Naples Travel Guide

Other Things to See and Do in Naples

1. Shop at Piazza del Mercato

This market has been Naples’ main market square since the 13th century. It sells everything from household goods to fresh produce and handmade souvenirs. During the Christmas season, this place is jam-packed with even more stalls selling festive goods.

2. Watch a show at Teatro San Carlo

Opened in 1737, this is the world’s oldest opera house. The inside, with blue upholstery, gold décor, and sparkling chandeliers, is quite ornate. If you can’t catch a show here, at least do a tour. They start from €9 EUR ($10 USD).

3. Explore Herculaneum

Herculaneum is the lesser-known cousin of Pompeii. It used to be a fishing village of about 4,000 inhabitants who all befell the same fate as the citizens of Pompeii. The site is also very well preserved and usually has fewer tourists. While I wouldn’t skip Pompeii, you should also try to work in a visit here too. Tickets are from €13 EUR ($14.55 USD).

4. Watch a film under the stars

Every summer there is an open-air film festival named N’ato Cinema at the Nato di Bagnoli base. It starts at the beginning of June and then runs every week from Thursday to Sunday until the end of July, with screenings of international films and family films. Tickets are just €4.50 EUR ($4 USD).

5. Visit Villa Floridiana

Originally built in 1816 as a gift from King Ferdinand I to his second wife, duchess Lucia Migliaccio, this estate has beautifully manicured gardens, expansive views over Naples Bay, and an ornate fountain filled with turtles. It also houses the National Museum of Ceramics. With over 6,000 pieces in the collection, you’ll see everything from Japanese Edo ceramics to European pieces. It’s €4 EUR ($4.50 USD) to visit the museum.

6. Tour the Anfiteatro Flavio

This was once the third largest amphitheater in all of Italy. Over 20,000 people used to gather here to watch crazy, bloody events like gladiator matches. Today, you can tour the various fallen columns and learn more about the history of the stadium and its events. Admission is €4 EUR ($4.50 USD), and it’s open daily (except Tuesdays) from 9am until an hour before sunset.

7. Visit Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte

This is the Napolitan National Gallery – a museum featuring work by Baroque and Renaissance artists. Some of the big names here include Giordano, Caravaggio, Bellini, and Titian. Admission is €12 EUR ($13.45 USD), and it’s open daily (except Wednesdays) from 8:30am-7:30pm.

8. Wander through Castelnuovo

Castelnuovo is the large medieval castle that stands out along the coastline. Come here to visit the art museum, which houses a gallery of 17th-19th century Italian paintings including works from Luigi Crisconio and Carlo Vanvitelli. It’s €6 EUR ($6.70 USD) to visit and you will get some great views over Naples and the coast.

9. Hike up Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius is the volcano that wiped out Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 AD. Although it’s still active, there’s little chance of it erupting anytime soon. The hike is a fairly steep climb, but a short one (it should only take 30-60 minutes), and at the top you’ll be able to look into the volcano’s crater and out across the Bay of Naples. To get to the start of the hike, take the Vesuvio Express bus from the Ercolano Scavi station (which is on the Circumvesuviana train line). It’s €10 EUR ($11.20 USD) round-trip, plus the entry fee to the volcano, which is another €10 EUR ($11.20 USD).

Naples Travel Costs

Hostel prices – You will pay around €15-17 EUR ($17-19 USD) per night for a 4-6 bed dorm room and at least €40 EUR ($45 USD) for a private room. Most private rooms start from €67 EUR ($75 USD), however. Hostels in Naples usually include free wifi, breakfast, and linens.

Budget hotel prices – A night in a two-star budget hotel starts around €31 EUR ($35 USD) and includes a private bathroom, free wifi, and (sometimes) breakfast.

On Airbnb, you can find shared rooms starting around €18 EUR ($20 USD) per night, while private rooms start from €31 EUR ($35 USD). Entire apartments start from around €40 EUR ($45 USD) per night.

Average cost of food – You can eat very cheaply in Naples. As the birthplace of pizza, there is no shortage of options under €10 EUR ($11 USD). Try Pizzeria Sorbillo (it’s famous for a reason). For other affordable eats, head to just about anywhere along Via dei Tribunali.

If you want a meal from a higher-end restaurant, expect to spend around €25 EUR ($28 USD) for dinner including a drink. The coperto (table charge) is usually €3 EUR ($3.35 USD) and is a rip-off, but unfortunately built into every bill.

