Naples has a reputation problem. Visitors who have never been often picture chaos, traffic and danger. Visitors who have almost always become obsessive fans, returning again and again. Here are ten reasons why Naples deserves a much longer look.
1. The Pizza Is Just the Beginning
Yes, Neapolitan pizza is the best in the world. But Neapolitan cuisine goes far beyond pizza. Try the ragù napoletano, the pasta e fagioli, the fried street food of the Quartieri Spagnoli (cuoppo, frittatina di pasta, pizza fritta), and the sfogliatella pastries for breakfast.
2. The Archaeological Museum Is World-Class
The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli contains the most important collection of ancient Roman artefacts in the world — most of it excavated from Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Secret Cabinet alone is worth the entry fee.
3. Pompeii and Herculaneum Are Day Trips
Both ancient cities are easily accessible from Naples by the Circumvesuviana train. Herculaneum is smaller, better preserved and often less crowded than Pompeii.
4. The Underground City
Beneath Naples lies a labyrinthine network of tunnels, aqueducts and cisterns. The Napoli Sotterranea tour takes you 40 metres underground to explore passageways used as air-raid shelters in World War II.
5. It Is Genuinely Affordable
By Italian standards, Naples is remarkably cheap. A pizza and a beer costs less than €10. Espresso at the bar is still 80 cents in most places. Staying at Ostello Bello Naples puts you right in the heart of the city. Join the +BELLO Club for discounts on every stay.
6. The Music
Naples has one of the richest musical traditions in Italy. Live music spills out of bars in the Quartieri Spagnoli on most evenings.
7. The Street Art
The Quartieri Spagnoli and the Rione Sanità neighbourhood are covered in extraordinary murals of Maradona and other local heroes. The city feels like an open-air gallery.
8. The Islands Are Right There
Ferries depart regularly for Capri, Ischia and Procida — three of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean, all reachable as day trips
9. The Views From Posillipo
The Posillipo hill offers spectacular views of the Bay of Naples — Vesuvius in the background, Capri on the horizon, the city tumbling down to the water below.
10. The People
Neapolitans have a reputation for warmth, generosity and expressiveness that is difficult to overstate. The general level of human interaction on the streets has an energy that is hard to find elsewhere in Europe. Don’t miss out on savings for your next visit. Sign up for the +BELLO Club here.
