A town situated in the shadow of Mt Vesuvius, Naples has long been a destination of contradictions. Many take the city for granted, using it only as a stopover en route to the Amalfi Coast. However, reasons to visit Naples shine a spotlight on this rough diamond that reveals its brilliance only to those who spend time exploring it.
There are three sides to the third most populated city in Italy. Once infamous for being the epicenter of organized crime, Naples is on a bend, fast becoming a tourist favorite because of its history, architecture, and iconic culinary heritage. But it is also the city’s quaint persona beyond its castles, cathedrals, and convenient location that truly surprises tourists visiting Naples for the first time.
Napoli Sotterranea
Naples started as a Greek settlement and exchanged hands multiple times over its 2500-year-old history. As expected, there’s much antiquity to discover in Naples. Since the Romans, in particular, built their cities over ancient remains, one gets to uncover a very different Naples below the present-day city.
Naples’ underground comprises 450km of tunnels, roads built by the Greeks, catacombs, aqueducts, and even a Greco-Roman theatre. Going down forty meters below the surface, be aware that it does get claustrophobic and extremely narrow in some sections.
The military used the subterranean network during World War II as a bomb shelter. In one such tunnel, you can visit Bourbon Galley and the Catacombs of San Gennaro. The former holds a collection of vintage cars and bikes. At the same time, the latter is a paleo-Christian worship and burial site.
Pizza
For any food lover traveling in Italy’s Campania region, it would be a sin not to visit the “birthplace of pizza.” The opportunity to savor the original Neapolitan pizza is quite simply one of the primary reasons to visit Naples.
Known as “vera” in its authentic form, the pizza follows a strict manufacturing process that uses a particular flour and basic ingredients sourced locally. Moreover, traditionally one can only bake the pie in a wood fire oven built using volcanic rock.
Via dei Tribunali in the old district is the central east to the west street of the city and the place to go when craving a pizza in Naples. There are several pizzerias in the district but look for ones with the “vera Napoletana” logo if you want to try the real deal.
Ask a few locals about the best places to have pizza in Naples, and they will each give you a different answer. Nevertheless, Da Michele, Sorbillo, Starita, and Pizzeria Oliva are four that promise delicious pies every time. But come prepared to stand in line for a while, especially when in Naples during tourist season.
Street Art
Several cities in the south of Italy attract tourists with their history, old-world charm, and natural beauty. At the same time, among the main reasons to visit Naples is its contemporary viewpoint, evident from the city’s openness toward street art.
Eye-catching murals dot various neighborhoods, often in the least expected places, surprising visitors with their impactful magnitude. Equally interesting is the array of subjects they feature, from individual artistic impressions to street art depicting famous people like Fidel Castro and Maradona.
“Madonna with a Pistol” on Piazza dei Girolamini is arguably the most famous street art in the city. Said to be the last remaining painting by Banksy in Italy, it reflects upon the city’s close ties with religion and crime.
The suburb of San Giovanni a Teduccio has two grand, hard-to-miss murals. One titled “Human Beings” and the other a portrait of Maradona. Both are by famed Italian-Dutch artist Jorit. Merola Park, also known as Graffiti Park, in the district of Ponticelli, is another street art location where you’ll find murals by artists Rosk & Loste, Jorit, and Zed1.
Cafe Culture
Naples has a very refined and traditional cafe culture. Locals typically follow set practices when it comes to the daily consumption of their favorite coffee drink, espresso.
Characteristically the espresso is robust and dark. Neapolitans take a few sips of water before the coffee, and nothing after. This allows for the taste to linger in the mouth for long.
Often accompanying the coffee is sfogliatella riccia. The delectable hot, flaky pastry, named after its thin layered design, usually has creamy ricotta and a citrus filling. Baked to a crisp, it has a distinct sweet and savory taste. Sfogliatella frolla is another version of the pastry with a similar flavor but a less complicated construction.
While available across cafes, the most famous pastry shops in Naples known for their sfogliatella are La Sfogliatella Mary, Sfogliatelab, and Attanasio.
La Pignasecca Market
One must wander around the streets of Naples, past the popular tourist sights, to encounter the city’s true personality. In particular, a visit to the Spanish Quarters, full of life and color, allows visitors to immerse themselves into Naples’ vibrant resident culture.
La Pignasecca Market is the main commercial area in the neighborhood. Here, shops and stalls along the streets sell everything under the sun at bargain prices. From fresh fish, fruits, and delicious street food to houseware and souvenirs, the open market promises a one-stop shopping experience.
Not surprisingly, the market stays busy throughout the day. Furthermore, random street art and animated shopkeepers add a sense of joy and wonder to the hustle and bustle of the district.
When planning a trip to the Spanish Quarters, try to take the metro and disembark at the Toledo station. A contemporary artistic masterpiece, the award-winning tube station is a sight to behold.
Amalfi Coast and Pompeii
One of the reasons to visit Naples is because it is a gateway to a few of the most revered destinations in Europe. Thirty minutes away is the immaculately preserved archaeological site of Pompeii. A constant reminder of nature’s destructive power, Pompeii suffered the volcanic wrath of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. Fascinating and spooky, a visit here presents an unmatched opportunity to learn more about life in Roman times.
The nearby Herculaneum with its boathouses is equally intriguing and remains less crowded. When Mount Vesuvius erupted, it instantly enveloped the town in hot ash. Therefore, visitors now can see intricate details on many of the much-better preserved buildings here.
Tourists can also take a day trip from Naples to the Amalfi Coast for something less morbid. The best way to reach and admire the dramatic beauty of the cliffside villages is by boat. You can book ferry tickets to Positano and Amalfi through Ferryscanner, with prices starting at roughly €27 one-way. Famous for its pebble beaches, pulsating nightlife, and celebrity-spotting, the Amalfi Coast is among the top romantic destinations in Italy.
National Archaeological Museum
The National Archaeological Museum is a legendary institution in Italy, and thus, among the main reasons to visit Naples. While one sees history preserved in Pompeii and Herculaneum, most relics from these sites are now at this museum.
Boasting an impressive assemblage of Greek and Roman artifacts, set aside a few hours to wander around the corridors of this remarkable building.
The Farnese gems and antiques, Herculaneum villa of papyri, and the mosaics from around Campania are especially fascinating among rooms full of exclusive collections.
Gabinetto Segreto, or the secret room, though, is the one titillating exhibit that captivates most adult visitors. On display here are over 250 erotic-themed objects excavated from Pompeii and Herculaneum.