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Castel Santelmo
























































From happy customers

Loved by 35 million+
Jennifer Michelle LeRow

Jennifer

May 2025
5/5
We were through the line quickly at Peastum - it was a beautiful! Pompeii was another story as we were not aware of the 1st Sunday of each month being a Museum holiday where everyone egts in free. We waited in line for 2 hours because the "voucher" did not count as a printed ticket aloowing us immediate acccess, and then we were smooshed in through the gates by hoards of people trying to get in before it closed.
Mr Denis Mclean
GB

Mr

United Kingdom
Oct 2023
4/5
Easy to use and good value for site entry and getting around. Got on train from Sorrento to Herculaneum not knowing it only stopped a few times a day. Went through to Naples and easily caught the train to Herculaneum without extra cost or trouble. 😂
JARROUSSE LECROQ
FR

Jarrousse

France
Apr 2025
4/5
easy access to transport and museums. but I'd like to take issue with 2 things: the poor explanations on how to activate the card and the need to reactivate it each time it's used.
Rosana Aparecida de Oliveira Batista da Silva
BR

Rosana

Brazil
Oct 2024
4/5
The entrances were easy. As for public transport, we opted only for the metro, but the clerk always had to let us in. But I highly recommend it


Castel Sant’Elmo | Naples' historic fortress

From being a church to a castle and finally a prison, the star-shaped Castel Sant’Elmo boasts of colorful history. This 14th-century old fortress is located atop Vomero Hill, offering a mesmerizing view of Naples. In this guide, find information on ticket options, opening hours, how and when to visit, tips and more.

Why visit Castel Sant'Elmo?

  • Expansive views: The location of Castel Sant'Elmo offers an excellent vantage point atop Vomero Hill. The panoramic views from this location help you see as far as the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and the vibrant city below.
  • Architectural uniqueness: The fortress is shaped like a star, featuring pointed bastions that not only added to its defensive capabilities but also contributed to its distinctive aesthetic. Moreover, Its location allowed for a sweeping view of the surrounding areas, ensuring that any approaching threat could be spotted well in advance.
  • Sunset point: Castel Sant'Elmo offers front-row seats to the sun dipping behind the horizon, and the sunset here is the stuff made of dreams. Plan your visit in the late afternoon to experience this magical moment.
  • Interesting history: Castel Sant'Elmo was originally designed to be a fortress that kept guard over Naples. Later, it became the residence of Spanish royalty, and also the seat of the Neapolitan Republic. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, it also assumed the role of a prison. Now, it is the central vein in the museum networks of Campania and Naples.
  • Museo del Novocento: Situated inside Castel Sant'Elmo, this museum showcases a curated collection of artworks that span the 20th century, including Futurism and the Nuclear Art Movement. The exhibits capture the evolution of Naples' artistic expression.

Which Castel Sant’Elmo ticket is best for you?

Castel Sant'Elmo

If you're short on time

Go for: Castel Sant'Elmo tickets and Museo del Novecento with Pemcards Postcards
Duration: Flexible

  • Explore the 14th-century fortress, peek inside the historic Saint Elmo chapel, walk the ramparts, and view art installations at Museo del Novecento.
  • Self-guided tour offers flexibility in exploring the remarkably preserved ruins of the 14th-century castle.
  • Turn digital photos to postcard prints with Pemcards Postcards, a service that can send digital photos as postcards to anyone across the world.

Recommended Tickets

Combo: San Martino Charterhouse & Museum + Saint Elmo Castle with Pemcards Postcards Tickets

If you're an art and architecture enthusiast

Go for: Combo tickets with San Martino Charterhouse & Museum
Duration: Flexible

  • Avail skip-the-line access to San Martino Charterhouse & Museum and entry to Castel Sant'Elmo.
  • View the religious and mythological works of celebrated artist Battista Caracciolo.
  • Send postcards of digital photos via Pemcards.
  • If you avail the off-peak entry option to Castel Sant'Elmo. get access to the castle from 4 PM to 7:30 PM vis-a-vis the regular 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM entry.

Recommended tickets

Artecard Campania Napoli

If you're on a budget

Go for: Artecards
Duration: 3 days with optional upgrade to 7 in the case of Artecard Campania

  • Want to see more for less? Explore 3 major sites for free with Artecards Naples and Campania, and get up to 50% discount from the 4th site onwards.
  • Benefit from free public transport during this window.
  • If you're availing the Artecard Campania card, you can also upgrade to a 7-day pass that grants you free access to 5 attractions.

Recommended tickets

Discounted tickets

  • Individuals of the European Community between the ages of 18 and 25 can enter at a reduced rate.
  • Children below the age of 18 of EU and non-EU countries can enter free.
  • Italian permanent teachers, EU tour guides and interpreters, members of ICOM and ICCROM, EU student groups, journalists, students enrolled in history, literature and art-related disciplines, etc. can enter free of cost upon the presentation of a valid ID.

Cancelation policy

There is no free cancelation; tickets once canceled cannot be rescheduled.

Castel Sant’Elmo highlights

Historic Architecture

Admire the architecture

The fortress boasts a unique six-pointed star design, a notable feature of military architecture. Stroll around the castle's ramparts, and deep moats as you admire the design that made it difficult for attackers to mount a successful assault.

