Official Information
Official site: https://www.museoarcheologiconapoli.it
Tickets: Online sales are via the official state museum platform linked from the main site.
Address: Piazza Museo 19, 80135 Napoli NA, Italy
Map: View on Google Maps
Opening Hours
Typically open most days from morning to early evening (with one weekly closing day, often Tuesday). Last admission is usually about an hour before closing. Timetables, free-entry days and any late openings are always updated on the official website.
Naples’ National Archaeological Museum is one of the world’s essential stops for classical archaeology, especially if you’re visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum or other Vesuvian sites. Many of the most important frescoes, mosaics and everyday objects from those ancient cities are preserved here, offering detailed context for understanding domestic life in the Roman world. Housed in a grand 16th-century palace, the museum’s collections are extensive but well-organized. The highlight is the Vesuvian section, which features room after room of wall paintings, intricate mosaics (such as the famous Alexander Mosaic), bronzes and objects that once filled luxurious villas and bathhouses. Seeing original masterpieces here adds valuable context if you later visit the archaeological sites themselves. The Farnese Collection, another highlight, contains impressive Roman sculptures including colossal pieces from the Baths of Caracalla, displayed in soaring halls to dramatic effect. Additional sections cover Greek and Roman sculpture broadly, an Egyptian collection, a renowned numismatic archive, and the “Gabinetto Segreto” (Secret Cabinet) of erotic art from Pompeii and Herculaneum, which is displayed with sensitivity and clear age restrictions. Because there is so much to see, it’s helpful to identify your main interests in advance, whether that’s Vesuvian art, sculpture, the Egyptian section, or a general overview. Audio guides and maps help you plan a visit of two to three hours. Located near the historic centre and the Museo metro stop, the museum is easy to combine with other Naples sights, and visiting before or after a day trip to Pompeii can make both experiences more meaningful.