This southern Italian capital reigns the Mezzogiorno region like mercurial royalty: bold, theatrical, and full of life. One of the oldest cities in Europe, Naples is a treasury of art, architecture, and archaeology, from the catacombs beneath the historic center (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to palazzi-turned-museums and baroque and rococo artworks stockpiled in chapels throughout. If you run out of things to do in Naples, you can sojourn to the dazzling Amalfi Coast, ferry to the islands in the bay, or walk among miraculously preserved ruins in Pompeii. But before you go, try the pizza—the city's top claim to fame.
Naples runs on high-octane energy year-round, but note that it becomes sweltering and crowded in the high season, roughly from July to mid-September. In recent years, it’s also become more expensive. For fewer crowds, milder weather, and a calmer atmosphere, the best time to visit is from late May to June and early fall. Religious holidays like Easter, Christmas, and the Feast of San Gennaro (the city's patron saint) are great for experiencing traditional celebrations.
Naples has a dizzying array of public transport options. The old 2-line rail metro runs from the central train station to Pozzuoli; the newer metro’s half-dozen lines crisscross the city; four funiculars climb the hills; the Cumana commuter rail runs north to Bacoli; and the Circumvesuviana rumbles to Sorrento. But things are inconsistently organized: The airport, for example, is reachable only by bus and taxi. The historic center is best explored on foot.
Travelers sometimes struggle with finding metro and bus tickets, especially outside the main stations. The tickets usually come in single-ride, 90-minute, and daily varieties and cannot be purchased on buses or trains. To find them, head to a neighborhood bar (in Italy, bars are more like cafés than bars serving alcohol), a newspaper stand, or a tabaccheria. These "tobacconist" shops sell everything from cigarettes to stamps and bus tickets—spot them by looking for signs with an oversized "T."
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +39 | Language(s) Italian | Attractions 57 | Tours 2,385 | Reviews 44,411 |
With its effusive locals, rough-edged beauty, and carbs-only cuisine, Naples has always made Chicago-born writer Rebecca feel right at home. She visits La Bella Napoli regularly to get her fill of pizza and personalities.
stroll the length of Spaccanapoli, the Naples-in-a-street experience that captures the essence of the city from the faded glory of its palaces to the theatrical charm of its people.
begins at the Pignasecca street market, a kaleidoscope of colorful food stands and equally colorful vendors. Pizza is a must in this city where pies have UNESCO status; walk off your lunch along the waterfront promenade as the sun sets.
Via San Gregorio Armeno, where historic artisan workshops have been crafting traditional Neapolitan “presepi” (nativity scenes) for centuries. Elbow past the crowds to see masters at work creating exquisite figurines by hand.
you don’t have to look hard. Naples wears its soul on its sleeve and the city is authentic in a way that's absent in Italy’s tourism hot spots. From gritty Rione Sanità to swish Chiaia, Naples’ true colors shine bright.
head to the Belvedere di San Martino (next to the Charterhouse of San Martino) perched atop Vomero Hill above the city to watch the sun set behind the Bay of Naples.
is thinking that Naples is dangerous. Naples is unruly and chaotic, but that’s a part of its charm. Watch your valuables (petty theft is the most common crime) and you’ll find Naples is no less safe than any large city.
Brash, animated Naples is the birthplace of the modern pizza, with venerable old-school joints churning out the beloved pies in the same fashion for generations. The ruins of Pompeii and the glittering Amalfi Coast and Island of Capri are just outside the city—and close runners-up.
...MoreStart with coffee and a sfogliatella pastry at the historic Gran Caffè Gambrinus. From there, visit the Royal Palace of Milan, San Carlo Opera House, and Galleria Umberto I before strolling up Via Toledo to the Naples National Archeological Museum. Dinner is at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele on Via Cesare Sersale.
...MoreInside the Sansevero Chapel you’ll find Giuseppe Sanmartino’s Veiled Christ. The realistic marble sculpture of a shrouded, lifeless Christ is thought to have been created by transmuting cloth into crystalline marble. Lines are notoriously long—booking advance admission tickets is absolutely crucial.
...MoreSome habits to avoid in Italy: turning up as a guest without a pensiero, a small gift; blocking tailgaters from passing on the left (fast) lane on highways; and entering churches with exposed shoulders or knees. While not rude, ordering cappuccinos after breakfast or cheese on seafood are faux pas.
...MoreBetween April and October, Neapolitans swim in the Parco Sommerso di Gaiola, a secluded marine reserve with submerged Roman ruins. Year-round they take part in the afternoon passeggiata—ritual, leisurely walks along either the lungomare (promenade) or fashionable Via Toledo, which leads to Port’Alba and the dense historic center.
...MoreNo. Hostel and guesthouse stays, terrific pizza and street food, and affordable museums and attractions make Naples the least expensive metro on the Italian mainland. Travelers can spend days simply walking through the liveliest neighborhoods—those searching for la bella vita can visit exclusive Capri or the Amalfi Coast.
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