‘Vedi Napoli e poi muori’, or ‘See Naples and die’: the often-heard Italian saying about Naples has been around for centuries and captures its essence to this very day. Home to a wealth of cultural and natural heritage, the streets of Italy’s third-largest city offer plenty to see, taste and cherish, long after you’ve returned home. Naples has quite a reputation for being loud, chaotic and a little rough around the edges — and proudly lives up to it. Using Naples as a base for exploring the breathtaking Amalfi coast, life in ancient Roman times preserved by the ruins of Pompeii or the idyllic islands of Campania is a great idea. But skipping this diva of a city altogether most certainly isn’t. Leave it to its scenic setting, drama-filled streets, laid out treasures and inimitable flavours to make your holiday in Naples truly unforgettable.
Fly to Naples, Italy for:
Watched over by Mount Vesuvius, Naples is the historic capital of southern Italy’s Campania region and one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Its story was started in the 7th century BC by the ancient Greeks, hijacked by the Romans, picked up by the Ostrogoths and chequered by the Lombards, Normans, Swabians, Spanish Habsburgs and Napoleon himself. The result is an enchanting backstory of magic eggs planted in castles, city-founder sirens, volcano-whisperer witches and of course, an enormous amount of cultural assets that tell of the thousand tales that is Naples. Soak up the city’s magical atmosphere on foot to make sure you don’t miss out on its main attraction: the warm, vivacious and unpretentious people who populate it.
Pizza margherita and beyond
Does one really need a food guide to the city that has single-handedly blessed the world with pizza? Hardly, but let us give you a few pointers anyway. For a truly memorable gastro-experience, head to Via dei Tribunali, a buzzing street in the historic centre of Naples. Taste Italy’s national treasure at Pizzeria Sorbillo, a family-run affair that serves up an equal amount of authentic Neapolitan pizza and atmosphere, drenched in the best marinara sauce you’ve ever had. Or head to Pizzeria Brandi, whose former owner, Raffaele Esposito, created the first ever pizza margherita in 1889 – for the Queen of Italy, Margherita of Savoy, no less. Even in Naples, there’s life beyond pizza, of course. Try traditional Neapolitan pasta with ragù at Tandem and clean your plate with la scarpetta like the locals do. Seafood-lovers will never want to leave this city, especially after having a generous serving of impepata di cozze, aka mussels with tomatoes, peppers and white wine. Don’t miss the absolute queen of local pastries, sfogliatella. Filled with ricotta cheese, vanilla and candied fruit, it’s best consumed with a steamy-hot espresso. Speaking of which: Neapolitans take coffee very seriously – and stronger than you might expect. Get your caffeine kick at the historic Gran Caffe Gambrinus at the corner of Piazza Plebiscito.
Cultural treasures, lost and found
Once you’ve got acquainted with the foodie side of Naples, get ready to treat your other senses, too. Visit any of the hundreds of historic churches scattered around Naples for soul-stirring religious art and architectural marvels. Stop by the Duomo, home to the crypt and the chapel of Naples’ patron saint, San Gennaro, or the church of Gesù Nuovo, a triumph of Neapolitan Baroque. Appreciators of art should devote an afternoon, or an entire day, to the National Archaeological Museum, home to an awe-inspiring collection of Graeco-Roman artefacts, the famed Farnese marbles and treasures from the lost cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The grandiose Bourbon palazzo, the Palace of Capodimonte is well worth visiting for its lavish interiors and medley of masterpieces by Raphael, Titian and Caravaggio. For a beautiful seaside view, squeeze in Castel dell’Ovo, where, legend says, the siren Parthenope washed ashore after leaping into the sea because she had failed to entice Ulysses. If you’re up for some outdoor entertainment, get lost in Naples’ biggest open-air theatre, its very streets. When it comes to streetlife, Quartieri Spagnoli puts on the biggest show. The city’s most authentic neighbourhood is bustling with cosy trattorias, zigzagging Vespas, heavy gesturing and a chaos that you can’t help but fall in love with.
