Naples

Introduction

You will find Naples as the regional capital of Campania in southern Italy. This bustling city serves as a significant hub for international diplomacy, hosting both the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean and NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Naples.

Before you go

Prepare for a journey through one of the world's oldest continuously-inhabited cities, where you will encounter a rich tapestry of Greek, Roman, Norman, Angevin, Spanish, and French architecture. The city’s historic center is vast and can feel like a maze of small, irregular alleys; however, you can orient yourself using major roads such as Corso Umberto I, Via Duomo, or the long but narrow streets of Via dei Tribunali and Spaccanapoli. While the local language is Italian, you may hear Neapolitan, a distinct language with its own literary heritage and influences from French, Spanish, and Arabic.

The region offers an unparalleled concentration of sites for your exploration:

• The historic center of Naples
• Roman archaeological sites including Pompeii, Herculaneum, Cumae, Pozzuoli, Liternum, Oplontis, and Stabiae
• The Royal Palace of Caserta, the royal site of San Leucio, and the Aqueduct of Vanvitelli
• Nearby destinations such as Paestum's Greek temples, the Amalfi Coast, and the islands of Capri, Ischia, and Procida

Getting there

Upon arriving at Naples International Airport, you can choose between several ways to reach the city center. The Alibus provides a direct connection to Stazione Centrale and Piazza Municipio, while the 3S bus offers a more local experience by traveling through backstreets toward the port and shopping districts. If you prefer a taxi, ensure you only use authorized vehicles located at the exit; these should display fixed fares for specific destinations and possess working card terminals. For those arriving by train, the main station at Garibaldi Square connects to the subway system, while the nearby Piazza Garibaldi station serves local and regional lines. If your high-speed train stops at the Napoli Afragola hub north of the city, you can easily transfer to a local train for the final leg into central Naples.

If you arrive by sea, cruise ships dock at Stazione Marittima near Piazza Municipio, and several ferry lines provide overnight connections to Sardinia, Corsica, Tunisia, and the Aeolian Islands. For those traveling by car, major motorways connect the city to Rome, Salerno, and the Adriatic coast; however, due to heavy traffic and limited parking in the center, you may prefer to park near a motorway exit and utilize public transport. Additionally, numerous private bus services from across Europe stop at Piazza Garibaldi or Piazza Municipio, with a dedicated terminal located south of the central railway station.

Getting around

You will find that navigating the city center is quite manageable on foot, as many interesting spots are located just around the corner from one another. While some streets in older parts of town feature cobblestones or damaged asphalt, the compact nature of the historic center makes walking a practical way to explore. When crossing the street, follow the lead of the locals; they often cross mid-block, and drivers are accustomed to this, making accidents rare. Always remember to look to your left for oncoming traffic, as circulation follows European standards.

For faster travel, the metro, tram, and rail networks provide extensive coverage, though heavy traffic and ongoing construction in areas like the train station can cause delays. If you choose to use a taxi, ensure it is licensed with a city crest on the door, a number, and a visible meter. You should confirm whether you are using a fixed fare or the meter before your journey begins. For those preferring two wheels, scooters offer a way to bypass heavy traffic, while bicycles are available at several locations, including the promenade where some cycle lanes exist.

Where to stay

You can find a wide range of accommodations in Naples that are generally more affordable than those in Rome or northern Italian cities. For budget-conscious travelers, many options are located near Piazza Garibaldi and the train station, though you can also find reasonably priced stays in more pleasant areas of the city.

Depending on your preferred atmosphere, you might choose from various styles of stay:

• Experience local life in a traditional ground-floor home in the vibrant Spanish Quarter.
• Stay in the historic center or near the coast, where some hotels offer views of the bay.
• Choose a boutique experience, such as a bed and breakfast located on a quiet patio in the old town that also serves as an arts showroom, or a hotel housed in a former ceramic factory.
• Select a stay in the Vomero neighborhood for a location on a hillside, or find a peaceful retreat high on a hill overlooking the city.

Food & drink

Savor the rich flavors of Neapolitan cuisine, where you can find a variety of sauces featuring garlic sautéed in extra-virgin olive oil, tomatoes, and local red wines. These dishes may range from mild to spicy varieties like arrabbiata or fra diavolo. The region is also known for its fresh mozzarella di bufala and an abundance of seafood. You can enjoy traditional fish recipes such as Polpo alla lucìana, which features octopus cooked with tomatoes, garlic, capers, pepper, and black olives, or pasta dishes like spaghetti alle vongole and paccheri with fish soup.

Experience the local pizza culture, where you will find thin-crusted, saucy pies that are a staple of the region. You can choose between the original margherita, topped with tomato, basil, oil, and fresh mozzarella, or the marinara, which features tomato, garlic, oregano, and oil. For those seeking traditional sweets, explore local pasticceria to find sfogliatella filled with ricotta or citrus cream, babà, and zeppole. You can also sample seasonal treats like Pastiera during the spring or Struffoli and Roccocò during the winter months.

What to see and do

Explore the historic center of Naples, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with architectural landmarks. You can visit several prominent churches, including the Baroque complex of San Gregorio Armeno, which features numerous frescoes, and Santa Maria del Carmine Maggiore, known for its polychrome marbles and gilded ceilings. The city's religious landscape also includes the 15th-century Gesù Nuovo, the Gothic San Domenico Maggiore—which once served as a seat for the University of Naples—and the expansive Santa Chiara complex, famous for its Rococò majolica tiles in the cloister. For a different experience, visit the Cappella Sansevero to see the Veiled Christ or the Cathedral of San Gennaro, where you can witness the tradition of the Miracle of the Blood.

The city's history is etched into its various fortifications and landmarks. You can explore Castel dell'Ovo, the oldest castle in the city located on a peninsula, or the medieval Castel Nuovo, which serves as a primary symbol of local architecture. Other notable sites include the ancient Castel Capuano and the hilltop fortress of Castel Sant'Elmo, where you can watch the sunset over the surrounding islands. For those interested in unique history, San Francesco di Paola offers a grand facade reminiscent of the Pantheon, while the site of the former palace of Roberto Sanseverino provides a glimpse into past political intrigues.

When to go

You can experience a variety of Mediterranean conditions depending on your preferred atmosphere. If you enjoy warmth, spring offers pleasant conditions and increasing sunshine as the year progresses. For those seeking mild weather, winter provides shorter days with occasional sunshine, where snowfall is rare enough to be noteworthy when it occurs.

During the summer months, you will find long, hot days with abundant sunshine, though this peak season means the city is crowded and accommodation costs are at their highest. Autumn brings most of the year's significant rainfall over a few days, while the libeccio wind blows in from the southwest off the sea.

Three days in Naples

Day one, you explore the heart of Naples where history unfolds along the Corso Umberto and Via Duomo. You wander through the historic streets of Spaccanapoli and Via Tribunali to experience the local atmosphere.

Day two, you travel beyond the city limits to discover ancient sites such as Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Cumae. You can also visit nearby locations like Pozzuoli, Liternum, Oplontis, or Stabiae.

Day three, you venture further into the region of Campania to see Paestum or travel toward Caserta to see the Royal Palace and the Vanvitelli Aqueduct.