Naples
Italy
Backpacking Naples
Information on Naples, sights to see, nightlife, activities and more.
Naples calls to backpackers who want to experience the real Italy. Located against the coast of Campania, hilly Naples is jammed with maze-like streets descending toward the sea below. A much deserved UNESCO World Heritage site, urban life is embedded among old architecture, churches, and buildings. As you navigate the city, you’ll find yourself immersed by its culture and history. You can easily occupy a full day gazing at churches, castles, catacombs, and museums, that form a uniquely Neapolitan make up of religious and historical significance. Under an hour from Naples is the town of Pompeii, famously left in ruins by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius nearly two thousand years ago. Today you can explore the ruins, which form a snapshot of life in past time as it existed when the volcano erupted. Mount Vesuvius itself can be seen from out in the Bay of Naples. Shopping, in keeping with Italian tradition, is a popular pastime here. The tailors of Naples have been renowned the world over for centuries, and the city is full of stalls and markets where high-quality souvenirs can be found at fair prices. One of Naples’ best offering is its cuisine. Some of the best pizza in the world can be found here. After you dine out in one of the city’s thousands of restaurants, Naples’ nightlife is a booming, with plenty of bars and clubs to relax or live it up into the early hours.
Must See
Castel dell’ Ovo - This 15th century fortress was once set on an island but can now be walked to by the pier. The castle can be seen from most of the Naples coastline. Enjoy some of the best panoramic views of the bay and enjoy a walk around around.
Archaeological Museum - Naples - One of the largest and most famous archaeological museums in the world, The National Archaeological Museum is a treasure trove of Greek and Roman antiquities. From classical busts of famous Roman emperors to marble sculptures depicting the gods and heroes from Greek mythology there are countless corridors and rooms to explore in this massive museum. Check out the mosaics, frescoes, and other artifacts excavated from Pompeii and Herculaneum. which were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in the year 79 A.D.
Underground Naples - Located in the city center, you can take an underground tour of some of the ruins of the city, see ancient reservoirs, and learn about how the city has been built and changed over thousands of years. These underground passages have also been used as aqueducts to provide the city with water and as passageways since the Ancient Greeks’ time.
Must Do
Visit Pompeii - Less than an hour from Naples, the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Pompeii is unlike anywhere else on earth. In the year 79AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted, destroying Pompeii and killing 20,000 of its inhabitants. The vast amount of ash that covered Pompeii after the eruption hardened, preserving the town in almost its original state. The result is a collection of ruins that are remarkably unchanged.
Hike Mount Vesuvius - Today the volcano lies dormant, and hundreds of thousands of people still live in its shadow. The looming mountain serves as a brooding reminder of nature’s awesome and violent power. Today, you can hike around the volcano and peer into the colossal crater at its center. On a clear day, there are unparalleled views of Pompeii and the Bay of Naples far below.
Day Trip to the Amalfi Coast - The Amalfi Coast personifies Mediterranean charm. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this collection of fishing villages strung along the shore is famous for all the right reasons; hot sun, beautiful water, and unparalleled scenery. Craggy cliffs drop into azure seas, and lush vegetation snakes around sandy pathways and pastel houses. There are several major attractions to see like the beautiful, colorful village of Positano.
Nightlife
Piazza San Domenico is very popular with young people and students. There are several bars open each night here. The Piazza Bellini is also very frequented by foreign exchange students from other countries, full of bars that offer both take-away and indoor/outdoor seating. For backpackers who are looking for a slightly more lively evening you can go to nightclubs in the open air, or indoors, depending on the season in the Bagnoli quarter, where there are several clubs to party at on the weekend.
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