Naples

A lively, multi-colour city with a wealth of flavours and a thousand-year history made up of alternating kingdoms and dominations, capable of revealing its true soul even in just two days.

Such a goal is not, however, easy to achieve, all the more so on holiday when relaxation and leisure time are essential. However, there is nothing to prevent you from indulging in an ad hoc tour of the city you are visiting, perhaps before starting your day. This is an energy booster that you will appreciate as soon as you get over the shock of the alarm clock. With this in mind, and considering the delicacies the city has to offer once you are seated at the table, we have drawn up four itineraries for visiting the centre of Naples and bagging your daily 10000 steps by simply walking around some truly enchanting places. And after a long walk before breakfast, a warm sfogliatella riccia (a local pastry) is a must in Naples, don't you think?

The largest in Italy and one of the largest in Europe, it spans 17 kilometres between characteristic UNESCO World Heritage districts such as the elegant Via Chiaia area and the magnificent panoramas of the Vomero and Posillipo. Every district of the historic centre of Naples has a unique soul, from the very central district of Montecalvario to that of San Giuseppe near the port of Naples, without forgetting the Avvocata district and the Pendino district, among the areas of Naples with the most churches. Further north, but still within the Neapolitan historical centre, you can find the San Carlo all'Arena district with the royal residence of Capodimonte now home to a wonderful national art museum, one of the most important in southern Italy.

In Naples, the 19th of September is the Feast of San Gennaro. This very special day for Neapolitans is an explosion of popular devotion to the city’s patron saint and a fascinating synthesis of tradition and spirituality. The ampoule containing his blood is taken from the Reliquary and the miracle of liquefaction is repeated every year. Being in Naples on this occasion is a unique experience when you can take part in the full programme of celebrations and the genuine, boundless enthusiasm of the Neapolitan people.

Here, food reigns supreme on the table and beyond: it fills the streets, shops, cloisters and street stalls, offering unforgettable taste experiences. Living the Italian way of life also means immersing oneself in culinary traditions and letting oneself be captivated by the most authentic ones. We discover the secrets, recipe by recipe, of the best street food in Naples.

The Catacombs of Naples, in Campania, make for a millenary monument to Neapolitan religiosity. Of these, the Catacombs of San Gennaro cover approximately 60,278 sq ft within tuff excavations on the Capodimonte Hill, and host around 2,000 burial recesses, along with 500 sarcophagi dug into wall niches. They are a popular destination for tourists, who are accompanied by guides in period costume on theatrical tours that end, on request, with the tasting of typical local dishes in the sacristies of ancient churches.

The square in downtown Naples between the waterfront and Via Toledo It takes its name from the plebiscite of October 21, 1860 that decreed the joining of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies to the Kingdom of Italy. Piazza del Plebiscito is very close to the sea, framed by four buildings of great historical and artistic importance: the Royal Palace, the San Francesco di Paola Basilica, and two symmetrical buildings, the Prefecture and the Salerno Palace. The semi-elliptical portico recalls that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. In the middle of the square, there are the two equestrian statues depicting Charles III (by Canova) and Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, commissioned after the Napoleonic period, to celebrate the return of the Spanish house to Naples. With its 25000 sqm, it is one of the largest in Italy and for this reason it is suitable for events or concerts.

A unique, charming place on the waterfront in Naples One of the oldest castles in Naples, Castel dell'Ovo, a fortress of Norman origin, can be found on the seafront, on the ancient island Isolotto di Megaride. Legend has it that it was named after the egg of the siren Partenope that the poet Virgil hid underground in the castle. Closed and protected by a cage, the sacred, enchanted egg would have brought good luck to the city if it remained intact. Even today people still believe that the castle can never collapse while the egg is there. It can be reached on foot by taking a nice walk with the sea breeze for company on which you can admire a unique view of the Gulf of Naples as you climb its terraces. Subject to booking, you can also visit the internal rooms frescoed with late Byzantine works, a vaulted Gothic room excavated from the tufa, the two towers, called Normandia and Maestra, the remains of the Church of San Salvatore and a fifteenth-century loggia, the monks’ cells and the prison of Queen Joanna. After the visit to the Castle stop off at Borgo Marinari, with its clubs, restaurants and bars for a lunch break or dinner at sunset.

From royal seat to fortress, the castle relates the history of Naples Find out the true history of Naples by visiting Castel Nuovo, or the Maschio Angioino. An imposing castle built in 1266 by Charles I of Anjou was the royal seat and cultural center that hosted artists and writers such as Giotto, Petrarch and Boccaccio. Later, it became a military fortress under Aragonese rule, given its strategic location. You can visit the internal rooms such as the Hall of the Barons, the main hall in the Castle, frescoed by Giotto, with a splendid octagonal vault and the Hall of the Armory where archaeological remains from the Roman era have been found. The Palatine Chapel is all that remains of the ancient Angevin palace and houses some sculptures from the Neapolitan Renaissance. The Castle houses the Civic Museum with frescoes and paintings ranging from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century and works of art from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.

The street of the nativity scenes, one of the most beautiful in the center of Naples San Gregorio Armeno is not only the street of the nativity scenes, it is also the heart of Naples and its traditions, one of the most characteristic. It was once a Roman street where you could find the Temple of the Goddess Ceres, the fertility deity. The worshipers used to carry small terracotta statues in its honor and this is how the first craft shops were established. But the tradition of handmade nativity figurines only became popular around the eighteenth century. It is always Christmas in this street because of its shops, open all year round, that sell the statuettes of Nativity characters to be added to the nativity together with the figurines of politicians, actors and well-known personalities. In addition to the artisans’ work, you can visit the nearby Monastery of San Gregorio Armeno, with its beautiful cloister, with a marble fountain in the center featuring Baroque-style decorations and an ancient well. Inside you can see the coffered ceiling created by the painter Teodoro d'Errico and frescoes by Luca Giordano, such as “The Glory of San Gregorio”.