A true shoppers' paradise
Emerge from the magnificent Toledo metro stop and stroll Via Toledo, the 12-km-long main shopping street for a low-key shopping experience. If upscale is more your thing, make your way to Chiaia and browse the hot-off-the-runway designs of the biggest names in Italian fashion, such as Valentino, Versace, Prada and, of course, Napoli-native Salvatore Ferragamo and Rubinacci. Immerse yourself in one of the city’s many mercati, or markets, for a sensory overload and great bargains. Hit Pignasecca for mouth-watering fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood and local delicacies or find your next favourite pair of boots at Poggioreale Market, aptly nicknamed the Shoe Alley. Neapolitans love a good night out. Spend an evening among them sipping a glass of wine or a shot of limoncello at Piazza Bellini, a hotspot for the young and beautiful crowds of Naples. Have a look at the remains of the 4th-century Greek city walls that had been hiding under the popular piazza until they were discovered in 1954. Piazza San Domenico Maggiore also has its fan base among locals of all ages, with bars and street-food places open until the small hours. Fancy leaving the swirling streets behind and watching the waves roll in instead? Naples’ Lungomare offers a plethora of lounge bars, eateries and, on select weekends, fairs and festivals.
Explore the capital of the south
Naples is called the capital of the south for a reason. The many wonders, natural and manmade, of the dreamy Campania region are all a stone’s throw away and make for great day trip destinations. Hop on a ferry and visit Capri, a tiny island on the south side of the Gulf of Naples, with jaw-dropping natural splendour and coveted retail hotspots. Not ready to give up island life just yet? A short boat ride away, Ischia awaits. The volcanic island seduces with healing thermal water, private beaches and endless pampering. For more postcard-worthy views, explore the coastal villages of Amalfi, Positano, Sorrento and Ravello. A 30-minute ride takes you to Italy’s answer to the Palace of Versailles. The Baroque palace in Caserta was built for the Bourbon king of Naples in the 18th century and still holds the record for being the world’s largest royal residence. Give in to the most alluring activities just outside Naples: look deep into the eye of the infamous Mount Vesuvius and enjoy the breathtaking views across the Gulf of Naples. Spend a day walking the haunting streets of the two Roman cities frozen in time, Pompeii and Herculaneum. Sit in Pompeii’s vast stone amphitheatre, be a guest in the House of the Faun and marvel at the fascinating stuccos of the Stabian baths.
Naples Airport
Naples International Airport, popularly known as Capodichino Airport, is the chief gateway to Naples and the Campania region; it is located just 5.9 km from the city within the Capodichino district. Despite the fact that the airport has a single terminal, both domestic and international flights effectively connect travellers to important European destinations and local attractions: Positano, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii. There is a shuttle that conveniently links the airport to key points in Naples, making it an excellent starting point to visit the region’s rich cultural and scenic highlights. There are several travel options to travel to and from Naples airport such as taxis, towncars and by bus.
FAQs for booking flights to Naples
How to get cheap flights to to Naples?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Naples flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Naples?
There’s practically no bad time to visit Naples but the periods between mid-April to mid-June and from September to early October are generally considered the best. Planning a beach holiday? Arrive between late June and mid-September.Typical of peninsular Italy and the Campania region, Naples’ climate is somewhere between coastline and continental and combines the best of both worlds. Winters are mild and rainy while summers resemble those of the north with plenty of hot, sunny days.
How to get from Naples Airport to Sorrento?
There are different ways to get from the airport to Sorrento. Getting there is possible by train, bus, taxi, car, town car, and shuttle. You can take the train from Napoli Centrale to Sorrento. The journey will take approximately 1 hour and 46 minutes.
For the cheapest travel option, you can take the bus from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi to Sorrento - Via Degli Aranci; it is going to take 2 hours and 28 minutes. Alternatively, you may use a taxi or drive yourself; the travel time will be around 53 minutes. Similarly, one can book a town car or shuttle service, whose travel time could lie between 53 minutes and 1 hour and 15 minutes. Of these choices, the most economical options are the bus and train, while the taxis and town cars will get you there in the least time.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Naples flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Naples flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
