Piazza del Plebiscito & Royal Palace, Naples

21/10/2026

Piazza del Plebiscito is the largest and most famous square in Naples, in the south of Italy. It is named after the vote, or plebiscite, of 1860, when the people of Naples chose to join the new Kingdom of Italy. On one side of the square stands the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), built in the 17th century and later used by the Bourbon kings of Naples. On the other side is the Church of San Francesco di Paola, with a large dome and a curved row of columns that embraces the square. The square is closed to traffic and is a popular meeting place.

What to See

The long façade of the Royal Palace has statues of eight kings who ruled Naples. Inside, you can visit the royal apartments, with rich furniture, paintings, a court theatre and a grand marble staircase. The Church of San Francesco di Paola was inspired by the Pantheon in Rome. Next to the palace is the Teatro di San Carlo, opened in 1737, the oldest opera house in Europe that is still in use. Across the street is the Galleria Umberto I, a beautiful shopping arcade with a glass roof, and the historic Caffè Gambrinus.

How to Get There and Practical Information

The square is in the centre of Naples, close to the seafront and the port. The nearest metro station is Municipio. The square is free and open at all times. There is an entrance fee to visit the Royal Palace, which is closed one day a week, so check the opening days. The Teatro di San Carlo can be visited on guided tours. From the square it is a short walk to Castel Nuovo, Castel dell’Ovo and the seaside promenade.