A Guide to Naples, Italy (Food, Tours & Hotels): 2025

Naples isn’t for everyone. Let’s preface this post about the realities of Naples. Most people after visiting will have an opinion on the city one way or another. There’s a hard steely edge to Naples, that when you scratch and explore below the surface, you’ll find something charming about the grittiness to it. Unlike other cities in Italy, like Florence or Rome, where the city immediately grabs you, Naples takes a little bit longer to warm to.

The locals of Naples are fiercely proud of their city, and as you wander the streets, you’ll discover anything and everything to do with Diego Maradona (the Argentine football legend). Football runs through their veins. As does pizza, being the birthplace of the Margherita pizza. You’ll spend your days exploring all the famous pizzerias and ranking them in your own order.

I first visited Naples in 2006 as a very poor backpacker and had one distinct memory of the city that felt tied to it ever since: intense dislike. So I was determined to visit it again, and view it from another lens. Would I feel differently about a city that divides most visitors?

And the answer was yes! My second visit to Naples was far more successful, and I really enjoyed the 3 days I spent exploring it. Is it my favourite city in Italy? Nope. But would I recommend against visiting Naples? Not at all.

Naples is not a city for everyone. Some visitors will find the narrow and dark alleyways of Naples to be claustrophobically busy, with scooters, restaurant tables, and pedestrians all jockeying for position.

The alleyways are dark and seem to endlessly tower above you. Fresh laundry hangs from drying racks on balconies, or makeshift attempts to create a drying space even when there is none. Walking the Spanish Quarter feels like you’ve stumbled onto a movie set, and it’s without a doubt one of the most authentic areas of Naples. I found it to be wildly charming, whilst also keeping an eye on my belongings.

If you’ve come from cities like Florence, or Venice, you’ll find the contrast to be quite distinct, but lean into the experience and you’ll come out thoroughly enjoying Naples and its chaoticness.

Over the next sections I’ll cover;

• Where to Stay in Naples
• Things to do in Naples
• Where to eat in Naples
• Is Naples Safe?
• Day trips from Naples

Where to stay in Naples

Naples is an easy city to get around. Either by walking the atmospheric streets, or by hopping on their decent metro system. There are a few key areas to stay in Naples that offer lots for visitors, from the authentic Spanish Quarter to the charming streets of Chiaia. I’ve listed the draws to each area,

The Spanish Quarter Naples (Quartieri Spagnoli)

If you’re looking for ambiance and a feel that you’re staying in the heart of Naples, then consider a stay in the truly atmospheric Spanish Quarter (Quartieri Spagnoli).

The Spanish Quarter is the Naples you’ve probably pictured in your head, clothes hanging on balconies, dark streets, zooming scooters and even cars driving down tight roads, and lots of passionate shouting. I loved it!

If you’re looking to soak up an atmospheric true Neapolitan area of the city that is steps from all the landmarks of the city you cannot beat the Spanish Quarter. Understandable it may be too chaotic, dark and dingy for some, so do some research on whether its your vibe or not.

Base yourself in the Spanish Quarter if;

• You want to experience authentic Napoli living
• Atmospheric alleyways, restaurants and bars
• Close proximity to metros, funiculars, shopping and sightseeing

We stayed in Vico Gelso Naples, a former apartment that has been divided into 3 large rooms. Crucially there is a lift, because the rooms are located on the top floor. If you want to experience life in the Spanish Quarter in an atmospheric, stunning apartment block then consider checking out a few similar options. Our room was enormous with high vaulted ceilings and views over the street (we’re light sleepers and didn’t hear anything from the street throughout our 3 night stay). The location of Vico Gelso Naples was fantastic, a short stroll from Toledo Metro Station and the main shopping street of Via Toledo.

• House Toledo
• B&B Toledo – Panoramic Rooftop over Naples

Centro Storico Naples

Centro Storico is another popular part of Naples to stay in, narrow alleyways lined with stores, and restaurants and teeming with tourists. It’s one of the busiest parts of the city, if you’re short on time, this is a great place to see the sights that are based around here, and eat at some of the best restaurants too.

