The city was founded in the 8th century BC as Parthenope, by Greek settlers from the nearby city of Cumae, itself founded by Greeks from the island of Evvia, in the area between Monte Echia and the island of Megaride, on a previous 2nd millennium BC settlement named Phaleros, a name connected to one of the Argonauts. The Cumaeans founded Neapolis ("New City") at the area of today's Piazza Municipio in 6th century BC, and the town became one of the most important Greek polis of Magna Grecia and the whole Mediterranean Sea.

In 320 BC, the city was conquered by the Romans, who let it maintain its Greek culture and language. With the fall of the Roman Empire, the town was conquered by the Byzantines, to became capital of an independent duchy.

Naples was later governed by Normans, Swabians and Angevins, who made it a capital; the King of Sicily became King of Naples after the Sicilian Vespers. During the first half of 17th century, Naples was one of the main centers of the Spanish monarchy, and the most populated city in Europe, with more than 400,000 inhabitants.

After tragic events, like an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1630, the revolt of Masaniello in 1647 against the Spanish government, and the plague that killed half of the population in 1656, Naples reached a glorious period under the government of the House of Bourbon, that made it one of the most relevant cities in the continent about culture, economy and politics. Following the French and Napoleonic invasions, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies was established in 1815, restoring the Bourbon dominance over Southern Italy and Sicily and making Naples the third most relevant city in Europe and the first one in present Italy for inhabitants and economy.

The annexation of the Two Sicilies to the newborn Kingdom of Italy in 1861 spelled, in fact, the beginning of a long period of decline for Naples and all Southern Italy. The town suffered the heavy bombings of World War II, that left deep scars in its monumental heritage, but succeeded in kicking out the German occupiers during the revolt known as "the four days of Naples".

The Historical Centre, or Centro Storico of Naples is not only amazing but can also be something of a maze, filled with small irregular alleys. While the exact limits of the Centro Storico are a matter of debate, an inclusive definition could set its boundaries to Via Foria in the north, Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi to the east, the waterfront to the south and Via Toledo and the Quartieri Spagnoli to the west. Out of this huge area, the sections found to the north of Corso Umberto I, and to the west of Via Duomo are most likely to be of interest to travelers. While orientation in this area is difficult there are a few main roads by which you can direct yourself. Corso Umberto I cuts across the Centro Storico from the north-east to the south-west, connecting to the central train station in the north-east, and is one of few major multilane roads in historical centre. At Piazza Nicola Amore it crosses Via Duomo, a major road going across the centre from north to south. Finally, Via dei Tribunali and Spaccanapoli are two long, but rather narrow and crowded roads crossing the centre from east to west, both packed with street vendors and old churches. Notice that Spaccanapoli (literally "Naples splitter") is an unofficial name. The street's official names are Via Benedetto Croce for its western part and Via San Biagio Dei Librai for its eastern section. After crossing Via Duomo it loses much of its character, but continues east under the name Via Vicaria Vecchia.

South-west of the Centro Storico you will find the area San Ferdinando, consisting of a large headland into the bay of Naples. The area has long been the regal centre of Naples, with the two medieval castles Castel Nuovo and Castel dell'Ovo, and the old Royal Palace of Naples. Via Partenope and Via Nazario Sauro, packed with restaurants and hotels, follow the San Ferdinando waterfront and provide you with a beautiful view of the bay of Naples. Other areas of interest to tourists are Chiaia, an affluent district with plenty of opportunities for shopping directly west of San Ferdinando; and Vomero, a hilly residential area north of Chiaia and west of the Centro Storico, which due to its elevated location provide panoramic views of the bay and Vesuvius. Finally, aside from being beautiful, the bay to south of Naples and the mountain Vesuvius on its east are also good points of orientation, as they can be seen from several locations in the city.

Naples has Mediterranean climate, with short, mild winters and long, hot summers. The city benefits from over 300 days of sunshine per year, a value similar to that of Los Angeles, California.

Snowfall is rare enough to be remembered as events. Annual average rainfall is high (1000 mm), usually most of it in a few days during the autumn.

The prevailing wind is the libeccio, coming in from the sea in the south-west.

• Visit Naples website
• 40.85299314.2494071 Info Turismo Napoli, Via San Giuseppe dei Nudi, 82 (Museo  1  2 ), ☏ +39 380 145 1379, toll-free: +39 800 134 034, fax: +39 081 447 264, [email protected]. 08:30-20:00. The main tourist information point in the historic centre, few steps from the National Archaeological Museum, with helpful multilingual staff.  

• 40.878214.28281 Naples International Airport (Aeroporto Internazionale di Napoli) (NAP  ^IATA, also known as Capodichino Airport). Works for connecting the airport to Naples Metro system were expected to be completed in 2024, but check.  

From the airport you can take a bus for €5 (called Alibus) which has two stops only: Stazione Centrale (Central station) and Piazza Municipio, near the main ferry port (molo Beverello). You can buy your ticket on the bus. The ticket is valid for further public transport trips, up to 90 min after validation. Further connections are listed on the official airport website^{[dead link]}. Beware of (legal) taxi drivers on the way to the Alibus stop, who claim to charge the same price as the Alibus, but actually also charge for children and go only once the minivan is full.

If you have time to spare, you can take the 3S bus that will take you to the same stops as the Alibus for less. The difference is that the Alibus has limited stops, but the 3S will take you to the backstreets leading to the Stazione, continuing all the way to the port and a shopping district. Also, the Alibus is air conditioned whereas most 3S buses are not.

