Naples Travel Guide

Naples, it is often said, is not for the faint of heart. Sitting in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, it is a city of indescribable beauty, where passion and chaos abound. The mystery and beauty of Naples will lure you in and offer you the chance to explore and discover all the vibrancy, passion, history and culture the city has to offer. Whether you are in search of the most authentic pizza or some of Italy's top museums, Naples will keep you on your toes and asking for more!

Top 10 of what to see
Castel Nuovo
Palazzo Reale
National Archeological Museum
Spaccanapoli & Church of Santa Chiara
Cathedral of San Gennaro
Teatro San Carlo
Capodimonte Museum
Castel dell'Ovo & Santa Lucia
Monastery and National Museum of San Martino
Galleria Umberto I

Events

May & September
San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, is celebrated twice annually on the Saturday before the first Sunday in May and on September 19th. A large bust statue of San Gennaro is carried from the Cathedral and through the streets of Naples. On these feast days, the blood of San Gennaro located in the Cathedral miraculously liquifies, a ritual dating back to the late 1300s. This event serves as an important oracle for Neapolitans, who believe that a catastrophe is imminent if the blood of San Gennaro does not liquify.

September
Held over the first half of September, the festival of the Madonna di Piedigrotta is a moving religious procession in honor of a miraculous statue of the Virgin Mary found in a cave. The festival is a lively cultural and religious event for the city, and is accompanied by a parade with elaborate floats, music, and a fireworks display.

Naples Typical Food & Drink

Neapolitan Pizza
A city of culinary delights, Naples is known first and foremost for its famous and inimitable pizza. The classic margherita pizza, created in 1889 in honor of a visit by Queen Margherita, it is topped with tomato, basil and mozzarella cheese. Also popular is the marinara or Napoletana, a simple and fresh pizza topped with tomato, garlic, oregano, and anchovies.

Sfogliatella
For those with a sweet tooth, a visit to Naples is not complete without tasting the heavenly Sfogliatella, a seashell-shaped pastry filled with cinnamon and orange scented ricotta cheese. Take a break during a busy day of sightseeing to enjoy a little taste of la dolce vita Naples style.
 

Going Underground
With so much to do above ground, many visitors to Naples miss one of its hidden surprises called Napoli Sotterranea, or Naples Underground. Below the city lies an elaborate network of tunnels dating back to the 4th century BC when the Greeks started quarrying the local yellow tufa stone to build their new city. Over the centuries, the tunnels and caves have been used as aqueducts, cisterns, catacombs, and even as shelters during the extensive World War II bombing raids. On a guided visit of Napoli Sotterranea, you can descend far below city streets, see graffiti from World War II, and learn the history of Naples from the other side.

How to arrive at Naples

Naples is located on the western coast of southern Italy on the Bay of Naples.
By Plane: The Naples Capodichino Airport provides easy access to the city from many of Italy and Europe's major cities, and from New York. It is located eight kilometers from the city center, and can be reached by bus or taxi connections.
By Car: Naples is located on the A1 Autostrada that runs north toward Rome and the A3 that heads south toward Reggio di Calabria.
By Boat: Naples is well connected by ferry services to the islands of Ischia and Capri, and nearby Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast from the Molo Beverello near the Castel Nuovo. Long distance ferries to Palermo, Cagliari and Tunisia arrive and depart from the Stazione Marittima. Please note that ferry schedules are more limited during the off season winter months.
By Train: Naples is a major rail hub, and trains regularly arrive and depart to destinations north and south from the Stazione Centrale in Piazza Garibaldi.