Naples is the 3rd most populated city of Italy , located on the Tyrrhenin Sea , a very old and interesting city.
When To Go :
I was in Naples at the end of July unfortunately , it was even difficult to be outside at midnight because of hot. It would be better to visit except from July and August.
How To Go :
There is an airport in Naples , called Naples International Airport. I arrived at Naples Central Train Station from Genoa Principe Square Train Station by a night train. It took around 8,5 hours and costed 58,5 euros. There are many metro and suburb lines in Naples. Interestingly there is no payment gate in most of the stations except Naples Central Station.
Where To Stay :
There are many hotels and apartments in all around in Naples and reasonable.
What To Do in Naples :
Most of the things to see located in old city part. Old city part is more similar to Genoa while it hosted Republic Of Genoa once. We can start with Sansevero Chapel and count here as the centeral point.
1-) Sansevero Chapel :
This little chapel must be the most important place to see in Naples. It includes the best marble sculptures. As a person which already saw all sculptures by Michelangelo , i can say that Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino in Sansevero is the best ever. Also there many other important sculptures , for example The Release From Deception by Francesco Queirolo and Modesty by Antonio Corradini. Entrance fee is 10 euro.
Note : It is not allowed to take photo and video inside museum.
2-) San Gregorio Armeno Street :
San Gregorio Armeno is the most popular Street in Naples , 5 mins by walk from Sansevero Chapel. It is especially famous with its gift shops.
3-) Underground Naples :
You can reach to Underground Naples next to San Gregorio Armeno Street. It actually has 2 more entrance , it spreads out a large area and has a thousands years of history. Entrance fee is 15 euro.
4-) Spaccanapoli :
Another famous Street of Naples is Spaccanapoli , just located in the center. Actually it is official name is Benedetto Croce Street , that’s why you will not find it on the maps.
5-) Naples Cathedral(Cathedral Of The Assumption Of Mary) :
Like all cities in Italy , there is a main cathedral in Naples too , called Duomo. It was started to built in 13. Century , seems quite old. But compare to Duomos in other cities , it is not sth so interesting. It is located next to Spaccanapoli and entrance is free.
6-) Gesu Nuovo Church :
Another church to see is Gesu Nuovo. It is located at the end of Spaccanapoli at a little square called Gesu Square. Especially facade of the church is quiet interesting.
7-) Plebiscite Squre :
One of the main square of Naples is Plebiscite Square which is 20 mins by walk from Gesu Nuovo Church. Basilica Of San Francesco Di Paola , Royal Palace Of Naples and Real Theatre Of San Carlo also located in this square.
8-) Bourbon Tunnel :
It is a tunnel between Royal Palace and Barracks. You can enter next Plebiscite Square. Entrance fee is 11 euro.
9-) New Castle(Castel Nuovo) :
New Castle is a medieval castle located behind Royal Palace. Entrance fee is 6 euro.
10-) Egg Castle( Castel Dell’Ovo) :
Egg Castle is located 20 mins by walk from New Castel. It is totally an island and it is the oldest castle in Naples. Its name egg doesn’t come from its shape but from a legend in which egg is used. It is in very good location and in any case you must walk through it.
11-) Caracciolo Seafront :
This seafront is the best one to have some walk in Naples , located next Egg Castle.
12-) Castel Sant’Elmo :
It is located 1 hour by walk from Caracciolo Seafront and on a high hill that i wouldn’t recommend to climb all the way up. You can use the funicular intead. You will have a total city view from the castle. Entrance fee is 5 euro.
13-) National Archeological Museum :
Let’s go to Dante Square which is one of the most popular one in Naples , by a public transport. Then you can reach to Archeological Museum by a 10 mins walk. There are quiet interesting and popular sculptures and archeological remnants in the museum. The most important part is Secret Cabinet where you will find erotic sculptures found in Pompei and Herculaneum from the time of volcanic erruption of Mount Vesuvius.
14-) Catacombs Of San Gennaro :
It seems that there is another Naples under Naples. San Gennaro is also sth like and underground passage. It is located half an hour by walk from Naples National Archeological Museum. Entrance fee is 11 euro.
Note : If you have already been to Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome , you don’t have to visit castles in Naples.
SHOPPING
Naples is not an expensive city. If you would like to search some souvenirs , San Gregorio Armeno Street will be a good choice or you can also visit Umberto 1 Gallery , a classic as in all Italian cities.
FOOD
Compare to other parts of Italy , you can find many options for Street foods in Naples. Naples also known as the homeland of pizza. Pizzas in Naples are quite cheap , good and popular.
1-) L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele :
It is the most popolar pizza restaurant in Naples and must be one of the oldest. You will mostly see a long line in front. There are 2 different lines to wait . 1 is to sit and second is to take-away. There are only 4 kind of pizzas here , Margherita is 5 euro for take away , if you would like to eat at restaurant you will pay 6,5 euro.
2-) Gino E Toto Sorbillo :
This seems to be the second best pizza restaurant in Naples. Concept and prices are nearly same with other one but this one is larger and also there more options to choose. There 2 more pizza restaurants next to it with a similar name , so you must be careful not to get confused and choose wrong place.
3-) Bellini Square :
This is a square where a lot of bars located . Locals and tourists have some drink here.
4-) Chiaia District :
This is the most famous district for locals. Narrow streets are full of bars where locals and students have Street parties.
POMPEI
There are trains every 30 mins from Naples Central Station to Pompei Station. It takes around 45 mins to get there and costs 3,30 euro. After another 15 mins walk you can reach to entrance of Pompeii Archeological Site. It will take half day to finish all the ancient city. Entrance fee is 22 euro. On the other hand you can also visit Shrine Of The Virgin Of The Rosary Of Pompei which is located on the way to ancient city from train station.
CASERTA
You can reach to Caserta Train Station after a 45 mins journey by train from Naples Central Station. It will cost 4 euro. Then you will need to have a 15 mins walk from Caserta Train Station to Caserta Palace. Entrance fee is 15 euros. It will take hours to walk all the garden part , you can also hire a bike or a tourer.
After visiting many other cities in Italy , Naples is quiet interesting and different. While other cities are really clean and elite , Naples seems like a city in Asia. Scooters in all streets , noise comes from dustcarts , beeps in traffic , unbelivable smell in the city… I have never got such a bad smell in any city before. If you stay in the old city part , even if you open your window , quickly you will get amazing smell. People are outside in the midnight. There is a great energy in the city and it is lively. If you plan to go there end of july , i wish good luck to you with hot. It was not possible to walk outside even midnight. Because of all these , Naples is a must see and really different than other parts of Italy.
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