Best things to do in Naples

What to see in Naples Port

Our NH Napoli Panorama hotel is a popular choice for meetings and events. And a factor that adds to its appeal is the location: with handy links to transit points, and perfect for an exploration of some of Naples highlights. Departing from our doors in the historic center, our introduction to life in the city begins with a stroll north towards the Palazzo Venezia.

In route to the palace, as you walk up the main street, you’ll pass by the Fontana di Monteoliveto, and then work your way around the Chiostro di Santa Chiara, a monastery and church that was originally constructed back in 1310. The cloisters have gone through numerous transformations over the centuries and manage to transport you back in time with some genuine treasures to witness first hand.

Once you reach the Palazzo itself you’ll quickly note how charming, yet modest, it is, and an ideal spot to sit and catch up with emails or scan through notes. If you wander across the courtyard you will find the standout feature of the palace, the stunning garden escape, with singing birds to motivate you even further. Grab a coffee or other refreshment, and try to spend a few minutes to appreciate the art exhibitions on show.

Moving on, a mandatory thing to do in Naples is pass by the opulent Chiesa di San Domenico – you’ll be coming across a significant number of churches no matter where you choose to explore in Naples – until you see the Museo Cappella Sansevero. This small chapel and museum boasts some remarkable works and is especially famed for its marble sculptures.

After you’ve had enough of what the museum has to offer, stroll up Via dei Tribunali towards our next two impressive stops: Duomo di Santa Maria Assuntai and Pio Monte della Misericordia. Like other buildings in the city, the medieval cathedral from the 4th century has gone through various refurbishments over the years. And it’s the changes – Gothic-style, mosaic floor, huge granite columns, and the artworks within – that give this structure much of its grandeur. The nearby Pio Monte della Misericordia is another church worth a quick visit, even if just to see The Seven Works of Mercy by Caravaggio hanging proudly above the high altar.

Working our way in a southerly direction within this guide on what to see in Naples, we move past the Santi Severino and Sossio church to enter the Museo di Paleontologia. Various fossil collections are housed here, including reptiles, mammals and fish, and are all split into museum divisions allowing you to pick and choose what you see. Those fish exhibits lead us neatly to the next sight on our mini-tour: Naples' port and waterfront.

As one of the most important in the Mediterranean, the Porto di Napoli has seen its fair share of battles over the centuries as other civilizations have looked to conquer. The local economy’s main source of income comes from its sea trade and a walk along the southern part of the front can give an insight into the hive of activity that exists. As you breathe in that coastal air, you’ll spot one of our last things to do in Naples, to visit the Castel Nuovo.

Depending on how you arrived in Naples, you may have seen this 13th century castle early on. Its distinctive towers, painted ceiling, and courtyard won’t take up much of your time but are worth their admiration. From the castle you are just a few steps away from being back at the hotel.

More about Naples

We have hardly scratched the Neapolitan surface and so if more time is available, here are some other ideas that will create further memories for your trip home.

Splitting the historical old town down the middle, Spaccanapoli is a popular area with tourists and locals alike. The cobbled walkway changes name along its two kilometers and is in close proximity to a lot of the city’s hotspots. A stroll along will allow you to take in various churches and palaces, drop into exciting bars and restaurants, and pick up, or just admire, items in a wide selection of unique shops and even some artist workshops. There are some fabulous pastry-filled cafés awaiting you too.

Above ground this city is an absolute delight. Did you know, however, that you also have things to do in Naples underneath the busy streets? In the San Gennaro Catacombs you get to explore another world: tracking the tunnels, observing the graves, and generally getting a sense of the history behind this intriguing Italian city.

Neapolitan royalty at its best greets you at the Palazzo Reale, home to the kings of the past, several of whom have meticulous statues presented in its grounds. The lavish decoration tends to impress even the best-traveled guest and the throne room in particular gets much of the attention.

As mentioned in the introduction, Mount Vesuvius is a short trip away from the city. The destruction caused after its eruption in 79 AD is a story often retold, and knowing the potency that lies beneath its imposing curves makes it all the more fascinating.

Eating out in Naples

There is no doubt that Italians have a love affair with food and drink, known around the world for pizza, pasta, ice cream and wine. Whatever your needs, in this list of things to do in Naples, we have you deliciously covered…

• To have breakfast in Naples: The selection of fresh, healthy options at breakfast time in the NH Napoli Panorama Hotel is hard to beat, however, if you’re out and about early, Naples has a plethora of cafés and bistros to get your day off to the perfect start. If you want to say, “Posso avere un caffè per favore?” why not do it in arguably the most famous café in the city, Gran Caffe Gambrinus.
• Snack on the run: If you need to grab a quick bite to eat between meetings or sightseeing, do what the locals do. The pizza a portafoglio is effectively the traditional breaded dish but folded up to eat on the go. Similarly, ask for a cuoppo and you’ll be presented with a smallish paper cone filled to the brim with tasty, often fried, seafood delights including calamari. One tried-and-tested choice for this is Pizzeria di Mattero but there are plenty of street vendors in view throughout downtown Naples.
• Preparing for the pm: A pizzeria has to form one of your meals while you’re in Naples so ensure that you find a traditional family-run restaurant and sit down for some great food. Di Matteo on Via dei Tribunali or Starita on Via Materdei will welcome you in like you’re a regular and you’ll not be disappointed they did as you leave fully satisfied.
• Among the things to do in Naples, if you are in the mood for a quiet dinner: Da Ettore is a traditional trattoria with a menu to die for. Regional ingredients put together in a way to delight the taste buds.
• When a dinner with elegant style is required, look no further than Trattoria da Cicciotto. Chef Vicenzo will ensure that the very finest of the local seafood is served up, while you look out over the water where it came from.

Naples nightlife

The Neapolitan nightlife is worth checking out. There’s vibrancy to the street life that gets going around 20:00 and a wide range of places to mingle with the locals.

Small in size but huge in style, Enoteca Belledonne gives you a fine selection of wines as well as some tasty accompanying dishes in a chilled out, but classy environment.

Fancy a cozy night with some live jazz music? It doesn’t get much better than inside Bourbon Street, with high quality musicians, a diverse mix of clientele, and its charming atmosphere. It’s like an escape into another world. Shanti Art Musik Bar is an alternative for more live tunes and a truly cosmopolitan crowd.

The Alter Ego lounge bar is the place for you if a classic cocktail in a trendy setting is the preferred approach to end the day.

We hope this brief guide on things to do in Naples has helped you. In this city the coffee is delicious, the pizzas are mouth-watering, the views are incredible and the architecture is a guarantee that, as soon as you leave this fascinating city behind, you will already be planning a return trip to continue enjoying its wonders.