Naples is the third-largest city in Italy and is often skipped by tourists who make their way to other areas such as Florence or Rome. However, Naples spans thousands of years of history and is one of the oldest places to have continuous inhabitants. Many culinary favorites were also invented here, making it a great place to check out the local cuisine. Below are our tips for Naples
How to Get to Naples?
Naples can be accessed a number of ways, including by train, by plane, and by car. The main train station in Naples is Napoli Centrale, which is easy to access via Rome. Since Naples is a very walkable city, you probably won’t need a car, so we recommend either taking the train or flying.
Sites and Things to Do in Naples
Eat Calzones and Pizza
Naples is perhaps most well-known for their culinary contributions of pizza and calzones. Both cuisines were invented in this city, making it a must-do for any tourist. The classic pizzas to order are Pizza Marinara and Pizza Margherita.
Pro Tip: You may recognize L’antica Pizzeria de Michele from Eat, Pray, Love. It’s also been featured in the Michelin Guide and can be a great place to grab a slice.
Explore the Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is a cool place to explore. Highlights from the museum include:
Alexander the Great Mosaic
Also known as the Battle of Issus mosaic, you may recognize this piece of art from your history books in middle school. It was found in the House of Faun in Pompeii and is still very well preserved. This artwork was crafted between 120 and 100 BC and shows a battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia.
Pompeii Mosaics
The Archaeological Museum contains other artifacts and mosaics from The House of Faun, which was a luxurious home discovered in the ruins of Pompeei. Everything is beautifully preserved, making this a necessary trip while in Naples (especially if you plan on visiting the historic site later)
Vesuvian Frescos
These frescos span between 100 BC and 100 AD. They give insight into the frescos on the walls in the homes of Pompeii.
Visit Castel dell’Ovo
This castle’s name translates to “Egg Castle”. According to legend, the poet Virgil could predict the future and placed an egg into the foundation of this structure. This egg was magic and was used to add strength to the fortress. If the egg broke, the building would be been demolished.
Walk Around the Piazza del Plebiscito
This is a large pedestrian-only public square featuring the beautiful Royal Palace and Royal Papal Basilica of San Francesco di Paola. These are both impressive structures, which are worth visiting.
Fun fact: The Piazza was used as a parking lot in the 1960s due to the problems with parking and cars. However, in the 1990s, the city reinvested money in revitalizing this square.
The Surrounding Area
Don’t forget to add some of the surrounding area to your trip to Naples. Below are some sites to explore.
Capri
There are several ways to get to Capri, including from Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Sorrento. You can catch a ferry at the docks to make your way to this beautiful island.
Pompeii
Pompeii is a short train ride away. Due to much of the art being preserved in Naples, it makes a great pairing with this city. Pompeii is a large area to explore however, so we recommend taking a tour so it’s easy to understand the buildings you are looking at. Plus, if you are traveling by youreself, but don’t want to travel alone, a tour is a great place to meet other people and make friends!
Pro Tip: Be sure to also look for the Villa of Mysteries. This has some of the last remaining artwork on the walls in Pompeii. It’s a little off the beaten path so you may need to ask for directions.
Herculaeum
Herculaneum is another city that was impacted by Mount Vesuvius. It’s smaller, but better preserved.
Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius is the volcano that caused the destruction and you can climb it today. You will need to take a bus to top, but once there, you can hike up and see the crater.
Final Thoughts
Naples is a fascinating place with a long and rich history. Anywhere we missed on our list? Leave it in the comments below
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Naples, Italy, best known for?
Naples is perhaps best known for its food, since it invented the pizza and Calzone.
Is Naples a walkable city?
Naples is a very walkable city, and you will not need a car to explore.
Is Naples a safe city?
Naples has a reputation for being less safe when compared to other areas of Italy. However, like New York City and Chicago in the United States, there are safe and less safe areas. Tourist areas are generally considered safe to visit.
You should treat Naples like any other big city and avoid less-lit areas at night, and be cautious of your surroundings. Use your best judgment and research the area you are staying in beforehand. Naples, like other parts of Italy, also has a problem with pickpockets, so be sure to keep an eye out for your things.
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