Base yourself in Centro Storico if you plan on:

• visiting the catacombs of Naples
• seeing the Duomo di Napoli and other churches
• eating at one of the most famous pizzerias in Naples – L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
• book your tickets for the gorgeous veiled marble figures of Sanservano Chapel Museum.

When planning on staying in the historic centre of Naples, it’s important to understand that getting around this area mostly requires going on foot. Although you will see the occasional car driving through these mostly pedestrianised streets, you’ll find throngs of crowds, and the difficulty of driving these streets will become apparent quite quickly.

• UNA Hotels Napoli – 4 Star Hotel with close access to the train to Pompeii.
• Palazzo d’Auria ApartHotel – Beautifully decorated aparthotel rooms with great amenities.

Chiaia

Bougie and upper-class Chiaia feels like a completely different part of Naples compared to the other areas mentioned. Wide open avenues, opulent homes, stores and restaurants and promixity to the water make this one of the best choices to stay in Naples.

The refined area of Chiaia feels very different compared to the dark and narrow streets a few minutes walk away. Chiaia is a great base for day trips from the port to Capri or Ischia, or hopping on the metro around the city. You’ll find a lot of the restaurants are more upmarket, as well as the shopping.

• Tié Tié – A range of small rooms in a superb location.
• Chiaia Suites – Unbeatable location and decent prices.

Santa Lucia

The hotels along the waterfront in front of the Castel dell’Ovo are charming with views across the Bay of Naples, and if you’re in the right hotel, epic views of Mount Vesuvius. There are a number of restaurants and the road is closed off in the evenings to enjoy walks along the promenade. Base yourself in Santa Lucia if you want:

• proximity to the Port (day trips to Capri/Ischia etc.)
• seafood restaurants along the waterfront
• a short walk from Chiaia & Piazza del Plebiscito.

Where to stay in Santa Lucia;

• Eurostars Hotel Excelsior – Large rooms and exceptional views over the Bay of Naples.
• Grand Hotel Vesuvio – Rooftop pool and incredible views over the Castel dell’Ovo.

Things to do in Naples

There are plenty of things to do in Naples for a couple of days that will keep you busy. Naples is a base from which most visitors arrive into when planning on heading further south to the Amalfi Coast. I hate when I’m researching a place and most of the recommended things to do in that place is to leave it. Naples has enough activities to keep you busy for 2-3 days, and whilst it is used as a base for visiting other destinations like the Amalfi Coast, or nearby islands of Capri and Ischia, it’s worth exploring Naples and it’s offerings.

Christmas Alley – Via S. Gregorio Armeno

This charming street is the birthplace of decorative Christmas ornaments. You’ll find ceramic figurines, buildings and everything to do with the narrative of Christmas, including Neapolitan decorations. Open throughout the year it oddly didn’t feel surreal to walk down it in mid-May and you’ll pick up some cute and unique souvenirs from Naples here.

Underground Naples – Naples Catacombs

Personally I didn’t venture into one of Naples most popular tourist attractions – Underground Naples partially due to the absolute terror my partner B experienced when he had visited Underground Naples a few years previously. It turns out B had never been in a small enclosed space before and discovered he was super claustrophobic. 40 meters underground Naples is never the best place to discover that fun new trait. I’m not so keen on small, dark, tight spaces so opted to sit this one out too.

So I can’t speak about how great or cool the Naples Catacombs are, but if you’re not claustrophobic then you should add on a tour of Underground Naples which explores the 2000-year Greek and Roman history.

Bourbon Tunnel Naples

If you do want to experience underground Naples without the claustrophobia, then I would highly recommend a guided tour of the Bourbon Tunnel Naples, which have been used as a WW2 evacuation shelter, the city dump and a former passageway for royalty to escape any potential disruption or riots during their reign.

The guided tour of the Bourbon Tunnel takes an hour and you’ll learn the history of this enormous caverns that house between 5000 and 10,000 of the cities inhabitants during World War 2 when the city was bombed. The tunnels fell into neglect and during later part of the 20th century were used as a dump for the city.

Along the tour, you’ll find full-sized cars from the early 20th century and other fascinating relics. For €11 it’s a price to beat for an interesting part of Naples history.

