Naples old town is the historic centre of Naples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site listed since 1995. Walk its ancient decumani to connect landmarks such as the Cathedral, Piazza San Gaetano and the churches along Via dei Tribunali.
- Best-known route: Via dei Tribunali follows the ancient Decumano Maggiore.
- Historic crossroads: Piazza San Gaetano occupies the site of the Greek agora and later Roman forum.
- Nearby from the hotel: Guglia di San Gennaro is about a one-minute walk from Caravaggio Hotel.
- Chapel visits: The Chapel of San Gennaro has set opening hours and paid and free admission categories.
Getting oriented in the historic centre
Use the decumani as your framework: these east–west routes make it easier to understand the old centre’s layout. The historic centre includes the Cathedral, the Sansevero Chapel, the Basilica of Santa Chiara, the San Lorenzo Maggiore complex, and the church and cloisters of San Gregorio Armeno.
For a first walk, start around Via dei Tribunali and Piazza San Gaetano, then choose nearby churches or landmarks as stops. The route takes you through streets shaped by successive layers of the city’s history, rather than a single monument district.
Several landmarks sit close to the hotel, making Caravaggio Hotel a convenient base for a walk in this part of the centre. For a fuller day plan, see this one-day Naples itinerary from the historic centre.
Follow the decumani
Via dei Tribunali follows the course of the Decumano Maggiore, the main ancient Greek street known as the plateia of Neapolis. It runs from the Port'Alba and Piazza Bellini area toward Castel Capuano, passing through Piazza San Gaetano.
At Piazza San Gaetano, the present-day street meets a site that served first as the Greek agora and later as the Roman forum. From there, Via San Gregorio Armeno connects Via dei Tribunali with the lower decumanus. Its nativity-scene workshops give the lane a distinct place in the historic centre’s craft traditions.
Along Via dei Tribunali, look out for the basilicas of San Lorenzo Maggiore and San Paolo Maggiore, the Cathedral, the Girolamini, and Pio Monte della Misericordia. You can keep to the main route or turn into connecting streets to see more of the historic centre’s churches and courtyards from the outside.
Churches, palaces and historic landmarks
The historic centre brings together religious sites, palaces and museums within a compact area. Near the Cathedral, Palazzo Arcivescovile stands among the area’s historic landmarks; other nearby points of interest include Pio Monte della Misericordia and the Girolamini.
The Chapel of San Gennaro is inside Naples Cathedral, and its reception desk is near the chapel entrance. Opening hours are Monday through Saturday, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.; on Sundays and holidays, it opens 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Last admission is 30 minutes before closing. Visits pause during the daily Eucharist from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., and hours may change for religious celebrations or special events.
Full-price admission is €3.50, and listed reduced-price categories pay €2. Free admission applies to listed groups, including residents and natives of Naples and its province, children under 18 accompanied by a paying adult, and disabled visitors. For current hours and admission, check the Chapel of San Gennaro’s official site before you go.
If you want to add a museum stop, the Museo Diocesano guide covers that nearby visit. For a wider look at the city’s collections, compare options in this guide to museums in Naples.
Walking conditions and visitor etiquette
The historic centre is best understood on foot: its decumani and connecting lanes link the main landmarks and churches. Keep your route flexible so you can pause at a church or square without losing the main line of Via dei Tribunali.
When entering churches, remember that they are active religious spaces as well as historic landmarks. Chapel visits pause during the daily Eucharist, and religious celebrations or special events can affect opening hours. Plan around the published schedule, and check the official site before you go if your visit depends on a particular time.
FAQs
What is the main historic street in Naples old town?
Via dei Tribunali follows the route of the Decumano Maggiore, the ancient Greek city’s main street.
What was Piazza San Gaetano used for?
It occupies the site of the Greek agora and later the Roman forum.
Where is the Chapel of San Gennaro?
It is inside Naples Cathedral, near the chapel entrance.
Is Naples historic centre a UNESCO site?
Yes. The historic centre of Naples has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.