Beware of illegal, unauthorized taxis and of anyone who may approach you directly. Authorized taxis are clearly visible at the exit; fixed fares exist for a number of destinations, and must be clearly shown in the cab. Make sure they are authorized before getting in the cab, and threaten to call the police ("polizia") should the taxi driver try to push back. Even authorized drivers may decline to run the meter and overcharge you citing non-existing tariffs, or tell you "cash only" unless you insist on paying with card (all licensed taxis should have working terminals by law). As of November 2023, the fixed fare from the airport to the central train station is 18 EUR per car, day and night, with luggage, including all charges except possible 1 EUR for motorway use.

If you transfer between flights at the Capodichino Airport, beware that it is not possible to go from the arrivals directly to the gates, so you have to pass the security control again (it might be possible using the elevators at the baggage retrieval zone, but the path is not clearly marked).

The main station in Naples is 40.852914.27252 Napoli Centrale  1  2 , situated at Garibaldi square and connected to the city's subway system. It's a rather large area with multiple substations (platform groups). Plan 10 minutes reserve if you go there for the first time, so that you find your train in time. Under the same roof, a few hundred meters south-east, there's the Piazza Garibaldi station - here you can catch local and regional Circumvesuviana trains. West of the main station platforms, and a few escalators down, is the entrance to subway Line 1. Some of the trains (e.g. towards Caserta) also share the platforms with Line 2. The entrances/substations for the individual lines are signposted visibly. However, the info tables at the substations only show the lines departing from the local platforms. So if you are at the wrong substation, you won't see your train time/platform info at the tables - and need to continue searching. From around the station, the bus routes Alibus, R2 and 151, the tram route 1 and the metro Line 1 will take you within three blocks of the ferries at Stazione Marittima.

A massive new high-speed railway hub, 40.93172214.3305763 ^{[dead link]} Napoli Afragola, has been built about 12 km north of the city centre. Some high speed trains running between Rome and points south of Naples will bypass the city centre and only use this station. Local trains call here as well, meaning that central Naples is just an easy interchange away if you find yourself arriving here.

Other stations include Napoli Mergellina, a magnificent Art Déco building and Napoli Campi Flegrei.

Prices of trains to and from Rome vary a lot, starting from €9.90 for commuter regional trains and €19.90 for Frecciarossa high-speed trains. Check the site of Trenitalia from more info.

Cruise ships dock at 40.83803514.2589884 Stazione Marittima  , a large terminal in the city center, near Piazza Municipio.

• MedMar Group operates several large ferry/passenger ships that connect Naples with Sardinia (Olbia), Corsica (Porto-Vecchio), Tunisia (Tunis), and the Aeolian Islands. These trips usually leave in the late afternoon or evening and arrive at their destination the next morning.
• Tirrenia Navigazione operates an overnight ferry service that has two separate routes, one to Sardinia (Cagliari) and the other to Sicily (Palermo).

Naples is directly connected with Rome by the motorway, and the trip takes generally less than 2 hours. The motorway, instead, links the city to Salerno through Ercolano and Pompeii. The other major road is the , connecting Naples to the Adriatic coast of northern Apulia. Due to traffic jams and parking shortages in the city center, it's advisable to leave your car in a parking lot near the motorway exit or your accommodation, and to use public transportation to visit the city.

Many national and international private bus services operate in Naples, generally stopping at Piazza Garibaldi or Piazza Municipio. A new 40.8511514.2751935 bus terminal  2  has been created south of the central railway station, where 42 different bus companies stop their means of transport. Some of these provide links also from northern and eastern Europe.

Taxis and the Metro are the quickest ways to see Naples. Taxis are the most expensive way, though. Before getting into a taxi, make sure it is licensed. Licensed taxis will have a city crest on the door and a taxi number. Also, make sure it has a meter. By law, licensed taxis must display a list of set fares in a number of languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish). Check for such fares and agree to them before starting the journey. Moreover, you have to explicitly request whether you want the fixed fare or the meter before starting the journey.

All taxis should have a terminal for card payments, but even licensed drivers may push you to pay cash or try to charge more if you pay by card, that's illegal. Some drivers decline to run the meter or hide fixed fares sheet from you when you get in, don't tell you the price, and overcharge you in the end. You can check fares (metered and fixed) at https://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/1193 (the official website) or https://www.taxinapoli.it/en/tariffs/ ^{[dead link]} (one taxi company's website, may be more readable). Note that travels "to suburban" double the fare immediately, there are lots of small charges for calling the taxi by phone or each small luggage piece, rides to/from the airport, and more, the meter won't show these. Fixed fares include almost everything.

There are four major taxi companies in Naples, but they all have the same fares. None of them allows you to reserve a ride in advance; if you call, they will merely start looking for a car for you some time before your trip starts with no guarantees. Similarly, taxi apps like FreeNOW and Uber can only call you a licensed taxi right now with the same rules as above.

You will be surprised how easily you can get around by foot, too. Interesting spots are almost on every corner and most distances – especially in the (historic) centre – are small and can be walked in a matter of minutes.

Many streets – especially in the older parts of town – are made of cobblestones, (occasionally damaged) asphalt or a combination of both. Care should therefore be taken when riding a standard city bike. Many people will use fatbikes (with thicker tires, often electric) to get around.

One of the few proper cycle lanes lies at the promenade next to the water. There are also some shared bike rental stations around that area.

