Naples

Naples (Napoli) is the capital of Campania and the largest city of southern Italy, spread around a wide bay beneath Mount Vesuvius. Founded by the Greeks as Neapolis, it has been a royal capital, a centre of art and music and the birthplace of pizza, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the largest in Europe.

The old town follows the ancient Greek street plan. Spaccanapoli cuts straight through it, and Via San Gregorio Armeno is lined with workshops making nativity figures. The cathedral holds the relics of San Gennaro, the Sansevero Chapel the marble Veiled Christ, and the underground city of Napoli Sotterranea reveals Greek and Roman tunnels. The National Archaeological Museum displays treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the Capodimonte museum holds a great collection of paintings. Show more

Along the bay, Piazza del Plebiscito, the Royal Palace, the Teatro di San Carlo, Castel Nuovo and Castel dell'Ovo face the sea, and the Lungomare promenade leads towards Posillipo. Castel Sant'Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino on the Vomero hill offer views over the city and the volcano. Pizza napoletana, sfogliatella, babà and espresso are part of daily life, and the art stations of the metro show contemporary design.

Naples has an international airport, high speed trains to Rome and ferries to Capri, Ischia, Sicily and Sardinia. Three or four days suit the city, which is also the base for Pompeii, Vesuvius and the islands. Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons.