Overview

Naples: The Bad Boy of Italy is irresistible

Naples, Italy’s third largest city and the capital of Campania has long held the reputation of being a raucous pit-stop for tourists flocking to the nearby Amalfi coast or Pompeii. The city’s rough and scraggly face owing mostly to the Camorra Mafia and ensuing corruption has kept many a globetrotter away for a long time…but all that is changing and even though the city refuses to let go of its bad boy image, Naples’s mix of anarchic and aristocratic is surprisingly drawing more visitors now than ever before. The secret lies in its changing face, its gregarious people and its vibrant atmosphere. Sure, Naples’s is explosive – it lies halfway between two volcanoes – but that’s what gives it its unique character that is so seductive!

Naples is an explosive city that bubbles with excitement, resonates with its opulent history and beckons with the promise of unadulterated fun. Bustling streets full of busy Neapolitans and milling crowds of tourists give Naples the chaotic energy that envelopes you while all you are doing is sipping Espresso at a street side café. The grandeur of the Bourbons’ Reggia di Caserta stuns you speechless and the long queues in front of the city’s famed Pizzerias make your impatience double up. The city’s sights and sounds permeate your being and you want to throw all caution to wind and become a true blue Neapolitan with a healthy disregard for rules.

Despite EU yelling hoarse at the garbage problem, the Vesuvius casting an impending shadow and all the trappings of a big city creeping out from nooks and crannies, you still want to be here because when it comes to having fun or pampering the senses there is no place like Naples.

…And Naples was born!

Famous for its art and culture, the homegrown romantic guitar, and its two volcanoes, Naples also has an equally interesting history with several myths and legends surrounding the story of its birth. The most accurate account is that it was settled in the 8th century BC by the Greek tribe – the Cumaeans from the nearby colony of Cumae who called it ‘Neapolis’ which means ‘New City’. Another popular legend attributes the founding of Naples to Parthenope, a siren from Greek Mythology. Yet another legend claims the founder of the city to be Phalerus, one of the Argonauts in Greek mythology.

The earliest inhabitants of the Neapolis had a rough time staving off the Etruscans who made several invasion attempts. Later the new city, as opposed to Parthenope, the old city, grew in power thanks to the influential Greek city-state – Siracusa. It is hard to say why or when Parthenope and Neapolis merged together to become Naples but according to archeological evidence this event took place some time in the 3rd century BC. The new unit was good at defending its fortunes and fought off several intruders like Hanibal - the Carthaginian warrior. The city retained its Greek flavor in structures like the Odeon, a theatre and a temple to Castor and Pollux till the Romans finally took over in the 4th century BC. Naples kept its Greek-ness intact under Roman rule and progressed mightily. The city flourished as a center of Hellenistic culture, was famed as a pleasure resort and was written about by such luminaries as Virgil.

The last years of the Roman rule saw Christianity spread its wings in the area with St. Paul and St. Peter preaching in the city and basilicas being constructed. In 305 AD the patron saint of the city St. Januarius was martyred here and in 5 AD the Basilica San Gennaro extra moenia and the Cathedral of Naples were built to commemorate the event.

The reign of the Western Roman Empire came to an end after Romulus Augustus; the last Emperor of the Western Roman Empire was deposed in 476 and imprisoned in Naples at what is now Castell del’Ovo or the “Egg Castle” located on the island of Megarides. The fall of the Roman Empire was followed by the fierce Gothic wars between the Ostrogoths and Byzantines in the 6th century where Naples sided with the Byzantine Empire but fell to the Ostrogoths. In the sixth century Naples was conquered by the Byzantines, and it was one of the last duchies to fall to the all-conquering Normans in 1039, as they founded the Kingdom of Sicily. In 1266 Naples and the kingdom of Sicily were given by Pope Clement IV to Charles of Anjou, who moved the capital from Palermo to Naples. In 1284 the kingdom was split in two, and stayed that way till 1816, when they would form the kingdom of Two Sicilies. In between, Naples had been under the rule of Spain, Austria, and the Bourbons, and had (briefly) been a Jacobin republic. Finally, in October 1860, it became part of the new Italy.

