10 Romantic THINGS TO DO IN NAPLES ITALY Ideas

Naples Italy

Naples is the third-largest city in Italy, after Rome and Milan. Founded by Greeks in the first millennium BC, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban areas in the world. Naples’ historic city center is the largest in Europe and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A wide range of culturally and historically significant sites are nearby, including the Palace of Caserta and the Roman ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Naples is also known for its natural beauties, such as Posillipo, Phlegraean Fields, Nisida, and Vesuvius.  Naples is one of the most ancient cities in Europe, whose contemporary urban fabric preserves the elements of its long and eventful history. From the Middle Ages to the 18th century, Naples was a focal point in terms of art and architecture, expressed in its ancient forts, royal ensembles, palaces, and churches sponsored by noble families.

Geography Naples Italy

The city is situated on the Gulf of Naples, on the western coast of southern Italy, and rises from sea level to an elevation of 450 meters. Naples Italy lies between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei. The islands of Procida, Capri, and Ischia can all be reached from Naples by hydrofoils and ferries. Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast are situated south of the city. Naples Italy is one of the main Italian tourist destinations. The city has completely emerged from the strong tourist depression of past decades.  Daily visits to Naples are carried out by various Roman tour operators and by all the main tourist resorts of Campania.

Naples Italy Map

The Map shows a city map of Naples with main roads and streets, Naples Capodichino Airport is located about 5 km by road north-northeast of the city. The city is located in southwest Italy on the coast by the Gulf of Naples. Mount Vesuvius which is about 9 kilometers east of Naples, the active stratovolcano dominates the city’s panorama. Map of Italy shows the volcanic islands of Ischia and Procida and the island of Capri, all very popular tourist destinations in the region.

The best things to do in Naples Italy

Naples is situated on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, with Mount Vesuvius towering in the distance. The City is home to an incredible wealth of art and architecture. Like Ancient Greek wall fortifications, a Roman-era theatre and a Norman castle testify to its long, rich history. Charming UNESCO-designated historical centers, baroque churches, splendid piazzas, and charming cafes all are extraordinary. Rome is the heart of Italy, but Naples is its soul. These are the best things to do in Naples Italy.

Stroll Spaccanapoli, Naples

Spaccanapoli or Naples Splitter a narrow street that traverses Naples’s Centro Storico. Spaccanapoli is the vibrant heart of this irresistible city. Visitors will find some of the city’s most famous churches along this Unesco World Heritage designated street, including the circa 1470 Chiesa del Gesu Nuovo and the Cappella Sansevero, renowned for its marble sculpture Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino.

Take a slice of pizza in the city

Eating The delicious aroma of freshly baked Pizza through the air in Naples, where pizza was born is the best thing to do in Naples Italy. Resident Raffaele Esposito is often credited with creating the first Pizza Margherita to commemorate the 1889 visit of the Italian queen of the same name though local street vendors had been peddling wood-oven-baked flatbreads with toppings long before then. Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo is one of the best in the city, thanks to its focus on organic ingredients and local produce from the surrounding Campania region.

Climb to the Summit of Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius is the active volcano that towers over the Bay of Naples. It was responsible for destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 CE. The best way to experience Mount Vesuvius is to hike to the summit along the “Gran Cono” Trail. The trail will take you about 20 minutes to hike from the base to the summit, where spectacular views of the Bay of Naples and the volcanic crater await. Mount Vesuvius has been a National Park since 1995. It has become an interesting spot for tourists and hiking along the narrow path to the crater is pretty safe too. Climbing this angry mountain is the best thing to do in Naples Italy considering the astonishing view of the Bay of Naples, some of the Apennine mountains, and a large part of the Amalfi Coast from the top.

Pompeii & Herculaneum

Pompeii and Herculaneum are archaeological sites in Naples. The ancient city is 2,000 years old. Archaeologists have unearthed these legendary places from the ashes of Mount Vesuvius’ explosion centuries ago. These findings have given us remarkable insights into the civilizations that might even surprise you. Walking through ancient cobblestoned roads, and exploring old homes, temples, shops, civic buildings, and public spaces are simply amazing.