If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, you can cook your own food, with groceries (basic foodstuffs like pasta, vegetables, chicken, etc.) costing around €60 EUR ($67 USD) per week. If you find a discount grocer like Eurospin, Lidl or Penny Market, you’ll pay a lot less.

Backpacking Naples Suggested Budgets

If you are backpacking Naples, you’ll spend around €51 EUR ($57 USD) per day. With this budget, you’ll be staying in a hostel dorm, cooking most of your meals, eating the cheap pizza and paninis of the city, using public transportation, taking a free walking tour, and maybe doing a paid attraction or two.

On a more mid-range budget of about €110 EUR ($125 USD) per day, you’ll get a two-star budget hotel or a private hostel room, cheap local eats, a nice dinner or two, an occasional taxi, and a couple of attractions per day including a trip to Pompeii. You won’t be living large, but you’ll be able to see everything you need.

On a luxury travel budget, expect to spend at least €250 EUR ($280 USD) per day. You’ll get a 4-star hotel, private transportation, meals and drinks at any restaurant you want, and all the sightseeing and tours you want. After that, the sky is the limit. When you got money, there’s no need to really budget, right?

Use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in USD.

Naples Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Naples isn’t as expensive as northern Italian cities like Rome or Florence so you get more bang for your Euro here. But there’s always to save money when you visit Naples:

• Eat on the cheap – Have a pizza or take a sandwich to go for just a few dollars to help manage your spending. Pizza is the best food in Naples and won’t break the bank, so it’s a win-win. You can get a pizza for under €10 EUR ($11 USD).
• Get the Visitalia Tourist Card Napoli – If you are going to do lots of sightseeing, this tourist card will give you discounts to the top museums, tours, and attractions. It is priced to save you money when compared to buying separate tickets. A one-day pass costs €14.50 EUR ($16.25 USD) and also includes free public transportation.
• Drink the tap water – The water here is fine to drink. Refill your water bottles and always ask for tap water at a restaurant (or you’ll be charged!).
• Buy wine instead of going to a bar – You can buy a great bottle of wine for €4 EUR ($4.50 USD). It’s a lot cheaper than drinking at the bar.
• Couchsurf – Accommodation is quite expensive in Italy, even in the hostels. Use Couchsurfing to stay with locals who have extra beds and couches for free. I use the service a lot and find it not only saves me money, but I meet great people too.
• Go on a free walking tour – This is a great way to learn the history behind the places you are seeing and to avoid missing any must-see stops. Take the Free Walking Tour Napoli to get your bearings in the city.

Where To Stay in Naples

Looking for a place to stay when you visit? Here are some of my recommended places to stay in Naples:

• Hostel Mancini
• Hostel of the Sun
• Giovanni’s Home
• NeapolitanTrips Hostel

How to Get Around Naples

Traffic in Naples is crazy and taxis tend to be expensive so walk whenever possible.

When it comes to public transportation in Naples, it’s best to get a TIC (Ticket Integrato Campani) ticket which works on all city metro, bus, and funicular services. A single ticket costs €1.60 EUR ($1.80 USD) and is good for 90 minutes. A one-day pass is €4.50 EUR ($5 USD), and a weekly ticket is €15.80 EUR ($17.70 USD).

Bus – The bus isn’t the most efficient way to get around Naples, but it’s useful for navigating Corso Umberto (the long main commercial street) since there is a designated bus lane.

Train – Naples has a metro, but it doesn’t have an extensive network so the bus is usually a better idea.

The Circumvesuviana trains from Napoli Centrale runs to Sorrento for €3.90 EUR ($4.40 USD), and Herculaneum for €2.20 EUR ($2.45 USD). Pompeii costs just €2.80 EUR ($3.15 USD). Ferrovia Cumana trains run to Pozzuoli for €2.20 EUR ($2.47 USD).

Otherwise, a great resource to use when planning your trip via train is ItaliaRail.

Funicular – A handful of funicular services will take you to Vomero, while another connects Mergellina to Posillipo.

Taxis – Taxis are not cheap. Meter rates start from €3.50 EUR ($3.90 USD) and then cost €0.83 EUR ($0.93 USD) per kilometer. Most rides around the city are from minimum €15 EUR ($17 USD).

When to Go to Naples

Thanks to its location in South Italy on the Mediterranean, Naples is warm year-round. However, shoulder seasons are the best time to visit Naples. This is from April to May and then from September to October. You’ll avoid peak tourism season when you come during the shoulder seasons, and you’ll still have nice weather. Temperatures average around 72°F (21°C) for most of the shoulder seasons.