The ancient Neapolitan opera house Inaugurated in 1737, the San Carlo Theater in Naples, near Piazza del Plebiscito, is among the oldest in Europe, holds over 2000 spectators, and is one of Italy’s largest theaters. Founded by King Charles III of Spain, in the past it was the hub of the activities of the Neapolitan School as well as a center for the arts at an international level. Rossini and Donizetti directed great opera seasons here, while among the greatest artists to have taken the stage in the Theater are Niccolò Paganini and Vincenzo Bellini. The theater has hosted works by Puccini, Pietro Mascagni and the whole branch of Neapolitan opera. Opera, dance, symphonies, and recitals are part of a busy calendar proposed every year by the Theater of San Carlo, which for more than 200 years has also been home to the Ballet School, founded in 1812, the first to be founded in Italy, and one of the oldest in Europe. The Fondazione del Teatro carries out numerous activities: from Educational to workshops dedicated to schools. Guided tours of the Theater are available every day, with access to the Historic Auditorium, the Royal Stage and the historic Foyer as well as the MeMUS, the Museum and historical archive of the San Carlo. The theater is a real attraction not to be missed if you pass through Naples.

Royal Palace of Naples: Culture, history and richness The Royal Palace stands in Piazza del Plebiscito in the heart of the historic centre of Naples The entire complex, which dates back to 1600, is made up of several spaces known for their evocative beauty. The visit starts from the historic apartment where you can admire all the majesty of the Royal Chapel, the Court Theatre, the Hall of Hercules, the apartment of Etiquette and the Staircase of Honour. Tapestries, paintings, marble sculptures and frescoes frame this ancient residence and narrate its history and vicissitudes. The gardens and courtyards of the Royal Palace are what makes this complex even more fascinating. They are home to many botanical species and are ideal for strolling. They are made unique by the Hanging Garden and its delightful view over the Gulf of Naples and Vesuvius. The National Library of Naples, the two Superintendencies for the Municipality and the Metropolitan Area of Naples, the Memus Museum of the San Carlo Theatre and the Fondazione Premio Napoli are all housed today in this cultural centre.

For travelers in search of the opportunity to relax by the sea - yet still partake in an active cultural and social scene - a trip to the lovely islands of the Bay of Naples is definitely one for the bucket list: we’re talking about Procida, Ischia and Capri. A long weekend is ideal for enjoying the beauties on display on these three islands and for living both nature and the sea to their fullest.

Entire books have been written about the role played by the Royal Palace of Caserta in the history of art and architecture – but perhaps not everything has yet been said. This masterpiece, designed by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli, is so large and grandiose that words alone are not enough. The Palace of Caserta, listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, undoubtedly rivals the largest royal residences in Europe, in terms of its beauty and historic value. From 1752, the year in which King Charles of Bourbon acquired the land on which the palace now stands, the construction and decoration of the building continued without interruption for almost a century. The five-storey royal palace is set around four large internal courtyards and has three magnificent entrance lobbies. Inside, there are countless halls and rooms filled with priceless antique furnishings, while the walls are lined with friezes and frescoes. The surroundings of the palace (and the superhuman efforts that made it possible) are in some ways even more unexpected. Vanvitelli used the slight gradient of the terrain to good advantage, building an aqueduct almost 40 km long, to supply the various lakes and water features dotted around the royal gardens. The park of the royal palace of Caserta extends for about three kilometres along a central avenue, with stunning visuals.

This volcanic island in the Gulf of Naples seems almost out of time, in the idyllic setting of fishing boats and small villages perched on hills. Here a typically Mediterranean beauty and from literature to film it was starred in many works. In the late 1950s, Elsa Morante dedicated the book L'Isola di Arturo to this island. Procida is the queen of slow tourism and should be discovered calmly, with no rush. It offers a perfect mix of natural beauty, glimpses of a long history and unmissable beaches. You can get around easily on foot, but buses or taxis are also available.

The Sorrento peninsula extends from Castellammare di Stabia to the promontory of Punta Campanella at the far extremity spectacularly overlooking the Gulf of Naples: between sea, nature walks, archaeological sites and astonishing locations, here are 6 masterpieces that reveal all its beauty.

The best known, the bay of leranto with views of Capri where Ulysses was bewitched by the Sirens. Perhaps lesser known is the cove of Mitigliano, where you can enjoy the view of Punta Campanella, up to Sorrento. Offering two small beaches of volcanic sand, passing through Piano di Sorrento, always holding a Blue flag, and Scrajo beach in Vico Equense where you will find a pool of sulfurous water.

This jewel near Naples, in Campania, which lets you travel back in time, has long held the record as the most visited place in the world. The archaeological area of Pompeii, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata is among the 58 Italian UNESCO sites in the World Heritage List. It never ceases to amaze, giving you the opportunity to explore the extent of the commercial city of Pompeii, the fewer but better-preserved remains of the ancient town of Herculaneum and the frescoes of the Villa Oplontis in Torre Annunziata, which portray the opulent lifestyle of the wealthy classes at the beginning of the Roman Empire.