Naples Travel Guide Travel Guides > Italy > Naples Curation by Jamie McGhee, words by Ian PackhamNaples has it all – layer upon layer of history, dedicated fashionistas cruising on Vespas through sun-drenched piazzas, simple but sublime cuisine, and, of course, UNESCO certification as the birthplace of pizza. Italy’s third-largest city has come a long way from its staunchly Catholic traditions. Since 1996, Napoli Pride has been the party to end all parties, and same-sex couples do not faze younger Neapolitans. That said, outside of areas known for flying the rainbow flag, public demonstrations of affection between men is still rare and could raise the eyebrow of the odd passing nonna. For everything you want to know about the city, check out Mr Hudson’s Naples gay travel guide. Fancy a trip? Save yourself days of research by having us plan it for you. Discover Trip Design Hotels Things to do Things to see Food & Drink Shopping Nightlife Trip Design The best hotels in NaplesThe perfect location of ROMEO hotel, opposite the ferry terminal to the islands of Capri and Ischia, two major Naples points of interest, also provides guests with stunning rooftop pool views over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius beyond. Its spacious rooms are as stylish inside as the modern edifice is outside, emphasizing natural materials such as wood and Tramontano leather. A stay at the ROMEO hotel also includes complimentary use of the 1000m2 spa, with its hot tubs, saunas, and modern gym equipment. A short distance along the bayside, and with equally fine sea views, you’ll find Grand Hotel Vesuvio. The rooftop pool overlooks the ancient Castel dell’Ovo, whose breathtakingly grandiose interior of majestic chandeliers, jardinières, and polished hardwood have to vie for attention as a result. Nearby La Ciliegina Lifestyle Hotel has a similar list of features, with a rooftop terrace complete with hot tub rather than the pool, and an interior decoration scheme with the lightest of touches. White, airy rooms are finished with floral feature materials and exquisite marble bathrooms.The edifice of Hotel Il Convento dates back to the seventeenth century, and is the basis for one of Naples’ more tranquil stays; the convent of Santa Maria Francesca is right next door. However, the boutique stores of Via Toledo are just a couple of minutes’ stroll away, and each room has its own private balcony from which to admire this vibrant city. A little further away from the heart of Naples, midway between Sorrento and Pompeii, is Capo la Gala. Taking its cue from its surrounds, the design has a definite, but subtle, nautical theme. Together with the local limestone from which the hotel is constructed, this styling helps Capo la Gala blend effortlessly into its surroundings. Its features include a large outdoor swimming pool and spa, though it’s the endless seascapes that will stick in your memory the longest. ROMEO hotel | Photo: Kenzo Tange Architects ROMEO hotel | Photo: Kenzo Tange ArchitectsiRecommended hotels in Naples Hotels - Naples ROMEO hotel Created by Kenzo Tange and Associates, the Romeo is opposite the ferry port for Capri and Ischia. The hotel features stylish rooms, a rooftop pool overlooking Naples Harbour, and a modern spa. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Naples La Ciliegina Lifestyle Hotel La Ciliegina features a rooftop terrace with hot tub and sun loungers. From here you have panoramic views of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Castel Nuovo castle is 300 m away. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Naples Hotel Il Convento Set in Naples’ most historic district, Hotel Il Convento is housed in an ancient building, dating back to the 17th century. Experience a quieter side of Naples in this neighbourhood. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Naples Grand Hotel Vesuvio Located right on the seafront, the prestigious Grand Hotel Vesuvio overlooks the Gulf of Naples, the island of Capri and Mount Vesuvius. This hotel features a luxury indoor pool, fitness centre. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Naples Capo la Gala Hotel&Spa Halfway between Pompeii and Sorrento in the Bay of Naples, Hotel Capo La Gala offers a large outdoor swimming pool and a small hydromassage pool. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Naples Il Tesoro Smart Suite & SPA Guests at Il Tesoro Smart Suite & SPA can enjoy an Italian breakfast. Popular points of interest include National Archeological Museum, San Gregorio Armeno and Catacombs of Saint Gaudioso. Book on Booking.com Hotels - Naples Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments Set in a 16th-century building, Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments is in Naples’ historical centre, 300 m from Dante Metro. The uniquely decorated rooms combine modern design and artistic elements. Book on Booking.com Explore more places to stay like this in Naples View on Booking.comPowered by Booking.com Photo: Montse MonmoThings to do in NaplesWith close to 3,000 years of history under its belt, ‘what to do in Naples’ isn’t a question you’ll be asking for long. You don’t have to be an opera buff to enjoy a visit to Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest working opera house in the world. Its gilded auditorium and painted ceilings date back to 1737 and can be enjoyed on a guided tour if the opera and ballet seasons aren’t in full swing. Perhaps an even more impressive structure is Palazzo Reale, the royal palace begun in 1600 for Philip III of Spain, King of Naples, which takes up the entire length of Piazza del Plebiscito. Ironically, he never visited