Visit Naples Italy - N°1 Napoli Travel Guide

Naples travel guide - Tips for tourism in Naples city (Napoli)

All sightseeing, tourist attractions information and tourism tips for the city of Naples such as visiting the sights and highlights. What to visit in Naples (Napoli) and Pompeii in Italy? Your travel starts on NaplesPompeii.com

What to visit in Naples (Napoli)?

Naples, or Napoli for Italians, is a major port city in the south of Italy in the Campania region. With 4.4 million inhabitants ('Neapolitans'), it is the third largest city in Italy. The chaotic city has everything for an inspiring city trip because of the rich history, the Italian cuisine and especially in the field of art and culture, the city has a lot to offer. In addition, a short distance from the city of Naples are famous places to visit such as Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Mount Vesuvius. South of the city lies the colorful and beautiful coastal strip of the Amalfi Coast and you can easily reach the beautiful islands such as Capri off the coast of Naples by ferry. All these highlights ensure that you can easily spend a week in Naples Italy and the surrounding region. We are happy to help you during your travel with our travel guide NaplesPompeii.com!

^{The Bay of Naples with Vesuvius in the background}

^{Typical street scene in the Spanish quarter of Napoli Italy}

Things to do in Naples Italy

Naples city has a history of about 3000 years and is one of the culturally richest cities in Europe. Although the messy city initially has a somewhat dilapidated and neglected appearance, the city has many beautiful churches, museums and monuments. In addition, it is the city of pizza, espresso and football legend Diego Maradona, who played for SC Napoli. Naples has been attracting tourists for years as a destination for a city trip and it is becoming more popular every year, although you will experience less of the feeling of mass tourism here as in Rome or Venice. A number of places of interest highlighted:

Impressive churches

The Neapolitan churches in Baroque and Renaissance style all have their own atmosphere and identity. So you have the Duomo di Napoli, the cathedral with the treasures of patron saint San Gennaro. Three times a year his clotted blood liquefies. When it doesn't happen it would bring disaster upon Naples city. The San Gregorio Armeno has a baroque interior and, despite its busy interior, is a place of tranquility amidst the bustle of nativity scenes sellers in Via San Gregorio. The funerary chapel Cappella Sansevero was erected for Santa Maria della Pietá and houses large statues by the 18th century sculptors Corradini and San Martino.

Historic castles

In addition to these church buildings, there are also many castles in Naples Italy. So you have Castel Sant'Elmo on top of the Vomero hill. Here you have amazing views of the city, islands and Phlegraean fields. Castel dell'Ovo is also known as the Egg Castle. Legend has it that Roman poet Virgil placed an egg in the foundation. Should the egg break, the castle would perish. It still stands today. Yet little of the castle remains today, but it is definitely worth a visit and see the Bay of Naples.

Naples region

In the Naples region you will find the well-known places like Pompeii that you really shouldn't miss. In AD 79, the volcano of Mount Vesuvius destroyed the city and also the nearby city of Herculaneum. Today, the excavations and remains are one of the most popular attractions of a visit near Naples Italy. In addition, you have the Amalfi Coastline, which is beautiful to visit with an excursion. With several cute villages and the sea at your feet, you will have a great time at the Amalfi Coast.

Other activities in the city of Naples

These days Naples is a bustling city, but the Italian city also has a special underground network of streets and air-raid shelters. This system was already built by the Greeks and Romans and later used as air raid shelters during the war. Today you can book a tour and immerse yourself in the hundreds of kilometers of caves, tunnels and other underground passages. Official routes of Naples Underground include the Napoli Sotterranea, Galleria Borbonica and Neapolis Sotterrrata. The Naples Catacombs are ancient underground burial sites dating back to the 2nd century. They feature intricate frescoes, early Christian art, and the remains of saints. The Catacombs of San Gennaro and San Gaudioso are the most famous, offering a unique glimpse into Naples' early Christian history. Naples city also has a beautiful open square called Piazza del Plebiscito with the Royal Palace 'Palazzo Reale' and the Church of San Francesco di Paolo.

Top 25 Things to do in Naples

^{Pulcinella, the famous face mask from Naples}

^{Plaza del Plebiscito, the most striking square in Naples}

Neighborhoods in Napoli Italy

You need a lot of time to see and fully explore all the neighborhoods of Naples. The area you should definitely not miss is the busy and lively historic center 'Centro Antico' with highlights such as the Spaccanapoli, beautiful churches and the nativity scene of Via San Gregorio Armeno. You also have Rione Sanità, perhaps the most beautiful neighborhood of Napoli. Nearby is the popular National Archaeological Museum. Rione Sanità is a neighborhood that breathes history. It was very popular, because in the past the king braved the streets with his carriage. The horses were replaced by oxen in the district, because only oxen were strong enough to carry the carriage to the hill of Capodimonte. Nowadays you will find coffee shops, restaurants and stalls everywhere here.

