Naples
Naples Travel Guide – Things to Do, Food & Hotels
Discover Naples, one of Italy’s most vibrant cities and the gateway to Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast. Explore the best things to do in Naples, discover authentic Neapolitan food, find places to stay and plan unforgettable experiences around the Bay of Naples.
From its turbulent past to the best-tasting pizza, Naples is certainly a city of unique character and heritage. Featuring Mount Vesuvius on the east and the Phlegraean Fields on the other side, the capital of Campania boasts of many other natural wonders as well. These and its robust collection of historical and cultural sites draw tourists from all over the world to visit the extraordinary city of Naples.
Learn more about geography, history, architecture, and culture and find out what to do, where to stay, and what delicacies to try when you visit Naples.
Where to stay in Naples
Things to do in Naples
History of Naples
The authenticity of Naples is rooted from its long history. Ancient Greek settlers established in the Naples area as early as 1,000 BC. And for many centuries, Naples was invaded and occupied one after another by the Romans, French, and Spanish empires until it was absorbed by the Kingdom of Italy.
Heavily influenced by past conquests, Naples has built a rich culture. Arenas, castles, baroque architectures, churches and other historic monuments and ancient ruins form part of Naples heritage.
Naples has survived invasions, cholera epidemic, and the destructive eruption of Mount Vesuvius. In modern times, the city has also faced the challenges of unemployment, poverty, corruption, and criminality.
Today, Naples continues to work to eradicate these social problems. Improvements are evident with the construction of numerous transportation projects, the enhancement of waste management, the determination to preserve the city’s art, culture, and architecture, and the consequent boost in tourism.
Things To Do
Just an hour away by train from Rome, Naples is frequented by many travelers looking to experience the distinctive charm the place has to offer. Recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site, it has a wealth of historical buildings and monuments. Gaze in wonder as you walk into some of the popular places in the city:
- Pompeii
- Herculaneum
- Capua Amphitheater
- Caserta Palace
- Castel Nuovo
- Ovo Castle
- Royal Palace of Naples
- Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara
- Catacombe di San Gennaro
- Piazza del Plebiscito
- Naples National Archeological Museum
In Naples, there is a place for everyone. There are tons of Airbnb, resorts, hostels, and luxury hotels to choose from. You can experience the various charms of the city depending on the area where you would like you to stay. Posillipo and Vomero are upscale residential areas in the city where the whole family, including kids, can enjoy the stay. The streets of Chiaia are lined up with popular brands to family-run fashion boutiques that makes it one of the top favorite places to live when you are in Naples. If you are a backpacker or budget-traveler, Quartieri Spagnoli is one of the best areas to find accommodation. It is also a walking distance to the city center and some famous tourist destinations.
No visit is complete without tasting Naples’ local cuisine. The birthplace of pizza is also home to other famous dishes with recipes passed on from generations to generations. Enjoy your meals at restaurants with a great view of the city. Or experience the flavors from small shops tucked like hidden gems within the narrow streets. Some of the must-tries are pizza napoletana, spaghetti alle vongole, pasta alla genovese, sfogliatelle, and struffoli. A gastronomic tour alone is worth the visit to Naples, but the boutiques that line the streets make shopping a unique experience as well. There’s a plethora of small businesses and artisan shops for pottery, clothing, wine, and more. Munch on some street food while you stroll down Naples’ cobblestone roads.
Naples is a coastal city in the south west of the Italian peninsula. Although more popular to tourists for its castles, museums, and archeological sites, the place is also rich in natural wonders. Dominating the view of the city is the famous Mount Vesuvius known for its destructive eruption in 79 AD that wiped out the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Another volcanic formation can be found on the other side – the phlegraean fields. Sandy beaches and steep cliffs on the coastline of the city offer a majestic view of the Gulf of Naples.
Hot and dry summer is experienced during the months of June, July and August. Winter during the months of November through January are usually cold and rainy. It seldom snows in Naples but when it does, it gives Mount Vesuvius a rare sparkly white mountain top.
The magnificent architectural wonders in Naples are the result of its long and turbulent history. Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque styles are evident in the interior design and facade of many of the popular places in the city. From paintings, ceramics, and tapestries to museums, churches, monuments, castles, and amphitheaters, to entire ancient city ruins, Naples provides an entrancing journey for both tourists and architect apprentices.
Modern architectural designs continue to rise in Naples but preservation of historic sites and buildings remain strong. These are just some of the places that provide visitors a glimpse of early Neapolitan architecture:
- Piazza del Plebiscito
- National Archeological Museum
- Ruins of Pompeii
- Castel Nuovo
- Naples Cathedral
- Royal Palace of Naples
- Cappella Sansevero
- Galleria Umberto I
Culture
Christianity is the predominant religion in Naples and forms a major part of its culture. This is clearly seen with the large number of churches in the city. With tourism as the major driver of Naples’ economic growth, traditional industries are mainly focused on wine, food, pottery, and textile.
Neapolitan cuisine is highly influenced by cultures from various civilizations that occupied the city over the course of its history making it an enthralling venue for foodies. Aside from its famous dishes, Naples takes pride in its art scene. It is home to numerous theaters that produce quality musical performances up to this day. Naples isn’t short with festivals as well. With their Pizzafest, one week of festivities is not enough to celebrate their iconic dish – pizza!