This is especially a good time to visit Naples if your priority is going to Pompeii or Herculaneum. There will be fewer crowds, and you will be a lot more comfortable exploring the ruins in cooler temperatures than in the searing heat of summer. There isn’t much shade at these sites and very few places to sit and take breaks.

The summer months (from June to August) are scorching, with temperatures often being around 88°F (31°C). July is also the driest month of the year. Many Italians take their vacations in August, so it gets particularly crowded here then. December to February are the coldest months, with a high of 13°C (55°F).

How to Stay Safe in Naples

Naples is a very safe place to backpack and travel, but often gets a bad rep for being seedy and more dangerous compared to other places in Italy. Pickpocketing is the most common crime you’ll face, and as always, you need to stay vigilant in crowded areas (especially on public transportation).

If you’re worried about getting scammed, you can read about the 14 travel scams to avoid right here.

The Spanish Quarter is a little sketchy at times, so avoid that area after dark or if you’re alone.

If you’re walking everywhere, stay alert! The traffic in Naples is crazy, and drivers do not respond to traffic lights very well. Be careful when crossing the street.

Always trust your gut instinct. If a taxi driver seems shady, stop the cab and get out. If your hotel is seedier than you thought, get out of there. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID.

If you don’t do it at home, don’t do it in Naples!

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Naples Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel to Naples. They are included here because they consistently find deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the ones I use the most and are always the starting points in my search for travel deals.

• Momondo – This is my favorite booking site. I never book a flight without checking here first.
• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is another great flight search engline which searches a lot of different airlines, including many of the budget carriers that larger sites miss. While I always start with Momondo, I use this site too as a way to compare prices.
• Airbnb – Airbnb is a great accommodation alternative for connecting with homeowners who rent out their homes or apartments.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there, with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Couchsurfing – This website allows you to stay on people’s couches or spare rooms for free. It’s a great way to save money while meeting locals who can tell you the ins and outs of their city. The site also lists events you can attend to meet people (even if you’re not staying with someone).
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have a no money down policy, great interface, and the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• ItaliaRail – A great resource to use when planning your trip via train around Italy is ItaliaRail. You can compare prices, routes, and schedules and save up to 60% on your tickets.
• Intrepid Travel – If you want to do a group tour around Europe, go with Intrepid Travel. They offer good small group tours that use local operators and leave a small environmental footprint. If you go on a tour with anyone, go with them. And, as a reader of this site, you’ll get a discount when you click the link!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome 2 Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – German based Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low €5 EUR ($6 USD)! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, and up to three 3 free bags.
• Bla Bla Car – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way travel than by bus or train!
• Take Walks – A day tour company in Italy (as well as other destinations). What makes them so good is they get you inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their in-depth Pompeii tour is a must if yu’re going to the site!
• EatWith – This website allows you to eat home cooked meal with locals. Locals post listings for dinner parties and specialty meals that you can sign up for. There is a fee (everyone sets their own price) but this is a great way to do something different, pick a local’s brain, and make a new friend.
• World Nomads – I buy all my travel insurance from World Nomads. They have great customer service, competitive prices, and in-depth coverage. I’ve been using them since I started traveling in 2003. Don’t leave home without it!

Naples Gear and Packing Guide

If you’re heading on the road and need some gear suggestions, here are my tips for the best travel backpack and for what to pack!

The Best Backpack for Travelers

What’s the best backpack for traveling long-term? I recommend the REI Flash 45 Pack. It’s light and comfy, front loading, and fits perfectly in an airplane’s overhead bin.
Size: 45-47L
Straps: Thick and cushy with compression technology that pulls the pack’s load up and inwards so it doesn’t feel as heavy.
Features: Removable top lid, large pocket at the front, hydration compatible, contoured hip belt

If you want something different, refer to my article on how to choose the best travel backpack for tips on picking a pack and other backpack suggestions.

What to Pack for Your Trip

Clothes

• 1 pair of jeans (heavy and not easily dried, but I like them; a good alternative is khaki pants)
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 bathing suit
• 5 T-shirts (Unbound Merino is my preferred company. If you’re a member of NM+, you can get 15% off your purchase)
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 6 pairs of socks (I always end up losing half)
• 5 pairs of boxer shorts (I’m not a briefs guy!)
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 razor
• 1 package of dental floss
• 1 small bottle of shampoo
• 1 small bottle of shower gel
• 1 towel
• Deodorant

Small Medical Kit (safety is important!!!)

