The 19 best castles in and around Naples

Castel Sant'Elmo is a medieval fortress built on top of Vomero Hill overlooking Naples. The site has been continuously occupied from the 13th century and the structure has served as a garrison, fortress and prison. In fact, it was still in use as a prison until 1952. The views from the ramparts of the city, the bay and of Mt. Vesuvius are to die for. I advise wearing a jacket during your visit. It’s very windy and feels cold even with the sun out. To get there, you can take funicular up or ride the subway to the Vanvitelli station and then walk. For admission, I got the Artecard Lite which allows one visit within a year to a list of Neapolitan cultural attractions. Look it up and save.

Castel Sant’Elmo is a must-visit for anyone seeking panoramic views and a touch of history. Perched high above the city, this 14th-century fortress offers great views over the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and the city below. The view alone is worth the 2.5€ entrance fee—it’s one of the best spots to take in the Neapolitan skyline, especially at sunset when the light casts golden hues over the bay. The castle itself is a fascinating structure, with its star-shaped design and thick stone walls. While the interior is relatively sparse, the open-air walkways and ramparts make it a perfect place for a scenic stroll. It also hosts occasional art exhibitions and cultural events.

The best spot for the panoramic view of Naples city and the harbour area, it's a long climb and there is no shade at the top so it might be hard on the sun day. There is a museum on top, but it's a modern art one and wasn't really interesting for us. Apart from that, there is not much to see when it comes to the history of the fort apart from 2 cannons at the bottom.

This place is worth the hike from the cruise port. An amazing castle which is almost 700 years old. Must see if you’re into historical places. It also offers breathtaking views of Naples.

What a stunning view of Naples! The Castel Sant’Elmo must be on your list to visit! Entrance is free and at the top there is a café with a fantastic view of the volcano!

Beautiful place to get panoramic views of the city of Naples. I highly recommend coming at sunset. The Castel itself isn’t much to see inside. The admission ticket is pretty cheap, and there are bathrooms at the top. Be ready to climb some steep hills and stairs.

Well maintained, pretty views. It was a nice walk up a slight incline to the main drawbridge entry door. Once inside, you can walk around the main floor where the museum & chapel entrances are, or go up to the higher level which goes completely around. The views are beautiful & far. Entrance fee is very reasonable.

its really pity such a piece of history of Naples is abandoned and neglecting. Surrounding is full of homeless people and very bad smell of urine, definitely not recommended to walk here after sunset. Its a huge complex, it seems that some kind of renovation has started, but its far from finish.

Castle is not open to visitors. (2025 JUNE 12)

Impressive castle on the outside

Looks old and emptiness.

It’s not open for visitors

Not open the public. Google, allow people to give you feedback on locations or your model will become obsolete.

Currently closed, no access and no information around how long it will be closed for. The website hasn't been updated since 2013 so also not helpful

It's really good. It cost €6 to get in. Once in they ask you if you want a guided tour. Another €10 each but you get to see more of the castle and a better understanding of the history of the place. For €16 each, it's one of the cheapest tours I have found in Italy! We loved the castle and the tour.

The castle looks great from outside and I advise that you take your selfies outside and then proceed to the other nearby sites in Naples. I had entered using my Artecard and was not offered any tours (for an additional charge) that other reviewers had mentioned. Without this, you only enjoy the courtyard, the Sala of the Barons, the terrace at the back (with a good view, admittedly) and the so-so collection of art. All these wouldn’t take an hour.

Iconic medieval fortress you see by the sea in central Naples, with its mighty round towers and triumphal arch between them. This castle isn’t just stone and battlements — it’s the stage for 700 years of Neapolitan history. Now it is a living museum, where art, politics, religion, and legend all share the same stone heart.

As many have said, structurally this is quite an impressive castle overlooking the port. The entrance fee had doubled to €10, with an extra €10 for the guided tour around the dungeon. There was some interesting art (some to my taste, but some not), and unfortunately, the top stairwell was closed off. It kept us entertained for an hour or two while it rained, anyway.

