What to do and see in Naples, Campania: The Best Things to do

March 30, 2022 Jasper Kershner

Romantic Naples, two hours south of Rome, is the largest city in southern Italy. It has some of the world's best opera and theater houses and is often called an open-air museum, due to its many historic statues and monuments. Join families on promenade as the sun sets on the Bay of Naples. View finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, destroyed by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale or revel in the art and architecture of Museo Cappella Sansevero, built in the late 1500s.
Restaurants in Naples

1. Catacombe di San Gennaro

Via di Capodimonte 13, 80100, Naples Italy +39 081 744 3714 [email protected] http://www.catacombedinapoli.it/
Excellent
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5.0 based on 4,755 reviews

Catacombe di San Gennaro

Around the origin of our Catacombs much has been discussed, they were simpleburial and never were quarries or underground ways; the first note of the monumentis repeated since the death of St. Agrippino our bishop in the II century, when hisbody was buried there in a noble tomb. Many miracles the saint operated by thetomb, so it became a place of reverence and neapolitan wished to be buried in thatplace.

Reviewed By sharonv923

We visited the catacombs found in the Sanita area of Naples with anticipation - never been in catacombs before. This is a social enterprise run by a foundation that uses the proceeds to fund extra services for the young people of the area which is deprived. It's fantastic to see a group use an asset so well for the benefit of the community and, while the tour is totally worth the entry fee, it's nice to know that the ticket price benefits others. The tour is engaging and well delivered. The history and stories related are accessible. Our guide was excellent - well informed and great at answering questions. The catacombs are Christian and pre-Christian, and very atmospheric. Highly recommended.

2. Galleria Borbonica

Vico del Grottone 4 Zona Piazza Plebiscito, 80132, Naples Italy +39 081 764 5808 [email protected] http://www.galleriaborbonica.com/it/home/
Excellent
84%
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13%
Satisfactory
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5.0 based on 8,535 reviews

Galleria Borbonica

Enchanting scenery that unfolds to the eyes of visitors, a secret place full of history and magic atmosphere.An emotional journey that conducts visitors in the new section of the underground of Naples. It is situated in Vico del Grottone 4, from to 150 mt. to Plebiscito Square. Until a few years ago it wasa veterinary laboratory, now is the entrance of the Bourbon Tunnel. A staircase with 8 ramps, 33 yards deep descending into the belly of Chiaia. The second entry is in Via Domenico Morelli,40, through the crosswalk of “Quick parking”.The Tunnel was built in 1853 by Ferdinand II of Bourbon, who, concerned about the outbreak of rebellion, he asked for an escape from the Royal Palace to the barrack in Via della Pace, now Via Morelli. The work was uncompleted and, during the second World War, was used by residents of the area as a military hospital, later becoming the Hall Judicial Deposit.The war left its mark even in the subsoil. That’s way there are handwrite, folding beds, messages of wish and desolation of those who lived it and still maintains its memory. Along the tunnel thereare also the evidences, 530 meters, where visitors can discover the history of real life. Through the spacious streets, it’s easy reachable the network of tunnels and cisterns of seventeenth-century,large buildings, where worked the "pozzari", the only connoisseur of Naples underground.The show is stunning, but that's not finished. On Via Morelli appear statues dating back to fascist period and many cars and motorcycles, abandoned for years, freed from piles of rubbish, arranged and illuminated ad hoc for the route.Nothing is left to chance, even lighting, perfectly integrated with the path of the visitors.Since today everything is possible to visit. Five years ago the scenery was completely different.Rubbish, degradation, wastes of all kinds covered the reliquaries.

Reviewed By 924silvioc

Excellent tour, an amazing place to visit and a snapshot of life in Naples during WWII Lots of thanks to Lorena for the excellent explanation

3. Teatro di San Carlo

Via San Carlo 98 / F, 80132, Naples Italy +39 081 797 2412 [email protected] http://www.teatrosancarlo.it/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 4,387 reviews

Teatro di San Carlo

The Teatro di San Carlo was designed by the architects Giovanni Antonio Medrano and Angelo Carasale for the monarch since Charles wanted a new and larger theatre for Naples to replace the old and dilapidated Teatro San Bartolomeo of 1621. On 12 February 1816 the San Carlo was destroyed by fire. The Theatre was re-designed by the architect Antonio Niccolini and rebuilt within ten months on order of King Ferdinand IV. In 1845 there was additional refurbishment and, by 1854, the theatre's interior appearance changed to the now-traditional red and gold.Now carefully restored to its former splendour, the San Carlo is the oldest working theatre in Europe.

