Naples
Discover Naples
Naples (Italian: Napoli; Neapolitan: Napule) in Italy is an ancient port on the Mediterranean sea. With just short of a million citizens, is the third most populous municipality. Metropolitan Naples is one of Italy's largest metropolitan areas, at three million citizens. Naples represents one of the oldest continuously-inhabited cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site with an unmatched heritage as a place of exchange between cultures. This is reflected in the city's structure and monuments, which are a mixture of Greek, Roman, Norman, Angevin, Spanish and French architecture. The UNESCO evaluation committee described Naples' historic centre the largest in Europe – as being "of exceptional value", and went on to say that Naples' setting on its Bay "gives it an outstanding universal value which has had a profound influence". But Italians have known these things for centuries: The view of Naples from the sea is so beautiful that a traditional Italian saying states that once you've seen it, you can die.
What to Experience in Naples
Taste of Naples...
You will find many sauces based on garlic sauteed in extra-virgin olive oil, tomatoes, and local red wines. Some of the sauces are arrabbiata ("angry") or fra diavolo ("brother Devil"), which means they will contain hot pepper. It's a great cuisine. Fresh mozzarella di bufala (mozzarella made from European buffaloes' milk) is also typical of the region. While pizza is a traditional Neapolitan dish, it became ubiquitous in the Italian cuisine only in modern times. Neapolitan pizza is listed by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. UNESCO recognise two types: pizza margherita, the original one, with tomato, basil, oil and fresh mozzarella toppings; and pizza marinara, with tomato, garlic, oregano and oil. In Naples every pizzeria makes a decent pizza, and Neapolitans believe their pizza is the best in the world. Unlike pizza in, e.g., the United States, Neapolitan pizza is generally very thin-crusted and saucy and is expected to be eaten as a whole while sitting down. Some places display the label Vera Pizza Napoletana ("True Neapolitan Pizza"; there is a Pulcinella mask baking a pizza in a stylized Vesuvio) which indicates that the pizzeria follows the standards of The Naples Pizza Association. Regarding pizzerias near Forcella: It is not the safest part of Naples, although generally OK during the day. Neapolitan cuisine in general features much seafood, befitting its status as an ancient and still functioning port.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Naples into what it is today.
The city was founded in the 8th century BC as Parthenope, by Greek settlers from the nearby city of Cumae, itself founded by Greeks from the island of Evvia, in the area between Monte Echia and the island of Megaride, on a previous 2nd millennium BC settlement named Phaleros, a name connected to one of the Argonauts. The Cumaeans founded Neapolis ("New City") at the area of today's Piazza Municipio in 6th century BC, and the town became one of the most important Greek polis of Magna Grecia and the whole Mediterranean Sea. In 320 BC, the city was conquered by the Romans, who let it maintain its Greek culture and language. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the town was conquered by the Byzantines, to became capital of an independent duchy. Naples was later governed by Normans, Swabians and Angevins, who made it a capital; the King of Sicily became King of Naples after the Sicilian Vespers. During the first half of 17th century, Naples was one of the main centers of the Spanish monarchy, and the most populated city in Europe, with more than 400,000 inhabitants. After tragic events, like an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1630, the revolt of Masaniello in 1647 against the Spanish government, and the plague that killed half of the population in 1656, Naples reached a glorious period under the government of the House of Bourbon, that made it one of the most relevant cities in the continent about culture, economy and politics....
