Naples
Visited in July 2011
At a glance
- Country
- Italy
- Region
- Metropolitan City of Naples
- Population
- 913,462
- Best time to go
- April to June, September to October
- Main airport
- Naples International (NAP)
- Coordinates
- 40.87°N, 14.26°E
Country visited City visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.
Overview
Naples is loud, chaotic and enormously likeable. Washing hangs over narrow streets, scooters weave past shrines on street corners, and the historic centre, a UNESCO site, is layered with churches, palaces and underground passages.
It is also the birthplace of pizza and the gateway to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast. Give the city itself a couple of days before heading out.
Things to see
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Photo: Jeffmatt at English Wikipedia, Public domain National Archaeological Museum
One of the world's great collections of Roman art, including frescoes and mosaics carried here from Pompeii.
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Photo: Velvet, CC BY-SA 3.0 Spaccanapoli
The long straight street that cuts through the old town, lined with churches, cloisters and pastry shops.
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Photo: David Sivyer, CC BY-SA 2.0 Veiled Christ
Giuseppe Sanmartino's marble figure in the Sansevero Chapel seems to lie beneath a sheet of see-through cloth.
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Photo: Sordelli, CC BY-SA 3.0 Naples Underground
Guided tours lead down into Greek and Roman tunnels and cisterns beneath the city streets.
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Photo: PaestumPaestum, CC BY-SA 4.0 Castel dell'Ovo
A seafront castle on a small island off the Santa Lucia waterfront, with views across the bay to Vesuvius.
Things to do
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Photo: Bex Walton from London, England, CC BY 2.0 Eat Neapolitan pizza
Order a margherita or marinara at a classic pizzeria in the historic centre and expect a queue.
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Photo: Carsten Steger, CC BY-SA 4.0 Day trip to Pompeii
The Roman city buried by Vesuvius in AD 79 is about half an hour away on the Circumvesuviana train.
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Photo: pietro scerrato, CC BY 3.0 Hike up Vesuvius
A short, steep path leads to the rim of the crater, with the whole bay laid out below.
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Photo: This Photo was taken by Wolfgang Moroder . Feel free to use , CC BY-SA 3.0 Ride the funicular to Vomero
Head up the hill for the Castel Sant'Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino, with sweeping views of the city.
Where to stay
Historic Centre
Atmospheric and close to everything, though noisy and busy.
Hotels in Historic CentreChiaia
Smarter and calmer, near the seafront, with good restaurants and shopping.
Hotels in ChiaiaVomero
A residential hilltop district, quieter and connected to the centre by funiculars.
Hotels in Vomero
Getting around
Walking is the best way to see the old town, and the Metro's Line 1 has striking art-filled stations. Funiculars climb to Vomero, and the Circumvesuviana train runs to Pompeii and Sorrento.
The Alibus shuttle links the airport with the central station and the port in around 20 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.
When to go
Spring and autumn are warm and ideal for sightseeing and day trips. July and August are hot and crowded around the ruins, while winters are mild but can be wet.
Plan your trip to Naples
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.