Reviewed By 759elib - Sydney, Australia

Grand, grand opera house, one of the oldest in the world. Hard to believe it was built in a few months in 1737. Its architecture is perfect with the foyer, balcony outstanding in enhancing the facade.. the royal box is bijou. Sitting here for a concert is a dream come true.

4. Spaccanapoli

Via Benedetto Croce, Naples Italy
Excellent
63%
Good
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4.5 based on 4,372 reviews

Spaccanapoli

This part of Naples is full of crowded, colorful alleys full of shops, plastic rosaries, fresh seafood and famous artisan workshops specializing in the city's famous nativity scenes. The street officially starts at Piazza Gesù Nuovo

Reviewed By Patapata0007

Unforgettable walk in an amazing street of this fantastic city. You plonged in the real Naples were tipical behaviours and eno-gastronimic culture are on the spot. Lots of very peculiar shops of arts and dozens of little churces.

5. Via San Gregorio Armeno

Via San Gregorio Armeno, 83018, Naples Italy +39 081 551 7107 http://www.italia.it/en/travel-ideas/made-in-italy/san-gregorio-armeno-the-christmas-nativity-tradition.html
Excellent
65%
Good
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 9,066 reviews

Via San Gregorio Armeno

The tradition of representing the Holy Family as true art lives on in this narrow street, which is crowded on both sides with hundreds of artisan workshops with colorful displays of Nativity scenes.

Reviewed By Stardoe

I'd heard about this street and went especially to see it. It did not disappoint, but I was very suprised at how narrow it is and how crowded. Most of the time we were like sardines. The shops are full of wonderful nativitities and all the separate ornaments that allow people to build their own. Nativities with moving parts are very popular and there was a huge variety ranging from about 25 euros well into the hundreds. The seperate ornaments start at about 4 euros for the really tiny ones. If you plan to build your own nativity, take plenty of cash as the variey of ornaments is massive and you won't be able to stop at just the main ones. The street is quite long so if you want to have a really good look in all or most of the shops, you need at least an hour or more, especially if it's really crowded.

6. Museo Cappella Sansevero

Via Francesco De Sanctis, 19/21, 80134, Naples Italy +39 081 551 8470 [email protected] http://www.museosansevero.it
Excellent
82%
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4.5 based on 21,199 reviews

Museo Cappella Sansevero

Built in the late 1500s, this gem of Italian artistic heritage was greatly influenced by the famous Raimondo de Sangro VII, Prince of Sansevero, a genius of science and invention.

Reviewed By stephaniep185 - New York City, United States

Buy your timed ticket online or expect to wait on a long line - simply magnificent church with world class art & sculpture- no photos allowed so be sure to buy the book at the gift shop so you remember what you saw!

7. Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

Piazza Museo Nazionale 19, 80135, Naples Italy 039 081 4422149 https://www.museoarcheologiconapoli.it/en/
Excellent
61%
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4.5 based on 8,929 reviews

Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

This museum has all of the interesting finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, both doomed cities after the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD.

Reviewed By Q7840EUdanl - Bunbury, Australia

Back in Naples, the last port of call on our cruise, and a visit to this museum was our priority. We arrived before opening and lined up behind the groups of schoolchildren and their teachers. We somehow managed to skip through while the teachers distributed tickets and lectured their charges. The building has a rich history, it was erected as a royal cavalry barracks at the end of the 16th century and served as the seat of the University of Naples from 1616 to 1777. The first galleries were established in the period 1806-1815 and in 1816 it became the Real Museo Borbonico and then in 1860, after the reunification of Italy, it was renamed the National Museum. It became a dedicated Archaeological Museum in 1957 when all paintings housed were transferred to the Museum of Capodimonte. Although not all rooms are utilised, there are excellent displays including the Epigraphic and Egyptian collections, Farnese Gems and Sculptures and Sculptures from Campania. Other galleries showcase coins and medals, mosaics and other treasures. The Pompeii artefacts and paintings recovered from the ruins are outstanding and there are items from ancient Naples and Herculaneum. If you like sculptures you can gorge the senses on the marvelous displays. Ancient Emperors, Atlas with the world on his shoulders, Farnese sculptures, Dionysus and Eros, Apollo with lyre, Pan and Daphne, Artemis of Ephesus, Hercules at rest, the Farnese Bull, and so many more. The Egyptian section has many examples of shabtis and canopic jars, statuettes, examples of sarcophagi, and a piece of papyrus dating to the period 650-350BC. I wondered at the mind of the ancient sculptor responsible for the creation of Pan and the she-goat. We had to make the reluctant decision to depart after four hours appreciating the relics of history.

