Naples’ vibrant atmosphere, with plenty of restaurants and cafes where you can stop for a drink or a bite.

Expect about an hour and a half here—enough time to admire the scenery and maybe snap some photos of the sweeping bay. This part of the tour is free of charge, making it a nice, relaxed transition before heading underground.

The Underground Adventure: Galleria Borbonica

The highlight of the tour is definitely the visit to the Galleria Borbonica, a historic tunnel built during the Bourbon reign. This underground passage was a civil engineering feat at the time and now serves as a fascinating window into Naples’ past.

Here, you’ll explore the tunnels, which once connected the Bourbon Palace to military barracks. The tour includes a ride on a raft over an underground canal—a fun and slightly adventurous element that adds a memorable twist.

While the tour price doesn’t include the Bourbon Gallery ticket, the experience of walking through the tunnels and seeing the engineering work firsthand is well worth it. Travelers have shared how much they appreciated the “impressive civil engineering” and the chance to see a different side of Naples.

Additional Considerations

Since the tour includes a fair amount of walking and exploring underground passages, wear comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing. The itinerary is designed to be flexible, but weather conditions won’t affect the tour, as it’s mostly indoors or underground.

The tour also emphasizes personal attention, with small groups capped at 12 travelers, ensuring your guide can answer questions and tailor the experience a bit.

Extra Costs and Tickets

Remember, the ticket to the Bourbon Gallery and Royal Palace are not included** so you should plan to buy those separately if you wish to see inside. The tour itself offers a great overview and behind-the-scenes look at Naples’ underground, but for full access, you’ll need those additional tickets.

How Does the Price Stack Up?

At just under $58, this tour packs a punch. For that, you’re getting a guided experience that covers multiple key sights and an underground tunnel adventure. Considering the small group size and the exclusive access to the tunnels, it offers good value.

However, be aware that tickets for some attractions aren’t included, so your overall expense will be a bit higher if you choose to explore the Bourbon Gallery and Royal Palace more thoroughly.

What Do Travelers Say?

All five reviews give this experience a perfect 5-star rating. One reviewer called the guide “very friendly and well-informed,” emphasizing the interesting anecdotes and relaxed atmosphere. The feedback suggests that the tour is both informative and fun, with visitors appreciating the personal attention and the mix of outdoor and underground sights.

The underground tunnel ride seems to be a highlight for many, offering a bit of adventure that sets this tour apart from typical city walks. The fact that it has such high ratings indicates consistent quality and satisfaction among participants.

Who Should Consider This Tour?

This experience is ideal if you want a well-rounded, immersive overview of Naples’ underground, combined with some scenic city walking. It suits travelers who enjoy history, engineering marvels, and a touch of adventure.

It’s also a good pick if you’re traveling with a small group or prefer a more intimate tour, as the maximum group size is limited. Because the tour involves walking and underground exploration, it’s best suited for those with good mobility and no issues with walking or uneven surfaces.

The Sum Up

All in all, this underground tour from the Royal Palace to the Bourbon Gallery offers a unique glimpse into Naples’ hidden world. The combination of city landmarks, underground tunnels, and personal guide makes it a memorable experience that balances history, adventure, and scenery. Its high ratings and positive reviews suggest it’s a reliable choice for travelers seeking something slightly off the beaten path.

While it requires some additional tickets to see the inside of the Royal Palace and Bourbon Gallery, the underground exploration and scenic walks alone make it worthwhile. It’s perfect for curious explorers, history lovers, and those wanting a more intimate, engaging way to experience Naples.

If you’re looking for a tour that’s engaging, well-organized, and packed with interesting sights, this might just be the experience that turns your Naples trip from good to truly memorable.

FAQ

Is this tour suitable for children? Since the tour involves underground tunnels and walking, it’s best suited for travelers comfortable with those activities. Check accessibility needs when booking.

Are tickets to the Bourbon Gallery included? No, the tour does not include the Bourbon Gallery “standard route” ticket, so you’ll need to buy that separately if you want to go inside.

What’s the meeting point? The tour starts at Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, under the obelisk of the Immaculata, which is accessible by public transportation.

How long does the tour last? About four hours, including sightseeing, walking, and underground exploration.

Are the tour times flexible? Yes, you can choose start times from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m., offering good flexibility for different schedules.

Is the tour weather-dependent? No, the program remains the same regardless of weather, as most of it is indoors or underground.

What’s included in the tour? The tour includes a licensed guide and assistance service available 24/7 from booking.

Is this tour good for solo travelers? Absolutely, the small group size makes it easy to meet others and enjoy the experience comfortably.

What should I wear? Comfortable walking shoes and appropriate clothing for underground and outdoor parts of the tour.

Can I cancel if my plans change? Yes, cancellations are free if made at least 24 hours in advance, with full refunds.

If you’re intrigued by underground secrets, historic tunnels, and scenic city walks, this tour offers a thoughtful, engaging way to explore Naples beyond the standard sights.