Naples, capital of the South

Naples is the capital of southern Italy, where Italian cuisine is at its best and history lives in the present. Of course food is not the only reason to visit the city. The rich cultural heritage and the warm Neapolitan welcome make it a popular tourist destination. Getting there is very easy. Direct flights take you to the small airport of Naples especially during the summer months. The city is serviced mostly by low cost airlines. If you can’t find a direct flight, don’t worry, since Rome is only 2 hours away by train. Trains start every half an hour from the Termini Station to Naples Central.

Once in Naples, a fast expanding underground system helps you to get around. The underground has good connections with buses and suburban rail. Since the lines are operated by different companies it is important to check tickets and fares information before traveling. You can also rent a car at the airport. Other than this the airport has a small range of services. You don’t have to worry about the weather because Naples has strong Mediterranean climate with hot summers and little rain.

Naples Attractions

The Castel Nuovo is the symbol of Naples and it has dominated the city’s view for hundreds of years up to the present. Construction was started in the 13th century and the fort gained its current shape in the 19th century. The towers and thick walls give you an impression of medieval Naples. The castle is open to the public and tickets are available on location.

The central square of the city is the Piazza del Plebiscito. The huge square is surrounded by a line of columns in a hemicycle therefore it looks a lot larger. There’s always something going on at the piazza. The church of San Francesco di Paola stands in the middle of the square whose dome reminds you of the Pantheon in Rome. The church is richly decorated in the inside and a special illumination system makes it even more beautiful at night. On the East side of the square stands the Royal Palace once home to the kings of Naples. The interior is a fine example of Baroque style.
Spend some time wandering around the Spanish Quarter to get an impression of Neapolitan everyday life. In the small streets locals hang clothes out to dry above your head and you might as well find yourself in the middle of a small market. The caves under the city are open to visitors but you need to check in before your arrival and only guided tours can take you under Naples.

Neapolitan cuisine is the best in Italy and not without a reason. Pizza was invented here though at first it was flat bread with onions and fat. Contemporary Neapolitan pizzas are served with mozzarella de buffala with the magnificent tomato sauce. The perfect hams, seafood, ragu and sweets are irresistible. Try to taste them all! In Italy you can’t have a meal without having some wine. Taste the best vintages of the Naples region and the rest of Italy. Limoncello is a sort of lemon liquor first invented here. Finish your meal with this sweet drink.

You can’t leave Naples without seeing Mount Vesuvio. Take the Circumvesuviana train to the volcano. Buses and trains don’t take you to the top so you have the walk the last meters to the crater. Close to the Vesuvio lies the ancient city of Pompeii. The Roman city destroyed by the eruption of the volcano survived in every detail and now you can visit the ruins and see the archaeological finds. Take a stroll on the streets of Pompeii and look into the shops and taverns, where you can see the last meals served 2000 years before. Some people couldn’t escape from the city and since then the city has become their resting place. They seem like statues of the past. The nearby Herculaneum is also open to visitors. Combined tickets are available to see both cities within 3 days. Most archaeological finds were taken to the Naples Archaeological Museum, where you can admire ancient Roman art. Naples holds more than you can imagine.