• 40.8452714.2495722 Mary Moto, Via Tommaso Caravita, 30, 80134 Napoli. Electric bike rental. €5 per hour. (updated Dec 2022)
• Bike Sharing Napoli. Bike sharing. A few stations near the central station and the waterfront. (updated Dec 2022)

A good alternative to get around is by renting a scooter, there are many providers to choose from and the prices are relatively economical. If you feel confident on the road, this is a good way to avoid the heavy traffic and the confusing public transport. Motorists in Naples are notoriously assertive on the road, so always make sure to respect the local laws and be aware of other drivers around you.

• Riderly. Provide motorcycles and scooters for rent with helmets for both the rider and passenger. (updated May 2021)
• EcoDrive, ☏ +39 081 551 3104. They rent smaller eco friendly scooters and e-bikes. Helmet provided for the main driver. (updated May 2021)

Naples' public transportation system is fairly difficult to understand for the first time visitor, since different lines are operated by different companies and sometimes interexchange is not allowed between different providers.

Nevertheless, the creation of the organization UnicoCampania with the aim of managing an integrated fare system for the whole region of Campania, has seen a real simplification of the tariffs. Within city limits, integrated tickets are available for use on any kind of vehicle and company. They exist at the price of €1.80 for one hour of validity, and €5.40 for a day. Besides, a Corsa Semplice ticket, valid for one ride in only one transport company, is available at the fare €1.50.

Tickets can be bought at any authorized selling point. A very common place to find them away from railway or Metro stations is tobacco shops (Tabaccheria, easily identified by a big white "T" on a rectangular black field) or newspaper shops. They are not sold on board the trains or buses. Passengers are randomly checked for having a ticket by authorized personnel. Not having a ticket results in a huge fine, with no exceptions, since in Italy this act is a tax offence.

• Metropolitana di Napoli. There are three lines of underground subway in Naples. They are always monitored by cameras and security officers, which both protects passengers, and deters them from marking graffiti or otherwise behaving uncivilly.
  • Line  1 , managed by Azienda Napoletana di Mobilità (ANM), connects the city center to the hill quarters, like Vomero and the hospitals area. Avoid passing through Piscinola and Secondigliano as those areas can be very dodgy and dangerous.
  • Line  2 , actually a commuter rail service operated by Trenitalia, crosses the city from west to east and have 10 stations within city limits. At Garibaldi, Cavour-Museo and Mergellina, it connects to subway lines. The tracks are shared with regional rail services of Trenitalia to Caserta, Castellammare di Stabia, Salerno and Pozzuoli.
  • Line 6, also managed by ANM, is a light subway connecting Fuorigrotta to Piazza Municipio. The line has 8 stops.
  • Line 11 (or Arcobaleno). The Rainbow Line, thus called because of the characteristic colors of its stations, starts in Piscinola, where it connects with Line 1 of the underground subway. It's a 10.5-km-long, totally underground journey, which connects the northern suburbs of Naples, passing though Mugnano, Giugliano and Aversa.
• Funicolare^{[dead link]}. ANM also operates the four cable cars lines  Centrale   Chiaia   Mergellina   Montesanto . The first one connects Via Toledo to the hilly neighborhood of Vomero, the second runs from the elegant area of Chiaia to Vomero, the third connects the coast of Mergellina to the hill of Posillipo while the last one runs from the historic centre to Vomero.
• Trams^{[dead link]}. ANM operates two tram lines (1 and 4), of which one goes along the shore of Santa Lucia - Castelnuovo - Garibaldi (Central Station).
• Buses^{[dead link]}. ANM also operates all bus lines within Naples, most of which are circular. Naples suffers from a serious problem of traffic jams and usually buses are overcrowded, so try to avoid them if you can (except for evenings and weekends).

Three different regional train companies that operated in Naples and surrounding areas (Circumvesuviana, SEPSA and MetroCampania NordEst) were in December 2012 incorporated by merger into the historic company Ente Autonomo Volturno (EAV), which at the time ran its own fleet of intercity and highway buses. Since then, EAV is in charge of management and improvement of most of the regional public transport by rail:

• Circumvesuviana . Founded in 1889, the former Circumvesuviana railway operates from its own terminal station of 40.849214.26936 Napoli Porta Nolana. All routes pass through the underground station Piazza Garibaldi (which connects to Napoli Centrale and city subway) before splitting into 6 branches to towns in the eastern part of the province. An interesting route goes from Naples to Sorrento in about one hour, with several stops in between, including Pompei Scavi (from where it is an easy foot walk to the main entrance to Pompeii ruins) and Ercolano (Herculaneum). A second route travels around the northern flanks of Mt. Vesuvius and on to Sarno. Other routes go to Acerra, Nola and Baiano.
• Cumana. This line operates from Napoli - Montesanto, the original end station of SEPSA. It follows the coastline to the west of the city for approximately 20 km before ending in Torregaveta (Bacoli). The line runs through the urban centres of Montesanto, Fuorigrotta, Bagnoli, Pozzuoli, Arco Felice, Baia and Fusaro, before reaching Torregaveta.
• Circumflegrea. It also starts in Napoli - Montesanto and ends in Torregaveta. However, it runs further inland than the Cumana line, along the districts of Soccavo, Pianura, Quarto Flegreo, Licola and Cuma. It is approximately 7 km longer than the Cumana. Because both lines start and end in the same terminal stations, users can quickly transfer from one train to the other and complete an interesting tourist loop though the Phlegraean Fields.

