Attraction
Teatro San Carlo
The Opera House, opened in 1737 next to the Royal Palace, is considered the world's oldest continuously operating opera house. The horseshoe-shaped auditorium has 184 boxes across six tiers and a Royal Box.
Italy
Naples
CityCulture
Naples is the capital of Campania and, with over 900,000 inhabitants, the third-largest city in Italy. It is located on the Bay of Naples between Mount Vesuvius to the east and the Phlegraean Fields to the west.
by Felix Gillen
Naples is the capital of Campania and, with over 900,000 inhabitants, the third-largest city in Italy. It is located on the Bay of Naples between Mount Vesuvius to the east and the Phlegraean Fields to the west.Its historic centre has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995. Its street network remains almost unchanged from its Greek foundation, with churches, monasteries, and palaces from almost all eras built upon it. Naples is considered the birthplace of pizza.
Sights in Naples
Discover the most important sights and attractions
Church
Santi Marcellino e Festo
Church of the former Benedictine monastery on Largo San Marcellino in the Old Town, near Spaccanapoli. The monastery premises have housed the Paleontological Museum since 1932.
Church
Gesù Nuovo
The Jesuit Church on Piazza del Gesù Nuovo was built between 1584 and 1601 from the 1470 Palazzo Sanseverino, whose diamond-quadered facade was preserved. Its interior is adorned with frescoes by Belisario Corenzio, Paolo de Matteis, and Giovanni Lanfranco, and Saint Giuseppe Moscati is also buried here. Opposite lies the Santa Chiara monastic complex.
Archäologisches Nationalmuseum Neapel
The museum is housed in a building erected in 1585 as cavalry barracks, which later served as the seat of the university. It contains a large collection of frescoes, mosaics, and sculptures from Pompeii and Herculaneum, including the Alexander Mosaic from the House of the Faun, as well as the Farnese collection of antiquities, featuring the Farnese Hercules.
Museum
Cappella Sansevero
Chapel of the Princes of Sansevero in the Old Town, transformed in the 18th century under Raimondo di Sangro. At its heart lies the "Veiled Christ" by Giuseppe Sanmartino (1753), a marble sculpture beneath a seemingly transparent cloth. Check opening hours and tickets in advance on the official website museosansevero.it.
Museum
Castel Nuovo
The castle on Piazza Municipio was built under Charles I of Anjou from 1279 and largely rebuilt under Alfonso V of Aragon from 1453. Between two towers sits a marble Renaissance triumphal arch, commemorating Alfonso's entry into Naples in 1443. Inside are the civic museum with the 14th-century Palace Chapel and the Hall of Barons.
City walks in Naples
Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.
Naples' Soul Trail: Baroque, Nativity Scenes & Royal Splendour
Experience the pulsating energy of Naples on this two-hour circular walk. From the winding lanes of the historic centre, with its unique churches and craft workshops, to the majestic squares that bear witness to royal grandeur, discover the best this fascinating city has to offer.
Stops (6)
Dining & Drinks
Traditional pizzeria on Via Materdei in the Materdei district, north of the National Archaeological Museum. It serves both baked and fried pizza.
Pizzeria and Trattoria in the Old Town with pizza, pasta, and Neapolitan dishes.
Pizzeria near Napoli Centrale train station, with wood-fired pizza in classic and modern varieties.
Pizzeria on Via del Grande Archivio in the Centro Storico, run by Maria Cacialli. Her father, Ernesto Cacialli, became famous for serving a pizza to Bill Clinton during the G7 Summit in 1994, hence the name. The establishment is primarily known for its fried pizza, but also offers classic wood-fired pizza. Closed on Sundays.
One of Naples' oldest pizzerias, founded in 1870, located in the Forcella district near Corso Umberto. It is known for its simple menu featuring Margherita and Marinara. Long queues form during peak meal times.
Food and Drink
Naples is known for its pizza, but its cuisine offers much more.
Pizza Margherita and Marinara
The two classics of Neapolitan pizza, baked in a wood-fired oven at around 485 degrees in 60 to 90 seconds.
Pizza fritta
Fried, filled pizza pocket, traditionally with Ricotta, Provola and cracklings (Cicoli), sold street-side post-WWII as 'Pizza of the People'.
Ragù napoletano
At least three, often six to seven hours braised tomato sauce with large pieces of meat, the classic Sunday meal: sauce for pasta, meat as a second course.
Sfogliatella
Shell-shaped pastry with thin layers of dough and a sweet filling, available in Pasticcerie.
Caffè
The custom of "caffè sospeso", a pre-paid coffee for those in need, originated in the cafés of Naples' working-class districts.
History and Culture
Greek settlers first founded the settlement of Parthenope in the 8th century BC, and in the 6th century BC, further inland, Neapolis, the 'new city'. After a period as a Byzantine Duchy, Naples came under Norman rule in the 12th century. From 1282, it was the capital of the Kingdom of Naples, later of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, until the unification of Italy in 1861.Opened in 1737, the Teatro San Carlo is considered the oldest continuously operating opera house in the world.Among its vibrant traditions are the art of nativity scenes, with workshops lining Via San Gregorio Armeno, the veneration of the city's patron saint San Gennaro, and the art of the Neapolitan pizza maker, which UNESCO recognized as intangible cultural heritage in 2017.
Nightlife
Club on Via Torquato Tasso in the west of the city, above Mergellina. Here, music plays until late on weekends.
Small bar on Via Benedetto Croce, the western section of Spaccanapoli near Piazza del Gesù. Besides cocktails, there's a wide selection of liqueurs and shots; prices are low. The space is too small for larger groups.
A bookstore, wine bar, and record store all in one, on Via San Pietro a Majella near the Conservatory. In the evenings, you drink a glass of wine here among shelves of books and records.
Small bar on Via Mezzocannone in the university district, specializing in Negroni in various variations.
5
Ennò
Wine and cocktail bar on Via Bellini, a few steps from Piazza Bellini, where many students gather in the evenings. Small dishes are also served.
Simple bar in an alley of the Quartieri Spagnoli, known for cheap Spritz. Drinks are usually had standing in the street.
Pub in the Vomero district on Via Enrico Alvino. There's draft beer, burgers, and sandwiches.
Small bar on Via Nina Moscati in the Centro Storico, just steps from the university quarter near Via Mezzocannone. Evenings feature regular live bands and singer-songwriters, with inexpensive drinks.
Exploring Locally
The old town is best explored on foot. For longer distances, use the Metro: Line 1 connects the central station (Garibaldi) via Duomo, Università, Municipio, and Toledo to Vomero; many of its stations are part of the Art Stations project (Stazioni dell'Arte). Line 2 runs via Mergellina to Pozzuoli. Four funiculars connect the city center with the hillside districts of Vomero and Posillipo.Tickets are available from vending machines, kiosks, and tobacconists; none are sold on buses. From Capodichino Airport, the Alibus runs to the central station and Piazza Municipio near the Molo Beverello ferry port. From there and from Mergellina, ferries and hydrofoils depart for destinations including Capri, Ischia, and Sorrento. A car is not recommended in Naples.The Phlegraean Fields west of the city are volcanically active. Current information can be found in the travel and security advisories issued by the Federal Foreign Office.
Accommodations in Naples
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Campgrounds in Naples
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