Naples. General information
Naples is a city with a complex terrain structure, both because of its many narrow streets and because of its steep hills, which are due to centuries-old deposits. It is this hilly landscape that enriches the city with beautiful and often unexpected panoramas.
The lively coastal town dominated by Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples, considered one of the most beautiful in the world, are a delightful combination. Due to the mild climate, the numerous sights, the nearby islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida and the breathtaking coastline with Amalfi, Positano, furor, this area was already considered in the 18th century. Century as a popular holiday destination.
Not far away are the archeological excavations of Pompei, Herculaneum, Oplontis and Stabiae.
Originally populated by Greeks, Naples, with a culture dating back over 3000 years, is as a whole an "open-air museum".
In Naples you will find numerous palaces, churches, museums, cultural centers, castles, magnificent villas, fountains, squares, and fascinating buildings that offer the visitor a unique panorama of art.
Among the attractions are some ancient Roman villas and ruins, mainly on the hill of Posillipo, as well as fascinating Baroque palaces such as Palazzo Donna Anna, tufa quarries from Roman times, the Neapolitan crypt, where the tomb of Virgil is located, and numerous urban elements of Pizzofalcone, which reflect the constant expansion of the ancient Greek acropolis.
The ancient Greeks and Romans already discovered the scenic charms of Naples and the islands in front of it.
The meaning of some place names should also be mentioned:
Posillipo / Pausis lypè (pain relief), Chiatamone / Platamon (plain coast), Mergellina / Mar ialinum (clear sea).
In hardly any other city in Europe, traditions, faith, and superstition are as alive as in Naples.
Traffic, driving directions
The traffic in Naples is chaotic, hardly anybody abides by the rules. Mopeds and mopeds drive to avoid or overtake, sometimes on sidewalks. You should prefer public transport and only take taxis if they have also installed taxi meters.
Directions by car
Due to the reckless driving style and non-observance of the traffic regulations of almost all drivers, it is not advisable to drive a car in Naples. Public garages are expensive; it would be cheaper to choose accommodation on the edge of the center of Naples with its own guarded parking and then use public transport. See Tourist Office, for accommodation https://www.hotel-naples.com/de/
Arriving by plane
If you cannot find a suitable flight to Naples, you can make a stopover in Rome.
A good solution would also be to travel by train from Rome to Naples. By fastest train Frecciarosssa takes 1 h 15 (52.00 Euro) minutes from Roma Termini Central Station to Naples Centrale, intercity approximately 2 h (20 Euro). Avoid regional trains (about 3 hours 14 euros) that stop everywhere. These are not safe, especially in the evening or at night, and are also less clean. From Leonardo da Vinci airport to Roma Termini station there is a train every 30 minutes, and there is also a train from Roma Termini to Naples almost every 30 minutes (prices as of 2025). https://www.trenitalia.com/de/frecce/frecciarossa_verbindungenundservice.html
Buses in Naples
It is advisable to obtain a card from the public information points on which the bus lines are also entered. This makes orientation easier. All interval information in the schedules at the bus stations in Naples is usually not correct due to the chaotic traffic in Naples.
Meals
Breakfast:
Breakfast is not a cultural part of Italy and cannot be compared to other countries. Since you hardly have breakfast in Italy, the Italian goes to a bar-café several times a day to have a snack standing. If you needed a generous breakfast, you had to check in to a star hotel, otherwise you only got the most necessary.
Lunch and Dinner:
In southern Italy, you eat late at lunch and late at night, unlike in northern Italy or other countries in the north.
Lunch usually takes place between 13.30 and 15.00:00, dinner not before 21.00-22:00.
It doesn't make much sense to visit restaurants before 20.00. Because even if the restaurant were already open at 19.00:00, the staff and the cook were not really active yet and you would sit in an empty hall.
In order to overcome the feeling of hunger at the usual (earlier) meal time, there is the possibility to have a snack in a bar-café. Pizzerias are open continuously from 10.00 to 23.00:00.
Sleeping
Naples has plenty of hotels in every category and hundreds of B&B. It is easy to find out about it on the Internet, such as TripAdvisor or Booging.com.
For three to four nights, the center is ideal, such as the area around Piazza Montesanto, Piazza Dante, and its surroundings. The transport links from there to all major sights are excellent, many within walking distance.
If you want to live in a quiet and high-quality neighborhood, you should stick to the districts of Vomero, Chiaia, Posillipo, for example.
For young and young-at-heart, who do not claim special furniture and comfort, there are youth hostels:
http://www.hostelworld.com/search?search_keywords=Naples%2C+Italy&country=Italy&city=Naples
Shopping
In Naples you can buy cheap things in the shops, also groceries.
Fakes, imitations
Naples is the stronghold of the production of imitations, such as "Louis Vuitton" bags. The buyer is just as punishable as the seller. If you are "caught" by the police when you buy, the penalty can be several thousand euros, regardless of the purchase price.
Old town
Via San Gregorio Armeno + Church
This is the street of the crib builders, it is worth visiting them. You can see the most peculiar figures and nativity elements. The shops are open all year round. In a side street there is also the access to the church dedicated to San Gregorio Armeno (Saint Gregory of Armenia). The monastery is also connected. The church is also known by the locals as Chiesa di Santa Patrizia. It is one of the oldest, largest Christian buildings and one of the most magnificent baroque churches in Naples.
