This shopping arcade is located close to the port area in the San Ferdinando district, across from Teatro di San Carlo and around the corner from Piazza del Plebiscito. The building itself 5 stars easily, it's the smaller version probably by a third of Milan's Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, and was in fact modeled after its Milanese sibling. Milan's version completed in 1877, while Naples' broke ground 1887 and commenced construction in 1890. The monumental multi-level marble structure, colonnaded exterior and interior facade, mosaic tiled floor, glass arched ceiling and central dome are undeniably similar. The difference lies in the use and maintenance. Milan's retailer windows are lined with name brands and luxury shoppers, Naples is more down to earth filled with a mixed variety of retailers and restaurants. The latter is often characterized as having a more relaxed, more gritty, integrated atmosphere with the surrounding neighborhood, while the former is more aspirational and polished, even in the building maintenance--peering along the glass dome at Vittorio Emanuele II every seam appears gleaming, Umberto appears to show more signs of water/rust runoff. Meandering around the neighborhood, I'd recommend dropping by during the day, the interior is more impressive and inviting when the stores are open and sunlight flows into the building from above. On a Saturday evening it's a popular meet spot for locals, especially students headed for a night out in the Quartieri Spangoli (Spanish Quarter). A handful of popular dessert spots, cafes and restaurants make their base here, including Mary's Sfogliatella which I purposefully came to try (more on that in separate review). Unless you plan on eating or shopping here, probably need only 10 minutes to walk around and admire the architecture. I saw it as a short detour enroute to my final destination. read more

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Really worth stopping in for photos, both in daylight and at night. The mosaic tile work is gorgeous. Several shops, trinket stands, and cafes open during the day for a caffe or an Aperol spritz. Super convenient that you can use it as a cut-through to reach other streets without having to walk around the block. Gets very busy during the day with tour groups. At night be aware that unhoused people sleep both inside and outside near the entrances. Don't bother them and they won't bother you. read more

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It is a public shopping gallery in Naples, southern Italy. Built between 1887-1890 very beautiful architectural design. From the ceiling to the floor. It was pack with locals and tourist. The skylight was amazing. Just be careful with crowded area for pick pockets people. But it is a must see when in Naples read more

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Just by the pictures you might think you've landed in Milano, where a - at first glance - very similar Galleria is located. The architecture on both is equally pretty and impressive. And both locations share similar shops located within the Galleria: clothing stores, cafés and restaurants, souvenir shops, bakeries and more. It's all very nice to browse around, but in the end we didn't shop here or visit any restaurant. It's nice for a show, but the eating and shopping we did elsewhere. But it is indeed pretty to wander around to take in the impressive building. But unlike its counterpart in Milano this one here needs a bit of an update, it's obvious if you look at it a bit long. A bit of a refurbishment is needed and a good clean, maybe some fresh pain as well. Especially the glass and the surrounding area looked very tired. It's quite a shame, I really hope they got something planned. But besides that definitely a must-do when in Napoli. At least once. read more

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A beautiful building with mid-up shops. Check out the Zodiac mosaic tile work in the center. Simply gorgeous . read more

This is one of Naples' most famous shopping center, and I think it feels like a mini version of Milan's galleria. There are lots of stores and restaurants in the area, and I would recommend you visit if you have plenty time in this area, or just skip it if running tight on schedule. read more

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We visited Galleria Umberto on our recent Viking cruise to Naples. We found Naples to have a very walkable and scenic downtown area. The interior of this Galleria is massive and just like their American counterparts, they even have a McDonald's inside. LOL. In many way, these European Arcades from the early to mid 1800, became the model for America's post second world war obsession... shopping indoors, in an enclosed, temperature controlled environment; aka, a Shopping Mall. Decades before there was a Valley Fair Mall in Appleton, WI, a Southdale Center in Edina, MN, there was Galleria Umberto I (1890) in Naples. But the grand daddies are still Palais Royal in Paris (1784) and Burlington Arcade in Piccadilly (1819). There are lots of upscale shops inside, along with places to relax and people watch. Besides shopping, Galleria Umberto's also has some beautiful architecture. I would certainly include it on any trip to Naples . read more

