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Naples is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Its historical, artistic and architectural heritage is nothing short of unique, so much so that it is defined by the BBC as the Italian city with too much history to manage.
And, to tell the truth, it’s really true.
Its beauties are really too many. Each corner offers a gem, sometimes hidden. And it will not be enough to look in front of you, or with your nose upwards: you will even have to go down under the urban fabric, to admire, for example, the spectacular catacombs of San Gennaro and Naples Underground.
Impossible to say what to see in Naples in a weekend. It would be difficult to do this even for a 7 day vacation.
The historic center alone, among the largest in all of Europe, would require an authentic tour de force.
And if you wanted to add a visit to the surroundings (Capri, Herculaneum, Pompeii just to name a few), it would become even more complicated.
Naples is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Despite the thousand contradictions. And there are so many. But then, in the end, you still end up falling in love with it.
WHAT TO SEE IN NAPLES
THE HISTORICAL CENTER
The starting point of what to see in Naples can only start from its immense historic center.
While limiting the list to places included in the UNESCO world heritage, it is really impossible to list them all.
The San Severo Chapel, with the Veiled Christ, alone could be worth a visit to Naples. Around it, however, you can admire some truly fascinating and evocative places: from Piazza del Gesù to San Domenico Maggiore, passing through the Complex of Santa Chiara, the Cathedral and Underground Naples.
From this link the main places not to be missed in the historic center of Naples.
PIAZZA PLEBISCITO AND ROYAL PALACE
Piazza Plebiscito is the symbol of the city and the rebirth of an entire people.
Free from cars, traffic and traffic jams, the square today shows itself in all its majesty and beauty.
A meeting place for tourists and Neapolitans, it is the crossroads of some of the places not to be missed on what to see in Naples.
The square is dominated by the presence of the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola and, on the opposite side, by the gray and red mass of the Royal Palace.
The Pantheon-style Royal Basilica is truly beautiful, and houses remarkable sculptures and paintings inside.
The neoclassical colonnade is beautiful.
Not to be missed, not only for free admission, it is generally open from Monday to Sunday from 08:30 to 19:30.
Until the sixteenth century, there was no place worthy of hosting a king in Naples.
Upon hearing of Philip III’s visit, it was decided to build a residence that could accommodate the royal guest (who, moreover, would no longer go as promised).
Royal Palace is a sumptuous 17th century residence, with majestic and opulent halls, sculptures and a theater. You can admire the splendid Royal Chapel and the Historic Apartment, with precious furnishings, tapestries, paintings and stuccos. The majestic staircase that gives access to the Royal apartment was defined by Montesquieu as the most beautiful in Europe!
Also beautiful are the Romantic Garden and the Hanging Garden, and the Bourbon Stables.
The Historic Apartment is open from Thursday to Tuesday, 9.00 – 20.00. Closed: Wednesday.
The Romantic Garden is open from May to September from 09:00 to 20. In the other periods, from 09:30 until sunset.
The ticket costs €10 for the Royal Apartment, museum and temporary exhibitions.
To visit the Hanging Garden, you pay an entrance ticket of €2.
Access to the Romantic Garden is FREE.
Photo ©, Mr. dale
Inaugurated in 1737, the San Carlo Theater is considered among the most beautiful in Europe, with a striking frescoed ceiling, and truly extraordinarily perfect acoustics.
Art and music in a truly wonderful place.
It can be visited through a guided tour, at a cost of €9 (reservation required).
THE WAYS OF SHOPPING
From Piazza del Plebiscito you cross two of the most important shopping streets in Naples.
Via Chiaia is one of the most elegant streets in Naples, with suggestive period buildings, designer shops, clubs, bars and restaurants.
Chains of shops, boutiques, historic buildings, bars, restaurants, pastry shops … all this characterizes Via Toledo, one of the most famous streets in the city, a must-see stop on what to see in Naples.
At the beginning of the street, almost in front of the Central funicular stop, you can admire the elegant Galleria Umberto I. Built at the end of the 19th century, in honor of Are Umberto I, it houses cafes, clubs and elegant shops.
METRO OF ART
In Naples, the Metro stations become … Art stations.
And so, before (or after) a ride on the metro, you will be able to admire the extraordinary museum-stations.
Toledo, in the street of the same name, is considered one of the most beautiful metro stations in Europe.
The station hosts Robert Wilson’s work “Relative light“. Suggestive plays of light, between blue and light blue, create a surprising effect to say the least.
Metro dell’arte is a fascinating journey that develops through the eyes of about 200 artists. Works that you can admire in Dante, Garibaldi, Museum, Municipio, Materdei and many other stations, between Line 1 and Line 6.
VIA CARACCIOLO AND MUNICIPAL VILLA
Photo ©, Baku
For some, it is the most beautiful waterfront in the world. Marvelous. Suggestive. Romantic. Enjoyable.
The Naples seafront is truly unique. With the frame of Castel dell’Ovo and on the horizon, the evocative islands of the Gulf.
Via Partenope and Via Caracciolo offer exciting views and postcard photos, which you will hardly see elsewhere.
Pure magic.
Via Partenope is a succession of luxurious hotels overlooking the sea and Castel dell’Ovo, in Borgo Marinari.
About the Castle, all the info from this link.
The long and pleasant walk between Via Partenope and Via Caracciolo leads to the Municipal Villa, a large green lung, ideal especially in summer to escape the heat.
The Naples Aquarium is housed in the municipal villa, which through its 19 tanks will introduce you to the biodiversity of the Mediterranean. A trip on what to see in Naples to do on holiday with your children.
The historic aquarium, inaugurated in 1874, is the first public aquarium in Italy.
Open Tuesday to Sunday from 09:00 to 14:00 and from 15:00 to 20:00.
THE VOMERO HILL AND SAN MARTINO
The wonderful San Martino Cherterhouse. The castle. And a view that absolutely leaves you breathless.
One of the absolutely unmissable places of what to see in Naples.
From the historic center, take the Montesanto funicular up to Morghen.
A 10-minute climb leads to the viewpoint.
The view sweeps across the city, Vesuvius and the gulf. To be admired during the day and at sunset: truly romantic.
With the Montesanto funicular (in operation from 07 to 22) you get to Morghen and, from the latter, in about 15 minutes on foot (uphill) you get to the Belvedere.
Sant’elmo Castle and San Martino Charterhouse dominate the open sea.
Photo ©, Hervé Simon
San Martino Charterhouse, the second oldest in Campania, was consecrated in 1368 and boasts about one hundred rooms, a courtyard, two churches, four chapels, and three cloisters.
In our opinion it represents one of the most beautiful places in the city, among the top places on what to see in Naples on vacation. Definitely worth visiting in combination with the nearby Sant’Elmo Castle.
In addition to the scenic location, the Charterhouse boasts the presence of marbles, stuccos, sculptures, excellent furnishings, frescoes and paintings. & Nbsp; An incredible artistic, historical and architectural heritage.
It houses the Museum of San Martino with Neapolitan sculptures and paintings from the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Cuciniello Nativity, absolutely not to be missed. A real piece of art, set up inside an artificial cave created in the kitchens of the Certosa. Truly a marvel!
Open every day, from Monday to Sunday, from 08:30 to 18.
The ticket costs €6.00 at full rate and €2.00 reduced.