• Band-Aids
• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial cream
• Earplugs
• Tylenol
• Hand sanitizer (germs = sick = bad holiday)

Miscellaneous

• A key or combination lock (safety first)
• Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding)
• Plastic bags (great for laundry)
• Universal charger/adaptor (this applies to everyone)
• LifeStraw (A water bottle with a purifier)

Female Travel Packing List
I’m not a woman, so I don’t know what a woman wears, but Kristin Addis, our solo female travel guru, wrote this list as an addition to the basics above:

Clothing

• 1 swimsuit
• 1 sarong
• 1 pair of stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily)
• 1 pair of leggings (if it’s cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a dress or shirt)
• 2-3 long-sleeve tops
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 3-4 spaghetti tops
• 1 light cardigan

Toiletries

• 1 dry shampoo spray & talc powder (keeps long hair grease-free in between washes)
• 1 hairbrush
• Makeup you use
• Hair bands & hair clips
• Feminine hygiene products (you can opt to buy there too, but I prefer not to count on it, and most people have their preferred products)

For more on packing, check out these posts:

• What I Pack For My Travels
• The Ultimate List For Female Travelers
• How to Choose and Buy the Right Backpack

Naples Travel Guide: Suggested Reading

Inferno, by Dante Alighieri
Inferno is the first part of Italian writer Dante’s 14th-century epic poem, The Divine Comedy. It tells the story of Dante’s journey through Hell, guided by the ancient poet Virgil. Here, Hell is depicted as nine circles of torment located within Earth – it’s a dense read, but it’s pretty incredible. The book mentioned here is the beautifully translated version of Dante’s masterpiece. You can also get your hands on the full volume with all three epic poems. It’s been inspiring people for 700 years!
 
 
  
City Of Fortune: How Venice Ruled The Seas, by Roger Crowley
Roger Crowley explores Venice’s fascinating 500-year-old advance to the pinnacle of power to become a city unrivalled for drama and majesty. City of Fortune traces the Venetian imperial saga, from the Fourth Crusade to the fall of Constantinople, to the Ottoman-Venetian War of 1499-1503, which eventually led the Ottoman Turks to becoming the preeminent naval power in the Mediterranean. You’ll also learn about how a small city of “lagoon dwellers” became the richest place on the planet. This isn’t a boring history book – it’s a vivid, beautifully written account of Venice and its people through the ages.
 
Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown
Robert Langdon is summoned to an assignment at a Swiss research facility to analyze a symbol seared into the chest of a murdered physicist – and discovers the resurgence of an ancient secret brotherhood known as the Illuminati. Then the brotherhood announces they’ve left a time bomb inside Vatican City, and Langdon must take off to Rome to find it. Even if Dan Brown isn’t your thing, this book will get you pumped to go sightseeing in Rome.
 
 
 
Under the Tuscan Sun, by Frances Mayes
Have you ever dreamt of buying up a crumbling villa in Italy and restoring it to its former glory? That’s exactly what Frances Mayes did 20 years ago with an abandoned property named Bramsole in the Tuscan countryside. This story recounts her restoration journey, along with what it’s like adjusting to live in rural Tuscany. Mayes is a poet, gourmet cook, and a travel writer – you will literally be drooling over her prose and evocative language. Mayes paints the dreamiest picture of life in Italy. You have to read this book.
 
 
La Bella Figura: A Field Guide to the Italian Mind, by Beppe Severgnini
Written about Italians by an Italian, Beppe Severgnini wants you to forget all the romantic notions of Italy and its people. This laugh-out-loud book takes you beyond the historical attractions and scenic areas, and into places where Italians are at their best and worst: including the highway, the airport, and the small town. Severgnini describes the chaos of the roads and the “theatrical spirit of the hypermarkets” in a way that will give you some deep insight into the Italian psyche.
 
 
 
A Room With a View, by E.M. Forster
Well-bred Lucy Honeychurch sets out on an adventure touring Italy with her overbearing cousin, and soon falls in love with the handsome (but entirely unsuitable) George Emerson, and yet somehow becomes engaged to Mr. Cecil Vyse. Lucy is easily lured away from the upper-middle-class Edwardian society by her longing for the man she left behind. This is a funny, satirical read that takes the English notion of respectability and turns it on its head. This is Forster’s most beloved book!