The EAV website has more information on timings, routes and cost of tickets.

In addition to the EAV trains, national railway company Trenitalia also operates regional trains to many destinations in the province: Formia-Castellamare, Naples-Capua and Naples-Salerno. All these services share the railway of Metro Line 2 when crossing the city.

There are several ferry and hydrofoil services that connect Naples and local ports and islands. Ferry and hydrofoil services leave from either 40.83735214.2547497 Molo Beverello  1 , 40.8433614.261048 Porta di Massa (approx. 1 km by foot from Beverello), 40.82884914.2227159 Mergellina  2  or 40.82371214.11793510 Pozzuoli  Cumana . Some then of them are listed here:

• Metrò del Mare has several lines that connect Naples and Sapri; Bacoli and Salerno and Sorrento; Monte di Procida and Salerno; and, Amalfi and Sapri. Besides the main stops the ferry service also connects many smaller communities. The Metro del Mare webpage has schedules, timetables and location of ticket counters. It seems to only operate in summer.
• L.N.G. ^{[dead link]} has a hydrofoil service that connects Naples with the island of Capri, along with Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi. Schedules and timings can be found on its website.
• AliLauro has a hydrofoil service that connects Naples with the islands of Ponza, Ventotene, Procida, Ischia, Capri and Eolie, and the towns of Formia, Castellamare, Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno. Alilauro operates from both the Molo Beverello and Mergelina.
• MedMar, Caremar and SNAV operate hydrofoils and ferries.

Reaching one of the islands in the gulf by ferry can take up to 70 minutes (hydrofoils are much faster, but more expensive).

For most of the year, the sea is calm, and in any case when it happens to be rough the boats' runs are stopped. In any case, it is advised to follow the normal measures for sea travel. In particular, if you are sensible to the rolling of the ships, or travel with young children, consider taking an appropriate medication. Ferries also have open decks, which are particularly attractive and scenic to use in spring and summer. The sunlight is bright here, so cover up or use sunscreen to prevent sunburns.

Be sure to check for dolphins or sea turtles while travelling toward Capri, in particular. Loggerhead sea turtles are quite common, and Naples' Aquarium also hosts a renowned veterinary unit, whose speciality is to recover and heal wounded turtles and get them back to the sea.

• 40.8492814.254891 Cappella Sansevero. A chapel built in 1590, it contains sculptures and other works of art by some of the leading Italian artists of the 18th century, like the extraordinary Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino. It also has a high scientific interest because it hosts the anatomical machines, a still mysterious experiment by Raimondo Di Sangro, a prominent Renaissance scientist. In addition, in the basement there are two human vein models, looking like plastination. Because of the small size, the waiting queue may be longer than at other attractions in Naples. €10 (reductions available).  
• 40.835314.24752 San Francesco di Paola (Municipio  1 ). One of the main churches in Naples, it's at the west side of Piazza del Plebiscito, the city's main square. The place was planned by King Joachim Murat of Naples (Napoleon's brother-in-law) as a tribute to the emperor. When Napoleon was dispatched, Ferdinand I of Bourbon continued the construction but converted the final product into the church one sees today. The church is reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome. The façade is fronted by a portico resting on six columns and two Ionic pillars. Inside, the church is circular with two side chapels. The dome is 53 metres high.  
• 40.84762214.2518033 Gesù Nuovo, Piazza Gesù Nuovo (Dante  1 ), ☏ +39 081 557 8151. M-F 07:00-12:30 and 16:00-19:45. The Church of Gesù Nuovo (New Jesus) was built in 1470 as a palace for Roberto Sanseverino, Prince of Salerno. The Jesuits had already built a church in Naples, now called Gesú Vecchio. Political intrigues caused the property to be confiscated, and eventually sold in the 1580s to the Jesuits to construct a church (1584–1601) under architect Giuseppe Valeriano. The unusual façade, unusually plain for a Baroque style church, is of rusticated ashlar and is the original façade of the palace. The church contains masterpieces of some of the most notable Neapolitan artists: Belisario Corenzio, Paolo de Matteis, Francesco Solimena, Giovanni Lanfranco and Massimo Stanzione.  
• 40.84873114.2544074 San Domenico Maggiore, Piazza S. Domenico Maggiore, 8A, ☏ +39 081 459 188. 10:00-19:00. One of the most prominent churches of Naples. This Gothic church (est. 1283) incorporates a smaller, original church built on this site in the 10th century, San Michele Arcangelo a Morfisa. The monastery annexed to the church has been the home of prominent names in the history of religion and philosophy. It was the original seat of the University of Naples, where Thomas Aquinas, a former monk at San Domenico Maggiore, returned to teach theology in 1272. As well, the philosopher monk, Giordano Bruno, lived here. The sacristy houses a series of 45 sepulchres of members of the royal Aragonese family, including that of King Ferdinand I. Church: free, monastery: variable.  
• 40.84661114.2528335 Santa Chiara, Via Santa Chiara, 49 (Dante  1 ; facing Gesù Nuovo), ☏ +39 081 797 1224, [email protected]. M-F 09:30-17:30, Sa Su 10:00-14:30. A religious complex which includes the Church of Santa Chiara, a monastery, tombs, and an archaeological museum. The double monastic complex was built in 1313-1340 by Queen Sancha of Majorca and her husband King Robert of Naples. The original church was in traditional Provençal-Gothic style, but was decorated in the 1744 century in Baroque style by Domenico Antonio Vaccaro. Santa Chiara was the largest Clarissan church ever built, and it was the first Clarissan church built where the nuns in their choir would have been able to view the performance of Mass. The bell tower, separated from the main edifice, was begun in 1328 but was completed only in Renaissance times. The simple interior houses the tomb of King Robert and, in the side chapels, those of the Bourbon king of Naples, Francis II and his consort Maria Sophie of Bavaria, as well as of Queen Maria Christina of Savoy and of the national hero Salvo d'Acquisto (a carabiniere who sacrificed his own life to save the lives of 22 civilian hostages at the time of the Nazi occupation). Famous is the cloister of the Clarisses, transformed in 1742 by Vaccaro with the addition of precious majolica tiles in Rococò style. The Nuns' Choir houses fragments of frescoes by Giotto.  
• 40.8525714.259516 Naples Cathedral (Duomo di Napoli, Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta or Cattedrale di San Gennaro) (Duomo  1 ). Built in the 18th century, it is the main church of Naples. It is widely known as the Cattedrale di San Gennaro, in honour of Saint Januarius, the city's patron saint. It was built on the foundations of two palaeo-Christian basilicas, whose traces can still be clearly seen. Underneath the building, excavations have revealed Greek and Roman artifacts. The Cathedral is famous for Miracle of the Blood, a recurring miracle taking place on the first Saturday of May and September 19th every year. During the ritual an ampule containing the old dried out blood of Saint Januarius is brought out and stirred; and miraculously liquefies. According to legend, disaster will befall Naples if the blood fails to liquefy.  
• 40.85017514.2576367 San Gregorio Armeno, Via San Gregorio Armeno, 1, ☏ +39 081 552 0186. M-Sa 09:00-12:00, Su 09:00-13:00. The church was completed in 1640, in honor of Saint Gregory of Armenia and it represents, along with the adjacent monastery, one of the most relevant Baroque complexes in Naples. The interior is decorated with 52 frescoes by Luca Giordano, and it is characterized by a single nave with five side arcades and chapels, in an impressive triumph of Baroque decorations. Free. (updated Jun 2018)
• 40.846814.26768 Santa Maria del Carmine Maggiore, Piazza del Carmine, 2, ☏ +39 081 201 196, [email protected]. One of Naples' main churches, related to important historical events of the city and its kingdom, such as Masaniello revolt and the executions happened during the five months existence of Parthenopean Republic (1799). The interior is a true triumph of Baroque decorations including polychrome marbles, stuccoes and a magnificent gilded ceiling. The basilica is located in Piazza del Carmine, few steps away from Piazza Mercato and Via Marina and it's recognizable by the 75-m bell tower, with a characteristic onion dome. Free. (updated Jun 2018)