When to Pack up

Naples from the sea Go to Naples whenever you want to just make sure it isn’t the summer months. Unless you have the courage to deal with sweltering heat and bustling crowds, spring and autumn are the best seasons to enjoy Naples. April to June and September/October are the months when the city offers a warm, pleasant weather and the crowds are thinner. The cool Mediterranean breezes are a regular feature in Naples as the city enjoys a prominent place on the lower section of the Italian Boot but this also makes for quite chilly winters.

How to arrive

The Road to Naples

Italy boasts of a beautiful countryside and by taking a train to Naples you get to enjoy the best of it. Naples is also the hub of the southern Italian rail network and most trains starting from Northern Italy pass through Rome before ending up here. So if you are arriving via Roma, train is the best way to travel to Naples. The Stazione Centrale or Stazione Garibaldi are the two stations where regionale, diretto, Intercity and the super speed Eurostar trains arrive and depart from.

If road trips don’t make you queasy try taking a bus to Naples. Most buses arrive and depart from Piazza Garibaldi in front of Stazione Centrale. You could also take boats and hydrofoils for Capri, Sorrento, Ischia, Procida and Forio from Molo Beverello in front of the Castel Nuovo. Longer distance ferries also start and leave from the Stazione Marittima ().

Naples is on the major north-south Autostrada del Sole, numbered A1 (north to Rome and Milan) and A3 (south to Salerno and Reggio di Calabria). The A30 rings Naples to the northeast, while the A16 heads northeast to Bari. The motorways meet the Tangenziale di Napoli, a major ring road around the city.

Naples also has an international airport – Capodichino, which is about 8 kms northeast of the city center. It is also southern Italy’s main airport, is well organized and connected by the ‘Alibus’ to the center of the city.

Pillow space in Naples

Till a decade or so ago, Naples offered only two types of hotel accommodations – lavish and run down. Things have changed wonderfully in favor of the consumer with the advent of good mid-range hotels and excellent hostels, quite a few of which are housed in attractive old buildings. Naples is not as expensive as most other places in Italy and if you book ahead of your visit there are great bargains to be had.

One of the best and most luxurious places to stay in Naples is the Hotel San Francesco al Monte, which ironically was once a monastery! Made famous by 60’s movie ‘It started in Naples’ starring Sophia Loren (a one-time resident of Naples) and Clark Gable, Hotel San Francesco al Monte was founded as a convent in 1557 and now has been converted into a 50 - room extravaganza with the original cells for the monks housing guests. Modern and comfortable, the al Monte delights with the fabulous views from most rooms.

One of the biggest attractions in Naples is the Bay of Naples – romantic, fun and instantly calming. To get the best views of this gem of nature you must give a thought to Hotel Royal Continental which affords fantastic views of the bay over the Castello del’Ovo. The hotel offers a bouquet of services including a private car park and a rooftop swimming pool and has well appointed rooms stocked with every amenity you could think of. Naples knows how to treat its guests in style and there is no dearth of top end hotels that promise you the moon and deliver it. Consider a room for two at the Grand Hotel Santa Lucia (€205) and you will come away with a fabulous experience or a € 214 a night room at the Constantinopoli 104 and you have sheer bliss added to your vacation.

Other properties to consider in this bracket are: Hotel Palazzo Albardieri € 165, Hotel Palazzo Decumani € 141, Starhotels Terminus, Montespina Park Hotel, Hotel Clarean, Cesare Augusto, Jolly Hotel Napoli and Holiday Inn Naples.