Honestly the most disappointing castle I’ve seen yet. The outside is amazing! That’s where the good part ends really. Inside is all modern and boring with little to see at all. The art at first is crap, parrots with tools? A tower of random tools? What is this nonsense and where is the art? Then you see the religious art which isn’t bad but nothing you’ve not seen before. You see a few ruins of the castle underneath your feet in parts but otherwise you wouldn’t have an idea this was a castle and it offers very little to actually see to justify a price of any kind. Thankfully today was free as this definitely isn’t worth paying for.

If you’re into massive medieval castles that look like they were designed by someone who said, “Let’s build something so cool it’ll make future tourists question their entire life choices,” then Castel Nuovo is your place. The tour? Amazing. Our guide knew everything — from royal gossip to how many times this place was rebuilt because apparently kings back then had zero chill and infinite budgets. The history was fascinating, the views were gorgeous, and the stone walls probably have more stories than my last ten relationships combined. Pro tip: don’t skip the guided tour — wandering around solo just makes you feel like an uninvited extra in Game of Thrones. Also, bring good shoes unless you enjoy pretending to be an out-of-shape knight storming a fortress. All in all, 10/10 would get lost in a 13th-century castle again.

Beautiful castle and museum with a lot to see and learn. There’s a section with a glass floor, beneath which are ruins and skeletons. I especially liked the part with paintings and art. My husband enjoys the gastronomic side of traveling, so he sipped some wine while following me around 😂

Superb place, at night there is a lot of movement, it has a beautiful view. To visit . Absolutely yes.

A lovely place to catch the ferry to Ponza!

Five stars for the panorama. Location kept in conditions of poor cleanliness of the road and sidewalks, sometimes wheels and dangerous pavement for pedestrians. Businesses insensitive to order and cleanliness. Non-existent authorities and a city heavily controlled especially in commercial activities by criminal families

The best part of Napoli. The most expensive neighborhood and well justified since it is beautiful all year round. Great view of Vesuvius and Capri. Perfect place for a walk by the sea, for spotting ships in the sea and sea birds in the sky. Nearby are some of the best pizzerias and pasticerias in town.

Absolutely stunning

After a bus tour around Naples, we stopped for a drink and a bite to eat a at harbour side resturante . With a clear veiw of Mount Vesuvius. The fishing and leisure boats and yahts bobbing on the clear water of the bay. We ordered baguettes and pizzas and Beers. You can't say bad things about Italian food it's all just nice. There where a few harbour side resturanres all serving the same sort of food. The locals where entertaining , by just being very Italian. A beggar who wandered straight through the middle of the tables and chairs, (we where sat outside) had a strange affect on the locals. They stopped talking immediately and put there hands in their pockets and purses and just gave their money to him. He was on crutches and mumbling. The waiters even helped him. My mate told him too trot on. It was weird.. Anyhoo!. We had a nice meal and a few pints and walked to the hotel in the heat of the day.

It's calming on a warm sunny day just to walk down and take in the beauty of the view. I would love to visit again.

Super!

Magic

(Translated by Google) Island surrounded by greenery, which can be visited thanks to an association that organizes guided tours. (Original) Isola immersa nel verde, visitabile grazie ad un'associazione che organizza le visite guidate.

Bagnoli is one of the most polluted places in plain site. So bad you're not even allowed to put an umbrella in the sand..we set off for this peninsula but it was so run down and derelict that we turned back. Don't bother

(Translated by Google) Wonderful place where nature is still preserved thanks to limited access limited to specific occasions. Breathtaking panorama of the Bagnolese coast. Hoping that sooner or later they will be able to clean up the area.. (Original) Luogo meraviglioso in cui la natura è ancora preservata grazie agli accessi limitati e contingentati a specifiche occasioni. Panorama mozzafiato sul litorale Bagnolese. Sperando che prima o poi riescano a bonificare la zona..

(Translated by Google) Visiting the Nisida juvenile prison, where a group of young volunteers helps underprivileged youth find their place. The place is enchanting, nestled between the sky and the sea. (Original) In visita al carcere minorile di nisida, dove un gruppo di giovani volontari aiuta ragazzi sfortunati a ritrovare una propria dimensione. Il luogo è incantevole, adagiato tra il cielo e il mare.

