Naples Travel Guide
Naples is a must-visit for those looking for Italy's most mouth-watering cuisine and views of the dramatic, volcanic Vesuvius.
Naples is Southern Italy’s largest city. With a long, intricate past of settlement dating back to the 2nd millennium BC, it’s one of Europe’s most historic cities. The city’s Italian name, Napoli, derives from the Greek nea 'new' and polis 'city'. These days, Naples might not seem all that new. It's not as glamorous as the fashionable Milan, or as popular as the Eternal City of Rome, Naples is still well worth holidaying at!
Being just a 90-minute drive from Sorrento, the first town on the sublime Amalfi Coast, Naples is a fantastic base or starting point to accessing this famed coastline. The city also has a vibrant food scene, and is particularly popular with pizza-lovers.
Whether you are hoping to spend one glorious week in Naples, or you are just stopping by on your merry to the glittering Amalfi Coast, we have the city covered. From the most delicious, family-run pizzerias to fascinating side trips to Pompeii, read on for our ultimate guide to Naples.
Naples at a glance
With a population of 3 million, Naples is Italy’s third-largest city. Occupying 45 square miles on the Gulf of Naples, the daunting Mount Vesuvius looms over Naples. For such a large city, this volcanic backdrop certainly adds a layer of uniqueness.
If you are wondering what language is spoken in Naples, it's Italian! While that’s not hugely surprising, what is interesting to note is that Neapolitan is also commonly spoken by locals. Neapolitan has ancient roots and is the Italian dialect of Naples and the surrounding regions of Southern Italy. In terms of English, you can find people speaking English in the larger eateries, hotels, and areas heavy with tourists, but on the whole, English is not widely spoken in Naples - so it might be a good idea to have your translation app on hand!
Why book a holiday to Naples?
One of the top reasons to holiday to Naples is for the archaeology. Naples is truly a city with a story! With National Archaeological Museum boasting more than 11,000 ancient exhibits, history buffs will be spoilt for choice on a holiday in Naples. Of course, to explore the city’s historical offerings that lie beyond a climate-controlled museum, you can make a side-trip to Pompeii - one of the world’s most recognised historical sites.
Best tours to Naples
- Visit the extraordinary ruins of Roman Pompeii
- Enjoy a full day on the enchanting Isle of Capri
- Discover and explore colourful, historic Naples, one of Italy’s most iconic cities
- Embrace time to meander around delightful Sorrento
8 days from £1,249 pp
was £1,399 pp
Dates Available
October 2024 - October 2025
Duration
8 days
Depart From
7 airports
Excursions
3 included
Meals
14 included
How to get to Naples
Due to the city’s proximity to the world-famous Mediterranean jewels of Amalfi, Capri, and Ischia, many travellers head to Naples to access these spots. The best way to reach Naples from the UK is by plane. Naples International Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in Italy and is frequently used by EasyJet and Ryanair. If you are flying into this airport, it is only a 25-minute bus ride to the city, so it is an incredibly convenient pathway.
If other Italian cities are higher on your list than Naples, take the train! From Rome, Naples is just over an hour by train. From Florence, it will take you just under three hours by train. Rail travel in Italy is well-connected and affordable.
Places to visit and things to do in Naples
Castel Nuovo
Solo Travel in Naples
Some of the rumours about this historic city might have you wondering: is it safe to travel to Naples? And moreover, is Naples safe to travel alone? In short, you might find that other Italian cities like Rome and Florence are safer to travel solo. Even still, travelling solo in Naples is extremely common.
If you are looking for peace of mind when travelling solo, join an escorted tour. This style of travel will ensure you have comfortable and safe accommodation, handpicked sights and activities, and an informative guide to take you around the city. This option is particularly popular among solo female travellers and over 50s travellers who are seeking a secure and relaxing way to explore the beautiful country of Italy.