NAPLES TRAVEL GUIDE

The gritty city of Naples, known for being the birthplace of pizza, is the location of several important historical sites. Naples is a must-see for history buffs and foodies alike, thanks to the mediaeval Naples Cathedral, the 18th-century Villa Comunale Garden, and the nearby Pompeii.

Since Naples is the entry point to southern Italy, anyone travelling the length of the country is likely to stop here. It is the ideal place to begin exploring the area because of its proximity to Pompeii, Capri, and Sorrento. (NAPLES TRAVEL GUIDE)

The best part is that it’s a gourmet city unlike any other; throughout my trip, I ate my weight in pizza!

This Naples travel guide can help you organise your trip, cut travel costs, and enjoy your time in this famous Italian city to the fullest!

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Naples

1. Go to the Naples Archaeological Museum

One of the best collections of Greek and Roman artefacts from Pompeii and Naples may be found in this museum. Ancient jewellery, mosaics, bronzes, sculptures, and a cast of a young woman who died in Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 CE are all present. A section of the museum known as the “Secret Cabinet” houses a collection of Roman sexual artwork from Pompeii and Herculaneum from the first century. Admission costs 15 euros.

2. Visit Villa Comunale

This stretch of coastline was planned as a park for the Bourbon monarchy by King Ferdinand IV in the 1780s. Up until 1869, when Italy became one country, it was off limits to the general public, save for rare occasions. The 1-kilometer (0.62-mile) promenade is lined with lovely pathways and gardens, as well as a historic aquarium and a number of elaborate fountains.

3. Climb Vesuvius Mountain.

The Mount Vesuvius volcano destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 CE, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people. Even though the hike is only a short one (around 30 to 60 minutes), it is rather steep. You can view the crater of the volcano and the Bay of Naples from the summit. The 10 EUR entrance fee must be paid in advance online. Taking the train from Naples and then changing to a shuttle bus to get here is simple.

4. Visit Pompeii

Pompeii’s archaeological site lives up to the promise. The old Roman city was preserved as a moment in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted, burying it beneath 4-6 metres (13–20 feet) of volcanic ash. The vast, 160-acre UNESCO World Heritage Site may be explored today, complete with excavated houses, baths, an amphitheatre, mosaics, frescoes, and gory casts of victims in their last moments. I spent the entire day there because it’s such an interesting site. Although a self-guided tour of the site costs 16 EUR, it is recommended that you join a guided tour  to fully appreciate all the structures and remnants.

5. Visit the Duomo.

San Gennaro is the patron saint of the city, and the Duomo is a Gothic church from the thirteenth century. Frescoes, reliefs, and mosaics from various eras embellish the church. Additionally, you can go down into the crypt to observe the ruins of the old paleo-Christian church that the cathedral was built upon. Every year, a vial of the saint’s dried blood is taken out of storage for the Festival of San Gennaro, which is held at the Duomo. Legend has it that calamity will befall Naples if the blood does not liquefy. NAPLES TRAVEL GUIDE

Other Things to See and Do in Naples

1. Take a free walking tour

Taking a free walking tour is one of the first things I do when I get somewhere new. It’s the ideal way to see the key attractions and learn about the city from a knowledgeable local guide. Free walking tourA comprehensive free tour of Naples’ top attractions is available. Only remember to give your guide a tip at the end!

2. Visit Piazza del Mercato to shop

Since the thirteenth century, this market has served as Naples’ primary market square. Everything is sold there, including groceries, fresh produce, and handcrafted trinkets. This location fills up much more during the Christmas season with vendors offering holiday-themed things.

3. Attend an event at the Teatro San Carlo

This opera building, which was built in 1737 and has since survived wars, fires, and revolutions, is the oldest in the world. The interior exudes an opulent and elegant atmosphere with its blue upholstery, gold accents, brilliant chandeliers, and about 1,400 seats. At the very least, take the 7-euro guided tour if you can’t see a show here.

4. Visit Herculaneum

The less well-known cousin of Pompeii is Herculaneum. It was formerly a fishing community with 4,000 residents, all of whom met the same fate as the people of Pompeii. Additionally, the site is well preserved and often sees fewer visitors. While I wouldn’t recommend skipping Pompeii, you should attempt to fit in a trip here as well. A ticket costs 11 euros. Tours cost 45 EUR if you wish to go on a guided tour with an archeologist,.

5. See a movie outside under the stars

Here, N’ato Cinema, an outdoor cinema festival, is hosted each summer. With international and family film screenings, it begins at the beginning of June and continues every week until the end of July. The tickets are only 4.50 euros.

6. Head over to Villa Floridiana

This estate, which was initially constructed in 1816 as a gift from King Ferdinand I to his second wife, Duchess Lucia Migliaccio, features immaculately kept gardens, sweeping views of Naples Bay, and an elaborate fountain teeming with turtles. The National Museum of Ceramics is also housed there. There are more than 6,000 items in the collection, ranging from European art to Japanese Edo pottery. The museum admission fee is EUR 4.

