Things to do in Naples

Basic Information

Naples (Napoli) is the capital of the Campania region of Italy. It has a population of over one million people and was one of the major cities of medieval Italy. Therefore it is home to world-class churches, palaces and museums.

Naples has a spectacular setting on the bay of Naples (Golfo di Napoli), with Mount Vesuvius looming in the distance.

Be sure to get a Campania Artecard starting at about 12 euro. This will give you admission (without having to wait in line) to the main museums and archaeological sites, along with other discounts. These cards can be purchased at the airport in Naples, the central train station, main hotels, most museums, or online at campania > artecard. You can buy a chargable card that allows you to choose between 11 cutural itineraries and one or more artistic events, or a 365 day card that allows entrance to all sites and monuments in Campania for one year.

History

As you walk through the historic district of Naples, you will see open-air stalls with vegetables, fruits and snack foods, as well as delis, bakeries and other shops. You can also buy Neapolitan crèche figures created in workshops on via San Gregorio Armenia.

Castel dell'Ovo

The Egg's Castle

Castel dell'Ovo sits on the islet of Megaride and divides the two small bays on the waterfront of Naples: the one of the harbour and the other of Riviera di Chiaia (Mergellina). This 2,000 year old castle is the oldest in Naples and is thought to be the site of the original Greek settlement in the area. Parts of the castle are only open for special exhibits but you can visit the rest, including the roofed arcade, the Hall of Columns (Sala delle Colone) and the two towers where you can get good views of the harbors.

Castel Sant'Elmo

On Vomero Hill, accessible by cable car or bus, is Castel Sant'Elmo, built in the shape of a six-pointed star in 1329. It has been restored and you can tour its rooms and terraces for some great views of Naples, Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.

Museums

Capodimonte Museum

Located in the royal palace of the Bourbons, the Royal Palace di Capodimonte

The Capodimonte Museum contains paintings by Botticelli, Perugino, Raphael, Titian and others. The museum also displays porcelain, amjolica and 19th century art. You can stroll through the royal apartments and the grounds.

National Archaeological Museum

Located at Piazza Museo Nazionale, 19 - 80135 Naples (NA)

The museum contains several collections, including one of the world's most important archaeological collections from Pompeii, Herculaneum and other areas of Campania.

In addition there are:

Farnese Collection
The Farnese was the most celebrated collection of Roman antiquities. Most of it consists of huge replicas from the Imperial age of Greek originals, from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.
The jewels in the Farnese Collection are displayed in three places at the bottom of the gallery of the Farnese statues.

Egyptian section
The Egyptian section, second in importance in Italy only to the Egyptian Museum of Turin, is composed of various collections.
Borgia collection
Cardinal Stefano Borgia began this collection and was able to establish contacts with Catholic missions all over the world, which he invited to send him "rarities" to enrich the collections of his house-museum at Velletri.
Picchianti collection
Giuseppe Picchianti, a 19th-century traveller from the Veneto. made a voyage to Giza, Saqquara and Thebes in 1819. There he collected many objects, mainly funerary furnishings.

Mosaics
The National Archaeological Museum's mosaic collection consists almost exclusively of works from Pompeii, and is one of the most complete collections of its kind.

Frescoes
The National Archaeological Museum's frescoes section includes murals from Pompeii, Herculaneum and Stabiae, dating from between the I century B.C. and the I century A.D.

Architecture

Cathedral of Naples, il Duomo

The word Duomo refers to a cathedral: the principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese. The Naples duomo is dedicated to San Gennaro (St. Januarius), the city's patron. The main attraction of this temple is the Chapel of San Genaro, where two bottles with the blood of the saint are kept. Twice a year, on the first Saturday in May and 19 September, the blood is brought out and usually liquifies, thereby keeping the city from harm.

Basilica di Santa Restituta

This is Naples' oldest church. The columns fo this 14th century church are believed to be from a temple of Apollo that previously stood here. There are 14th century mosaics, 17th century frescoes and a 15th century baptistery.

Cappella Sansevero

This small chapel on via Tribunali was built in the 16th century and holds the tombs of the Princes of Sangro de Sansevero. It was built in the Baroque style with colorful frescoes. Sculptures here include "Cristo Velato" (Veiled Christ) by Sammartino, "Modesty" by Corradini and "The Resurrection of the Prince" bu an unknown artist.

Entertainment

Teatro di San Carlo

Built in 1737, this is Italy's oldest opera house and is also the oldest working theater in Europe. It was built in honor of the Bourbon King Carlo III. Since 1999 the Teatro di San Carlo has been a private non-profit foundation whose goals include the diffusion of music and the preparation and training of future artists.

Shopping

Galleria Umberto I

Across from the Teatro di San Carlo is the Galleria Umberto I, built in 1887 and modeled after the Galleria Vittorio Emmanule II in Milan. It was meant to combine public space (businesses, shops, cafes and social life) with private space (the apartments on the third floor.) It is an X shaped, high-domed mall with shops selling ceramics, clothing and housewares. Via Toledo, a nearby street, has shops featuring clothing, home goods and luggage. Another nearby street, Via Calabritto, has upscale fashion shops, such as Gucci, Louis Vitton and others.

Vomero

Via Alessandro Scarlatti is the pedestrian area of Vomero with elegant boutiques.
You can get here via cable car or bus.

Dining

Naples claims to be the birthplace of pizza and has around 12,000 pizzerias. The classic Pizza Napoletana, also known as the Margherita, has a thin crust, is topped with mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and olive oil, and is baked in a wood-burning oven.

There are many restaurants in Naples, and I will just list a couple of possibilities here.

Antica Pizzeria Port'Alba

Via Port'Alba 18 in Naples.
Telefono: 081 4421061
The world's first true pizzeria, opened in 1830 and is still in business today.

Ristorante Marco

Wine bar and restaurant.
Via Ascensione, 3/a -- Riviera di Chiaia -- Napoli (Adiacente Villa Pignatelli)
Telefono: 081.405100 -- Cell.: 338.4353282
E-mail: info@ristorantemarcos.it
In Marco's words: The high quality of ingredients is the basis of a tasty dish. Therefore, early every morning I personally go to my suppliers to buy the freshest products the market has to offer. Every day I choose the fish caught in the Gulf and the best meat. As to the kinds of meat, in our restaurant it is possible to taste various cuts of beef, Norcia sausages, and Argentine Angus. We constantly achieve new flavours by drawing on Neapolitan, national and international culinary traditions and experience.