Where to stay in Naples

Campania welcomes you with open arms for your next stay: choose the best area to stay in Naples!

Italy ‘s third most populous city by population, Naples is the second largest Mediterranean city after Barcelona. Its urban area covers 117.27 km², from the western part of the Bay of Naples to the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, near the famous villages ofHerculaneum and Pompeii. Suffice to say, the city plays with fire… With over 28 centuries of history, the city has been one of the main commercial, cultural, philosophical and political centers of the Roman Empire since its foundation.

Boasting a colossal wealth of gastronomic, artistic and cultural attractions, Naples is also known for the powerful Camorra – named after the Neapolitan mafia – the Vesuvius volcano, and its heritage and historic monuments. Accommodation in Naples is not difficult to find, with an abundance of options ranging from five-star hotels to inexpensive youth hostels. However, prices do rise during the summer months.

The Neapolitan territory is made up of ten districts, divided into thirty neighborhoods around the Amalfi Coast. Here’s an overview of Naples’ neighborhoods, so you know where to stay and make the most of your stay!

Which districts are home to the main tourist attractions?

Where are the best places to go out and have a drink?

What are the quietest parts of Naples?

What neighborhoods should I avoid?

Spaccanapoli

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The beating heart of Naples, the historic center was settled by the Greeks in ancient times. It is divided into two parts by Via Spaccanapoli, a street of Greco-Roman origin, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with over 1,000 churches, countless fountains and palaces.

The hub of Neapolitan life, this is where it all happens: shopping and souvenirs along Via Toledo, bars, cafés, restaurants, cinemas, discotheques and more, as well as museums and historic monuments. This is sure to be your first choice! Don’t miss the National Archaeological Museum, with one of the world’s largest collections of Greek and Roman antiquities, including the remains of the 1979 eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii.

You’ll also want to visit Naples underground – Napoli sotterranea – a vast, 80-kilometre-long network of caves and underground galleries dug by man into the volcanic tuff. Accommodation will be among the most expensive in the city, but the location is central: a good compromise for accommodation in Naples.

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Spanish quarters

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Surely the most popular district in Naples for its good addresses and shopping streets, welcome to the Quartieri Spagnoli! Built in the 16th century to house the Spanish soldiers who came to quell the insurrections of the Neapolitan population, the Spanish Quarters later became known for their reputation with the Neapolitan Mafia. Although it’s one of the poorest districts in central Naples, it’s a lively place, popular with tourists.

Surrounded by the Vomero hill, the historic center and the San Ferdinando district, staying at Quartiers Espagnols is ideal for a stay that vibrates with the Neapolitan atmosphere. At the same time, you’re close to public transport and the other districts that host the main tourist attractions. Crossed by the famous Via Toledo, this is Naples’ benchmark shopping district. Here you’ll find a maze of pizzerias, crowded trattorias (Italian cuisine restaurants) and mazes of alleyways.

When it comes to accommodation for your nights in the Neapolitan atmosphere, there’s something for every budget! From hotels to B&B bed and breakfasts. The area is slowly recovering from its reputation as a haven for crime and prostitution. Why stay in Quartieri Spagnoli? To be between the city center – which can be very touristy – and the chic district on the Bay of Naples, where accommodation can be unaffordable…

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Chiaia and Mergellina

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If you’re not afraid of the banker’s phone calls, and you’re hoping to catch a glimpse of the President of the Republic, or a world-famous sports or movie star, you’ve got to stay in Chiaia. This is Naples’ posh district – wealthy people didn’t build their homes on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius… – where you’ll find mostly luxury hotels, high-end boutiques and jet-setter bars.

However, you can enjoy the refined taste of Italian wine in a wine bar, where food is served with the glass. This is also one of the neighborhoods where Neapolitan youth gather to party on weekends. The district, on the edge of the sea, is ideal for strolling along Via Francesco Caracciolo to admire the waterfront.

Alongside it, and still facing the sea, you also have the option of the Mergellina district for your nights in Naples. Once a small fishing village independent of the Neapolitan administration, it underwent urban expansion to the west in the 17th century under Spanish rule. Today, it’s a chic residential area where you can enjoy the calm and serenity it offers, far from the hustle and bustle of city life and tourist circuits.