• 40.82802614.2477989 Castel dell'Ovo (Egg Castle), Via Eldorado, 3, ☏ +39 081 795 4592, [email protected]. M-Sa 09:00-18:30, Su 09:00-14:00. The oldest castle of the city, located on the former island of Megaride, now a peninsula, on the Gulf of Naples. The castle's name comes from a legend that the Roman poet Virgil (who had a reputation in medieval times as a great sorcerer) put a magical egg into the foundations to support them. The island of Megaride was where Greek colonists from Cumae founded the nucleus of the city (Palepolis) in the 6th century BC. In the 1st century BC the Roman patrician Lucius Licinius Lucullus built the magnificent villa Castellum Lucullanum on the site. The first castle on the site was built by the Normans in the 12th century. Free entry.  
• 40.838314.253210 Castel Nuovo (New Castle), Via Vittorio Emanuele III (Municipio  1 ), ☏ +39 081 795 7709. M-Sa 08:30-19:00. Often called Maschio Angioino, it is a medieval castle and the main symbol of the architecture of the city. It was first begun in 1279 by Charles I of Anjou and completed three years later. Castel Nuovo soon became the nucleus of the historical center of the city, and was often the site of famous events. For example, in 1294, Pope Celestine V resigned from the Papacy in a hall of the castle. The event was depicted by Dante Alighieri in his masterpiece la Divina Commedia, in the verse Colui che per viltade fece il gran rifiuto.  
• 40.85326914.26415811 Castel Capuano, Piazza Enrico de Nicola, 2, ☏ +39 081 223 7262. 09:00-18:30. The second most ancient castle of Naples after Castel dell'Ovo, built in 12th century by the Normans over a necropolis for use as a royal palace. It was then used as a residence for distinguished visitors such as Francesco Petrarca, and also as site for royal weddings and ceremonies. In 1503 it became the seat of city's courthouse for almost half a millennium, until the year 1995. Its name derives from its proximity to the road that led to Capua. (updated Jun 2018)
• The following museums can be grouped and visited within a day or two using a combined ticket:
  • 40.843814.23912 Castel Sant'Elmo (Morghen  Centrale , then a five minutes walk). A huge, imposing hilltop medieval fortress, providing outlooks to the surrounding city and hosting a small art gallery.  
  • 40.84333314.2412413 Certosa e Museo di San Martino (adjacent to the castle). A former monastery complex, now a museum. It is the most visible landmark of the city, perched atop the Vomero hill that commands the gulf. A Carthusian monastery, it was finished and inaugurated under the rule of Queen Joan I in 1368. In 1623, it was further expanded and became, under the direction of architect Cosimo Fanzago, essentially the structure one sees today. In the early 19th century, under French rule the monastery was closed and was abandoned by the religious order. Today, the buildings house a museum with a display of Spanish and Bourbon era artifacts, as well as displays of the presepe (Nativity scene) considered to be among the finest in the world.  
  • 40.839414.2300514 Villa Floridiana and Museo Nazionale della ceramica Duca di Martina (bus 128 to "Falcone"). A large, quiet park with beautiful panoramic views, surrounds a neoclassical villa which hosts a large ceramic collection from different parts of the world.  
  • 40.834914.233515 Villa Pignatelli (Parco Margherita  Chiaia , then walk a few blocks.). A former luxurious residence and a small park. Also a quite interesting museum of horse carriage vehicles and other horse equipment.  
• 40.810214.202416 Posillipo (Mergellina  2 ; then walk downhill to Via Mergellina and take bus 140). (Pusìlleco in Neapolitan) A district of Naples on the northwestern part of the town. The Greeks first named this place Pausílypon (meaning "respite from worry") due to the enchanting calm of the shore. There are Roman ruins at water's edge, remains of the residence of Vedius Pollio. The area contains some notable historical buildings and landmarks. Among these is the Palazzo Donn'Anna and Villa Rosebery, the Italian President's residence during his stays in Naples.  
• 40.83844114.24948217 Galleria Umberto I (Municipio  1 ). A public shopping gallery that is directly across from the San Carlo opera house. It was designed by Emanuele Rocco, who employed modern architectural elements reminiscent of the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. The Galleria was meant to combine businesses, shops, cafes and social life — public space — with private space in the apartments on the third floor.  
• Subterranean archeological excavations are a quite popular sight, with not too distinctive names.
  • The following two are 100 m apart on the same street intersection. They are showing different parts of the ancient city structures underneath the current street level, both take about 1½ hr:
    • 40.8512714.2567118 Napoli Sotteranea. Shows former stone quarries, used the city buildings, transformed later to water distribution network, garbage disposal pits and finally a war shelter. You will visit several larger and smaller areas connected by narrow paths - beware if you are claustrophobic! In addition, the tour shows remains of the nearby Greco-Roman theatre, where Nero (supposedly) made his artistic debut. (updated May 2017)
    • 40.8506614.2576719 Neapolis Sotterrata. Presents ruins of a former Roman market - shops and the like. In addition, entrance to the surrounding museum and chapels is included. (updated May 2017)
  • Near Piazza del Plebiscito, another two are available:
    • 40.8368914.2485120 Napoli sotterranea (Bar Gambrinus at Trieste e Trento square.). Shows the labyrinth of tunnels, tanks and cavities and takes about 1 hr. (updated Jul 2017)
    • 40.835414.246321 Galleria Borbonica, Vico del Grottone, 4/Via D. Morelli, 61, ☏ +39 081 764 5808, [email protected]. A tour of an old tunnel that connects the palace to military barracks, used as a bomb shelter in World War II. (updated Jul 2017)