The city also has several mid range hotels well suited for families and large groups that want a comfortable stay, basic amenities and rates that won’t burn a hole in their pocket. Our recommendations include: Hotel Correra 241 € 103, UNA Hotel Napoli € 128, Pinto-Storey Hotel € 129, Week-end A Napoli € 129, Hotel Majestic € 133, Belle Arti Resort € 109, Palazzo Rosenthal € 146, Ramada Naples City Center € 87

For single travelers and those on a budget Naples has many choices in hostels and pensions. Most of these properties are centrally located, clean and comfortable and very economical. We recommend: Piazza Bellini € 94, Hotel Duomo € 67, Delle Terme di € 95, Hotel Europe Flowers € 59 and La Controra: a converted seventeenth century hunting lodge in the heart of Naples € 17 in a 10-bed dorm to € 31 for a twin/double, including breakfast.

Restaurants

See Naples, Eat!

Naples is the birthplace of two of the world’s favorite foods – the Pizza and Spaghetti and sampling both dishes here makes for mouthwatering memories to take back home. Although a good range of world cuisine as well as large food chains like Mc Donald’s are also available; eating at Pizza Hut in Naples would be blasphemy because the Neapolitans take their pizza very seriously with a whole list of rules (a regulation 35 cm diameter, only San Marzano variety of tomatoes for the base sauce and only a wood fired oven!) and why wouldn’t you want a taste of the original slice of heaven? So here are some of the best places in Naples to sample that delicious piece of pizza:

O’Calamaro on via Campi Flegrei is one of the most popular pizzerias in Naples and the credit goes to the excellent pizza maker here. You will find a maddening variety of pizzas at O’ Calamaro along with a delectable selection of sea food. The food is excellent and the antipasto bar heavenly. Pizza is treated with reverence here with a separate space just for the oven! Try the pizza conchiglia and the pizza oca or choose from several varieties of pasta dishes like penne all’arriabiata and penne boscaiola.

La Stanza del Gusto at Vicoletto Sant’Arpino is considered by many to be one of the finest restaurants in Naples. Translated into English as ‘The Room of Taste’, La Stanza del Gusto is a culinary delight -the pasta is homemade, the ingredients are fresh and the wine collection is to die for. The menu changes daily according to whatever is the freshest available in the markets and the Chef Mario Avallone whips up new magic each day. A word of caution – keep some space for dessert!

Located on the ninth floor of the Grande Hotel Vesuvio, the Caruso Roof Garden restaurant is dedicated to Italy’s greatest opera singer Enrico Caruso who was also a passionate gourmet. Caruso made the Grande Hotel Vesuvio his home in Naples and the restaurant’s starring dish Caruso Fettuccine is dedicated to him. Make advance reservations for this delightful place which offers great food and a fabulous view of the Bay of Naples.

La Cantinella on via N Sauro deserves a visit just for its superb location on the waterfront. The establishment is quiet and unassuming but the food is anything but it. Try it for its classic Neapolitan dishes as well as worthy international fare. Another good place for a relaxing dinner is the Giuseppone a Mare on via Ferdinando Russo. You cannot get in without prior reservations and when you sample the first dish on your main course you would know why. This is the place to go to for the freshest and tastiest sea food in the city and some of the dishes you must try are pasta with pumpkin and swordfish and squash blossom fritters.

Other good places to eat out in Naples are: Masaniello, Don Salvatore, Vini e Cucina, Vadinchenia, Pizzeria Brandi, Il Gallo Nero and Ristorante La Fazenda. The best thing about eating out in Naples is that you can go from really expensive restaurants to the really affordable ones in a matter of minutes! For good food that doesn’t burn a whole in your pocket choose from La Sacrestia, Giovanni Scaturchio and Rosolino.

One night in Napoli

Naples has a throbbing nightlife and there is something for everyone here – you could get a coffee buzz and some conversations at the Gran Caffé Gambrinus- Naples’s Grand Old Dame of cafes or simply hold hands with that special someone and walk along the promenade at Santa Lucia romancing in the light of the setting sun. You could rock it at Chez Moi to the gene altering beats of disco or enjoy the splendor of the Teatro di San Carlo on via San Carlo.