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San Ferdinando

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The San Ferdinando district is an excellent compromise for accommodation in Naples. Located at the crossroads of the historic center, the Spanish Quarter and Chiaia, it stretches along a stretch of the Neapolitan coastline, where many of the vestiges of its political and cultural past can be found. An ideal location to have everything within walking distance, as public transport doesn’t serve this area very well.

Unique in its kind, the San Ferdinando district is the result of a rich aristocratic past, where this high-ranking class settled close to the royal court, and a popular culture that gradually took root. And that’s what makes it so charming today! When the stores in the prestigious Galleria Umberto I close their curtains, children take to the Piazza del Plebiscito to play soccer. Just as the audience leaves the San Carlo opera house, the oldest opera house in the world still in operation.

You’ll find something to suit all budgets, from hotel rooms overlooking the Bay of Naples to authentic accommodation nestled in its winding streets. San Ferdinando is ideally situated for sightseeing, with the Royal Palace of Naples, Castel Nuovo and Castel dell’Ovo as must-sees.

Vomero

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Take to the air on the Vomero Hill and admire the beauty of Naples from its belvederes, or from the comfort of your own home! The Vomero district is modern, with art nouveau villas and an urban layout quite different from that of old Naples. Mainly inhabited by the Neapolitan bourgeoisie, its quiet, charming streets will take you to cultural and historical sites that will enrich your visit.

The prices of rooms and accommodation remain affordable and choice, a godsend for experiencing the Neapolitan atmosphere from its heights. In the mood for a feast for the eyes? Go to the Castello Sant’Elmo! This austere medieval building offers a 360° panorama of Naples and its historic center, split by the 2 km-long Via Spaccanapoli, as well as Vesuvius. Not forgetting the incredible view of the Chiaia and Mergellina districts overlooking the Bay of Naples. If you’re lucky, on a clear, sunny day, you’ll catch a glimpse of theisland of Capri against the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea.

The Largo San Martino, with its landscaped piazza and terraces, offers a number of equally remarkable vantage points. Alongside the Certosa San Martino, a monastery converted into a museum of Neapolitan art and culture. To round off the must-sees in this vibrant district, visit Villa Floridiana, a former royal residence turned museum.

Getting around Naples

Naples is a large city with good public transport links, making it easy to visit the city’s various must-sees, which are scattered throughout its different districts.

Subways

🚇 Line 1, nicknamed the « metro dell’arte » for its art-themed stations, runs from Garibaldi (the central station) to Piscinola in the north of the city, passing through the historic center and up Via Toledo.

🚇 Line 2 runs from Pozzuoli, in the far west of Naples, to Garibaldi central station via Montesanto station (funicular to the Vomero).

🚇 Line 6 crosses the city from west to east, from the Fuorigrotta district to the center.

Regional trains

🚃Lacircumvesuviana: 5 lines depart from Porta Nolana station and serve the suburbs of Naples, circling around Mount Vesuvius. These lines take you to various archaeological sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum.

🚃TheCircumflegrea and Cuma lines serve the Phlegrean Fields to the west of Naples, from Montesanto station.

The funiculars

🚠 The central funicular links via Toledo to the Vomero

🚠 The Montesanto funicular links the Montesanto district to the Vomero

🚠 The Chiaia funicular links piazza Amadeo in the Chiaia district to the Vomero

🚠 The Mergellina funicular links the small port of Mergellina to the Posillipo hill.

Streetcars

🚋 Line 1 connects the Poggioreale district to Naples’ main port, the Molo Beverello.

🚋 Line 2 connects Piazza Nazionale with the Vigliena fort (San Giovanni a Teduccio) past the Mercato district

🚋 Line 4 runs from the San Giovanni a Teduccio stop along the seafront to the port of Naples.

Buses

🚌 Naples has a large bus network; you’ll find all the lines and stops served on the official website. Nevertheless, it’s highly likely that you’ll have to use only other rail transport to get around the city.

Maps and transport plans of Naples

🗺️ To make your journey easier, consult the detailed maps of Naples, where you’ll find a transport map including subway and train lines, as well as a map of the city’s historic center and places of interest.

How do I get from the airport to the center of Naples?

🛬 With a rental car, cab or shuttle, check out our article on Transfers between Naples airport and the center for a successful arrival!

By car

🚗 For the more independent and comfort-conscious, it’s also possible to rent a car for your trip to Naples. Find the best deals on our comparator and take a look at our article on Cheap Parking in Naples to find out where to park.