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Castel Nuovo

The Angevin royal fortress of Naples, rebuilt under the Aragonese and now home to the Civic Museum.

  • Naples
  • Castle
Plan your visitSee tours
Where
Via Vittorio Emanuele III snc, Naples
Best for
Its Angevin foundation
Allow
1 hr 30 min
Tickets
From €10
Checked September 2026

Castel Nuovo, also known as Maschio Angioino, was begun for Charles I of Anjou in 1279. After Alfonso of Aragon's 1442 conquest, it was gradually reconstructed for the defensive requirements of the mid-fifteenth century, with Guillem Sagrera named by the Ministry of Culture. Since 1990, the complex has housed Naples' Civic Museum.

A royal and defensive complex whose fabric records distinct Angevin and Aragonese phases; it remains a civic museum complex within Naples' historic urban fabric.

Sources and citations (2)
  1. Ministero della CulturaMuseo Civico CastelnuovoCastle historyRead source
  2. UNESCO World Heritage CentreHistoric Centre of NaplesProperty description and criteriaRead source

Five things worth finding

If you see nothing else, see these.

  1. The Triumphal Arch of AlfonsoFrancesco Laurana and others, 15th century

    White marble set between two dark towers, celebrating Alfonso’s entry into Naples; the gateway to the whole castle.Main entrance

  2. The Sala dei BaroniGuillem Sagrera, 15th century

    An octagonal umbrella vault spreads from the center, in the hall where the barons’ conspiracy of 1486 unfolded.Main floor, Beverello tower

  3. The Palatine ChapelLaurana, Domenico Gagini and fragments of Giotto

    Renaissance sculpture and scraps of Giotto’s frescoes, a rare trace of his time in Naples.Seaward side

  4. The bronze door with the cannonballGuglielmo Lo Monaco, 1470s

    A cannonball fired by Charles VIII’s French army in 1494 still marks the bronze.Entrance

  5. The Armoury Hall

    A glass floor reveals Roman archaeological remains under your feet.Lower level beside the Palatine Chapel

Plan your visit

Everything you need before you go.

Tickets
From €10
Booking
No booking needed
Time needed
1 hr 30 min
Best time
Weekday mornings at opening, before cruise-ship groups arrive from the port
Getting there
The castle sits on Piazza Municipio in central Naples, reachable by the Municipio stop on metro Lines 1 and 6, the R2 bus, or trams 1 and 4; it is a short walk from Naples' port.
Accessibility
An elevator serves some upper floors, though it is occasionally out of service for maintenance; the medieval stairways and courtyard paving are uneven in places. Contact the museum office ahead of a visit for specific accommodations.

Full price is €10; residents of Naples and its metropolitan area pay €6, and under-18s enter free. Free entry also applies on the first Sunday of the month (when open) and for Artecard holders. The castle sometimes closes for maintenance or events with only a few days' notice, so check the comune's website before visiting. Last updated September 2026. Prices change, so check the official site before you go.

Head straight for the Sala dei Baroni after the entrance: its octagonal vault by Guillem Sagrera empties out by mid-morning once groups move on to the bronze doors and the chapel.

See toursOfficial website
Get directionsGoogle MapsApple Maps

Via Vittorio Emanuele III snc, 80133 Napoli (NA)

Tours worth booking

A few we would book ourselves, to get more from your visit.

Booking through these links may earn Italia Magnifica a commission, at no cost to you.

  1. Walking Tour - Explore the Heart of Naples

    • Viator
    • 4h 30m
    • 5.0★ · 36 reviews
    from €50Book this tour

  2. 3 Hours Walking Tour: Best of Naples & Veiled Christ

    • Viator
    • 3h
    • 5.0★ · 18 reviews
    from €40Book this tour

  3. Tour of the Monumental Naples with an art expert

    • Viator
    • 2h 30m
    • 5.0★ · 14 reviews
    from €230Book this tour

  4. Private Guided Tour in Naples Royal Palace and Monumental Area

    • Viator
    • 2h
    • 5.0★ · 6 reviews
    from €118Book this tour

  5. Private Tour of Naples and Royal Palace with Tour Guide

    • Viator
    • 3h 30m
    • 5.0★ · 6 reviews
    from €86Book this tour

  6. Panoramic and Historical Vespa Tour Naples

    • Viator
    • 4h
    • 5.0★ · 5 reviews
    from €125Book this tour

Good to know

How long should you spend at Castel Nuovo?

Allow about 90 minutes for the castle, the chapel and the civic museum. The rooms are spread over several levels, so pace yourself.

Is Castel Nuovo worth visiting?

Yes; the Angevin walls and Aragonese arch make it a quick lesson in Naples’s layered history, and the civic museum’s art adds context. It is also right by the port and Piazza del Plebiscito.

Can you see Castel Nuovo and the Royal Palace in one morning?

Yes. They are a short walk apart in central Naples, so pair the castle at opening with the Royal Palace before lunch.

More to see nearby

Same city first, then the nearest across the region.

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