      

• Unique early Christian underground cemeteries (catacombs) behind the former city walls are near the Capodimonte – they are completely different, but both quite interesting. One entrance (€9) is valid for both (for up to a year).
  • 40.8641814.24762422 Catacombe di San Gennaro (Take bus to Capodimonte e.g. from Museo.). M-Sa 10:00-17:00 (last admission), Su 10:00-14:00. An extensive, two floor catacombs area restored and maintained by a few dozen local-patriots. Misc. tombs, frescoes, mosaics, etc., are shown. (updated May 2017)
  • 40.859914.24923 Catacombe di San Gaudioso (On the way to San Gennaro, jump off at the bridge and take elevator in the middle of it. Also possible to exit right from the San Gennaro chapel and walk down the street.). 10:00-13:00 (last admission). A catacombe area where macabre ritual of "draining" was performed. A few remains of skulls in the walls, parts of skeletons and wall paintings are shown. Also the history of the "upstairs" church is shortly showcased. (updated May 2017)
• 40.83008314.21772124 Tomb of Virgil, Parco Vergiliano (Mergellina  2 ). One of the greatest Latin poets, author of the Aeneid.  
• Metro stations. All (or most) stations contain some works of contemporary art from many artists - and/or striking architecture. Among the most interesting ones are Universitá and Toledo. The metro buildings won the prize for the "Most Innovative Approach to Station Development" at Metros 2009, and in 2012, the Toledo  1  station was elected as the "Europe's most impressive" by the British newspaper The Daily Telegraph for its remarkable artistic value. (updated May 2017)
• 40.8543314.2654425 Porta Capuana, Piazza Enrico de Nicola (in front of Castel Capuano). Ancient city gate built in 1484, during the Aragonese rule, it represents one of the few visible remains of the medieval walls of Naples. It consists of an arch of white marble decorated with various bas-reliefs, between two impressing cylindrical towers made of igneous rock. During the first half of 20th century the square around the gate was a meeting point for artists and intellectuals. (updated Jun 2018)
• 40.8296714.25008126 Fontana del Gigante (Fountain of the Giant), Via Partenope (promenade corner). One of the most beautiful fountains of the city, made in the beginning of 17th century by Pietro Bernini, father of the more famous Gian Lorenzo. It was originally located beside the Royal Palace, close to the statue of a giant and then moved on the promenade. It is composed of three round arches topped by coat of arms and decorated by various statues. (updated Jul 2018)