this part of his empire, but the palace remained in royal hands for centuries, and as a result, boasts an unparalleled collection of baroque and neoclassical masterpieces. It also houses the National Library’s collection of 1,800 papyri entombed when Vesuvius blew its top in AD79. Still officially an active, though dormant, volcano, Mount Vesuvius National Park offers an incredible insight into the brooding volcano’s effect on its environment. The main draw is undoubtedly the large crater, an easy enough stroll away (with glasses of wine available at the summit), although hardened trekkers won’t be able to resist the park’s jagged hiking trails.If looking down into the depths of the earth has got you interested in all things subterranean, you shouldn’t miss Naples Underground. It’s a journey that takes you 40 metres below the city and right through its history, from its earliest Greek (rather than Italian) origins, to bomb shelters used to protect the civilian population during the Second World War. Exhibiting a stunning array of Greek sculpture is Museo di Capodimonte. Built specifically to house the elegant Farnese collection of marbles in the early eighteenth century, it now also vaunts one of Italy’s most important gallery spaces, a true A-Z of the art world from Botticelli to Warhol. If you prefer your art stencilled onto a wall rather than hanging in a gallery, check out Napoli Paint Stories, a tour led by local art historians to oft-overlooked areas of the city that have still managed to attract the attention of graffiti artists, from native Neapolitans to internationally recognised sprayers such as Banksy. Vesuvius | Photo: Nick Fewings Naples UndergroundiRecommended experiences in Naples Experiences - Naples Gomorrah-Themed Art and History Tour 4 hours Experiences - Naples Pompeii Ruins & Mount Vesuvius Day Tour 11 hours Experiences - Naples Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi Full-Day Tour 8 hours Experiences - Naples Pizza Making Workshop and Lunch 2 hours Experiences - Naples Vesuvius 4-Hour Wine Tasting Tour and Lunch from Naples 4 hours Explore more experiences like this in Naples Book on GetYourGuide.comPowered by GetYourGuide Vesuvius | Photo: Pieter Biesemans Going to Naples? The same team that brings you the content you love designs your perfect tripWhat to see in NaplesPiazza Bellini sits in the Centro Storico – the historic centre – of the city and acts as the perfect gateway to many of Naples’ things to do. Not only does this busy square incorporate elements of the original Greek settlement of Neapolis (or ‘new city’) into its current form, but it’s also a popular hangout for the city’s most bohemian residents. For instance, Piazza Bellini is just a short distance from two of Naples’ metro stations. This would perhaps be an odd thing to mention if it wasn’t for the metro’s ‘art stations’ initiative. If you have time to only visit one, make sure it’s Toledo, a Gaudi-esque extravaganza of a station designed by Spanish architects Oscar Tusquets Blanca. From underground, head under the waves; the waters around Isola della Gaiola on the western extreme of the Bay of Naples make for an idyllic spot to snorkel and scuba dive. Above the waves, the tiny, uninhabited isles contain intriguing ruins; these ruins form the perfect tranquil backdrop for you to picnic while taking in the romantic views back towards the city.Though largely unknown even to residents of the city, the Lucchesi Palli library is a bibliophile’s dream, containing 30,000 books in rooms decorated by the nineteenth century’s foremost artists. Wine connoisseurs might prefer instead to visit the grapes of Vigna di San Martino, an urban vineyard close to the hilltop defensive position of Castel Sant’Elmo. Vines have been grown here since 1368, and a visit is a great way to enjoy la dolce vita. Photo: David Kohler Galleria Umberto | Photo: Mahkeo For the past 200 years, Gran Caffè Gambrinus has been a popular haunt for those seeking to see and be seenWhere to eat in NaplesIt may be nearer neighbouring Sorrento than Naples, but the chefs at L’Accanto (in the Hotel Angiolieri) cook up cuisine so fine the restaurant’s been awarded a Michelin star. The classic Italianate terrace cultivates a pleasantly relaxed ambience in which to sample the kitchen’s Mediterranean inspired dishes. On the opposite side of the Sorrento peninsula, you’ll find Taverna del Capitano, a family-run restaurant with two Michelin stars to its name. The unassuming exterior leads into a refreshingly airy dining space whose menu of local favourites is served in new and ingenious ways. Sitting in fashionable Posillipo, Palazzo Petrucci offers diners an interior crafted by renowned designer Alfredo Galdi, a gourmet pizzeria, and an open plan kitchen with an à la carte menu – in addition to a wine list heralding more than 600 wines.However, one of the most imaginative of Neapolitan restaurants is Taverna Estia, which serves a choice of three degustation menus, each of which reinterprets the region’s traditional methodologies and recipes to create something completely new. As a result, you’ll find dishes such as risotto with lemon-vanilla jam, and clams in pistachio oil. Having served up pizza since 1870, there’s little doubt Pizzeria da Michele is more old-fashioned than Taverna Estia. Diners get a pick of just two authentically-cooked pizzas: the margherita or the marinara. Pizzeria da Michele is where locals and visitors come together like perhaps nowhere else in the city. Meanwhile, the social collective Salumeria Upnea is where food and art are brought together. Here you’ll find only the best of local produce used to make simple, flavoursome