8. Castel dell'Ovo

Via Eldorado 3 L'accesso al castello è gratuito. L'orario indicato è quello estivo., 80132, Naples Italy +39 081 795 6180 http://www.comune.napoli.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/IT/IDPagina/1433
Excellent
55%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 4,046 reviews

Castel dell'Ovo

Reviewed By PaulM569 - Derby, United Kingdom

There are some excellent views across the Bay of Naples to Vesuvius from here including the quaint Borgo Marinari. There is also a short description of the history of the site for those who are interested. Entry is free. I particularly liked the “tame” seagull who must have featured in a thousand selfies and has worked out that all (s)he has to do is stand there and 1 in 20 people will feed her/him. Why fly for food when the food will fly to you?

9. Lungomare Caracciolo

Via Francesco Caracciolo, 80122, Naples Italy
Excellent
75%
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Satisfactory
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4.5 based on 6,703 reviews

Lungomare Caracciolo

Reviewed By blairkk25 - New Jersey, United States

I walked in the Lungomare di Napoli area as part of a self-guided walking tour in August 2019. Looking out at the Bay of Naples and seeing Mount Vesuvius in the distance is an amazing experience. It was very hot in August and I made the mistake of walking in the sun. You can walk to the Lungomare di Napoli from Piazza Plebiscito. There were many younger people enjoying the beach and a lot of activity. But the image of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius will always stay in my mind. It was really hot so I had to eventually turn around and walk in the shade.

10. Underground Naples

Piazza San Gaetano 68, 80138, Naples Italy +39 081 296944 [email protected] http://www.napolisotterranea.org/
Excellent
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4.5 based on 10,089 reviews

Underground Naples

In the underground of Naples lies a labyrinth of tunnels, tanks and cavities that form a real city which is the negative of the city on surface. The underground city spreads below the entire old town, its myths and legends are still alive in the imagination of all the Neapolitans. We are open every day The visit is composed of 3 different parts:1) greek and roman aqueductby taking 136 low and cozy steps, we will go 40 metres (120 feet) underground to visit some of the tufo caves excavated by the greeks (v sec. b.c.), also used as cisterns as water supply for our city for more than 23 centuries. the caves we are going to see are all very big and lit, but just one narrow yet optional part, which turns out to be the most suggestive section of the tour since it is only be lit by the candle light, moreover the floor is completely even. the visit lasts 1h30. of the overlaid of the roman theatre2) roman theatrevisit of a part of roman theatre in naples, overlaid in the xv century , by the modern buildings wich are now in via anticaglia, vico cinquesanti e via san paolo. you are going to enter a traditional neapolitan house, commonly called "basso" (low), because it is at the street level, already part of the roman theatre. by setting back a bed and opening a trapdoor you will be able to see the places where the emperor nero had his own private backstage, every time he came to perform in naples. the visit lasts 20 minutes.3) summa cavea (upper part of the roman theatre)the tour has been recently made bigger and complete with a new discovery. thus, in an ancient neapolitan carpentry workshop a new section of the theatre came out and right here a permanent nativity cribs exhibition was installed with more than thirty ancient "scarabattoli" (wooden shrines used for the nativity scenes to be shown) which show nativity scens and popular daily life. opus reticulatum and latericium construction all around the theatre walls. in the latest section brought to life of the roman theatre another discovery was made, thus, in the floor small channels of the aqueduct were used for the water to rush through, though they had been obstructed for a very long tme by the sawdust from the carpentry workshop. channels used as sewers during the bourbon period., released with bluish tiles, these very channels are now protected with grates to be seen by visitors.

Reviewed By slingelbrecht - Hatfield, United Kingdom

For 10 euros this was a tour lasting over an hour which descends into the ancient subterranean mines, wells, rubbish dump and subsequent bomb shelters underneath Naples. It's really interesting, and the descent takes you down to the foundations of Naples, where you navigate very narrow tunnels, see hydroponics labs, ancient mines and learn the history of Naples through the war. There is also a slightly chaotic walk along Naples Streets to the submerged amphitheater located in the basements of several buildings at another location. All in all it's very much worth a visit. But if you are horizontally gifted. There's a lot of stairs and a lot of squeezing. So you might get stuck.

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