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Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with visitors exploring the historic site.
Castel Sant'Elmo exhibit
Castel Sant'Elmo
Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with panoramic city view, highlighting Museo del Novecento.
Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with panoramic city view.
Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with visitors exploring the historic site.
Castel Sant'Elmo exhibit
Castel Sant'Elmo
Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with panoramic city view, highlighting Museo del Novecento.
Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with panoramic city view.
Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with visitors exploring the historic site.
Castel Sant'Elmo exhibit
Castel Sant'Elmo
Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with panoramic city view, highlighting Museo del Novecento.
Castel Sant'Elmo entrance in Naples with panoramic city view.
Tickets
3.3(36)

Tickets to Castel Sant'Elmo

from
€2.50
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
  • Using these entry tickets, get a chance to see the iconic architectural site of Castel Sant'Elmo in Naples.
  • Enjoy breathtaking views of Sorrento Peninsula and Mount Vesuvius from Castel Sant'Elmo.
  • Get an opportunity to attend art exhibitions, performances, concerts, and conferences held within the castle's museum.
  • Explore the network of underground tunnels and passages at the Castel that once served as a vital part of the castle's defense system.
  • Using these entry tickets, get a chance to see the iconic architectural site of Castel Sant'Elmo in Naples.
  • Enjoy breathtaking views of Sorrento Peninsula and Mount Vesuvius from Castel Sant'Elmo.
  • Get an opportunity to attend art exhibitions, performances, concerts, and conferences held within the castle's museum.
  • Explore the network of underground tunnels and passages at the Castel that once served as a vital part of the castle's defense system.

Inclusions

  • Entry to Castel Sant'Elmo

Exclusions

  • Audio guide
  • Live guide
  • Tip: Head to the rooftop restaurant bar to enjoy the view, bite into some sweet delicacies of Naples, and grab a few drinks on your dime.
  • Dogs are not allowed in except guide dogs.
  • These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Artecard Napoli 3 Museum Pass
Naples cityscape with Castel dell'Ovo, part of Artecard Napoli 3 Museums Pass.
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Exterior view of the Capodimonte Museum
Painting of the Polittico di san Michele by Francesco Pagano inside Capodimonte Museum
Royal Palace of Naples
Inside the Royal Palace of Naples
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, highlighting Artecard Napoli: 3 Museums Pass experience.
MarinoBus at Naples Metropark, passengers boarding for Rome Tiburtina journey.
Artecard Napoli 3 Museum Pass
Naples cityscape with Castel dell'Ovo, part of Artecard Napoli 3 Museums Pass.
guided tour of national archeological museum naples
Exterior view of the Capodimonte Museum
Painting of the Polittico di san Michele by Francesco Pagano inside Capodimonte Museum
Royal Palace of Naples
Inside the Royal Palace of Naples
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, highlighting Artecard Napoli: 3 Museums Pass experience.
MarinoBus at Naples Metropark, passengers boarding for Rome Tiburtina journey.
Artecard Napoli 3 Museum Pass
Naples cityscape with Castel dell'Ovo, part of Artecard Napoli 3 Museums Pass.
guided tour of national archeological museum naples
Exterior view of the Capodimonte Museum
Painting of the Polittico di san Michele by Francesco Pagano inside Capodimonte Museum
Royal Palace of Naples
Inside the Royal Palace of Naples
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, highlighting Artecard Napoli: 3 Museums Pass experience.
MarinoBus at Naples Metropark, passengers boarding for Rome Tiburtina journey.
City Cards
2.6(52)

Artecard Napoli: 3 Museums Pass

from
€32
Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration
  • Visit the sights of Naples without worrying about buying tickets. With this 1 card, gain access to its attractions and transport for 3 days.
  • Enjoy free entry to any 3 attractions of your choice from the list, and get up to 50% discount for entry to the 4th attraction onwards.
  • Benefit from free rides on public transportation for the duration of your pass's validity.
  • Get access to over 40 monuments, museums, and archaeological sites such as the Catacombs, Museum of Capodimonte, Royal Palace of Naples, and many more!
  • Click here to find the list of attractions, public transport, and discounts available with this card.
  • Visit the sights of Naples without worrying about buying tickets. With this 1 card, gain access to its attractions and transport for 3 days.
  • Enjoy free entry to any 3 attractions of your choice from the list, and get up to 50% discount for entry to the 4th attraction onwards.
  • Benefit from free rides on public transportation for the duration of your pass's validity.
  • Get access to over 40 monuments, museums, and archaeological sites such as the Catacombs, Museum of Capodimonte, Royal Palace of Naples, and many more!
  • Click here to find the list of attractions, public transport, and discounts available with this card.

