NAPLES
Latest update: 24 March 2022
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"See Naples and die" is a phrase that's been repeated endlessly and most people understand that it's uttered in a positive sense.
The origin of the phrase is disputed but Naples was once one of the most important and glorious cities in the world where a casual traveller would have likely felt overawed by its grandeur. Of all the Italian cities, this is the most vivacious, with a cheeky side to it. |
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You know when you're in Naples, there can be no mistaking it. It's a city full of life, ancient buildings, a thriving port, world-renowned museums and an enviable cuisine culture which along with its historic centre, earned it a place in the UNESCO World Heritage list.
To pack everything into a brief description here is impossible and I have another website dedicated to Naples which you can find a link for further down. In terms of things to see in Naples, well there's a lot! Many of the city's attractions are located underground and while this isn't typically something that a partial claustrophobe such as myself enjoys, there is one particular place that I didn't mind suffering for, the Galleria Borbonica. The Galleria's history is rather incredible, as are many of its surviving "exhibits" such as the collection of rusting scooters and vintage cars that have been there since World War Two when it was used as an air-raid shelter.
Up above ground there's no shortage of attractions either. One must-see is Castel Sant'Elmo, mainly for the views it provides of the city from its elevated perch. This is a good way of understanding the scale of Naples and perhaps getting your bearings early on before visiting some of the other sites. There are two other castles in the city: Castel Nuovo and Castel dell'Ovo, the latter of which provides its own wonderful views, just from a different perspective.
The most famous museum in Naples is the National Archaeological Museum which is world-renowned. I personally enjoyed the Palazzo Reale with its beautiful staircase a particular highlight. The Palazzo Reale is situated at one end of the city's main square, Piazza del Plebiscito, while adjoining the Royal Palace is another must-visit, Teatro San Carlo, one of the oldest surviving theatres in the world, and where you can enjoy a tour.
Just across the road from Teatro San Carlo is the beautiful shopping arcade Galleria Umberto I. Anyone who has visited Milan will temporarily feel disoriented such are the similarities. Inside the Galleria not only can you shop but you can grab a beautiful Sfogliatella, one of Naples' famous sweets or even a Babà another local favourite which is dipped in rum.
I have so far omitted the word "Pizza" but it's impossible to speak about Napoli properly without mentioning it. The city is the home of the pizza and this tradition is rigorously adhered to and a great source of pride. Until you try a pizza in Naples you may wonder what all the fuss is about; "how good can a pizza be anyway?". Well, just try one and you'll understand. There are famous pizzerias where Neapolitans will queue for hours (Da Michele and Sorbillo are two such examples) but you really don't have to go to those lengths; just walk into anywhere that looks reasonably busy and you'll find the fare on offer very impressive.
On the subject of food and drink; coffee is also hugely important in Naples and while you can enjoy a high level of quality pretty much everywhere in the city, the most famous bar is Caffe Gambrinus which sits at the corner of Piazza del Plebiscito on Piazza Trieste & Trento.
To pack everything into a brief description here is impossible and I have another website dedicated to Naples which you can find a link for further down. In terms of things to see in Naples, well there's a lot! Many of the city's attractions are located underground and while this isn't typically something that a partial claustrophobe such as myself enjoys, there is one particular place that I didn't mind suffering for, the Galleria Borbonica. The Galleria's history is rather incredible, as are many of its surviving "exhibits" such as the collection of rusting scooters and vintage cars that have been there since World War Two when it was used as an air-raid shelter.
Up above ground there's no shortage of attractions either. One must-see is Castel Sant'Elmo, mainly for the views it provides of the city from its elevated perch. This is a good way of understanding the scale of Naples and perhaps getting your bearings early on before visiting some of the other sites. There are two other castles in the city: Castel Nuovo and Castel dell'Ovo, the latter of which provides its own wonderful views, just from a different perspective.
The most famous museum in Naples is the National Archaeological Museum which is world-renowned. I personally enjoyed the Palazzo Reale with its beautiful staircase a particular highlight. The Palazzo Reale is situated at one end of the city's main square, Piazza del Plebiscito, while adjoining the Royal Palace is another must-visit, Teatro San Carlo, one of the oldest surviving theatres in the world, and where you can enjoy a tour.
Just across the road from Teatro San Carlo is the beautiful shopping arcade Galleria Umberto I. Anyone who has visited Milan will temporarily feel disoriented such are the similarities. Inside the Galleria not only can you shop but you can grab a beautiful Sfogliatella, one of Naples' famous sweets or even a Babà another local favourite which is dipped in rum.
I have so far omitted the word "Pizza" but it's impossible to speak about Napoli properly without mentioning it. The city is the home of the pizza and this tradition is rigorously adhered to and a great source of pride. Until you try a pizza in Naples you may wonder what all the fuss is about; "how good can a pizza be anyway?". Well, just try one and you'll understand. There are famous pizzerias where Neapolitans will queue for hours (Da Michele and Sorbillo are two such examples) but you really don't have to go to those lengths; just walk into anywhere that looks reasonably busy and you'll find the fare on offer very impressive.
On the subject of food and drink; coffee is also hugely important in Naples and while you can enjoy a high level of quality pretty much everywhere in the city, the most famous bar is Caffe Gambrinus which sits at the corner of Piazza del Plebiscito on Piazza Trieste & Trento.
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