Is Naples Worth Seeing?
 

Planning a first trip to the Amalfi region of Italy. Flying into Naples. Is Naples worth seeing, or should we get out asap? We fly in at 10pm, so if we leave right away, we can't go far. Even Positano is an hour and half away.

From an article by Thomas Swick, in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, dated January 23, 2000, entitled "Where to Escape the Tourist Crowds"... <BR> <BR>ITALY <BR> <BR>Where everybody goes: Rome, Venice, Tuscany <BR>You go: Naples <BR> <BR>Think about it: The name has more vivid connotations for you than does Florence or even Venice. Opera, pizza, the Bay of Naples, Vesuvius, "Santa Lucia," pizza. With its palm trees and sweeping blue harbor, it is our idea of what an Italian city should be. Yet how many of us have been there? <BR> <BR>We were scared off for years by stories of crime and corruption, but the authorities have cracked down - stirred into action by the G-7 meeting of world leaders in 1994 - and it is now not only a safer but cleaner place. And nearby, if you find yourself missing tourists, are the Amalfi Coast and the ruins of Pompeii.

Short answer: Yes, it's worth seeing.

I just loved Naples, it reminds me (bldg. wise) of Vienna. The food is outstanding and I found the areas I was in were clean. The bus system is good, too. It is a big city with big city problems, crime wise, but the breeze was blowing in from the Med., and the people were friendly and I would go back any time.

I don't know if this is an adequate description, but this is MY impression of Napoli. <BR>Naples reminded me in a lot of respects of NYC. Yes it's a bit "grittier" then a lot of cities... the infrastructure more "lived in" but in terms of character.. it's got it by the ton. We spent two days there and you should know that most of the treasures from Pompeii are IN the museum in Naples.. not at the site itself, however Pompeii is a terrific sight to visit. <BR>

Would you recommend visiting Museo Nazionale Archeologico after or before touring Pompeii? My initial thought is to go there a day or two after being at Pompeii & Herculaneum. And is it a 2-3 hour visit to the Museum? Noticed that the visiting hours change from Sept. to Oct. (9:00-7:00 in Sept. vs. 9:00-2:00 in Oct?) so am trying to map out our days accordingly. Thanks for any thoughts.

Ted, <BR>I wish we had had more time to explore Naples. <BR>We did 9 days Rome and 8 days Formia, which is a beach town less than an hr. north of Naples. <BR>the area is lovely! <BR>How long is your trip planned for? <BR>If you have lots of time, why not take 2-3 days and do Naples? <BR>If you do a word search under <BR>"Dona" , you maybe able to scroll back and find her great thread on her trip, last October. <BR>She started in Naples, and put up a great report here. <BR>Do a word search on Naples, too, and see what you come up with.

Wow. Thanks for the responses. Clearly Naples is well worth the stop. Our entire trip is 14 days from Naples to Venice, driving most of the way, we think. <BR> <BR>Thanks Nancy for the "Dona" tip.

Nancy, welcome to the "I Love Naples" club. We're small, but elite. <BR> <BR>Ted, is Naples worth visiting? YES, YES, YES. It is worth at least 2 days, more if you can do it. I don't know what you like, so I hesitate to recommend. Feel free to e-mail me and I'll try to help.

Hello all Naples lovers, <BR>I think i am one , but i don't go again. <BR>I done venise, florence,sienna,rome 2 years ago and looooove it! My idea to going to Naples remenber me some years ago where i flight to Marseilles for visiting la Provence. everybody tell me to escape Marseilles quickly because danger, crowd,etc (real life, you know!) and finally i loved marseilles and stayed 1 weeks.I love art,architecture,museeum,and real life but i don't want to be in extreme danger. i travel alone. Do you know a very confortable hotel in Naples, sheraton or luxury colection maybe? Thank you

There is a saying here in Naples.."see naples and die...i think it's true, I've lived here two years now, and have not grown tired of it, it may not be as clean as other cities but there are amazing treasures to be discovered here, and the food, can't be beat!

If you want to get an idea of what you can see in Naples, check this web site: http://www.nsa.naples.navy.mil/panorama/mergellina.html.

I lived in Naples for three years and to me it's one of the greatest cities there is. Sure it's dirty but you must look past the garbage. Charming people, great food, great scenery. I always felt safe there, physically speaking. I'd live there again in a heartbeat.

I fell in love with Naples on my first visit this year. Spent 2 wonderful weeks there and could have stayed longer. The Destinations section of this site is a great place to get a sense of what there is to see and do there, and where to stay and to eat.