The bar and club scene in Naples offers more choices than any other city on the Mediterranean coast and even though it will be an expensive affair you are sure to get your money’s worth. You could kick off your evening with Chez Moi on Via del Parco Margherita for a night out on the dance floor and a rarefied atmosphere of designers, socialites and powerful government officers who enjoy the place. The music is mostly disco, but on some days you could also catch a sizzling cabaret or some live piano music.

Music at Madison Street, the largest disco in Naples is an adrenalin filled, fun place to be, especially for young travelers. The Vino (or equivalents) flows and the music never stops. Another great dancing spot in the city is the Piaza di Spagna which plays to all kinds of music tastes throughout weekends and shouldn’t be missed.

For people looking for a quieter, less strenuous evenings, Naples has an excellent jazz scene and the most notable place is Riot. Caffè Intramoenia at Piazza Bellini is always spilling over the brim, even in winters when serious patrons occupy outdoor tables even in winters. Another popular watering hole in Chiaia is Enoteca Belledonne on Vico Belledonne a Chiaia. With a crowd of happy-go-lucky, easy going people this is a great place for a drink before dinner.

The bar scene doesn’t end here - there more choices like Botany’s on via Manzoni and La Mela – one of the ‘coolest’ clubs in Naples- on via dei Mille as well as Kiss Kiss on via Sgambati – a maddening disco spread over two floors. Mefisto on via Medina is a good place to hang out and get some new moves on the floor as is Queen Victoria on via dei Mille. Also try the Nabilah Club in Bacoli for great music, superb food and a relaxing ambience. Flakabe in Capodimonte is one of Naples’ largest clubs that also offers live music and is a popular place to hang out.

Naples also tops in the gay nightlife segment with its popular offering of Tongue in the Posillipo neighborhood on Via Alessandro Manzoni, Bagatto Club Prive on via Dumas Padre and Blanche on via Crispi. Most clubs have a ‘gay night’ every week and you can check for the day.

Things to do

Mapping Naples Or how to get around

 One of the most romantic and enduring images of Naples is that of a couple in love, riding a Vespa along the Bay of Naples. But let’s leave that for the movies. Driving in Naples is the recipe to disaster for the uninitiated driver. The traffic is chaotic and the drivers wild and though every Neapolitan would tell you there is method to all this madness, stick to the city’s public transport.

ANM operates most buses which depart from Piazza Garibaldi from bus stops with barely legible/missing/confusing (take your pick) signs. The bus map is a puzzle and you are always in for an adventure which is the best part of traveling on public transport in Naples. However, there is an ANM office right at the square where you can find ample help.

Another safe way of traveling around the city is by the Metropolitana – the Naples underground which runs mostly above the ground from Gianturco, just east of Stazione Centrale, via Piazza Garibaldi and Bagnoli to Pozzuoli. A ride on the funicular that connects downtown with Vomero is quite an experience.

It is advisable to buy the 90- minute unlimited travel 'Giranapoli' tickets for use on buses, trams, Metropolitana, funicular and the Circumflegrea or Ferrovia Cumana. Tickets are available at stations, ANM booths and tobacconists.

For longer distances or for traveling to and fro the airport if you have luggage you can get a taxi from any of the large piazzas. Flagging one done is hard and quite a blow to the ego, especially if you consider the high cost.

See Naples and Die!

Although Naples has been long celebrated for its art scene, its vibrant culture and its food, not many thought of it as a holiday spot compared to Amalfi coast. In the last few decades that image has changed to a new Naples – full of beautiful piazzas, art galleries, palaces & castles, churches, acres of green parks and hundreds of activities to keep visitors enthralled. And when you have been satiated with everything else, there is the music – an evening at the San Carlo Opera House can enchant anyone!

One of the first things that you should see in Naples is the National Archaeological Museum of Naples or the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. The museum is Italy’s pride and joy with one of the most valuable collections of Greek and Roman antiquities in Europe. Your must see list here should include the Farnese selections and the mosaics and sculptures excavated from Pompeii. Watch out for the “Secret Cabinet of Obscene Objects” – a rare collection of Objects d’ erotica collected from all over Italy.