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Castel Nuovo and Castel dell’Ovo

There are seven castles in the city and Naples used to be referred to as the “city of the seven castles” since it was the only place in the world to have so many castles. The two Castel Nuovo and Castel Dell Ovo are spectacular. Built-in 1279 for the Aragon and Spanish rulers, Castel Nuovo is one of the most scenic and recognizable architectural buildings in Naples. This imposing fortress with its isolating moat and rook-like structures adorning its facades. The castle houses the Civic Museum and the library of the Neapolitan Society of Homeland History. People especially are drawn to the frescoes of renowned Late Middle Ages painter Giotto di Bondone.  Castel dell Ovo, or Egg Castle, is the oldest castle in Naples. Its waterfront location, looking out to the Bay of Naples, has offered safety to the Greeks and Romans who first built the fortification. The castle is also known as Naples’s seafront “Egg Castle”.

Gaiola Island

Gaiola is a small, beautiful, and perhaps cursed island off the coast of Posillipo in Naples. The site is quite interesting to behold there’s a sliver of a stone arch that connects two huge rocks that make up the island. The island is government property. Check out this unique island from the coastline, or boat, swim, scuba dive, or snorkel at the nearby Gaiola Underwater Park, a marine protected area.

Napoli Sotterranea

Naples lies a vast geothermal zone composed of tuff, a volcanic rock. Over the last two centuries, extensive caves and tunnels have been carved out of the tuff, forming a shadow city obscured below the ground. The 450-kilometer subterranean network was formed by the Greeks in the fourth century BC to build Neapolis, or “New City.” The Romans later used the chambers and pathways to build aqueducts that provided water for many centuries of Neapolitans. As the centuries passed, buildings were constructed on top of the previous ancient infrastructure, and the remains of these structures were hidden deep below the city.

Lungomare Caracciolo in Naples

Lungomare Caracciolo’s coastline is beautiful, which gives you a fantastic panoramic view of the city of Naples. On the left side of the Lungomare, one can find the castle, on the right side you will find the heart of Lungomare Caracciolo, namely ‘Villa Comunale’. This is a large green area where visitors can relax, sit on a bench, and where children can play openly and freely. The promenade of the Lungomare Caracciolo stretches along the coast of Naples. Borgo Marinaio Harbour and the famous castle Castel dell Ovo are the best places to see here. In particular, the area around Castel dell Ovo is the area where you should take an evening stroll during your city trip to Naples.

Via Toledo-Fashion Street Shopping

Naples is a shopping paradise for visitors. Its street markets display the latest trends- Clothes and shoes, antiques and handicrafts, cribs and souvenirs, visitors can shop for anything. The best places you can go for street shopping are Via Toledo, Via Chiaia, Via Dei Mille, and Via San Gregorio Armeno. Via Toledo is the longest shopping street in Naples. There are boutiques, cafes, and department stores, and Shopping in this amazing place is the best thing to do in Naples Italy.

Funicular Ride – World’s Longest

If you are a traveler at heart you would know that journies are far more interesting than the destination. And what is better than traveling to your destination using local transport? Maples has the longest funicular lines in the world and carries over 10 million passengers every year. Naples Cable Railway Lines, I Funicolari, operates four-car cable lines in the city with the Vomero and Posillipo hill districts. The funicular journey around the city and up and down the hill is a joy ride for tourists. This is one of the unmissable things to do in Naples, Italy.

Naples Italy Weather

In Naples, the summers are short, warm, dry, and mostly clear and the winters are long, cold, wet, and partly cloudy. Over the year, the temperature typically varies from 42°F to 86°F and is rarely below 35°F or above 92°F. The best time of year to visit Naples for hot-weather activities is from late June to early September.

How to reach Naples Italy

Capodichino Airport is an International Airport in Naples, that has frequent service of connecting flights between Naples City and major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Chennai. City buses, narrow-gauge trains to the southeast and the west, or ferries and hydrofoils to all points around the bay is the best option to wander to Naples. Naples underground & overground railways and trams are the fastest way to get around parts of Greater Naples.