Inclusions

  • Free entry to the first 3 sites
  • Up to 50% discount from the 4th site onwards
  • 3 days of unlimited public transport use
  • Discounts and concessions
  • Tourist assistance while using the card
  • Tip: In order to make the best use of this card, plan your itinerary in advance to cover the top attractions.
  • In order to activate the Card, you must contact the service provider as per the instructions in the voucher you will receive after booking.
  • The digital pass is available in English and Italian.
  • Downloading the pass may take up to 10 minutes.
  • Enter anytime within operating hours 9am to 7pm.
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
  • These tickets are valid for an extended duration. The exact details will be present on the ticket.
Artecard Campania - 3 days card
Group of tourists exploring ancient ruins on the From Pompeii/Naples: Pompeii & Amalfi Full-Day Tour, with a clear blue sky overhead
Herculaneum  ruins
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, highlighting Artecard Campania benefits.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Fresco in Campania region
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24/48/74-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Rome, passing by iconic landmarks in an open-top bus
Italian Pasta and Cheese in Rome
Artecard Campania - 3 days card
Group of tourists exploring ancient ruins on the From Pompeii/Naples: Pompeii & Amalfi Full-Day Tour, with a clear blue sky overhead
Herculaneum  ruins
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, highlighting Artecard Campania benefits.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Fresco in Campania region
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24/48/74-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Rome, passing by iconic landmarks in an open-top bus
Italian Pasta and Cheese in Rome
Artecard Campania - 3 days card
Group of tourists exploring ancient ruins on the From Pompeii/Naples: Pompeii & Amalfi Full-Day Tour, with a clear blue sky overhead
Herculaneum  ruins
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, highlighting Artecard Campania benefits.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Naples cityscape with historic buildings, featuring Artecard Campania for cultural exploration.
Fresco in Campania region
Tourists enjoying the City Sightseeing 24/48/74-Hr Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of Rome, passing by iconic landmarks in an open-top bus
Italian Pasta and Cheese in Rome
City Cards
2.6(47)

Artecard Campania: 2 Museums Pass

from
€48
Free cancellation

You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.

Extended validity
Instant confirmation
Mobile ticket
Flexible duration

Explore Campania's treasures with free entry to top sites and unlimited travel!

  • Free entry to two attractions, including popular sites like Pompeii, and Herculaneum, access to 100+ sites.
  • Enjoy unlimited rides on local buses, trains, and metro lines with the Unicocampania transport network to reach top landmarks easily.
  • After your first two visits, get up to 50% off additional visits to 100+ museums, monuments, and archaeological sites.
  • Access tourist assistance in English and Italian for a smooth experience.

Explore Campania's treasures with free entry to top sites and unlimited travel!

  • Free entry to two attractions, including popular sites like Pompeii, and Herculaneum, access to 100+ sites.
  • Enjoy unlimited rides on local buses, trains, and metro lines with the Unicocampania transport network to reach top landmarks easily.
  • After your first two visits, get up to 50% off additional visits to 100+ museums, monuments, and archaeological sites.
  • Access tourist assistance in English and Italian for a smooth experience.

Inclusions

  • Free entry to the first 2 sites of your choice (Full list here)
  • Up to 50% discount from the 3rd site onwards
  • 3-day validity
  • Tourist assistance in English and Italian
  • Unlimited travel on Unicocampania Consortium network
  • Tip: For popular attractions like Pompeii, it's recommended to check if advance reservations are needed, even with the Campania Artecard, especially during peak times.
  • You will receive your digital pass instantly via email after booking. To activate the card, follow the instructions in the voucher.
  • The pass is first activated during entry at your first site. Once activated, it cannot be paused or extended.
  • Please note: Access to Alibus and some Sita Sud lines (e.g., Sorrento/Positano/Amalfi routes) is not included.
  • From January 1, 2023, the Galleria Borbonica and Catacombs sites are no longer free but can be visited at a reduced fee.
  • Access to the Vesuvius Great Cone is currently suspended.
  • You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
  • These tickets are valid for 6 months from the date of purchase.

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

Timings
Location
Facilities
Accessibility
Rules
Visitor Tips
Eat
Stay
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.