Hotels in Naples, Campania, Italy

Verified by Pablo Aznar Cristeto
from the blog Aprendizaje Viajero

Holding the title of third largest city in Italybehind Rome and Milan, Naples is the regional capital of Campania. With a metropolitan population of more than 3 million, the city is a thriving and busy destination with one of the most densely populated areas in Europe

With the first Greek settlements recorded as far back as the first millennium BC, evidence suggests that Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited regions in entire world. Naples is a coastal city and a huge port, but unlike many other major cities on the oceanfront, it has no beaches. It is still a magnet for tourists not only for its own attractions but also because it makes a great base from where to explore Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, and the Amalfi Coast.

Tourism is an important part of the economy, and Naples can be visited on a budget thanks to a large range of cheap and affordable hotel accommodation.

Neighbourhoods of Naples

Naples consists of a number of individual districts, including:

• Centro Storico: The historical centre of the city is home to some of Naples’ biggest attractions including the Church of the Santa Chiara, the city’s opera house, Teatro San Carlo,and the MADRE contemporary art museum. Traditional handcrafted Presepe (nativity scenes) are on sale in the Via San Gregorio Armeno.
• Quarteri Spagnoli: The Spanish Quarter is where you’ll find the city’s largest square, the Piazza del Plebiscito which stands in front of the Royal Palace and the Chiesa di San Francesco di Paola. This neighbourhood is where you’ll see the real and authentic Naples.
• Chiaia: This is the waterfront area of the city that also features the famous Egg Castle and Santa Lucia. It is full of buzzy bars and restaurants but also upscale and designer boutiques. In the evening, talk a walk along the Villa Comunale, the 18th-century royal garden to join the people sauntering from Palazzo Reale to Passeggiata.
• Vomero Hill: This is an area that overlooks the city to provide stunning panoramic views, as well as being the location of the iconic medieval Sant’Elmo fortress.

What to see and do in Naples

As well as all the aforementioned places and attractions, there are plenty more. Like the port with its mix of cruise liners, luxury yachts, and (often US) navy ships, the Castel Nuovo a medieval castle that also houses an art gallery, the bar-lined Piazza Bellini, the catacombs of Fontanelle Cemetery, the marble sculptures of the Cappella Sansevero, and the Pio Monte della Misericordia, home to a Caravaggio painting. Amazing day trips can be had to Mount Vesuvius, Sorrento, Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the islands of Capri and Ischia.

What to eat in Naples

Pizza was invented in Naples and it is ubiquitous. The best place to find pizza is Via dei Tribunali aka “Pizza Alley”. But there’s more to Neapolitan food than pizza. Seafood is heavily represented, particularly in spaghetti alle vongole (pasta with clams). For a vegetable dish, friarelli which is a special local broccoli with garlic and olive oil, is a must. And for dessert, sfogliatelle which is a multi-layered sweet pastry treat.

Typical events and festivals in Naples

Some of the most high profile occasions include the Maggio dei Monumenti which is a month long celebration of Naples culture from April to June, the Ferragosto festivities which is one of Italy’s biggest Catholic holidays every August, and the Napoli Film Festival which attracts some of the world’s biggest cinema stars from September to October.

How to move around in Naples

Public transport is a busy and thriving system of buses, metro, trams, and trains. There are a number of different passes that tourists can buy with many of the companies in partnership to offer the best spread of options for visitors. Also note that many of the key locations in the centre of the city are easily navigable on foot.

The climate in Naples

Naples experiences a Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters and very hot, sunny summers. The coldest months are January and February where average temperatures are in the region of 9 or 10 degrees. The summer is much warmer, with July and August regularly reaching into the mid to high 20s.