(Translated by Google) To get to the area it is not accessible to everyone, but the park is beautiful, there are no refreshment areas, to eat something you have to travel about 400m, in the background the old abandoned steelworks. (Original) Per arrivare in zona non è accessibile a tutti, ma il parco è bello, non ci sono aree ristoro, per mangiare qualcosa si devono percorrere circa 400mt di estimo, sullo sfondo la vecchia acciaieria abbandonata a se stessa.

Interesting museum with affordable price. The gardens in monastery are beautiful and worth checking. In front of the museum you can enjoy nice views on Naples.

The Certosa di San Martino was a chapterhouse of the Carthusian order built just below Castel Sant'Elmo for protection. Due to this location, it shares the same beautiful views of the city as the fortress above. If you don’t feel like going up, the selfie opportunities here almost as good. 😊 The order was suppressed in the 18th century and the monastery and its gardens now serve as a museum. The most unusual items here are a collection of papier-mache nativity scenes. The largest of them filled a room! The single most beautiful place in the monastery is the church. Simply breathtaking.

One of the best Museum in the city of Naples. For the quality and the quantity of the pieces of art this museum contains should be already being in the top list of every trip in Naples. In addition you get also an amazing view of the city and an outside area in the back really nice and peaceful. It’s a pity there is no a cafe there! The church and its surrounding chambers is simply astonishing, with no single spot left for an additional decoration. The collection is impressive i think they should better present them with few but key notes (at least the most important piece of art). In addiction all of this the ticket is really cheap! 6€ for a full one and 2€ with under 25. Fortunately (or unfortunately) the place is not busy at all so you can really enjoy it!

Lovely 2 hrs walking around. The view is gorgeous. The trees in the Garden were still blooming in February. Was a rainy cold day but it didn't deter us & was enjoyed it.

Don’t miss this hidden gem of place, you will see beautiful views of Napoli city and a lot of art 💕

A real must visit. So much to see. The best views of Naples bar none. Excellent.

great art and exhibits and history. incredible views of the city

Solfatara was still closed even i dont know how you can close a volcano 🤔. But if you keep walking the road up to the hill few hundred meters you can see the crater from there. And you can smell the volcanic activity too.

closed but still stunning from afar. drive up to hotel gli dei, but park at parcheggio sulfatara.

Please don’t visit at this time even because you are curious because the town cannot accommodate trying to evacuate you along with 600’000 inside the crater and poss 6’000’000 outside it!

Totally closed, watch only from fence with limited visibility. Great disappointment. We came by foot up the hill, only to find those signs. No infrastructure at all. Why are those fields even advertised. More like a tourist scam.

We arrived not knowing that this was permanently closed due to some kid that thought it was a good idea to run off on his own, resulting in the parents chasing after him and them dying.. ruining it for everyone else. We were able to drive by and see it which was still nice. If you're in the area and want to drive by otherwise don't go out of your way since it is closed.

The Campi Flegrei is a large volcanic caldera west of Naples. It is characterized by bradyseism, causing ground level changes, famously visible at the Roman Macellum in Pozzuoli. This area hosted ancient Greek settlements like Cumae and features mythological sites like Lake Averno.

Lost one star for being on eruption alert and therefore largely closed. Would have been a better experience if in future there could be less volcanic activity and more access to the volcano.

Castle on the island, the third one in Naples that we saw, currently under some kind of renovation. There are lots of restaurants around it, so it's in the center of night life. Still it's another massive old monument of Naples grand history.

Unfortunately, the castle itself is currently under construction, so we couldn’t explore the interior. However, going there at night was still worth it. The scenery was beautiful with a pleasant atmosphere all around. The area is lively, with plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby, making it a nice spot for an evening walk or dinner.

Beautiful area but a lot of construction going on around it so difficult to get the perfect view. Lovely walk down there from the old town.

Castel dell’Ovo was closed and surrounded by scaffolding for restoration, which ruined the view. The area underneath with restaurants felt crowded and uncomfortable, with unpleasant smells in the air. Overall, was not an enjoyable visit.