• 40.85337814.25048627 Naples National Archeological Museum (Museo archeologico nazionale di Napoli, MANN), Piazza Museo, 19 (Museo  1  2 , Cavour  2 ), ☏ +39 081 442 2149. W-M 09:00-19:30. The most important Italian archaeological museum about Roman civilization, it contains a large collection of Roman artifacts from Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum. The collection includes works of the highest quality produced in Greek, Roman and Renaissance times. €22, free on the first Sunday of month.  
• 40.86700614.25053328 Royal Palace and National Museum of Capodimonte, Via Miano, 2, ☏ +39 81 749 9111. 08:30-19:30. Hosts paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries, including major works by Simone Martini, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Masaccio, Sandro Botticelli, Lorenzo Lotto, Giovanni Bellini, Giorgio Vasari, El Greco, Jacob Philipp Hackert. It also hosts the works of the most important Neapolitan painters, like Jusepe de Ribera, Luca Giordano, the Neapolitan Caravaggisti. €10 for adult, €2 for UE citizens aged 18-25, €6.50 after 14:00. (updated Sep 2022)
• 40.85533814.25865529 Museum of Contemporary Art Donnaregina (MADRE), Via Luigi Settembrini, 79 (Cavour  2 ), ☏ +39 081 197 37254, [email protected]. M W-Sa 10:00-19:30, Su 10:00-20:00. Very nice museum for contemporary art, with a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. €7, free entry on Mondays.  
• 40.8490114.260730 Museo Civico Filangieri, Via Duomo, 288. Large collection of artworks, coins, and books donated to the city by Prince Gaetano Filangieri. (updated May 2017)
• 40.85188414.2583931 Complesso monumentale dei Girolamini, Via Duomo, 142. Ecclesiastic complex comprising a gallery of paintings, a cloister, a library of thousands of ancient manuscripts, and a baroque church. €5 with reductions, free on first Sunday of the month. (updated May 2017)
• 40.836814.236932 Palazzo delle Arti (PAN), Via dei Mille, 60 (Piazza Amedeo  2 ), ☏ +39 081 795 8651, [email protected]. M W-Sa 09:30-19:30, Su 09:30-14:30. A civic museum born as a public exhibition center for the civic collections of arts, and to host art and culture events organized by the City of Naples. Free entry. (updated May 2017)
• 40.821714.320533 National railway Museum of Pietrarsa (Museo nazionale ferroviario di Pietrarsa), Via Pietrarsa (Pietrarsa-S. Giorgio a Cremano FS station), ☏ +39 081 472 003, [email protected]. A museum housed in the ancient 19th century's Bourbon Factories, along the route of the first railway in Italy: the Napoli-Portici line. Here is possible to admire a large variety of rolling stock like steam locomotives and different periods' carriages. (updated Jun 2018)
• 40.85352314.25554934 Museo Universitario delle Scienze e delle Arti (MUSA), Via Luciano Armanni, 5 (Cavour  2 ), ☏ +39 081 566 7747, [email protected]. Tu-F 10:00-13:00. One of the most ancient Anatomy museums of Europe, located in the religious complex of Santa Patrizia, where is possible to discover this fascinating context in the sections of anatomy, pharmacology, stomatology, bibliography and art. You will be guided thanks to the official app for mobile. (updated Jun 2018)

• 40.8361914.24956535 Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), Piazza del Plebiscito (Municipio  1 ), ☏ +39 081 580 8111, [email protected]. Tu-Su 09:00-20:00. One of the four residences used by the Bourbon Kings of Naples during their rule of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies (1730-1860). The Royal Palace is on the site of an earlier building meant to host King Philip III of Spain, who however never made the trip. The architect chosen for that palace was Domenico Fontana. The building was put up on the site of an even older Spanish viceroyal residence from the early 16th century. The 17th-century palace visible today is the result of numerous additions and changes, including some by Luigi Vanvitelli in the mid-18th century and then by Gaetano Genovese.  
• 40.86346514.2654636 Albergo dei Poveri (Bourbon Hospice for the Poor), Piazza Carlo III. M-F 09:00-22:00, Sa 09:00-13:00. A former public hospital/almshouse. It was designed by the architect Ferdinando Fuga, and construction was started in 1751. It is five storeys tall and about 300 m long. It was popularly known as "Palazzo Fuga". King Charles III of the House of Bourbon meant the facility to house the destitute and ill, as well as to provide a self-sufficient community where the poor would live and work. The building was designed with five courtyards and a church in the centre, but only the three innermost courtyards were built, and plans to complete the building according to the original design were finally abandoned in 1819. It is no longer a hospital, and has suffered much from neglect and earthquakes. The centre behind the entrance is now used for exhibitions, conferences, and concerts.  
• 40.856814.254437 Palazzo dello Spagnolo (Palace of the Spaniard), Via Vergini, 19 (Cavour  2 ). A late-baroque palace built in 1738 in Rione Sanità, famous for its monumental courtyard staircases with arches in shifting places. (updated Jun 2018)
• 40.839714.248638 Palazzo Zevallos (Palazzo Colonna di Stigliano), Via Toledo, 185 (Municipio  1 ), toll-free: +39 800 454 229, [email protected]. Tu-F 10:00-18:00, Sa Su 10:00-20:00. Elegant palace built in 1639 by the noble Spanish family Zevallos. It houses a rich art gallery comprising sculptures and paintings from 17th to 19th century, some of them realized by artists of the School of Posillipo. €12 full; €3 reduced. (updated Jun 2018)
• 40.84823314.25501539 Palazzo di Sangro di Casacalenda, Piazza San Domenico Maggiore. 09:00-18:00. 3-stores palace built during the second half of 18th century by the architect Mario Gioffredo. The internal courtyard was designed by Luigi Vanvitelli and features a four-arch portico and Doric order lesenes. (updated Jun 2018)
• 40.83654414.24034640 Palazzo Mannajuolo, Via Gaetano Filangieri, 37 (Piazza Amedeo  2 ). Art Nouveau residential building built in 1911, with an impressive ellipsoidal staircase in marble. The palace is a condo and it is possible to have a look inside asking the doorman (updated Jun 2018)

Enjoy classical music in the Neapolitan temple of opera, or other performances such as musicals, comedies and actors' exhibitions in one of the theatres in the historic centre.

