First-time travelers to Italy often visit the tourist hotspots like Rome, Amalfi, and Venice. While these are all wonderful cities, there’s a certain stigma around traveling to Naples. Just a quick google search and you’ll find dozens of sites and feeds saying that Naples, Italy isn’t worth a visit. But should you believe it?
As a city, Naples, Italy doesn’t get the best reputation among U.S. travelers, with many people citing that it’s dirty, chaotic, and noisy. What U.S city do you think of when you hear these adjectives? Is it New York? Or maybe it’s San Francisco?New Orleans? The majority of U.S. cities are dirty, noisy, and chaotic… and that doesn’t stop most U.S. tourists from visiting.
While I wouldn’t necessarily visit Naples for a week straight, here’s why it’s absolutely worth a visit for your Italy trip. Situated just one hour from Rome by high-speed luxury train, there’s no reason not to check out this authentic Italian city on your Italy trip. I’m so glad I didn’t listen to the negative reputation and comments online about visiting Naples. Naples turned out to be one of the coolest, realest cities we visited on our trip to Italy.
Let’s break down the truth to the question you want to know: Is Naples Italy worth visiting? Here’s my honest thoughts on this “loud” city.
What makes Naples, Italy worth a visit
Location
The location of Naples, located south of Rome, makes it the “starting point” for many of Italy’s top destinations. For trips to the Amalfi Coast, Mount Vesuvius, Pompeii, or other Southern Italy destinations, you’ll likely need to fly into Naples. If you’re already there… why not explore? As a gateway to other Italian cities, the centralized location of Naples makes it an easy city to add onto your trip itinerary.
History
Naples, Italy is also a city rich with so much history to explore. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Europe, it’s one of Italy’s most important cultural and historical hubs. I found it really interesting how Naples, Italy is a “layered” city with an entire underground city that exists beneath the city. During your visit to Naples, I highly recommend a tour of Underground Naples (Napoli Sotterranea) where you can walk through tunnels, aquaducts, and shelters underneath the city. I’m not even a huge history buff and I loved this.
Food scene
I’m a foodie traveler to the fullest extent. Trying new foods and learning about their importance to the places I visit is by far one of my favorite parts of travel. Known as the birthplace of pizza, Naples’ food scene truly delivers. Not only can you explore authentic Neapolitan pizza here, but the street food culture is also worth exploring.
One of the best things I did during my visit was go on a Naples Italy food tour. These types of walking food tours take you to the spots locals actually dine at. From buffalo mozzarella to the best tomatoes I’ve ever had… the food in Naples is truly incredible. My favorite food I had in all of Italy (Pasta alla Genovese) was at some random restaurant in a back alley covered in graffiti. In Naples, graffiti isn’t seen so much as sign of danger. Rather, it is seen as how locals express themselves through art.
Is Naples Italy worth visiting?
The location, the food, and the history are all great reasons to visit Naples. Yet, I truly believe that what make Naples the most special is its authenticity. Rome and other tourist hotspot cities have a different, manufactured feel, swarming with visitors. Naples, on the other hand, has a more realistic, authentic feel.
People who live in Naples are especially passionate about their city and it truly shines through when they speak. If you want a feel for what a real Italian city is like, a visit to Naples must make your Italy travel itinerary.
Is Naples the cleanest city you’ll ever find? Absolutely not. The trash on every street corner was straight up disgusting. The city is in urgent need of some clean up and new practices to save it.
Is Naples the most beautiful city you’ll find? Certainly not. Like any other major city, there are many parts of it that are run down and feel less-than-picturesque.
Is Naples the safest city you’ll find? No. Like any major city, you’ll want to be aware of your surroundings. When they say Naples is dangerous, they’re mostly talking about minor street crimes like pickpocketing. As long as you’re smart, it’s more than safe to roam about the city on your own.
Visiting Naples: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many days do you need in Naples, Italy?
A: I recommend two to three days to get the most well-rounded feel of Naples, Italy. However, how long you choose to spend depends on your interests. History buffs may need longer to explore the city. I spent three days here and felt it was ample time to fall in love with vibrant culture here. I recommend pairing Naples as an add-on to a Rome and Amalfi trip for a diversified Italy trip experience.
Q: Is Naples better than Rome?
A: Rome might get more attention — but that doesn’t make it better. Both cities have their own feel and lots of excellent things to explore. One isn’t better than the other. That’s why I loved visiting both. Having a different comparison for Italian cities can you give you a broader scope feel for the country as a whole.
Q: Who might not like visiting Naples, Italy?
A: If you truly want a beachy, romanticized view of Italy.. traveling to a city like Naples won’t impress you. You’re likely seeking the views you’ve seen on social media like of Amalfi or Positano. If you can appreciate authenticity and great food, you’ll love exploring Naples.