Museum of the '900

Museum of the '900

Discover the largest collections of 20th-century Italian artworks at the Museum of the '900 (Museo del Novecento). Behold contemporary, spatialism, and futurism styles of art spread across 4000 Neapolitan masterpieces. Standout works include Eugenio Viti's sensual La schiena, Raffaele Lippi's unnerving Le quattro giornate di Napoli, and Giuseppe Desiato's magnetic photograph Monumento.

Panoramic Views from Castel Sant'Elmo

Enjoy panoramic views

Located on top of the Vomero Hill, Castel Sant’Elmo offers stunning panoramic views of the Neapolitan countryside and city, Capri islands, and Sorrento peninsula. On a clear day, expect sweeping views of Mount Vesuvius. The castle’s terrace is a perfect spot for picture-perfect photographs.

exhibitions

Cultural events and exhibitions

Check the schedule for ongoing cultural events and exhibitions. Castel Sant'Elmo is not just a static monument; it's a vibrant cultural hub, given the Museum of the 20th century has found a home within it. View art installations and attend performances and celebrations that enliven the fortress.

Plan your visit to Castel Sant’Elmo

opening hours of Castel Sant'Elmo
  • Castle Timings: 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM 
  • Museum of the '900 Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
  • Last Entry: 1 hour before closing time 

Closed: The museum is closed on Tuesdays. The castle is closed on December 25 and January 1.

Best Time to Visit: Visit in the morning or later in the afternoon during spring/fall for a more tranquil experience.

Getting There by bus

Address: Via Tito Angelini, 20/A, 80129 Napoli NA, Italy

Find on Map

Getting there

  • By Funicular: Montesanto, Chiaia
    Nearest stop: Morghen, Piazza Amedeo
  • By Metro: Line 1
    Nearest stop: Vanvitelli
  • By Bus: Line V1 bus
    Nearest stop: Piazzale San Martino stop.
  • By Car: Take the Giacinto Gigante route from the city center and reach Sant'Elmo in around 30 minutes (approx. 7 km) 
    Car Parking: The nearest parking spot is inside the castle premises, a 2 min walk from the main attraction.
elevator facility
  • Cloakroom  
  • Paid parking facility inside the castle premises 
  • Wheelchairs  
  • Audio guides can be bought separately from the entrance  
  • Restrooms 
  • Elevator
  • Coffee bar
  • Teaching room
  • Library and photo library
  • Multimedia stations
wheelchair
  • Although wheelchaors are available upon request, only some portions of the Castel Sant’Elmo are wheelchair-navigable.
  • Individuals with restrictive mobility are advised to take a funicular ride up the castle as a walk to the castle can be difficult.
  • If you're travelling with a toddler/infant, please bear in mind that there are no prams available inside the attraction.
smoking
  • Local visitors are required to show IDs on arrival.
  • International tourists are required to share passport and visa details on arrival.
  • Pets are not allowed inside the castle premises.
  • Smoking, or consuming alcoholic beverages or drugs is forbidden.
  • Please do not carry any heavy luggage like trolleys and backpacks. 
San Elmo castle in Naples during Sunset
  • The castle provides free admission on Father's Day and Cultural Diversity Day, so consider visiting then. However, you can expect the castle to be more crowded on these days.
  • For stunning views, all the way to Capri, plan to visit when the sun is shining and the sky is clear. Even better — try to visit during sunset.
  • Make use of the coin-operated binoculars offered by the castle authorities.
spaghetti
  •  Osteria il Pacchero Napoli: Popular for Italian dishes and good wine, Osteria il Pacchero Napoli serves Neapolitan cuisines with a twist. It is located 4 min away 
  • Cantina La Barbera: Known for spaghetti and pasta in Naples, Cantina La Barbera is 7 min away 
  • Ristorante Al 53: Famous for classic Neapolitan seafood & pasta dishes, Ristorante Al 53 is 17 min away 

Frequently asked questions about Castel Sant’Elmo tickets

How much is a ticket to Castel Sant’Elmo?

Tickets to Castel Sant'Elmo start at €7, which includes access to the castle and the Museo del Novecento. Ticket prices vary with combo tickets and Artecards.

How can I purchase Castel Sant’Elmo tickets?

You can buy Castel Sant’Elmo tickets online. Alternatively, you can book tickets from the castle premises. However, you might have to face longer queues and risk tickets being sold out.

Can I cancel Castel Sant’Elmo tickets?

No, unfortunately, Castel Sant’Elmo tickets once purchased cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.

Are there discounts available on Castel Sant'Elmo tickets?

European Community individuals aged 18-25 receive reduced entry, while children under 18 from both EU and non-EU countries enter for free. Italian permanent teachers, EU tour guides, students in relevant disciplines, and specified groups can enter free with a valid ID.

What do Castel Sant’Elmo tickets include?

Standard tickets include access to the castle and the Museo del Novecento. Ticket upgrades include combos with San Martino Charterhouse. If you want to explore Naples and the Campania regions further, consider purchasing the Artecards.

What is the best time to visit Castel Sant’Elmo?

The best time to visit Castel Sant’Elmo is during the early hours of the opening time. During this time, the weather is better and the place is less crowded, offering you the time and space to explore the military fortress in your own time.

How long does it take to complete a Castel Sant'Elmo tour?

It can take between 3-4 hours to fully explore the castle and museum, for there's lots to see and walk through. However, if you're keen to see just the castle, you can finish your tour in under 2 hours.

Castel Santelmo
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Headout is an authorized and trusted partner of the venue, offering curated experiences to enjoy this attraction.