Naples, Italy Guide | How to Explore Naples like a Local!
Naples blew us away. It was our favorite city we explored during our Italy trip and we really don’t understand why it gets a bad rep. Naples isn’t touristy at all and when you’re walking around the street you feel like you’re in an old Italian movie. The people were so friendly, and we felt safe because the culture there is so family oriented. Everyone’s doors were open and you could see the families having dinner every night. Naples isn’t the cleanest city by any means, but it’s real and authentic which is why we loved it so much. There’s an Italian saying that you cry twice when you visit Naples; once when you arrive and once when you leave, and that phrase really hit home for us.
How to get to Naples
The best way to get to Naples is to take the train. Good ol’ trusty Trentalia is the best and fastest way to explore the country so we used it a lot this trip. We paid about $12 per person for the train from Rome to Naples and it took about 3.5 hours to get there. It made a few stops along the way but the final destination was Naples so you can’t miss it!
Where to Stay
As we said above, we felt super safe in Naples because of the family culture. We stayed at an Airbnb a few blocks away from Quartieri Spagnoli and we loved our location! We walked literally everywhere in Naples and you definitely will want to walk there. Naples is known for it’s tall buildings, narrow streets, and the clothes lines hanging out the windows and the best way to see it all is by walking aimlessly through the streets.
Best Things to Do
Explore Castel dell’Ovo & Castel Nuovo
Walk aimlessly through the streets of Quartieri Spagnoli
Visit Galleria Umberto I
People watch at Piazza del Plebiscito
Explore the grounds of Santa Chiara (about €5 to enter)
Eat some amazing pizza at the one of the first pizzerias, Sorbillo
Walk along the sea on Lungomare
Do a day trip to Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius
Where to Eat & Drink
SORBILLO (in all caps for a reasons because it’s the BEST PIZZA WE EVER HAD! Sorry for shouting but this is important haha)
Pancaffe O’girasole (non dairy milk options for cappucino!)
La Sfogliatella Mary (a local pastry!)
Ristorante Pizzeria Marino
Il Miracolio Pizzeria
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
We we lucky enough to meet up with one of our Instagram friends, Ivan, who is from Naples and took us around! He showed us places only locals know about, gave us a lot of Napoli history, and even told Shanna how to correctly pronounce her last name (which is Italian haha). We had the best time hanging out with him and we’re so glad we had the opportunity to make a new friend while traveling! If you want more info on our Naples adventure make sure you check out our travel vlog below!
EATING THE WORLD’S OLDEST PIZZA IN NAPLES
