My husband, 2 teenage children and I are going to be in Naples for 4 days later this month. As we hear more about tales of filth and crime, we are starting to ask ourselves why. ( We chose it for its proximity to Pompeii.) We have opera tickets for our first night there and will need to get back to our pensione near the train station while we are all dressed up. Are cabs a safe way to go? Any advice about Naples appreciated.

Naples is a stronghold of the Camorra - the local version of the Mafia.

Besides, street crime is rife.

It will be wise to take a taxi, especially at night. The safest way to go is to take a Camorra-licensed taxi. Then, no one will dare to touch you.

For visiting Pompeii, I would recommend other towns (Amalfi, Sorrento etc.).

Hi C,

Naples is a great town. Gritty, dirty, chaotic and absolutely Italian.

Think Sophia Loren and Marcello Mastroianni.

Organized crime isn't interested in you.

As in all large cities, beware of pickpockets.

Re returning from the Opera: Yes, take a cab.

Determine the fare before you get in.

In addition to Pompeii, there is the Archaeological Museum, the Capodemonte Museum, the Capella Sansevero (Highly recommended), the waterfront, Mt Vesuvius, Herculaneum, Fortresses down by the water and atop the mountain.

Enjoy your visit.

"Street crime is rife." Traveller1959's experience must differ from mine. I haven't personally seen a crime or been a victim of street crime in Naples. Having said that, I wouldn't walk around the station area at night dressed nicely and looking like a good mark. Traveller1959 will have to tell us how to identify Camorra-licensed cabs, but I'd just take one that's waiting outside the opera house after the performance. It will probably be driven by a Neapolitan just trying to make a living like the rest of us.

Recent reports have mentioned the trash but also that areas of the city frequented by tourists are generally clean. You can do a search here for the report "More Graffiti than Garbage" from someone who travelled to the area a couple of months ago.

I wouldn't suggest you stay elsewhere, but I will say the area immediately around the train station is not the nicest part of Naples. Just use common sense and pay attention (as you should wherever you travel, be it Naples, Miami or Bangkok). Depending on your other plans for the 4 days (the AC towns, Capri?), you could split your time 2/2 in a town geographically closer to where you'll be going. Many choose Sorrento, but anywhere between Sorrento and Amalfi along the SITA bus route would be convenient.

Here's my experience last year in Naples

eating a gelato and not looking down i stepped into one of the numerous potholes in the street and fell smack on my face, squashing the gelato against my face

I hit the pavement hard and was dazed and confused - i was right in front of the train station yet i could not figure out where i was

I was bleeding profusely from my nose - i had my day pack with me and would have been a sitting duck for any pickpockets (and there are many warnings about the station area)

I was disoriented and several locals came up and offered help - i asked one where the train station was and he said i was right in front of it

i managed to reach the station, dripping blood and headed to the red cross sign and got immediate medical attention - they called an ambulance and when i got to ER a local who spoke good English shephered me thru the whole process from entry to taxi leaving a hour or so later.

The folks in Naples could not have been more helpful and the hospital and ambulance and all costs me not one red cent.

Not saying there are not pickpockets around but i left Naples with a good feeling - i had previously walked all around town and never felt threatened.

That said take a taxi back to your pension as folks dressed up are obviously better taragets for crime than a bleeding guy with bloody jeans on.

Hi PQ,

Glad your experience turned out all right.

We also found the folks in Naples to be very friendly, warm and outgoing.

PalenQ -

Dh's family is from Naples and Sicily. We watched the Rick Steves "Naples" a few weeks ago and dh said "Now it all makes sense about my family!"

They are outgoing, larger then life, warm, friendly and eager to help.

Glad you had a good experience. That is so scary even to happen here in the states.

Last spring, my friend and I spent a few days in Naples, staying in a B&B near the train station. Felt (and were) perfectly safe. Enjoyed the area, the people, and the city. We didn't take any cabs, just public transportation, but would recommend doing so after the opera--just such a nice way to end the evening.

Hi, cutmac -

I'm a great fan of Naples! As others have said, it is wise to be appropriately cautious in Naples (anywhere, for that matter), but it has a great deal to offer, so go and have fun!

BTW, the opera house is impressive - enjoy!

As i said i spent a whole day, before my ignoble fall, wandering around Naples and this is one of the last remaining old-world atmosphered cities in Italy - redolent of all Italian cities when i first came to Italy in 1969-

narrow cobbled lanes - laundry strung between houses - kids batting soccer balls in front of ancient churches - tiny stores - old ladies in black - and yes lots of litter, etc.

But an exceptionally old looking town unlike most Italian towns that have been gussied up along with prosperity.

I was there on a Sunday morning and all the passel of churches were alive - folks dressed to the hilt - kids and all going to mass.

Naples was a highlight of my trip to Europe two years back

Ira's advice about taking taxis in Naples is incorrect. Taxis have meters; you do not determine a fare before you set off. We had no problems with taxis in Naples last month.

You are in for a treat at Teatro San Carlo!

I'm the "More Graffitti" poster. I had no problems in Naples, walking and taking public transport. However, as a solo female traveler I felt that I would prefer to avoid the Spanish Quarter after dark, but if I had been with someone I think it would have been fine. After some discussion on this board I chose not to stay near the train station.

I also found the locals very willing to help, even though I don't speak Italian, and the person helping didn't speak English.

Naples is a winderful City. Like any metro area in the world, there are areas you should not go in. But on a whole, Naples is friendly and warm. Transportation is expensive, so bring lots of euros. Credit cards in europe are accepted, but not everywhere. SAmerican Express has a travel card you can purchase as long as you have enough time for getting them.

Eric

Naples is crime central for Italy--everything from drugs, to murder, to kidnapping, assaults, extortion, etc. The Italian government acknowledges it and has embarked on numerous efforts over the years to clean the city and surroundings up--with only limited results.

HOWEVER, just as the victims of murders in big cities in the USA are overwhelmingly criminals, most crime in Naples does NOT target tourists.

Whether or not an individual poster to this forum was ever a victim of or witnessed a street crime in Naples, the fact is that Naples does have a lot of street crime.

"Transportation is expensive, so bring lots of euros." - at 1 euro for 90 minutes, you really can't call a bus ticket expensive!

I didn't understand that post either! What do American Express credit cards have to do with the price of espresso in Naples?

I think maybe travelboync was suggesting one of those prepaid cards that you can get. Not a good idea, as they have lots of fees involved.

>Ira's advice about taking taxis in Naples is incorrect. Taxis have meters; <

Taxi drivers can take the long way or the short way.

You still have to pay the meter fare upon arrival, Ira.

I also take issue with Ira's statement "think SOphia Loren and Marcello Mastrioanni.
MM was not at all from Naples but rather born in Lazio and raised in Torino and Rome.

Totó, however, is a figure who represent the spirit of Naples as well as Sophia Loren.

Hi Cutmac, as yet another fan of Naples and her people, I think you will find it a fascinating place if you open yourself to the wacky, vibrant and charming energy that pervades the city.

To take a taxi returning to your pensione after dark is a good plan. You can try to establish a fare before, but they have meters and not every single driver is going to try to take you on a wild goose chase. It's smart to take some time to study a street map route between Teatro San Carlo and the Pensione beforehand so you can be slightly more in control.

I'm green with envy, I think your teens will have an exciting and memorable experience. The people of Naples are generally very warm-hearted, expressive, and generous. Enjoy your journey!