meals. Dine among contemporary artworks that frequently shine a light into corners of Naples not always observed by those taking in the more traditional Naples sightseeing destinations.With views towards the Palazzo Reale, Gran Caffè Gambrinus is one of the things to do in Naples. For the past 200 years, it has been a popular haunt for seeking to see and be seen. Its grand interior is a constant hive of activity perhaps best experienced at mid-morning when the whole city seems to stop for an expresso. Intra Moenia (Latin for ‘into the walls’) on Piazza Bellini is not just a café, but also a destination in its own right, with art decorating the walls, shelves of books to browse, and regular live events, all a stone’s throw from the city’s most important spots. Just south of Intra Moenia is Pulcinella Bistrò Ristorante, a quaint bistro on a graffitied side street that hides some truly exquisite dishes be it lunch or dinner. Beluga, Hotel Romeo Photo: Matteo VistoccoShopping in NaplesStyle is a way of life in Italy’s most important southern city—waiters in even the shabbiest of backstreet establishments look as though they are heading for the catwalk once their shift is over. The exquisite tailoring of the coats and jackets at Cesare Attolini dates back three generations of the Attolini family, with the eponymous Cesare making the then-radical decision to adopt the English tailoring he admired to southern Italy’s warmer climes. Offering a wider range of menswear is Eddy Monetti, a store with a strong ‘made in Italy’ emphasis, from their jackets and shirts, right down to their socks and belts. Elsewhere, Riot Concept Store is not only the city’s premier source for unique clothing but also a hub for Naples’ coolest residents, with its small café selling homemade pastries and freshly-prepared juices. Galleria 66 Concept Store promises a similarly vibrant array of clothing from small scale, local designers, you won’t find anywhere else.Chocolate lovers wondering what to see in Naples should look no further than Gallucci Chocolate Shop, a store that has supplied the city’s residents with the finest artisan truffles and pralines for close to one and a half centuries. It uses only the finest ingredients – almonds and pistachios from Sicily, hazelnuts from Piedmont, and cacao from South America and equatorial Africa. To further combine shopping with local colour, a visit to Via San Gregorio Armeno is a must. Perhaps better known as ‘Christmas Alley’, it’s here that artisans sit carving figures for the most extravagant nativity scenes you’re likely ever to see, though outside of the festive period you’ll also find numerous footballers and other celebrities in wooden form. Photo: Christelle Bourgeois The Antiquarian oozes with the atmosphere of a Prohibition-era speakeasyNaples nightlifeA welcoming café in which to relax amid the hubbub of Piazza Bellini in the Centro Storico, Bar Fiorillo is the centre of the Naples’ LGBTQ scene, whether you visit for that post-meal coffee and dessert, or something a little stronger as the evening progresses. Archeobar is an alternative nightspot particularly popular with students, where you can chat, read, or hang around for live music. Live events are also part and parcel of life at Otto Jazz Club, whose dimly-lit, cosy interior hosts Italy’s top jazz musicians, and whose drinks menu lists more than 200 cocktails. Meanwhile, The Antiquarian simply oozes with the atmosphere of a Prohibition-era speakeasy, while ensuring its cocktails are perfectly mixed each and every time by the multitalented bartenders. Macho Lato is probably Naples’ most popular gay club. Spread over two levels of dance spaces and breakout areas, it also features a rotating series of DJ sets. However, the straight-friendly gay night Criminal Candy, held at a range of venues around the city, is the biggest dance event for Naples’ LGBTQ community. Photo: Kyryll Ushakov Photo: Paul Thomas Custom Trip PlanningGo on that fabulous vacation you deserve even when you lack time to plan it yourselfFrom $35 Plan my trip Special SelectionExclusive Mr Hudson offersOut now from gestaltenMr Hudson Explores Browse the Book share ROMEO hotel | Photo: Kenzo Tange Architects Photo: Samuel C. Photo: Sandra Kaas Photo: Rahul Chakraborty Photo: Art. Paola Photo: M. V. Photo: Bertrand Gabioud Photo: Laurent Gence Vesuvius and Pompeii | Photo: Andy HolmesDid you enjoy this article? Then sign up for our newsletterDid you enjoy this article? The same team that curates our content designs your perfect trip Explore more La Cucina Sabina; a culinary adventure in the cradle of cultureLa Cucina Sabina marries a few of every gentleman’s favourites: cooking and culture, which Italy naturally has ample supply of. Read story > 10 day Italy itinerary – how to plan your dream Italy vacationThere’s a reason a vacation in Italy is a bucket list experience. Nowhere else do world-renowned ancient structures sit among stunning landscapes of mountains and seas, the cities ooze romance and interest, and the warm climate provides the perfect excuse for yet another scoop of creamy gelato. Read story > Enjoy the 10 very best Roman museumsThe city break that’s always a good idea, Rome calls us back time and time again with its bounty of ancient history, architecture and world culture, all graciously crammed within its fortified city walls. Discover the 10 very best Roman museums with Mr Hudson. Read story > Subscribe to our newsletterYou can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. CookiesWe use cookies to offer you a better experience. By continuing to use this website, you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.Accept