The Vomero district: best views of Napoli city

Higher up in Napoli city is Vomero. From this district you have an amazing view of the center of Naples. You can easily reach this district via cable car. Vomero is by no means boring, because here too there are cozy bars and restaurants with important sights nearby. For example the Carthusian Monastery 'Certosa di San Martino' and the castle 'Castel Sant'Elmo'. Again, you will have an incredibly beautiful view of the city. Vomero is a neighborhood to escape the bustle of the center for a while.

Authentic Neapolitan life in Quartieri Spagnoli

The Quartieri Spagnoli is a typical Neapolitan working-class neighborhood that served as housing for the Spanish army in the 16th century. The reason was to suppress the Neapolitan revolts. Nowadays, in this neighborhood with its typical narrow streets you will find the most authentic life that the people from Naples Italy lead. Laundry hanging in the streets, screaming people and residents who keep a close eye on things on a chair in front of the house. You will also find colorful street art here that you have to see with your own eyes.

Popular in the Naples travel guide

Visit Pompeii

In AD 79, the city of Pompeii was completely buried under a layer of ash from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The city was completely excavated from this layer of ash in the 18th century, where you can admire old Roman buildings, frescoes and mummies. The absolute top attraction in Naples.

• Pompeii Italy

25x Naples things to do

What to do in Naples Italy? Would you like to know what the most important sights, monuments and activities are during your holiday or city trip in Naples? Check out this article with tourism tips about the 25 most visited highlights in Naples so that you can make your perfect itinerary.

• Naples Sightseeing

Mount Vesuvius

Close to the city and not to be missed in the Neapolitan skyline is the volcano Vesuvius. It is possible to visit the volcano and take a hike to the top where you can see the crater and have a great view over Napoli.

• Mount Vesuvius Tour

Naples Underground

Beneath Napoli city is a whole network of old streets, squares and tunnels that tell the rich history of the city, from the Romans to the Second World War. You can, for example, make tours through Napoli Sotterranea and the Galleria Borbonica.

• Napoli Sotterranea

Naples Activities & Tours

In Naples you will find a wide range of activities, tours and excursions with a guide. In the article you can read more about these fun or original activities, such as a bike ride or excursions in the beautiful region of Naples city.

• Tours & Activities

Naples day trips & Amalfi Coast

Perhaps the region surrounding Naples is even more beautiful than the city itself. Visit picturesque places on the Amalfi Coast such as Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi. Or take a day trip by ferry to islands such as Capri, Procida or Ischia.

• Excursions from Naples

Brief history 'Napoli'

In the past, the city of Naples has been the home of many kings and rulers. How did Naples developed like we know it today? A short journey through history:

• The first inhabited area: The history of Naples begins with the legend of Parthenope, a mythical figure from Greek mythology. She fell into the sea by Odysseus and drowned. Her body washed ashore and, according to legend, was buried in what is now the boulevard and Castel dell'Ovo. Thus, that area was also named after Parthenope.
• Naples 470 BC: The Etruscans, who won a victory over the Saracens, created a new area next to Parthenope called Neapolis. The historic city of Naples was built during this period by the Greeks. In the old center of Naples you can still see the street plan of the Greeks today.
• Naples during the Roman period: Neapolis was taken over by the Romans in 326 BC. In the following centuries, Naples became a place for rest and recreation. Many Roman villas were built and slowly the language changed from Greek to Latin and later Italian.
• Eruption of Mount Vesuvius: In the year 79, the volcano Mount Vesuvius erupted, causing that the cities Pompeii and Herculaneum were destroyed and buried in volcanic ash. Naples also suffered massive damage.
• Part of the Spanish: In the 15th century, Naples became part of the Spanish kingdom. This time is characterized by the many palaces to accommodate the nobles.
• The reign of the Bourbon dynasty: In the 18th century, Naples fell under the rule of the Bourbon dynasty from Spain. During this period, the villages of Chiaia and Posillipo developed which later joined Naples and are now neighborhoods of the city. Also in this period the well-known Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte, the Palace of Caserta and San Carlo Theatre were built.
• Unification with Italy: In the 19th century, Naples became one with Italy and lost its title as the capital. The city fell into a major crisis due to the cholera epidemic.

Best time to travel to Napoli Italy

In the city of Naples (Napoli) it is about 30 degrees in the high season (June to August) and 12 degrees in the low season. In the high season it is very busy with many tourists, which you have to take into account. If you want to see major sights, don't visit Naples city in July and August. You then meet crowds of people and will have long waiting times. Better opt for less busy months such as April to June, September and October. The weather is then slightly less warm and the city is also a lot less crowded. Another period of great bustle in the city is the month of December due to the Christmas atmosphere in streets such as San Gregorio Armeno.

Transport in Napoli

In Naples, several sights of the historic center are within walking distance of each other, but for a number of other highlights you'll have to rely on public transport. Naples has an excellent metro network of two metro lines and some of the hills can be reached by the 'funicolare'. For transportation to the archaeological areas of Pompeii Italy and Herculaneum you can use good train connections that leave from the central station. You can also use the many ferries that leave from the port of Naples and connect the beautiful islands such as Capri, Procida and Ischia.

More Naples public transport

Video: Impression city trip Naples

Where is Naples in Italy?