Unfortunately, the castle is under reconstruction, I wasn't able to see the inside of it. However, it's still a good idea to go at night was. The scenery was nice with a pleasant atmosphere all around. The area is lively, with plenty of restaurants and cafés nearby, making it a nice spot for an evening walk or dinner.

it was beautiful and unbelievable an oceanfront castle. It is free to go up inside and to the roof. Another name of the castle is Egg castle (sounds very cute) The castle is rectangular in plan, approximately 200 by 45 metres at its widest and the castle is popular for newlyweds to have their wedding photos taken. Inside the castle walls are several buildings that are often used for exhibitions and other special events. if you have some extra time, there are some good views on the top.

We had the pleasure of visiting Ovo Castle in Naples, Italy. Nestled on the picturesque islet of Megaride, the castle's location is nothing short of stunning. The panoramic views of the Bay of Naples from the castle are breathtaking and offer a unique perspective of the city and Mount Vesuvius. The history of Ovo Castle is fascinating, dating back to Roman times. Walking through its ancient walls, I felt a deep connection to the past. The castle has undergone various transformations over the centuries, serving as a fortress, a royal residence, and even a prison. This rich history is palpable in every stone and corridor. One of the highlights of my visit was exploring the various rooms and halls inside the castle. Although some areas show signs of aging, they add to the authentic charm of the place. The exhibitions inside provide valuable insights into the castle's history and cultural significance in Naples. Accessibility to the castle is quite convenient. It's a short walk from the mainland, connected by a causeway. The entry fee was reasonable, and the castle wasn't overly crowded, allowing for a more intimate exploration. However, I did notice that some parts of the castle could benefit from better maintenance and signage. Information in English was limited in certain areas, which might be challenging for international tourists. Overall, Ovo Castle is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, or simply looking for a picturesque spot in Naples. It's a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and a window into the rich tapestry of Neapolitan history.

A nice garden, not too wide to explore by foot, many green shady area with many benches to sit and relax. I saw many blue and white collars local workers just sit in the garden to enjoy their break time lunch. There are a Roman ruins ie gates and small open air theather in the middle of woods. The garden is in the middle of busy Vomero, north part of Naples city, gave a breathe a sigh of relief in this busy city. There is a ceramic museum inside the garden, must pay a ticket, but I have no time and was not my interedt that time.

Lovely park up on top of the hill in Naples, there is a small bar/drink area below the museum at the top of the step pictured. The view near the turtle fountain over the city is great. There is friendly feral cats throughout the park and plenty of spaces to sit and relax or play with kids. Couldn’t find public toilets, and there was a lot of rubbish under some areas and graffiti.

Cheap ticket, fairly nice villa and garden.

A beautiful, rustic park overlooking the bay of Naples is not to be missed. You'll find it in Vomero, a quaint village nearby and easily accessible by taxi or metro. The views are stunning and two cute cafes occupy the area for a refreshing beverage or snack.

There are separate playgrounds for adults and children. A terrain full of large trees. A great place to walk freely, sit, read books and relax. The villa can be visited. Besides that there is a nice small lake with lots of turtles and ornamental fishes. At one end you can see a beautiful view of the sea and a large area of ​​Naples.

A nice little Museum with a beautiful view. I've enjoyed the view!

An green oasis right in the city. Quiet and peaceful, with plenty of benches to sit and relax. There's an official refuge for cats here. They're friendly, but they will leave you alone if you don't approach them. Also a great view over the bay. And there's an open-air bar/café that looks nice.

Wow Wow I think that this is the best pizza I have ever eaten. I'm not spring chicken and I'm Neapolitan. The pizza is beyond great. Try it and you will understand what I mean. Thanks for everything. It was an experience! Unforgettable one.

Staff was very welcoming and nice,we didn’t had a reservation and they place us to the best table. Food was amazing, exactly as the fotos on the menu, if i were to come back to Napoli i would come and dinner here every time! Recommended 100%

This is one of the best places I've ever visited. The pizza was very delicious and the staff was very welcoming and hospitable. I would recommend everyone to go there.

