Flight guide to Naples

See Naples and Die was the saying in the 18th century, when Naples was Europe's second-largest city and at the very height of its power and wealth. See Naples and diet is also good advice. This city is heaven for foodies - pizza originated here after all.

Lying between two volcanic areas, Campi Flegrei to the west and Vesuvius to the east, Naples is a hilly city sloping into the Gulf of Naples. The Bay itself is gorgeous, its sparkling blue waters are framed by Mount Vesuvius and the island of Capri.

Italy's most populous city is industrial and faded in parts. The old town is Unesco-listed, but you'll find scaffolding propping up crumbling stucco in some places and Bourbon palaces standing beside streets of laundry-slung tenement buildings in others. There is a wealth of museums, galleries and awe-inspiring churches. The Cathedral is Naples' most important place of worship and hosts an annual "miracle" when the dried blood of its patron saint, Saint Januarius (San Gennaro) liquifies.

Many travellers booking flights to Naples plan to visit the Roman city of Pompeii, buried by Vesuvius's eruption in AD79. Herculaneum is a better-preserved site, just 20km east of Naples.

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Naples Climate

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When to Fly to Naples

Peak Season:
The high season in Naples is July to September. Most residents leave the city for the second half of August and close many restaurants and shops, but this also means fewer crowds for the summer tourist.

April to June and October may be the best times to visit Naples. The weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds. Although the Maggio dei Monumenti has exhibits, fairs, and special events in May, bringing visitors to the city.

Spring and fall provide the best views from Vesuvius, but the days are shorter than in summer.

Off Season:
The off season is November to March when you will see few tourist crowds, but the weather can be chilly and damp.

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Getting Downtown Naples

Buses leave regularly from the airport for Napoli Centrale railway station and the city centre. Taxis are also available.

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Getting Around Naples

Although walking is a peaceful way to explore Naples, it is too large to cover on foot, so you will probably take public transportation at some point. The cost of tickets is the same for funicular, metro, bus, or tram, and you can buy them at the stations or any shop with the Gira Napoli–Napoli Pass logo. 

The bus network is extensive and some bus routes are more direct and faster than train routes. However, you may want to avoid buses during rush hour—the crush to board can cause physical injury. Best to take a tram or subway during rush hour, or avoid rush hour altogether.

Official taxis are white, metered, and have the Naples symbol on their doors. You can pick one up at a stand or call for one. There are lots of extra fees, and if the driver claims the meter is broken, make sure to negotiate a fare before taking off.

Driving in Naples is nerve-racking. Drivers are impatient and tend to ignore traffic lights. To add to the fray, there is the maze of one-way streets and a high rate of car theft.

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Naples Insider Information

• The centre is a Unesco World Heritage Site as are the nearby archaeological sites of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata.
• Among the famous artists who have lived here are Giotto, Pietro Cavalliniwho painted frescos in Santa Maria Donnaregina, Tino Da Camaino whose sculptures can be admired in San Lorenzo Maggiore and Caravaggio who arrived in the city after a brawl in Rome, which left a man dead. He painted Madonna del Rosario and The Seven Acts of Mercy, which now hangs in the Church of Pio Monte della Misericordia.
• The Duomo - built between 1294 and 1323 - houses the relics of San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples. The relics are two bottles of his blood, which are said to liquefy twice a year (in May and September).
• The Teatro San Carlo is a beautiful opera house with a backdrop that can be removed to reveal the gardens of the Palazzo Reale.
• Napoli Sotterranea is a series of underground caves, catacombs, passageways and aqueducts in the Old Town. This is the “original city”. The Greeks took out lots of the tufa stone to build walls and temples and the Romans followed, building an aqueduct and tunnels. During the Second World War, the area was used as a bomb shelter.
• The Royal Botanical Gardens, on more than 12 hectares, is one of Italy’s largest botanical gardens. It has 10,000 species of flora from all around the world.
• The Museo Nazionale displays artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as Greek and Roman sculptures. There is also a wonderful mosaics section and a fine Egyptian collection.
• The islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida are worth a visit. Ischia is very popular with spa-goers. The island receives about 2,400,000 visitors a year. Spas on the island feature steam baths and mud treatments.

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Naples Airports

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