• 40.837514.2494441 Real Teatro San Carlo (Royal Theatre of Saint Charles), Via San Carlo, 98/F (Municipio  1 ; beside the Royal Palace.), ☏ +39 081 797 2331, [email protected]. M-Sa 10:00-17:30, Su 10:00-14:00. Founded in 1737, is the oldest continuously active opera house in Europe. In the 18th century, Naples was the capital of European music, and even foreign composers like Hasse, Haydn, Johann Christian Bach and Gluck considered the performance of their compositions at the San Carlo theatre as the goal of their career. Two main Italian opera composers, Gioacchino Rossini and Gaetano Donizetti, were artistic directors of the San Carlo for many years. Other prominent opera composers, like Vincenzo Bellini, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Pietro Mascagni, and Leoncavallo, staged here the very first productions of their works (like for example the famous Lucia di Lammermoor by Donizetti).  
• 40.85114.2508352 Teatro Bellini (Bellini Theatre), Via Conte di Ruvo, 14 (Museo  1  2 ; two blocks south of National Archaeological Museum), ☏ +39 081 549 1266, [email protected]. 10:30-13:30, 16:00-19:00. Built in 1878 and named after the Sicilian composer Vincenzo Bellini, the Bellini Theatre hosted prestigious events such as operas for almost a century. In 1960s a period of decline started for the structure, that became a sort of cheap movie cinema, away from the splendor of its origins. In 1986 the theatre was restored and reopened two years later, starting a lucky phase that lasts even today. (updated Jun 2018)
• 40.838914.24773 Teatro Augusteo, Piazzetta Duca d'Aosta (Augusteo  Centrale ; in front of Galleria Umberto I), ☏ +39 081 414 243, [email protected]. A theatre designed by Pier Luigi Nervi in 1929 and built inside a 18th-century noble palace, along the central Via Toledo. The structure was closed during World War II and reopened during 1950s as a cinema, until it was finally restored in 1992 to resume its status of elegant theatre. It now has a seating capacity of 1,420 and hosted the performances of famous actors and musicians like Bruce Springsteen. From €34.5 to €46. (updated Jun 2018)

• 40.79166714.1869444 Underwater Park of Gaiola (Parco Sommerso di Gaiola), Discesa Gaiola, ☏ +39 081 240 3235, [email protected]. winter daily 10:00-14:00, summer Tu-Su 10:00-16:00. Diving, snorkelling or trip on glass-bottomed boat "Aquavision" in the marine protected area of the minor island of Gaiola, off Posillipo elegant quarter. Just choose your favourite way to discover this stretch of coastline and the surprising abundance of coloured marine life beneath the limpid waters of the Gulf. Various options are available on the official site. (updated Jun 2018)
• Centro Sub Campi Flegrei, [email protected]. A 5*IDC diving centre offering diving and snorkelling in the Gulf of Naples, around the Phlegraean islands and within the underwater Archaeological Park of Baiae (the so-called submerged Pompeii!) Open all year. 
• 40.8670614.2395335 Accordi @ Disaccordi - International Short Film Festival, Viale del Poggio di Capodimonte, ☏ +39 081 549 1838, [email protected]. 21:10. If you are in Naples during the summer, you can experience the cinema beneath the stars on warm nights, in an amphiteatre equipped with one of the widest projection screens in Italy which rises having an artificial lake all around. €5 per day.  
• 40.80817714.1594946 Pontile di Bagnoli, Via Coroglio, 28-30 (Bagnoli  Cumana ). 08:00-19:00. A walk of 900 m (½ mile) suspended on the waters of the Gulf of Pozzuoli, along a concrete pier built in 1962 to serve a former steel mill, closed in 1993 and now dismantled. Enjoy a relaxing stroll surrounded by the stunning view of Cape Miseno and the islands of Nisida, Ischia and Procida. Free. (updated Jun 2018)
• Walk from Piazza del Plebiscito to Castel dell'Ovo along the balcony of 40.83360414.2518497 Via Cesario Console and enjoy the view over the Royal Palace, cruise ships docked, Mount Vesuvius and the Sorrento peninsula.
• Step away from the chaotic downtown and walk along the paths of 40.83260514.2378898 Villa Comunale , a large public garden in front of the long promenade of 40.83174314.2399939 Via Caracciolo, decorated with statues and fountains, and surrounded by palms, stone pines and lime trees.
• Take the C31 or 140 bus and reach 40.79917514.17952810 Parco Virgiliano , a panoramic public garden in Posillipo with a truly stunning view.
• Watch football i.e. soccer at SSC Napoli, who play in Serie A, the top tier of Italian football, and clinched the 2022–23 scudetto (league title) with five matches to spare. Their home ground is Stadio Diego Armando Maradona (historically Stadio San Paolo), capacity 54,726, 5 km west of city centre: take metro to Cavalleggeri Aosta.