The Piazza del Plebiscito is the largest square in Naples and commemorates the 1860 plebiscite that firmly brought Naples into the Kingdom of Italy under the House of Savoy. Enclosed on one side by the Royal Palace and on the other by the church of San Francisco di Paola, this semi-circular piazza was in the 16th century a monastery once famously inhabited by Saint Francis of Paola –founder of the Roman Catholic Order of the Minims. The piazza, dominated by two equestrian statues of Ferdinand I of Bourbon and Charles III of Bourbon, also housed the Royal Apartments which are a great attraction today for their rich collections of numerous works of art, tapestries and period furniture. If you get too tired walking the piazza, rest your feet at the rooftop garden!

Spaccanapoli is the inevitable tourist attraction of Naples... you will cross this historic street several times getting from one Naples sight to another! One of the main streets slicing the city; the name literally translates into ‘Naples Splitter; Spaccanapoli is one of the three main streets of the Greco-Roman Neapolis. Strolling around Spaccanapoli is one of the most delightful things you’ll do in Naples. Explore the charming little alleys spread out around the street, sample the fresh seafood in the stalls and don’t leave without visiting some of the churches that lie along this axis, most notably the Church of Gesù Nuovo and the Gothic Church of Santa Chiara. Spaccanapoli is also a great place to shop for nativity tableaus and figurines for which Naples is famous. Before you can finally peel your self away from here, dig out Via San Biagio dei Librai for a visit to some of the best antiquarian book dealers in Italy, a ‘Doll Hospital’ and the nativity workshops on Via San Gregorio Armeno.

he Cathedral of Naples, better known as Duomo is a 13th century Gothic cathedral dedicated to the city’s patron saint, San Gennaro. Commissioned by Charles I of Anjou and built between 1272 and 1315, the Duomo is the site of two annual festivals in May and September when a vial of St. Januarius’ blood is taken out of its storage place in hopes that it will liquefy… it does every year and the legend states the year it doesn’t would be a bad time for Naples.

 You cannot escape the charms of Castel del’Ovo, the oldest castle in Naples, the epicenter of the original 6th century Cumaean colony –Neapolis and the final abode of the last emperor of the Western Roman Empire – Romulus Augustus. Placed prominently on the harbor and a popular venue for exhibitions and concerts, the Castel del’Ovo is steeped in interesting history. Literally translating as ‘Egg Castle’, this charming castle on the island of Megarides derives its name from a legend that says the famous medieval writer (and sorcerer!) Virgil had an enchanted egg placed in its foundation to make it stronger. The legend also says if the egg breaks, Naples will collapse!

The Parco di Capodimonte was built in 1734 as the Bourbon King Charles III's hunting lodge. An impressive estate, it is also home to one of Italy's richest museums with a great picture gallery and collection of majolica and porcelain. The top attraction here is the seven Flemish tapestries designed by Bernard Von Orley, showing grand scale scenes from the 1525 Battle of Pavia. You can wander around the royal apartments and the surrounding park, too. The gallery displays works by renaissance masters like Luca Signorelli, Perugino, Raphael and Botticelli.

One of the most visited places in Naples is the attractive and serene Orto Botanico or the botanical garden. Considered one of the best botanical gardens in Italy, the Orto Botanico is spread over 15 hectares on Via Foria and is a must see accompaniment to the Royal Palace of Portici which lies right across. The Orto Botanico was founded in 1872 and is part of the palace grounds abutting the magnificent Holmoak Wood. The garden's original specimens took a hard beating in the World War II, when the garden was used as a vehicle parking area by Allied forces! However, the garden’s collection today is resplendent with hundreds of plant species, most notably the southern African desert plant Welwitschia mirabilis, cycads, palms and some fantastic specimens of the exotic Asian Gingko biloba.

A lot of tourism in Naples is faith based and for such visitors as well as others the San Lorenzo Maggiore, the 13th century medieval church is a huge attraction. Built at the exact historic center of the ancient Neapolis, the church doubles up as a monastery and has many ancient ruins underneath, including an original Roman market. The church also houses a museum which is worth a visit.