7. Visit the Flavio Anfiteatro

This amphitheatre, which dates back to 1 CE, was once the third-largest in all of Italy (only the Roman Colosseum and the amphitheatre in Capua are larger). Over 40,000 people used to congregate here to witness gladiator fights and other entertainment. It was started by Emperor Vespasian and finished by his son. Today, you may take a tour of the numerous collapsed columns and discover more about the stadium’s past performances. It costs 4 euros to enter.

8. Go to the Capodimonte National Museum

This museum exhibits works by Baroque and Renaissance artists. It is called the Neapolitan National Gallery. Among the well-known artists represented here are Giordano, Caravaggio, Bellini, El Greco, and Titian. The works date from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries.Admission costs 12 euros.

9. Take a stroll around Castelnuovo

Along the coast sits the sizable mediaeval castle known as Castelnuovo. Visit this place to see the art museum, which has a collection of Italian paintings from the 17th to the 19th centuries, including pieces by Luigi Crisconio and Carlo Vanvitelli. You may get some fantastic views of Naples and the shore for only 6 euros if you visit.

10. Go on the Subterranean Tour

My favourite Naples activity was this. You can take an underground trip to explore some of the city’s historic ruins, which are located in the city centre. These include antiquated reservoirs and the remains of a Roman-era theatre. You’ll discover how the city has developed and altered throughout the course of its 2,400-year existence. Although it costs 80 euros, it is completely worth it.

Naples Travel Costs

 

Hostel prices

A bed in a room with 8–12 beds costs 20–27 EUR a night, whereas a dorm bed in a hostel with 4-6 beds costs 28–35 EUR. The cost of a private room is between 75 and 100 euros. The seasons don’t significantly affect price changes. The majority of hostels offer free Wi-Fi, and some also offer free breakfast.

Camping outside the city is possible for as little as 10 euros a night for one person and a basic plot without electricity for those who are travelling with tents.

Prices for cheap hotels:

Naples doesn’t have a lot of two-star hotels. The cost of a night at a three-star economy hotel ranges from 60 to 100 euros. Free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, a TV, and a coffee/tea maker are standard facilities. Some offer free breakfast as well.

Private rooms are available on Airbnb for 35–60 euros per night. The price of an entire apartment is closer to 100 euros per night, but if you wait to book, prices will more than double.

Average price of food:

Italian cuisine is well-known around the world, despite the fact that each Italian region has its own distinctive flavor. Most meals are built around pasta, tomatoes, olives, and olive oil, with meat, fish, and a variety of cheeses filling out the menu.

Pizza, which became popularised in Naples in the 18th century, is a must-try when visiting. Other regional favourites are Caprese salad, which is a fresh salad with tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, and spaghetti alla puttanesca, which is spaghetti with capers.

Overall, Naples offers relatively affordable dining options. Pizza was invented here, therefore there are plenty of options for under 10 EUR. Check out Pizzeria Sorbillo; it’s well-known for a reason. For 10 euros or less, most informal eateries offer pizza or pasta dishes.

You can find inexpensive food almost anywhere along Via dei Tribunali. Another inexpensive option is Chinese takeout, which runs about 5-7 EUR per dish.

If you want to splurge, a three-course lunch with traditional Italian food at a mid-range restaurant will run you about 25 euros.

A combo meal of fast food (a thick McDonald’s) costs about 8 euros. A latte or cappuccino costs about 1.50 euros, while a beer costs about 3 euros. Water bottles cost less than one euro.

A week’s worth of groceries, if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, costs 50–60 euros. You may buy some meat and some basic foods like pasta and seasonal veggies with this.

Backpacking Naples Suggested Budget

Traveling on a daily budget of 60 euros allows you to live in a hostel room, prepare all of your own food, drink sparingly, use public transportation to get around, and participate in primarily free activities like exploring parks and taking free walking tours. If you intend to drink, increase your daily spending by 5–10 EUR(NAPLES TRAVEL GUIDE)

Spending 135 EUR per day on a mid-range budget will allow you to stay in a private Airbnb, dine out for the majority of your meals, indulge in a few drinks, occasionally take a taxi to get around, and participate in more expensive activities like visiting museums and taking a day trip to Pompeii.

You can stay in a hotel, eat out for every meal, drink more, rent a car or take more cabs, and participate in any trips and activities you like on a “luxury” budget of 230 euros or more each day. But for luxury, this is merely the ground floor. There are no boundaries!

According to your travel preferences, use the chart below to get a general estimate of how much money you need to set aside each day. Remember that these are daily averages and that some days you may spend more and some days less (you might spend less every day). We simply wish to provide you with a rough outline for creating your budget. The price is in euros (NAPLES TRAVEL GUIDE)