Sansevero Chapel Museum

My one regret when I visited Naples was not booking in advance the Sansevero Chapel Museum. I naively thought that we could purchase tickets on the day, but they tend to sell out in advance.

Sansevero Chapel Museum is home to the most beautiful baroque veiled sculptures. The veiled statue of Jesus, draped in a transparent shroud, is one of the most iconic pieces in the collection and worth the admission price alone. Explore the museum with an audioguide and revel in the veiled statues and anatomical quirks that make Sansevero Chapel Museum one of the unmissable things to do in Naples.

Piazza del Plebiscito

The Piazza del Plebiscito is a large open public square that commemorates the unification of Italy and was constructed from the volcanic rock from Mount Vesuvius. You’ll pass the Piazza del Plebiscito when heading to Santa Lucia/Chiaia. Or from the Spanish Quarter. The Royal Palace of Naples is directly behind (or in front of the Piazza del Plebiscito, depending on where you’re standing). Dating back to the 17th century, the Royal Palace of Naples was home to the various royal families that lived throughout this interesting period. You can tour the state rooms and gardens.

Galleria Umberto 1

More impressive from the outside, this small shopping centre is home to a McDonald’s, Zara and a pharmacy. Galleria Umberto 1 is a beautiful building, but unfortunately, the contents are rather disappointing. Still worth passing by if you are Via Toledo.

Murale Diego Armando Maradona

Located in the Spanish Quarter, you’ll find a mural dedicated to Naples beloved and adopted son, Diego Maradona. The Argentine footballer played for Napoli Calcio during the 1980s and made a lasting impression on the city. Across the city of Naples you’ll find endless souvenirs, football jerseys and posters of Maradona, and even if you have no interest in football or Maradona, it provides you with an opportunity to explore the Spanish Quarter further.

Where to eat in Naples

When I think of Naples and food, it always comes back to pizza. And you’ll be the perfect place to sample as much pizza as you can manage throughout your stay in Naples. I think you’d really have to struggle to find a truly terrible place to eat in Naples, so even if you don’t hit the ‘must-do’ spots, you’ll still have a fantastic time nibbling your way around the city. And there is a lot of munching and nibbling happening in Naples.

Naples is the birthplace of the Margherita pizza and depending on who you talk to, the birthplace varies from restaurant to restaurant. I think one of the best ways to explore any new city, especially in a country like Italy where food is a cultural identity, is to partake in a food tour. A food tour explores the history of local dishes and the place, and combining history and eating is some of my favourite ways to experience a new place. Continue reading below for more information on food tours worth checking out.

Pizza Fritti

It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but Pizza Fritti is a staple in Naples. Exactly what it sounds like, it’s pizza that has been folded and deep-fried. I’m glad I tried it, but it’s not something I ever need to sample again. Watch out for the lava tomato sauce at the bottom of the pizza that will burn a hole in your tongue.

• Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo
• Passione di Sofì
• Antica Friggitoria La Masardona dal 1945

Pizza

What is a trip to Naples and not sampling their iconic masterpiece that they created a couple of hundred years ago? Try a few of the places mentioned below and determine which one is your favourite. We sampled a few (don’t tell the Neopolitians, but Roman style pizza is my favourite), to get a good idea of which places were worth the hype.

• 50 Kalò – A pizzeria in the Michelin Guide? Look, the pizza at 50 Kalò is nice but certainly not life-changing. Worth visiting if you’re trying all the best pizza spots in Naples. There are no reservations. We went as they opened for the evening and avoided the lines.

• L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele – The most famous pizzeria in Italy? The World? L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele was made famous by Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love (I’m sure it was hugely popular before the movie too). You’ll find a line no matter what time of the day you visit. It moves quickly. Worth the hype, well only you can decide. There are only 4 pizza’s to choose from and they all cost €6.

• Pizzeria Da Attilio

• Umberto

Restaurants

We sampled a couple of restaurants, and didn’t have a single bad meal during our visit to Naples. Generally as a rule we stick far away from overly touristy establishments, and tend to break off the main areas in search of authentic experiences. Naples was the exception to the rule as everything that had great reviews or came recommended were in densely populated touristy areas. And they tended to live up to the hype.

