For visitors to Naples, the metro can be part of the sightseeing rather than simply a way of getting around.
The city’s network includes 20 stazioni dell’arte — art stations — across Lines 1, 6 and 11, bringing contemporary art into everyday public transport.
Together, the stations in Naples contain around 200 works by more than 90 internationally renowned artists, alongside projects by young local architects.
The result is a route through different visual ideas, colours and architectural styles, with several stops that have attracted international attention.
Toledo: the station with global recognition
Toledo, on Line 1, is the project’s best-known stop. In 2012, The Daily Telegraph named it Europe’s most impressive station. Two years later, CNN ranked it second among the world’s most beautiful metro stations.
Six Naples Metro stations worth noticing
Materdei
The Daily Telegraph placed Materdei 13th among the world’s most spectacular stations in 2012. The station includes mosaics, Neapolitan figures on its walls and screen prints.
Centro Direzionale
At Centro Direzionale, the design refers to Vesuvius-related history. Its colours recall the frescoes at the Villa dei Misteri.
Garibaldi
Garibaldi features intersecting suspended escalators and platforms inspired by the London Underground.
Università
Università explores the digital age and information through contemporary artworks and contrasting pink and lime colours.
Municipio
Municipio contains a museum area with historical and archaeological remains discovered during excavation work.
Vanvitelli
At Vanvitelli, the work Successione di Fibonacci — “Fibonacci Sequence” — is a key visual feature.
Things to do in Naples beyond the metro art stations
Naples has more going on than its underground artworks. Time above ground can be spent along the waterfront, in the city’s streets and around its historic sights, with a little local awareness helping the day run more smoothly.
- Stroll along the Naples seafront, one of Italy’s most scenic seafronts, for coastal views of the city.
- Spend time exploring Naples’ streets and historic areas beyond the metro network.
- Keep a few things not to do in Naples in mind during a first visit.
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