Naples Italy
When to Go July and August are hot, with temperatures of 30C and above. If that’s too steamy, plan for spring and autumn when the days are lovely and warm, and there are fewer tourists.
Ask a local what they do in Naples and you would be forgiven for thinking all they do is party They’ll direct you with plenty of the gesticulating that is a local trait to the best restaurant, the best pizzeria, suggest a fun bar or lively club.
You’ll find them refuelling in street markets and seeking out places to escape all the people, motorbikes and cars that vie for space on the city’s small streets and narrow pavements. The botanic garden is a little oasis of calm in the centre of town head to Lungomare, a 1.5 mile pedestrianised promenade along the seafront for great views and green spaces.
Bourbon Tunnel
Helmets on because you’re going into vast underground tunnels dug in the mid 1850s that take you through a 17th century aqueduct, into a World War Two air raid shelter and past statues, cars and motorbikes dumped here after the war. Open Friday to Sunday, guided tours only.
Pompeii
You cannot come to Naples and miss the Roman city destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted in AD79. There are frescoes and mosaics, the casts of people who died, the remains of villas, bath houses, shops and temples. Hire a guide to help make sense of it all. Many say Herculaneum, destroyed by the same eruption, is better preserved. Do both if time allows.
Spaccanapoli
No trip to Naples is complete without a walk along this street, often called the soul of the city, which runs a mile through town past churches, grand palaces, pizzerias, pastry shops and narrow alleyways, and is packed with tourists and locals alike.
Cooking classes
A must for foodies. Take your pick from hands on lessons in how to make an authentic Neapolitan pizza or a market tour to buy ingredients before cooking up some local specialities and eating them of course. Classes last three to four hours.
Sorrento
The town sits on a cliff across the bay of Naples and is a must visit just for the views (although the free Limoncello tastings in the shops is another plus). There are trains and ferries from Naples.
Capri
Once the home of Roman Emperor Tiberius, the island today attracts celebrities, artists, writers and ferryloads of tourists seeking out the Blue Grotto and the views from the top of Monte Solare. Crossing time from Naples is 45 minutes by fast ferry.
Hotel Principe Napolit’amo
A good three star hotel in a former 16th century palace a short walk from the historic city centre and the ferries to Capri or Sorrento. napolitamo.it
Grand Hotel Vesuvio
One of the best hotels in Naples, Vesuvio combines tradition, luxury, five star service and a grand location, in a pedestrianised part of the waterfront with views over the Bay of Naples. vesuvio.it
Hotel San Francesco al Monte
The hotel is set in a 16th century convent and accessed via a funicular from the centre of town. The seventh floor has a pool, garden and views of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. sanfrancescoalmonte.it
Food & Drink
Food is never far from a Neapolitan’s thoughts, and no wonder. Not only did they give the world the tomato based Neapolitan ragu that we all know and love but the city was also the birthplace of the pizza.
Back in the day it was a cheap food for poor fishermen. The original marinara pizzas (after the Italian word for sailors, marinaio) were just a dough base, tomato sauce, olive oil, and garlic. Over the years, folk started adding cheese and the rest, as they say, is history. Typical Neapolitan pizzas these days have anchovies and olives. Check out Pizzeria Port’Alba (Via Port’Alba 18), which claims to be is the oldest pizzeria in the world.
Naples’ culinary favourites typically uses cheap ingredients to create good, affordable food. Pasta and Neapolitan sauce, of course, but also beans and black olives. Calamari, octopus and squid are also popular. Classic dishes include spaghetti alle vongole (clams) and pasta fazool, the local version of pasta and bean soup made with hot pepper and crushed pasta.
Naples is also said to be the birthplace of espresso coffee. Lacryma Christi wine is produced from grapes grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Limoncello is made with lemons from Sorrento. Beware. It’s stronger than it tastes!