If Rome is an open-air museum, Naples is a theater under the sky: Naples is color, it's Vesuvio, it's sea, it's cheerful people, it's chaos, it's traffic, it's noise, it's folklore, it's music, it's pizza mmm the pizza from Naples! “Vedi Napoli e muori” (See Naples and die) it is often said… I am still not very sure if it is because it is so beautiful that you do not need to see more or if it is because the risk of being hit by a motorcycle with 3 people without a helmet is very high. But one thing is true: Naples will not leave you indifferent. If you are lucky enough to visit the most colorful city in Italy we tell youthe things you have to see and do in Naples.
Tip: there is a free tour that is sure to interest you. Take a look here.
Without a doubt one of the symbols of Naples. It is located right in front of the Royal Palace. Here you can rest savoring an ice cream and spy on the street life of the city, or see some of the most important buildings in the city such as:
- Royal Palace (skip the line and book ahead here)
- The Basilica of San Francisco de Paula
- The Palace of the Preface
- And the Salerno Palace
In addition, they say that you will be lucky (it is known that Neapolitans are very superstitious) if you manage to walk, blindfolded, from the Royal Palace to the statues of the 2 horses.
This well-known shopping street begins in Via San Carlo, where its great facade appears imposing. It consists of 4 corridors covered with one vault built in iron and glass that converge in the central point of the Galleria, just under a large dome.
It has a certain resemblance to the Galleria de Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan and as its "cousin" is full of shops and little shops.
Here is a real gem: the Christ Velato of Sanmartino. It is said that the veil that covers it was really a fabric that turned into rock thanks to a liquid invented by the Prince of San Severo, a famous alchemist.
In addition to Cristo Velato, the Cappella di Sansevero is worth a visit, if only because it is full of esoteric and mysterious symbols. It is located on Via Sanctis 19/21. (The only negative side is that the ticket costs € 7 and you can't take pictures!).
If you are looking for true, authentic and real Naples, you cannot miss the “Spaccanapoli” (literally “Naples Breaker”). This area divides the old city between north and south and goes from the “quartieri spagnoli” (Spanish neighborhoods) to the Forcella neighborhood. Here are the Duomo, the Basilica of San Domenico Maggiore orPiazza del Gesú, among other attractions.
But above all it is worth your visit for its scenes of the daily life from Naples, smells, artists and craftsmen, children who play “calcium” (football) and motorcycles… many motorcycles! If you like to live the soul of a city, there is no doubt, that of Naples is here.
Literally "Egg Castle", a name given by Neapolitan legend that tells that the Latin poet Virgil (considered a magician in the Middle Ages) hid a magical egg in its foundations, which protected both the castle and the city from catastrophes.
The really interesting thing about this place are its wonderfulviews from the gulf of Naples. The entrance to the castle is free and if you go up to the “Terrazza dei Cannoni” you will find yourself facing the sea, the port and the Vesuvius… the views are unpayable and for us, coming here is one of the best things to see and do in Naples!
Another of the symbols of the city. In the past the castle was a cultural center frequented by the best artists, later it became a strong unattainable and today it is the seat of the Civic Museum and place of shows and cultural nights. Admission is € 6. We saw it only from the outside, and it truly impresses!
Tip to travel to Naples and save: see if it compensates you to buy the Naples Pass, a tourist card that includes the entrance to several fundamental attractions such as the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.
Naples cannot be understood if you don't know who San Gennaro is and how the Neapolitans live the passion towards their Patron. It is not faith, it is not love… it is a feeling that is born in the bowels!
You can feel the devotion they show before the saint before the “Treasure of San Gennaro”In the Duomo of Naples. Do you know what the other great love of the Neapolitans is? Diego Armando Maradona! As is well!
This street is super famous for its Christmas markets and for its stalls where they sell the genuine figurines of famous Italian people (and not) for nativity scenes. But do not believe that it is only animated on Christmas days, here there is atmosphere both in December and in the middle of July!
The tradition of the nativity scenes on Via San Gregorio Armeno in Naples is not something new, but goes back many years ago. For the Neapolitans, it is an entire institution! So this is one of the corners that you can not miss on your visit to Naples.
In Naples you eat the best pizza in the world. No doubts. And the best thing is that finding a bad pizza is impossible: they are all delicious! The pizza "Margherita", the authentic Neapolitan, was invented by the pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito who prepared it with tomato, mozzarella, oil and basil in honor of Queen Margarita and the Italian flag.
But do not believe that in Naples there is nothing other than eating pizza ... other typical dishes are: mozzarella di bufala, scialatielli, taralli, fish frying, struffoli, pastiere, pasta with seafood, sfogliatelle, babà col rum and for The fabulous limoncello di Sorrento finishes the meal.
There are even street food tours of Naples, if you are a foodie without remedy you cannot miss it 🙂 And speaking of food ... in this post we tell you where to eat cheaply in Naples (and, of course)
Did you know that there are tours that take you to know the underground Naples? They are also cheap: they only cost € 10 and you can enjoy one of the most curious visits to see and do in Naples.
Naples is a city that deserves a few days (at least). But the place where it is located is as interesting or more than the city itself! Not only for the benevolence of nature, but for the historical and cultural importance. So we encourage you very much to do some day trip from Naples in the day, either for free or with a tour. These are the ones we recommend:
- Excursion to Mount Vesuvius. Or a combination of Mount Vesuvius with a visit to Pompeii
- Excursion to Pompeii on a tour, (this one also has good reviews, in Spanish and is cheaper!) Or you can also visit Pompeii for free
- Another highly recommended excursion is to the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento
- And of course, join a tour to visit Capri, or travel to Capri for free
There are 3 things to be very careful about:
Traffic: Naples traffic is more similar to cities like Cairo and Ho Chin Minh than Barcelona or Paris.
Silhouette: like it or not, you will return from the trip with a couple of kilos more, but it is impossible to resist Neapolitan cuisine!
Scams: among the Neapolitans there are several kings of deception ... from street scams to pickpockets or real scams (don't be surprised if you buy a rolex style watch and when you open the box at home there is a plastic clock or ... nothing!). Just do not go paddled ... the vast majority of Neapolitans are great and good people 🙂
These are our recommendations of 10 things to see and do in Naples. And you, have you visited Naples? Did you like it? And neighboring Pompeii? If you plan to visit do not miss this guide 🙂
* Photos of Shutterstock
Our recommendations
Flights Cheap to Naples: //bit.ly/2h5FDzX
accommodation Cheap in Naples: //booki.ng/2vXFd4U
Stay withAirbnb and get€ 25 discount: //www.mochileandoporelmundo.com/ir/airbnb
Activities in Spanish in Naples: //bit.ly/2f08oO4
Rent a car with the best discounts: //bit.ly/2xGxOrc
Travel insurance IATI with a5% discount: //bit.ly/29OSvKt
