Benvenuti a Napoli! Imagine a city that’s a live wire of history, foodfests, and never-ending street sagas.
But hang on — there’s more under the hood in this Italian powerhouse! Here’s your guide to not just the postcard spots but also Naples’ best-kept secrets.
Gear up for a no-stress, all-thrill ride through the heart of a city that isn’t just seen, it’s experienced. Ready to dive into the authentic Napoli vibe?
Image Credit: Getty Images, Zummolo.
1. Find the best pizza in Naples
Your Neapolitan saga doesn’t truly kickstart until you sink your teeth into a legendary Neapolitan pizza. Find out why the entire world is head over heels for this Neapolitan classic. Spoiler: it’s amore at first bite!
The best pizzerias in Naples (and nearby)
- L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele (in Centro Storico): the “Sistine Chapel” of pizza, where every bite is a moment of devotion. Brace for queues, they’re part of the ritual.
- Gino Sorbillo (in Centro Storico): where the dough is a fluffy cloud from heaven and toppings dance — the crowd outside is proof.
- Starita (in Materdei): a pizza pilgrimage spot dating back to 1901; if it was good enough for Marlon Brando (true story!), your taste buds are in for an Oscar-worthy treat.
- Pizzaria La Notizia (in Vomero): a modern maestro of pizza artistry where each slice showcases innovation — you’re not just biting into pizza, but into future classics.
- Di Matteo (in Centro Storico): the royalty of street food ambiance with a pizza so good, it could probably solve political debates — or at least pause them.
- Pizzeria Pellone (in Vasto): fast, furious, and phenomenally delicious; it’s like the Formula 1 of pizza places, but the race is against your hunger.
- Acunzo (in Vomero): the insider’s choice since 1936, it’s the down-to-earth joint where friendliness is the starter, and incredible variety is the main course.
- 50 Kalò (in Mergellina): think of pizza as jazz? This joint’s improvising on classics with a contemporary twist will have your senses jammin’ with each morsel.
- Pepe In Grani (in Caiazzo, outside Naples): journey beyond Naples to Caiazzo, where magic happens not in a wand’s swish but in the ecstatic dance of flavors on a crust.
2. Strut down Naples’ seaside catwalk, Lungomare
Ready for a spectacle where the star is the sparkling Mediterranean? The Lungomare is Naples’ scenic runway, a stretch where the city’s life unfurls against the sea. Parade down this vibrant promenade, where each step knits the sky, the sea, and the jubilant Neapolitan spirit into your memories. As the sun dips low, casting golden hues over Vesuvius, you’ll know — this isn’t just a walk; it’s a date with Napoli itself.
3. Discover Castel dell’Ovo’s timeless charm
Naples tosses a visual extravaganza your way with the seafront Castel dell’Ovo (the “Egg Castle”), a legendary fortress birthed from myth and bathed in sunlight. Dive into tales of yore and relish vistas where the sky kisses the sea. Your camera will thank you for it!
4. Experience Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius' echoes of the past
Fancy a stroll through ancient lanes shadowed by a once-fiery mountain? Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius call you for an adventure that’s part time-travel, part thrill-ride. Tread the poignant ruins and gaze at the sleeping giant, a stone’s throw away with Trainline. It’s history, but with an eruptive edge.
5. Dare to descend The Naples Underground
Swap the sunshine for lantern glows as you slink into the city’s hush-hush corners. The Naples Underground is a secret passage through ages, where every echo whispers a different tale. Tip: Watch your step, there’s history underfoot!
6. All aboard the art express at Toledo metro station
Who said commuting was a drag? Toledo Art station turns transit into a kaleidoscopic journey. Imagine slipping into a universe where every tile winks with artistry, and mundane trips morph into escapades. Next stop: Il Paese delle Meraviglie (Wonderland)!
7. Enjoy the whimsy of Il Giardino di Babuk botanical garden
Nestled away from prying eyes is a world where imagination paints the landscape. Il Giardino di Babuk isn’t just greenery; it’s poetry etched in flora. Ready for an appuntamento with serenity?
8. See Royal shadows in the Bourbon Tunnel
The adventure spikes as the Bourbon Tunnel lures you into Naples' veiled chapters. A labyrinth where regality meets resilience, it promises shivers and awe in equal measure. History buff or not, this voyage will ensnare your senses.
9. Surrender to Trattoria da Nennella’s culinary concerto
Brace yourself for a culinary opera at Trattoria da Nennella, where dining is the show and you’re the esteemed guest. Dive into an ambrosial frenzy of cheesy pasta and succulent roasts, while the waiters, doubling as maestros, orchestrate an evening of hearty laughter, song, and dance. Here, every meal is a hearty encore, and you’re part of the boisterous Neapolitan family, reveling in the delicious cacophony. Bellissimo & buonissimo!
Image Credit: Getty Images, Avsinn. Image Location: Naples, Italy.
10. Discover the artistic heritage of Rione Sanità
No place embodies the contradictions of Naples' timeless beauty and urban chaos like Rione Sanità. Located in a valley at the foot of the Capodimonte hill, a short distance from the historic centre, it was born as a burial ground in the Graeco-Roman era, and you can still visit these catacombs today.
Your Neapolitan adventure is on the menu
Naples, a recipe book brimming with the spices of life and the sweetness of chaos, is prepped for an all-you-can-experience feast. Plunge a fork into its rich historical layers and savor the zest of its culinary mastery — every moment here teases the palate, leaving you hungry for what’s next.
Download the Trailine app to book your trip to Naples and don the chef’s hat in the savoriest travel story you’ll ever tell.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, Nico De Pasquale Photography. Image Location: Naples, Italy.