When people talk about Italy, you often think about Rome, Milan, or Venice, but there are so many other places to see, that are unique and beautiful. Just a two-hour car ride from Rome is this amazing city – the birthplace of pizza – called Naples, which is definitely worth a visit! It was founded by Greeks and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited metropolitan areas in the world.
Since the end of the 20th century, Naples has had significant economic growth, becoming the third-largest urban economy in Italy. It has an advanced transportation network, which includes the Alta Velocità high-speed rail link to Rome and Salerno. The Port of Naples is one of the largest ports in Italy and the Mediterranean and one of the most important ones in Europe. For the visitors of the city, Naples offers lots of things to do, places to see and meals to experience.
Things to do in Naples
While visiting the city, there are so many interesting things to do! As it was said, Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so it would only make sense, to take a pizza-making class while visiting. To get the most out of the experience, we would recommend one, with a tasting of the typical Neapolitan products. But if you want to get even more mouthwatering experiences, you can also book Street food tours with local experts. It’s almost mandatory to eat and experience all types of food when in Italy.
Since there is only a certain amount of food a person can eat in a day, there is still a lot to do in between these delicious meals. Naples originally had 7 beautiful castles, of which six are still standing, and five you can visit. Most popular castles in Naples to visit are Castel Nuovo and Castel dell’Ovo. The last one offers beautiful views of Naples Bay and the sea. When you are looking for a nice place to take a walk, then Naples bay is perfect for it. There is a long pedestrian road running all bay long, surrounded by food trucks and offering stunning views.
When wanting some activities in the center of the city, you can start with Piazza del Plebiscito. A very cool thing about the old cities is the underground cities beneath them and Naples is no exception. The three best places to visit underground are Naples underground, The Bourbon Tunnel, and the Catacombs of San Gennaro. When you are a soccer fan, then the Murals of Maradona are something you should go and take a look at. Our recommendation is also to take a walk in via San Gregorio Armeno – there is no better place for amazing handicrafts and souvenirs.
Where and what to eat in Naples
As Naples is the birthplace of pizza, there should be no surprise that we would recommend eating that. Coming straight from the Italians themselves – we would recommend trying 50 kalò and Sorbillo. A very popular dish in Naples is also Pizza Fritte, which is offered in many restaurants. A tip to find the best places to eat is to see where all the locals are eating – Italian customer is the most demanding one in Italy.
When you get tired of all the pizza, there are some amazing pasta places to try out as well. For a quick takeaway lunch, we suggest finding a place that serves “Frittatina”, which is a kind of fried pasta. For seated dinner, you should go to Trattoria Da Nennella – we recommend trying “pasta e patate”. If you love seafood, there is this amazing little seafood restaurant called Il Miracolo dei Pesci. To assure seating, try to make a reservation before going, otherwise, you might be waiting for a while.
How to get around Naples
There are several ways to move around Naples depending on your financial status, physique, etc. For you to see and experience more of the city, I recommend walking. It is a great way to move around Naples. Near the bay, you can also find electric bicycles, that you can rent through the Lime app to get to your destination quicker. But be warned, no matter which transportation you use, be careful, as the traffic in Naples is one of the craziest in the world.
When you are staying in the city, for the most part, we don’t recommend renting a car, as parking is horrible, to say the least. It makes more sense to rent a car for the days you do wanna go exploring outside of the city. To get yourself from the airport to your hotel and back, we recommend ordering a transfer service, as it is not much more expensive than getting a taxi (or maybe the same price or even cheaper at times). For example, Booking.com offers that service with your hotel bookings.
When you do need to go to any further destinations and want to get a taxi, Taxi Napoli is the best option. You can use the app, order the taxi beforehand for a specific time through their website or call them. Since a lot of Italians speak less than perfect English, the app is a great way to get a taxi to your location. And of course, there is also the option of using public transportation.
Is Naples safe?
We have all heard about the mafia in Naples, but that does not make it unsafe for tourists. Organized crime has no business with tourists and it is not something people should be afraid of. The most common threat is petty theft in crowded areas or public transportation, which is so in most big cities. There are some areas to be careful when walking around after dark like: Spaccanapoli, the area of Museo, Garibaldi Square and Station. If you keep common sense and stay alert, you should be fine.
Where to stay in Naples?
When you are looking for a nice B&B to stay in Naples, we recommend B&B Maison Mari. The host Maria is very helpful and nice and it is right next to the Naples bay. When you are looking for a hotel near the city center, our top pick would be the hotel Transatlantico. It is right near the Castel dell’ Ovo and by the sea, with nice views and amazing personnel. And lastly, our third recommendation for people who would enjoy a private apartment is Ella’s Home. It comes highly recommended by many and has a great location.
Overall, the amazing city of Naples is a great place to visit, and there are so many exciting things to experience. Even just strolling through the lively city, is an experience itself. The main attraction to any Italian city should be its food and wine and the culture that goes with it. Italians greatly respect their food, which is a vital part of their everyday lives. But when you feel that you wanna see more than just Naples, there is so much around it, that you can go and explore.