Other attractions in Naples include: Piazza Mercato, Via dei Tribunali, Castel Nuovo, Teatro San Carlo and the Naples University which was founded in 1224 and is one of the oldest universities in Europe.

Day out from Naples

espite Naples’ once shoddy image as a non-tourist destination, people have flocked the city for decades using it as a stop-over to visit Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius and the Amalfi coast. Capri and Ischia remain sought after destinations by the glitterati and the regular tourists.

Pompeii is less than an hour’s ride on the Circumvesuviana train to the south of the city and several guided tours are available for a visit to the excavations of the town that got buried in volcanic ash in the 79 AD eruption of the Vesuvius. Make sure to visit the House of the Vetii – a Roman merchant’s house, the public marketplace and the quite well preserved Theatre.

Once in Naples it would be hard to resist a visit to Amalfi – once the hottest holiday destination for the upper class and the aristocracy. The top attractions in Amalfi are the 13th century Cathedral with its magnificent interiors and the bell tower, The Cloister of Paradise with its Arabic style columns and a huge collection of riveting mosaics and paintings and the Paper Mill Museum.

Other nearby spots great for a day trip are: Reggia di Caserta – an 18th century royal palace designed by Vanvitelli, the islands of Ischia and Capri and Paestum which is one of the most famous Greek ruins in Italy.

Best buys in Naples

Shopping in Naples is a delightful mix of big brand stores, colorful flea markets, pretty little stores for crafts and glorious food at every little opportunity. Sure it’s not Milan or Firenze or Rome but shopping in Naples can be full of wonderful surprises for someone with patience and a heart for discovery. So when in Naples, put on your comfy shoes and get ready to be astonished at the unexpected.

Some of the finest shopping can be done in Piazza dei Martiri, via Del Mille, via Calabritto and via Chiaia. Via Toledo is an all time favorite and a must see street even if you are not intent on buying shoes or clothes for which the street is famous. Piazza dei Martiri and via Chiaia are the best places to get your designer-fix with all the big labels like Versace, Armani, Gucci and Prada having a resounding presence here…a few hundred Euros subtracted from your pocket are worth the season’s latest dresses! On Piazza dei Martiri you will find more formal styles and for funky, informal but stylish garments try the stores on via Chiaia.

Via dei Mille, via Filangieri and via Chiala are the streets where the city’s best perfume shops are located. Big brands are inescapable in Naples and even on these streets you can easily find labels like Cartier, Louis Vuitton and Damiani. These shopping areas are also full of pretty little boutiques that sell garments, accessories and jewelry.

When in Naples spend on leather goods – no one does it better than the Neapolitan artisans! Beninanti on Via Cavallerizza a Chiaia is the best place to go to for both men and women’s leather accessories like bags, cases and wallets. Shopping for shoes in Naples is a luxurious experience because there are hundreds of shops that stock classic, modernistic as well as right-out-there designs and just one pair wouldn’t be enough. Start with Mario Valentino on via Calabritto for the most stylish shoes a woman could own. Visit Aldo Tramontano on via Chiaia, a shop that has been in business since 1865, for bags, suitcases and the famous Tramontano wallet. One local favorite is Casuccio e Scalera which sells a fine array of shoes and handbags.

For traditional Italian handmade products you must head to the Quartieri Spagnoli which is filled to the brim with craftsmen shops selling Capodimonte porcelain, cameos and gouaches. Naples is famous for its nativity scene figurines and it would be a crime to come to Naples and not take back at least a couple. You can buy handmade terracotta figurines from workshops on San Gregorio Armeno the most famous of which is Fratelli Capuano. Also peek into Creches Amendola, Ferrigno and Di Vergilio. Naples is famous for its artisan crafts like ceramics and antique furniture and some of the best shops to splurge on are: Maurizio Brandi on via Domenico Morelli, Il Cantuccio della Ceramica on Benedetto Croce, Mario Giordano on via Constantinopoli, Madamaluna on via Verdi and Guiseppe Gargiulo – Naples’s most famous antiques shops – on via Imbriani.