Some places require reservations, and others have a first-come, first-served policy. So you may find yourself queuing, but worth noting at the pizzerias that the lines move quickly and the pizzas are served at an eyewateringly quick speed.

• Signora Bettola – Located in Chiaia, and appears to be a chain of Nonna’s cooking, the food was great.
• La Locanda Gesù Vecchio Civico 4 – Small restaurant that is hugely popular. Reservation needed. We called on the day before opening and was lucky enough to get a last-minute seating. The pasta was fantastic and great value.
• Tandem Ragù – Looking for ragu pasta, head to Tandem Ragù. Located right next door to La Locanda.

Small delicacies

• Sfogliatella – overlapping layers of wafer-thin pastry in a seashell shape are filled with a custard cream that comes in, I believe, two flavours? The one I sampled had an orange cream, and it was absolutely delicious. We tried the Sfogliatella, in one of the iconic cafes in Naples – Gran Caffè Gambrinus (Via Chiaia, 1, 80132 Napoli).
• Babà – a rum-soaked dessert. We also tried the Babà in Gran Caffè Gambrinus and it was interesting. Very heavily soaked, you’ll find them in any cafe.
• Taralli – One of my favourite discoveries was Taralli, a hard biscuit made with lard, pepper and almonds. A delicious snack to walk around Naples nibbling on between meals of pasta and pizza. You’ll find them in most cafes, or in speciality stores that make them in dozens of varieties.

Food Tours in Naples

If you can spare the time I highly recommend doing a food tour in Naples (really any city or country that has a distinct cuisine). We did a 3.5-hour pizza tour in Naples and it was wonderful. We wandered the rain-soaked streets of Naples with our guide, who explained the history of the city and that of its food. We ate ourselves silly with so much delicious food on offer. We tried pizza fritti (fried pizza), taralli, margherita pizza and babà.

Street food and walking tour of Naples is similar to the tour which we did, slightly shorter, but the same dishes are covered.

Is Naples Safe?

Naples is probably one of the places that I’ve visited in recent years that I felt slightly more aware of my belongings, and their safety. I approached walking around Naples with my phone with a degree of caution I hadn’t experienced in quite some time.

As for personal safety, I can’t say that I felt unsafe. I did walk around with my hands in my pockets in busier areas, but that’s generally a rule I do when learning a new city or destination.

Safety in the Spanish Quarter

Look this is very personal issue and hard to address. Everyone has different levels of safety awareness, and I think it’s important to address that the Spanish Quarter has parts that are dimly lit and can appear a bit rundown (it’s just lived in). Personally I never felt unsafe, and loved wandering the alleyways. The only time I felt unsafe was when a car was driving through the narrow alleyways and I had to squeeze myself into a doorway or against a wall, but I found that to be fun and great entertainment.

Day Trips from Naples

Naples is a great base to head off and explore some of the more popular destinations like the Amalfi Coast, or the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.

If you plan on visiting Pompeii or Herculaneum, I would base myself either in Naples or Sorrento.

I have a whole post dedicated to Pompeii and Herculaneum, and which one you should consider when planning your visit. Spoiler: Herculaneum wins!

Ischia is nowhere near as popular as neighbouring island Capri, but that doesn’t mean you should skip out on it. Ischia is home to fantastic thermal spas and is overall a complete delight. Nearby Procida is also gorgeous and worthy of a visit for either a day trip or an overnight stay.

One of the most popular islands in the Mediterranean, Capri is packed with opulent designer stores, and during the height of summer, super yachts bob out at sea. It’s popularity means it’s packed with day trippers.

And it would be remiss not to mention Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. Towns like Positano, Ravello and Amalfi have been luring visitors to these incredible coastal towns for hundreds of years.

There’s so much to see and do in Naples and the surrounding region. Make sure you schedule enough time to explore it all!

Disclaimer: Real-life human experiences. Written by a human. Created for humans. (Travels at Missy does not use AI for our articles. All posts and information are 1st hand experience. AI data-scrapping tools are expressly forbidden from using Travels with Missy content for AI Training).

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