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This gorgeous building looks more like an important, historic building or Museum and not a shopping mall! Located across from the San Carlo opera house near the port in Naples, you can't miss it. This large marble building is a stand out, even in a city with so much gorgeous architecture. Built between 1887-1890, it is now a shopping mall filled with high end ceramics, glass, jewelry and other shops. Plus Caffe's and pastries shops. Honestly, I wasn't there to shop, I was fascinated by the beauty and structure of this incredible building and had to check it out. The building is several stories high with a glass domed ceilings that let in a tremendous amount of light. The floor has inlaid mosaics representing angels, horoscopes and other figures so make sure to look down as well as up and all around. Magnifico! Worth a visit as you walk through this historic, bustling part of Naples. read more

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Impressive ancient architecture. Similar to the same structure in Milan. Just without the high-end shops. However, there are lots of shops and restaurants in the general area. read more

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It IS a beautiful building inside, but not many shops inside or eating places. All the fun shops and cafes surround the outside of this building. So maybe use this location as a destination goal, but, just not great shopping or food inside. I was very disappointed. Only great thing is getting a photo of the dome ceiling. read more

Galleria Umberto I - Galleries Umberto 1 ceiling - Shopping Centers Near Me - Naples, NA

Amazing structure!!! It's a shopping mall with a mix of high end and mediocre stores within, some convenience type stores, and a few nice cafes. I found my 3-prong adapter here :D No need to sit at a cafe to relax and pass time. At two of the entrances you can observe gallavanters scattered about the marble steps. How often do you get to place your bums on marble hmmm? Hah! There's a McDonald's! In this lovely architectural creation... But why?! I guess to bring in tourists. No McD's for me, thanks. I'm in Italy - shooooot... I'm having cannoli next door at Anna Bellavita! It looks somewhat modern. But guess what? It was built in the late 1800's! Splurge your sights and take in the marvelous design. You can see the suite numbers of you look closely above the store fronts. And in the cross-center, look up! You can see the winged ones watching. There are plenty of interior structure pictures, so I tried to get more exterior snaps for you. Enjoy! I hope you admire architecture design as much as I do :D read more

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Sometimes I wander if this could be considered the world's first shopping mall. Well, probably not quite, but it is still pretty impressive. In a way it looks like a very fancy shopping arcade and isn't all that far from the city centre. Actually it is right slap bang in the middle of the city centre. It gives you a taste of 19th century architecture here in Naples (I believe it's 19th century, though I could be wrong). It doesn't take all that much time to wander around, and it is certainly pretty impressive. read more

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I remember watching a documentary about this in my interior architecture class back in college. And I had already thought that was amazing, but honestly I was naive and I hadn't seen anything yet. At least not in comparison to the real deal. This place is amazeballs. Probably not for those who want to shop and eat, since this definitely is not the place for it. But it is the place to take pictures of insanely beautiful architecture and to stare in awe at the immense detail. It's definitely a lot to take in. I think I was there for an hour, just wide-eyed and just staring. The shopping center has definitely become more of a touristy area than a place for locals to shop. You can just tell from what they're trying to sell you, A LOT of camera stuff. But it's a great place to look at the glass and cast iron architecture of the early 1900s if you happen to be in Napoli. read more

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Super cool building! Definitely worth a visit, hope to see more stores move in this place though.

Glorious.... Its a shopping mall but it is worth a visit. Go to the center and take a look around. read more

I saw this shopping mall from afar and thought it was beautiful. Kind of reminded me of a similar place in another city such as Milan. However, when I walked in, the kind of shops inside didn't quite seem to match the architecture. The place looked kind of empty and had a small cafe, some clothing stores with what looked like low-end stuff that was marked down on sale. read more

What a gorgeous place and one of the most beautiful of Italy's gallerias. It rivals the Vittorio Emanuele in Milan and has some incredibly yummy pastry shops inside and nearby (legendary Pintauro is just across the street from the galleria's north entrace). Geographically speaking I have no idea, but Galleria Umberto I distintly has the feel of being the centre of Naples (which, as buzzing as this age old city can be, means you'll feel as though you've discovered the centre of the universe). An eye of a storm if ever there were one. read more

This truly is a fantastic sight to see. We were so very lucky to see this place by night the first time. Breathtaking, romantic and massive! I can not wait to go and see it tomorrow. read more

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We're walking down a little cobblestone side street and it starts to rain. Needing cover, we walk up some steps to duck into what looks like an innocuous little building, and then WOW! Look up at the ceiling and you are taken aback by the height and stunning architecture. The detail in the ceiling and walls is amazing. Lined by retail stores, a bank, post office, gelato shop, and cafes, Galleria Umberto was built in the late 19th century according to a historical marker there. Go. Be amazed. Drink it all in. read more

Architecture is amazing! Nice coffee shops & people watching! A must-see!