Tips

A top day in Naples

Naples is surprisingly too big a city with way too many sights to be able to catch its essence in just a day. However, if you are willing to keep the museums for another visit you can at least get a whiff of what this brash, fun city is all about. You could start your top day in Naples with a look-see at the Naples Cathedral, or Duomo as it is popularly called. Make a quick visit to the marvelous Cathedral of San Gennaro that houses the relics of the city’s patron saint – a vial of his blood that liquefies every year.

We hope you remembered to put on your most comfortable walking shoes because the best way to experience Naples and absorb as much of it as you can is by walking around. So, from the Cathedral make your way to Via San Gregorio Armeno, the street famous for its Neapolitan nativity scenes. Spend a while at the wonderful Monastery and cloisters inside before you move on to the Church of Gesù Nuovo. The church is located at the boundary of the historic center of the city and is easily one of the most awe inspiring churches you would find in the city. Marvel at its luxurious interiors etched with semi-precious stones, the breathtaking frescoes and the baroque masterpiece – The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple – by Francesco Solimena.

One of the charms of coming to the Gesù Nuovo is that Via Toledo, the most famous street in Naples lying in the heart of the Quartieri Spagnoli starts right near the church and has several great places for a meal. We recommend resting the tootsies while sampling a slice of Pizza Margherita at one of the cafes that punctuate the street. You could also try some pasta while watching all of Naples go by on their business.

Pry yourself out of your chosen café and resist that one more coffee for the road for a trip to the beautiful Galleria Umberto I at the end of via Toledo. Now you can have that one last coffee and get great views of Teatro San Carlo – one of the oldest and most fantastic in Europe. Move on to take in the splendor of Palazzo Reale and perhaps a walk in its beautiful gardens. While here make some time for the Caffè Gambrinus in Piazza Trieste e Trento – the oldest Neapolitan bar and get some "tazzulella".

Stroll around the charming Piazza Plebiscito and visit Maschio Angioino – the 13th century Anjou Castle which was once an important cultural center for artists and writers – abutting the Royal Palace. Got more time? Visit the amazing Castel del’Ovo to admire the breathtaking views of Naples and one of the most memorable views of the Bay of Naples. Go back to your hotel to prepare for an eventful night in Naples – put on your dancing shoes and a snazzy dress and gather your friends or companions for some pizza chasing across town. Need a drink? Head to one of the several fantastic bars and clubs dotting the city or try a wine bar before following the beats of fab music emanating from every place within earshot and there’s Naples for you in a day!

Tip Master

General

- The Neapolitans are invariably genial people; always cheerful, always ready with a helping hand and appreciate politeness and good manners
- Naples is a very religious city and while visiting a church do take care to be dressed appropriately
- Tipping is expected though most restaurants include a service charge in the bill



Families

- Take the entire family for a funicular ride to Vomero. You would start from Piazza Duca d’Aosta off via Toledo and land at via Domenico Cimarosa – all for just € 1 per person!
- Go to the Cathedral of Naples on Sunday morning for a beautiful service as well as to get a better look at the beautiful interiors of this ancient cathedral.
- Bag snatching and pick pocketing are two of the biggest dangers for tourists. Stay safe by carrying only as much cash as you would need in a day and don’t loose sight of your belongings

Couples

Skip the theatre and let your hair down at the Arenile di Bagnoli – an outdoors beach club open only during summers
- Stroll around the lovely gardens of Villa Floridiana located near the two funicular stations of Vomero. There is no entrance fee and while here you can also visit the National Museum of Ceramics.

TalkPost

The New York Times recommends shopping at Anna Mattuozo’s atelier for fine shirts and Antonio Panico’s studio on via Carducci for suits

World66.com recommends a visit to the Naples Aquarium and the Phlaegrean fields

Fodor’s recommends staying at the Vesuvio Grande Hotel for the experience of a lifetime