Naples: five itineraries

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Naples is not just a city, it is a planet apart. A jungle of art and history, of smells and flavors that you can never really get to know in its entirety. Even though it is an urban center and not a continent, it would take years to explore and “understand” it. So how can you organize a complete and satisfying itinerary? Step by step, of course! And choosing from various proposals those that best suit your vacation rhythm. What you can’t visit today … will be a good excuse to come back tomorrow! Here we propose five special itineraries to get to know the “city of Pulcinella”.

Naples and the sea

Naples and the sea … Naples “is” the sea. You can admire the special bond that this city has with the Tyrrhenian Sea directly on its coast or, for the most curious and equipped ones, underwater!

The itinerary could start from the two famous Neapolitan castles overlooking the sea: the Maschio Angioino and Castel dell’Ovo. The first, also called New Castle, dates back to the 13th century but was completely renovated a hundred years later (hence the name). The interiors can be visited and are especially worth a visit for the Barons Hall. The Norman Castel dell’Ovo (12th century) is the oldest in the city and owes its name (ovo means egg) to a legend: it seems that Virgil hid an egg between the castle and the islet on which it stands and until it is found the fortress will remain linked to Naples forever.

Now, continue along the Mergellina seafront to admire the most famous panorama in the world and arrive at the Gaiola beach, located in front of the Posillipo islets that hold a mystery (we will talk about it later). The itinerary can be extended to Pozzuoli, where the phenomenon of bradyseism is always fascinating. A bit further on, if you are an expert diver, you can dive off the coast of Baia to admire the remains of Roman villas in the Underwater Archaeological Park.

Underground Naples

Locals knew very well that there was a hidden “second Naples”, in the belly of the main city. Tourists, however, only today can immerse themselves under the enormous tuff arches and go to admire places such as the immense Bourbon Gallery, the crypt of Piedigrotta, the Catacombs, the Hellenistic Hypogea, the War Shelters. These are immense spaces, sometimes even seven-floors deep, which make Naples seem a city … suspended, like the famous local coffee (Neapolitans use to pay a double coffee, at the cafe: one for themselves and one – the suspended coffee – for the poor people)!

Naples… of Napoli FC!

No matter when you go to visit Naples, you will always find the Serie A Football Scudetto party alive! The local football team Napoli won its fourth national trophy, but for Neapolitans the celebrations never end.

If you want to breathe the atmosphere of the “Blue Team” fans in Naples, we recommend exploring the Rione Sanità (where there are several graffitti dedicated, some of which are gigantic on the facades), the Spanish Quarters dotted with altars dedicated to the champion Maradona and to symbols linked to the team. It will also be interesting to discover which Napoli FC players have become part of the famous nativity scenes, in Via San Gregorio Armeno.

Finally… why not? A visit to the Maradona Stadium is a must. Perhaps less fascinating than the paintings and statues, but full of winning energy!

Naples of Mystery

In Naples, the sacred and the profane mix to such an extent that faith is no longer distinguished from witchcraft. In this magical city, a mystery itinerary becomes a challenge to be seized on the fly!

We invite you to start the tour from the beach of Gaiola, or rather from the two twin islets that rise in front of it; it is said that they were cursed, due to a series of tragic events that affected the owners, and therefore anyone who visits them will pay the consequences! Moving a little further, in Borgo Marechiaro, visit the Palazzo degli Spiriti (palace of ghosts)… if you are brave enough!
In Posillipo stands Palazzo Donn’Anna, where the powerful Donna Anna Carafa, wife of the Count of Medina, lived. The Count’s niece, the beautiful Mercedes who also lived in the palace, fell in love with her cruel aunt’s lover. One day the young Mercedes disappeared, perhaps killed by her aunt herself. The lover, then, fled in despair and it seems that he is still looking for her. Someone swears that the spirits of two lovers can be seen here, at night, while sitting in front of the sea!

The lively ghosts of Naples – the little Munaciell’ and the Bella Mbriana – live underground and you can “feel” their presence while you take your tour underground. But the city’s greatest mystery remains the great miracle that happens twice a year, in the cathedral, when the Blood of St. Gennaro becomes liquid again for a few hours!

Traditional Naples

If you don’t want to miss the most touristic spots in Naples, stick to the classic itinerary of the city. This obviously includes the most important monuments and places in the city: the Cathedral, the church of Trinità Maggiore, the Basilica of St Claire, the Umberto I Gallery, Plebiscito Square, the castles on the seafront promenade, the Archaeological Museum. Popular Naples can be admired in Via San Gregorio Armeno, in the Spanish Quarters, along Via Spaccanapoli. Outside the city center, the two royal palaces are unmissable – Palazzo Reale and Capodimonte – plus the palace of Portici, Villa Volpicelli and, of course, the Natural Park of Mt. Vesuvius. If you have the opportunity, treat yourself to a trip to the islands of Procida or Ischia.

Experience Naples with us

To fully experience these five itineraries, and many others, choose a solution far from the chaos and madness typical of Neapolitan public transportation nets: travel with a private car with driver or a shuttle provided by Transfeero who will pick you up directly at Naples Airport (NAP) or the central station to take you … wherever you want and at any time!