Climate
Naples has Mediterranean climate, with short, mild winters and long, hot summers. The city benefits from over 300 days of sunshine per year, a value similar to that of Los Angeles, California. Snowfall is rare enough to be remembered as events. Annual average rainfall is high (1000 mm), usually most of it in a few days during the autumn. The prevailing wind is the libeccio, coming in from the sea in the south-west. The most widely spoken language in Naples is Italian, or a mixture of Italian and Neapolitan (Napulitano). The Neapolitan language – notoriously unintelligible to many speakers of standard Italian – also bears witness to the town's diverse cultural origins, being composed of French, Spanish and Arabic words, inserted into a Greek, Oscan and Latin structure. Neapolitan is sometimes described as an Italian dialect, but it is recognized by UNESCO and linguists as a distinct language. It has well-defined roots and rules, and there is a great heritage of literature (e.g.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsFrom the airport you can take a bus for €5 (called Alibus) which has two stops only: Stazione Centrale (Central station) and Piazza Municipio, near the main ferry port (molo Beverello). You can buy your ticket on the bus. The ticket is valid for further public transport trips, up to 90 min after validation. Further connections are listed on the official airport website. Beware of (legal) taxi drivers on the way to the Alibus stop, who claim to charge the same price as the Alibus, but actually also charge for children and go only once the minivan is full. If you have time to spare, you can take the 3S bus that will take you to the same stops as the Alibus for less. The difference is that the Alibus has limited stops, but the 3S will take you to the backstreets leading to the Stazione, continuing all the way to the port and a shopping district. Also, the Alibus is air conditioned whereas most 3S buses are not....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Traffic in Naples can be extremely heavy, similar to that of other big cities like Paris and New York. Extensive excavation works are ongoing to complete some metro segments, adding further to traffic in some areas. A typical example is the train station area, which is undergoing a complete makeover (a model of how it will look is observable in the interior of Stazione Centrale), plus the excavation of a metro line connecting it with Capodichino Airport. Another example is Piazza Nicola Amore (commonly known as Piazza Quattro Palazzi because of the four twin buildings surrounding it), where metro line excavations revealed an ancient Roman temple, whose structure will be integrated in the futuristic station designed by the world-class architect Renzo Piano. Normal traffic regulations are generally observed in Naples; however, it is prudent to follow the locals when crossing the street.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Naples is normally cheaper than in Rome or northern Italian cities for comparable quality, and a wide range of accommodations is available. Many budget accommodation options are around Piazza Garibaldi and the train station, but with care you can find reasonably priced accommodation in more pleasant areas of the city. The city has an inequitable distribution of wealth, and some run-down areas are quite close to elegant ones. Two places better to avoid after dark are the "Quartieri Spagnoli" (Spanish Quarters) and the "Sanità", both in the historic centre, that are reasonably safe during the day and also have notable points of interest. Especially to be avoided, but of no practical interest for tourists, is Scampia, where there is much petty crime and drug traffic. Naples' bad reputation regarding safety is mainly due to stereotypes, since the city's security level is actually comparable to many other European big cities (e.g., Barcelona, Marseille, Amsterdam).
Money & Budget
Naples has vibrant markets and many small shops that sell everything from clothes to household appliances at prices much lower than in most of Western Europe. Especially to be seen is the 40.85029714.2679321 Porta Nolana, 40.84635914.2476632 Pignasecca and the Vasto markets, which also give a grasp of popular Neapolitan life. Don't miss the impromptu fish market which happens especially on Sunday morning at 40.8317214.2305023 Rotonda Diaz, the central square of Via Caracciolo. Small fishing boats come ashore, and directly sell fresh and often alive fish and octopuses, a very characteristic and joyful scene of Naples' life. Via Chiaia and Via Toledo are two major shopping streets near the city centre. Spaccanapoli in the Centro Storico is packed with street vendors and odd-shops.
Language & Talk
The most widely spoken language in Naples is Italian, or a mixture of Italian and Neapolitan (Napulitano). The Neapolitan language – notoriously unintelligible to many speakers of standard Italian – also bears witness to the town's diverse cultural origins, being composed of French, Spanish and Arabic words, inserted into a Greek, Oscan and Latin structure. Neapolitan is sometimes described as an Italian dialect, but it is recognized by UNESCO and linguists as a distinct language. It has well-defined roots and rules, and there is a great heritage of literature (e.g. Giambattista Basile's Lo cunto de li cunti, a collection of fairy tales) and songs ('O sole mio and Torna a Surriento are some iconic examples).
Safety Information
Safety Overview
The city has an inequitable distribution of wealth, and some run-down areas are quite close to elegant ones. Two places better to avoid after dark are the "Quartieri Spagnoli" (Spanish Quarters) and the "Sanità", both in the historic centre, that are reasonably safe during the day and also have notable points of interest. Especially to be avoided, but of no practical interest for tourists, is Scampia, where there is much petty crime and drug traffic. Naples' bad reputation regarding safety is mainly due to stereotypes, since the city's security level is actually comparable to many other European big cities (e.g., Barcelona, Marseille, Amsterdam). Petty thievery and muggings definitely do happen, so be reasonably watchful, avoid empty streets and dimly-lit alleys at night, and keep your wits about yourself. On the other hand, since weather is generally nice, Neapolitans spend a lot of time in the streets, including in the winter and at night.
Glimpses of Naples
city buildings near sea under white clouds and blue sky during daytime
The Volcano of Vesuvius
a statue of a man on a horse in a plaza
city buildings near body of water under blue and white cloudy sky during daytime
Picturesque view of Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius on the background.
red and white food stall in the middle of the street
Lungomare...
Basilica di San Francesco di Paola, Naples, Italy.
Costiera Amalfitana...
Pulling into the harbour at Capri. Bold colours of turquoise seas and contrasting boats and buildings galore.
city buildings near sea under white clouds and blue sky during daytime
The Volcano of Vesuvius
a statue of a man on a horse in a plaza