10 Best Places to See in Naples, Italy
Naples is an attractive tourist destination. It has a lot to do with what is one of the largest and most important Italian cities in the country, whose fame has spread to the rest of the world. If you are thinking of visiting this city in southern Italy and you want to know the places that you must include without fail in your itinerary, be sure to read this post about What to see in Naples. Also at the end we will give you tips so that you get the most out of your visit to Naples.
Naples is an attractive tourist destination. It has a lot to do with what is one of the largest and most important Italian cities in the country, whose fame has spread to the rest of the world. If you are thinking of visiting this city in southern Italy and you want to know the places that you must include without fail in your itinerary, be sure to read this post about What to see in Naples. Also at the end we will give you tips so that you get the most out of your visit to Naples.
Table of Contents
List of Best Places to See in Naples, Italy
To start your tour of Naples you can go to the main train station, Naples Central. This point is strategic because it is in the entire city center, a place full of businesses, tourist offices and a good hotel offer.
The best way to get to know the essence of this city is by walking around it. As the main Neapolitan attractions are within a reasonable distance, it is not necessary to walk far to see its most emblematic points. Of course, wear comfortable clothes and shoes to discover Naples.
On your walk through the streets of Naples you will discover old bodeguitas and get to know first-hand the lifestyle of such a peculiar city. In addition, in the central areas you will see the signs “the streets of art”, which help you orient yourself, indicating where you are and where the most important monuments and sites are.
1. The Calle Spaccanapoli
Spaccanapoli is a main street in the old part of the city that dates back to 3000 years ago. Strolling along this street is an interesting walk, on the one hand its rectilinear shape contrasts with the surrounding streets that create a maze-like framework.
On the other hand, as you pass through this narrow street you will see its buildings and the romantic decadence they present, so typical of the Neapolitan historical center. In addition, in its many shops you can buy fresh products and traditional items, you will discover some of the best pizzerias and you will find excellent restaurants to taste a homemade meal. In Spaccanapoli you can feel the life and rhythm of the Neapolitan.
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2. Plebiscito Square
It is the largest square in Naples, which houses important buildings, such as the neoclassical church of San Francisco de Paola, the Palacio de la Foresteria and the Royal Palace. It is a large and very crowded space, which is why it is frequently used to carry out different types of public events, such as concerts, theaters and large shows. This elegant square, located at the end of Via Toledo, is close to other points of interest, such as the San Carlo Theater and the Umberto I Gallery. Being in the heart of the city, it is always full of people and children playing who contribute quite a happy atmosphere.
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3. Basilica of Santa Clara
It is a gothic basilica built in the place where there were some Roman baths. Next to the Basilica of Santa Clara is the Monastic Complex of the same name, made up of cloisters, a museum and archaeological remains. One of the highlights of this visit is the Large Cloister with a beautiful central garden, walls decorated with tiles and pastel colors, and an atmosphere that invites tranquility.
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4. Naples cathedral
The Cathedral of Naples is the main religious building in the city and one of the obligatory places to visit in it. It was built where an ancient temple of Apollo worship was. The Cathedral was inaugurated in 1314, being a huge building full of valuable works. In the Cathedral there is the oldest baptistery in the West, as well as several chapels, the Treasury Chapel being the most important. In this baroque style chapel there is a statue of San Gennaro made of silver, this is the patron saint of Naples.
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5. Castel dell’Ovo
The Castel dell’Ovo is a fortified citadel, which stands out for its impressive views of Naples, of the bay with Mount Vesuvius in the background. To get to it, it is done by a bridge, because the fortress is located on the islet of Megaride, near the Plaza del Plebiscito. Try to see the sunset from the top of this castle as it is an image worth seeing and that you will not forget.
Other interesting things of the Castel dell’Ovo are inside, for example the Church of Salvatore, the galleries, the great halls and the terraces with panoramic views.
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6. Underground Naples
Descend about 50 m below ground level in the Spanish Quarter and discover a labyrinth made up of tunnels and galleries known as the Underground Naples. These enclosures allow you to take a journey through 2,400 years. The archaeological remains found there come from the time of the ancient Greeks until recently, when they were used as shelters in World War II.
You can visit Underground Naples by taking a guided tour that starts in Piazza San Gaetano and lasts for a couple of hours. You can also do it from the San Lorenzo Maggiore Church, the tour is shorter, lasting one hour, and can be done without a guide. This place may not be suitable for people with claustrophobia because it has very narrow sections.
7. The Umberto I Gallery
The Galleria Umberto I is a commercial gallery occupied by restaurants and shops. It resembles the Victor Emmanuel II Gallery in Milan, its ceilings are made of glass and steel, the floor is marble with mosaics and two streets cross it in the shape of a transept. The Galleria Umberto I is located in Via San Carlo, next to the Teatro San Carlos, next to the Castel dell’Ovo. Do not miss this place in Naples.
8. The Spanish Quarter
The Spanish Quarter, known in Italian as Quartieri Spagnoli, dates back and owes its name to the time when the city was part of the Spanish empire and its troops were housed in the area.
Via Toledo is the main and commercial street in this neighborhood. Along it you will find churches and palaces, ancient and impressive buildings. The Spanish Quarter, made up of a complex network of narrow streets, condenses the most genuine essence of Naples. Although it is true that it has had a reputation for being problematic, it is an interesting place to visit where you can walk.
9. Streets of Naples
The most touristy, commercial streets, full of businesses and monuments, in Naples are especially Via Toledo, Via San Gregorio Armeno and Via Chiaia. There is also Spaccanapoli, whose name refers to the fact that it divides the historic center into two equal parts, and of which we already spoke before.
The Via San Gregorio Armeno is particularly famous for its handicraft stalls. Throughout the year you can find cribs of all shapes, sizes and colors. These Neapolitan births are special because over time new figures are added, which represent politicians or public figures, for example there are figures of Barak Obama and George Clooney, among others.
10. Other places to visit in Naples
- Chapel of Sansevero
- Castel Nuovo
- Christ veiled
What to see around Naples
In the vicinity of Naples there are other beautiful cities, amazing archaeological sites and beautiful islands that are worth visiting. Here are some of the places you can get to from Naples:
Near by Cities: Visit Sorrento, Salerno, Rome and even Florence.
Archaeological sites: Don’t miss Pompeii and Herculaneum, Roman cities that were buried by the eruption of Vesuvius.
Islands: Get to Capri, Nisida, Procida, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast by boat.
Tips for your visit to Naples
The best way to get to know a city fully is to let yourself go and explore its streets and places. However, in Naples, you should pay attention to where you are, as certain neighborhoods are dangerous or tourists can make the locals uncomfortable. So, the recommendation is to stay in the center of the city and avoid getting lost in its surroundings.
Beware of the chaotic traffic. Naples is full of cars that go very fast, mopeds with more than two people and it is common for citizens to not respect traffic laws. If you find it difficult to cross a street, take advantage of it when a local does, which is used to and passes normally and safely.
Be careful when taking photos or talking about the social problems of the city, it is usually a sensitive topic for Neapolitans.
Get a map of the city – to orient yourself and avoid getting lost in its labyrinthine streets. These maps are provided at tourist information offices.
Remember to have the ticket to use public transport, which you can easily get in tobacco shops and bars in the city. Getting on the bus or the metro without a ticket is problematic, because they even make you pay a fine.
Get to know the city with the City-sightseeing tourist bus, a practical and comfortable way.
Visit the tourist offices before touring the city. There you will be given tips and useful information about what to see in Naples.
