Naples

Naples gets plenty of sunshine year-round, so you can honestly visit at any time. Even in winter it never gets truly cold — temperatures hover around 50–60°F.

Summers are basically rain-free, but July and August can be brutal, with temperatures pushing past 95°F. The sweet spot is April through June and September through October — warm, manageable, and not as packed.

If you want to save on accommodation, the Advent season is surprisingly good value. The whole city gets beautifully decorated and there’s a genuinely festive atmosphere everywhere you turn.

Avoid New Year’s Eve if you can. It’s honestly like a war zone — locals set off mostly illegal fireworks and firecrackers all night long. There’s also a local tradition of throwing old things out the window on New Year’s Eve to make room for the new. And yes, that sometimes means furniture.

Ah, food and drinks in Naples! Naples is the queen of good food in Italy. Walk down any street and you’re hit with the smell of freshly baked bread, sweet pastries, and ripe produce.

Food here is always fresh and made with the best ingredients. For Neapolitans, eating well isn’t a luxury — it’s just life.

Here are the specialties you really can’t skip:

Pizza

Pizza was invented here. All of Italy agrees that Neapolitan pizza is the best in the country — which, naturally, makes it the best in the world.

Traditional Neapolitan pizza is baked only in a wood-fired oven, with a thin, soft base and a high, puffy crust. You can get it topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella, which must — no exceptions — be fresh. So must the tomato sauce. Since 2017, Neapolitan pizza has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Spaghetti Puttanesca

Puttanesca is a fully vegetarian pasta sauce and a true Naples classic — tomatoes, black olives, garlic, capers, and oregano. Traditionally served over spaghetti, though you’ll find it on other pasta shapes too. If you want one truly traditional plate of pasta in Naples, this is the one.

Parmigiana

There’s always a debate about whether parmigiana originated in Naples or Sicily. What’s not up for debate: it’s absolutely delicious.

It’s an eggplant casserole — layers of fried or grilled eggplant, basil, mozzarella, tomato sauce, and Parmesan. Served lukewarm, either as a main or a small starter.

Babà

Step into any pastry shop in Naples and you’ll be overwhelmed by the sheer variety of cakes, tarts, and cookies. But one thing is always there: the babà, recognizable by its distinctive chef’s hat shape.

It comes in various sizes, made from a light, airy dough with a Nutella, jam, or cream filling. The tiny ones skip the filling but make up for it by being soaked in limoncello or rum. Don’t miss them.

Getting to Naples is pretty straightforward from most major European cities — direct flights are available from airports across Europe several times a week.

Use Skyscanner to compare flights and find the best deal.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

Naples’ international airport, Capodichino, is about 7 kilometers from the city center — so the transfer is quick and easy.

By shuttle bus

The Alibus shuttle runs from the airport every 15 to 20 minutes to the main train station and the port.

The ride to the train station takes about 20 minutes, and about 30 minutes to the port. A one-way ticket costs 5 euros and can be bought at the Sun Store Tabacchi kiosk at the airport, from the bus driver, or online. The shuttle runs daily from 6:00 AM to 11:45 PM.

By taxi

Taxis are a bit faster and drop you right at your accommodation. Fixed fares apply depending on your destination.

A ride to the main train station costs 18 euros; the port costs 21 euros. Always ask the driver for the fixed fare before you set off. The taxi stand is right at the terminal exit.

Naples is an all-around affordable city. Museum admissions and attractions tend to be cheaper here than in other Italian cities like Milan or Rome — and the same goes for food and places to stay.

Vacation rentals are especially good value: a well-rated apartment for two people right in the heart of the old town starts at around 70 euros per night. Nice hotel rooms with a private bathroom start from about 80 euros.

Here’s what you can expect to pay on average in Naples:

• A cappuccino: 1 to 1.50 euros
• 0.5 liters of water: 0.50 euros
• A single metro ticket: 1.10 euros
• Overnight stay in a central hotel: 80 to 200 euros per room
• Neapolitan pizza: 4 to 7 euros
• Dinner at a local restaurant: 15 to 25 euros
• Attraction admission: 5 to 10 euros per person

Getting to Naples is pretty straightforward from most major European cities — direct flights are available from airports across Europe several times a week.

Use Skyscanner to compare flights and find the best deal.

How do I get from the airport to the city?

Naples’ international airport, Capodichino, is about 7 kilometers from the city center — so the transfer is quick and easy.

By shuttle bus

The Alibus shuttle runs from the airport every 15 to 20 minutes to the main train station and the port.

The ride to the train station takes about 20 minutes, and about 30 minutes to the port. A one-way ticket costs 5 euros and can be bought at the Sun Store Tabacchi kiosk at the airport, from the bus driver, or online. The shuttle runs daily from 6:00 AM to 11:45 PM.

By taxi

Taxis are a bit faster and drop you right at your accommodation. Fixed fares apply depending on your destination.

A ride to the main train station costs 18 euros; the port costs 21 euros. Always ask the driver for the fixed fare before you set off. The taxi stand is right at the terminal exit.

For sightseeing in the city itself, you’ll want at least two full days — ideally three.

Many of the top attractions are centrally located and within easy walking distance of each other, but there are some great sights in outlying neighborhoods that take a bit more time to reach.

If you’re planning to hike Mount Vesuvius or visit Pompeii, add at least another day — each excursion needs at least half a day including travel time. So budget at least four days if you want to do it all.

Naples has become no more dangerous than most other major European cities.

Around all the main piazzas and attractions, police patrols are present throughout the day, which makes life harder for pickpockets and scammers. That said, petty crime does happen, so stay aware of your surroundings.

Don’t leave valuables unattended and skip the flashy jewelry. If you’re carrying a good camera, keep a close eye on it.

There are some neighborhoods that aren’t suitable for tourists — particularly the northern districts of Secondigliano and Scampia, where organized crime is still a real presence.

One more thing: the traffic in Naples is seriously wild. Street signs and speed limits are treated more as suggestions than rules.

On top of our city trip packing list, here are a few Naples-specific things to bring:

A jacket or sweater: Even in the middle of summer, pack something with long sleeves — the city’s underground tunnels get chilly fast. You’ll also need to cover your shoulders when visiting churches.

Sturdy shoes: Essential if you’re climbing Mount Vesuvius — the path to the crater is rocky and unpaved. The same applies to Pompeii and most other archaeological sites in the area.

A fanny pack: Theft is unfortunately common in Naples, especially on buses and in crowded areas. Bags can even get snatched off your shoulder by someone on a scooter. Keep your valuables in a fanny pack — it’s really worth it.

Locals in Naples speak Neapolitan, a dialect so distinct that even other Italians sometimes struggle with it.

English isn’t widely spoken on the street — it’s actually more common to find someone who speaks some German, since many Neapolitans have worked in Germany at some point.

But don’t worry: hotel staff and museum employees almost always speak at least basic English.

For everything else, having a translation app on your phone or a small Italian phrasebook will really come in handy — especially in small cafés, local restaurants, or while shopping.

We’d recommend against it.

The authorities officially classify Naples’ tap water as safe, but there are recurring independent studies that suggest otherwise. To be on the safe side, stick to bottled mineral water during your stay.