You can reach the old town by metro line 1 (M1) to Piazza Dante and then go through Porta Alba along the "Street of Booksellers".
Center
Via Toledo
Via Toledo is one of the longest shopping streets in Naples. There are many boutiques, branches of large chains (e.g., Stefanel, Benetton, Intimissimi) and the Rinascente department store. Nearby is also the shopping gallery Umberto I., renovated a few years ago, which is called via Toledo, a short distance via Roma. Near the end of the Via Toledo toward the sea lies the large square "Piazza Plebiscito" with the royal palace, the "Palazzo Reale".
Via Toledo can be reached on foot from the port, Molo Beverello, or you can take the metro line M1 to Piazza Dante and then go in the direction of the port. The station of the Funicolare Montesanto is also nearby. From the main railway station in Piazza Garibaldi, take the M2 metro to the stop at the Museo Archaeological Museum, from where the Via Toledo starts in the center.
District and hills Vomero
Via Scarlatti and Via Luca Giordano
On the Vomero hill, near the Certosa di San Martino, there are elegant boutiques and shoe shops in this small pedestrian area.
You can either take the metro line 1 to Piazza Vanvitelli or the Funicolare Montesanto to the final station. The visit can also be combined with a visit to the nearby Certosa di San Martino and the adjacent fortress. See Naples 1, the city from above with an overview map.
Chiaia district
Via Chiaia and Via dei Mille
These two streets are home to the most exclusive and expensive shops in Naples.
Via Chiaia and Via dei Mille can be reached by metro 2 stop "Piazza Amedeo", or from Vomero by Funiculare Chiaia by going to the last station "Via del Parco Margherita".
Attractions in Naples
About 30 museums
4 castles:
Castel dell’Ovo
Maschio Angioino also called
Castel Nuovo
Castel Sant’Elmo Castel Capuano2 Royal Palaces:
Palazzo Reale
Reggia di Capodimonte (Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte)8 theaters
4 art galleries
7 libraries
ca. 200 Kirchen
Catacombs
Aquarium
Botanical Garden
6 large parks
Numerous fountains and squares
Visits with the Arte Card and tips
For example, Campania Arte Card for 3 days, 41 euros, transports including https://www.campaniartecard.it/campania-3-giorni/
Buy or reserve only on the original website, at the points of sale or via the Artecard app.
First select the (free) visits with the highest admission prices, such as the Archaeological Museum. The first entrance fee (20 Euro /2025) is free, each additional ticket costs 10 Euro with the Arte Card.
Click through the different possibilities: It takes some time https://www.campaniartecard.it/tutti-i-pass/, the website is also available in English, but with the translation function it is very good also in German.
Museums and transportation of Naples and Campania in one pass
With this pass you can visit the museums and cultural sites of Naples and Campania and travel indefinitely on the transport network of the Unicocampania consortium **.
The pass is digital. You can also buy it online and receive it immediately via email or app. Remember that the activation must be done manually at the first hub of the UnicoCampania transport network or at the museum box office, via the >Artecard app or in the "MY PASSPORTS" section in the reserved area , click on the "ACTIVATE" button. At this point, the pass will be activated, and you will see two separate QR codes, one for transport and one for museums.
Please note: The activation cannot be undone, and the automatic timer can be activated
All minors under the age of 18 are free to enter state museums, monuments, galleries, and archeological sites . For citizens of the European Union aged between 18 and 25 years, the entrance fee is 2.00 euros. Non-EU citizens enjoy the same benefits if they are reciprocal. For more information on discounts, please visit the Ministry of Culture website .
++ ACHTUNG ++
New guidelines for the use of the Campania Artecard in the Pompeii Archaeological Park. Weitere Informationen
Tour of the Phlegraic Fields: In order to visit the Archaeological Museum of the Phlegraean Fields , the Archaeological Park of Cuma , the Archaeological Park of the Terme di Baia, and the Flavian Amphitheatre with Artecard, it is mandatory to book a free Artecard ticket via the Musei Italiani App.
Except Alibus, the Sita Sud lines to Sorrento/Positano/Amalfi and the EAV bus from Pompeii to Vesuvius (special fares) and Campania Express.
For more information, contact Customer Service .
Even when renting an audio guide, you should always present the card. For some museums, the audio guide is included, for some the costs are reduced to 50% and for some you pay for it
Tourist Office, for accommodation https://www.hotel-naples.com/de/
Important numbers
| Service | Phone Number |
|---|---|
| General emergency call | 113 |
| Carabinieri | 112 |
| Emergency service | 118 |
| Fire brigade | 115 |
| Port police | 1530 |
| Roadside Assistance ACI | 116 |
| Traffic police | 081 751 31 77 |
| Police Headquarters | 081 794 11 11 |
| Emergency service (24 h) Ambulance day & night |
081 752 08 50 081 752 06 96 081 752 82 82 |
| Pharmacies (provides addresses & phone numbers of three open pharmacies near your location) |
1100 |
Make calls
In Italy, the "0" of the city codes are always dialed, even if you are in the city where you want to make a call. In Naples, for example, you can dial 081 and then dial the subscriber number. From abroad, 0039 are chosen for Italy and 081 for Naples.
