Things to do in Naples

All about Naples

When to visit

Naples runs on high-octane energy year-round, but note that it becomes sweltering and crowded in the high season, roughly from July to mid-September. In recent years, it’s also become more expensive. For fewer crowds, milder weather, and a calmer atmosphere, the best time to visit is from late May to June and early fall. Religious holidays like Easter, Christmas, and the Feast of San Gennaro (the city’s patron saint) are great for experiencing traditional celebrations.

Getting around

Naples has a dizzying array of public transport options. The old 2-line rail metro runs from the central train station to Pozzuoli; the newer metro’s half-dozen lines crisscross the city; four funiculars climb the hills; the Cumana commuter rail runs north to Bacoli; and the Circumvesuviana rumbles to Sorrento. But things are inconsistently organized: The airport, for example, is reachable only by bus and taxi. The historic center is best explored on foot.

Traveler tips

Travelers sometimes struggle with finding metro and bus tickets, especially outside the main stations. The tickets usually come in single-ride, 90-minute, and daily varieties and cannot be purchased on buses or trains. To find them, head to a neighborhood bar (in Italy, bars are more like cafés than bars serving alcohol), a newspaper stand, or a tabaccheria. These “tobacconist” shops sell everything from cigarettes to stamps and bus tickets—spot them by looking for signs with an oversized “T.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Naples, Italy, known for?

Brash, animated Naples is the birthplace of the modern pizza, with venerable old-school joints churning out the beloved pies in the same fashion for generations. The ruins of Pompeii and the glittering Amalfi Coast and Island of Capri are just outside the city—and close runners-up.

How do I spend a day in Naples?

Start with coffee and a sfogliatella pastry at the historic Gran Caffè Gambrinus. From there, visit the Royal Palace of Milan, San Carlo Opera House, and Galleria Umberto I before strolling up Via Toledo to the Naples National Archeological Museum. Dinner is at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele on Via Cesare Sersale.

What is a must-see in Naples?

Inside the Sansevero Chapel you’ll find Giuseppe Sanmartino’s Veiled Christ. The realistic marble sculpture of a shrouded, lifeless Christ is thought to have been created by transmuting cloth into crystalline marble. Lines are notoriously long—booking advance admission tickets is absolutely crucial.

What is considered rude in Italy?

Some habits to avoid in Italy: turning up as a guest without a pensiero, a small gift; blocking tailgaters from passing on the left (fast) lane on highways; and entering churches with exposed shoulders or knees. While not rude, ordering cappuccinos after breakfast or cheese on seafood are faux pas.

What do locals do in Naples?

Between April and October, Neapolitans swim in the Parco Sommerso di Gaiola, a secluded marine reserve with submerged Roman ruins. Year-round they take part in the afternoon passeggiata—ritual, leisurely walks along either the lungomare (promenade) or fashionable Via Toledo, which leads to Port’Alba and the dense historic center.

Is Naples expensive?

No. Hostel and guesthouse stays, terrific pizza and street food, and affordable museums and attractions make Naples the least expensive metro on the Italian mainland. Travelers can spend days simply walking through the liveliest neighborhoods—those searching for la bella vita can visit exclusive Capri or the Amalfi Coast.

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