A great margarita is a promising sign

Very good food and customer service. Staff does not speak much english, but we did not encounter any problems. Easy free parking. Highly recommended.

Great experience, great pizza, friendly to non Italian speakers. Tried to give a tip, but language barrier got in the way.

Their pasta and pizza are super delicious, we had the pizza with mozzarella cheese and octopus pasta! Definitely recommended!

I think calling it the most beautiful metro station in the world is a bit of a stretch. It's like an airport inside, so long it has travelators. Lots of information about what's happening in and around the station.

Purchasing tickets is confusing as hell. I was accompanied by locals and even they couldn't figure out how to buy a proper ticket. Cc tap pay is broken at this station and there is no help, no support line or human to ask. Automation is not for everyone, please invite someone from China to help you automate public transport ticketing and entrance.

The metro was magnificent in design as in high ceiling and deep long escalators. The logistics was poor. No ticket machine at this exit / entrance closest to the port (Via Agostino Depretis) - only a guy selling ticket cash only. Outside this exit, no traffic light at a busy crossroad.

Station is accessible for wheelchair. The lift is in front of farmacia pepe.

Modern subway station, but it’s a long walk to the train and since it’s very deep below ground level, there was no cell reception down there.

This metro station is conveniently close to the port of Naples as well as a lot of restaurants, pharmacy, McDonald’s. One of the nice areas of Naples and relaxing to just have a drink or relax nearby. Pictures are of nearby areas and a supermarket that has not only food and fresh fruit but also basic necessities when traveling. You can buy a one day, one week, or one month metro pass at any tabbachi store or at the metro station.

Closed from every directions

Under refurbishment. But promising.

Looks pretty from outside but it said it is open and I walked for a long time in the sun just to see it's closed for refurbishment :/ A bit disappointed

Amazingly beautiful. Highly recommend. Slow down a little bit, enjoy the moment

Very nice to stop during sightseeing

Nice park to relax

Currently closed for refurbishment/construction :(

Looked lovely from the outside but was closed with lots of ground works going on inside 🙁

Cool historical castel

Good

(Translated by Google) When you come across a work by Lamont Young you certainly don't remain indifferent. He always manages to displace expectations with his innate creative flair. He sold this castle to the banker Carlo Aselmayer (hence the name) at the beginning of the twentieth century and he went to live in Gaiola and, later, on the ramps of Pizzofalcone, in his villa Ebe, named after his wife. To be admired externally as it cannot be visited. (Original) Quando ci si imbatte in un'opera di Lamont Young di certo non si rimane indifferenti. Riesce sempre a spiazzare le aspettative con il suo innato estro creativo. Cedette questo castello al banchiere Carlo Aselmayer ( da qui il nome) agli inizi del novecento e lui se ne andò a vivere alla Gaiola ed, in seguito, alle rampe di Pizzofalcone, nella sua villa Ebe, dal nome della moglie. Da ammirare esternamente in quanto non visitabile.

(Translated by Google) The castle is private, you can't enter and visit.... this morning I went in and the doorman, very kind, explained to me that it is a private condominium. (Original) Il castello è privato,nn si può entrare e visitare.... stamattina sono entrata e il portiere,molto gentile,mi ha spiegato che è un condomino privato.

(Translated by Google) August 20, 2025. A beautiful building. I saw it from below, in Piazza Amedeo, and from above, when I looked out from the Belvedere of Villa Floridiana. (Original) 20/08/2025. Costruzione bellissima. L' ho vista da sotto,in Piazza Amedeo,e,da sopra, quando mi sono affacciato dal Belvedere di Villa Floridiana.

(Translated by Google) From Piazza Amedeo in Naples the view of the castle is of poignant beauty and magic. Beautiful. Even if used as a private residence it is a beautiful public sight. (Original) Da piazza Amedeo di Napoli la vista del castello è di una bellezza e magia struggente. Bellissimo. Anche se adibito a residenza privata è un bel vedere pubblico.

(Translated by Google) Very beautiful castle with breathtaking views of Naples (Original) Très beau château avec une vue imprenable sur Naples