- Getting around
- From Naples Capodichino Airport, the Alibus shuttle runs to the central station and the port for around 5 euro in about 15 to 25 minutes; taxis have a fixed flat fare to the centre, so agree it up front. In town, walking is best for the tight Centro Storico, backed by three funiculars up to the Vomero, a patchy metro (Line 1's art stations are worth a ride) and buses. A single urban ticket is about 1.30 euro; a daily pass saves money if you hop around. For day trips, the Circumvesuviana train serves Pompeii, Herculaneum and Sorrento (buy tickets at the station), and fast ferries to Capri, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast leave from Molo Beverello.
- Money
- Italy uses the euro. Cards are accepted in most restaurants and shops, but Naples is more cash-friendly than northern cities, so carry euros for pizzerias, friggitorie, market stalls and small cafes. An espresso at the bar is barely a euro; the caffe sospeso tradition lets you pay for a stranger's coffee too. Tipping is modest, rounding up or leaving a euro or two is plenty, and a coperto cover charge is standard. Street food is exceptional value: a cuoppo of fried snacks or a fried pizza costs only a few euro.
- Safety
- Naples has a fierce reputation but is fine with normal city sense. The real issue is petty theft: keep phones and bags secure against scooter-borne snatchers, avoid flashing valuables, and stay alert around the station, Forcella and crowded markets. Traffic is anarchic, so cross decisively and watch for scooters even on pavements. Stick to busier, well-lit streets at night, and take a taxi back from quieter quarters like the Sanita after dark. The bay area and Chiaia are calm and safe; the warmth of Neapolitans usually outshines any worry.
- Best season
- Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) are ideal, with warm days perfect for the seafront, Pompeii and ferry trips, and fewer crowds than high summer. July and August are hot, humid and busy, and the Amalfi Coast and Capri heave with day-trippers, though the sea is at its best. Winter is mild, atmospheric and cheap, with quiet ruins, but some coastal ferries and hotels scale back. Whenever you go, book the Cappella Sansevero and popular pizzerias ahead, and start day trips early to beat both heat and crowds.
- Where to stay
- Chiaia is the smart choice for comfort and safety: elegant, seafront-adjacent and full of good restaurants, an easy tram or walk from the sights. The Centro Storico around Spaccanapoli and Via dei Tribunali puts you in the beating heart of old Naples, loud and characterful but not for light sleepers. Near Piazza del Plebiscito and the port is handy for ferries and day trips. The Vomero, reached by funicular, offers quiet, air and views. Avoid basing yourself right by the central station unless you value cheap over charm.
Italy
