48 hours in Naples- Weekend Edition
Naples In Less Than 48 Words
Lying at the shadow of the famed Mt. Vesuvius, Naples was once upon a time the largest city in Italy, and also in Europe. Today, it is better known as a UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with history, arts, music, architecture, culture, and gastronomic adventures.
Acquedotto (Photo from Google images)
First 24 Hours
You can fly down to the historic city of Naples via the Naples Airport, which is located nine kilometers northeast of the city center. From there, you can catch the Alibus airport shuttle that will take you to Piazza del Municipio. The bus arrives every 30 minutes at the arrivals hall, and you will have to pay around €3 for the 20-minute journey. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi, although this will cost you upwards of €20.
Naples is the third-largest city in Italy, and lies between two volcanic areas. It is not easy to navigate, especially for the first-timers. You can learn valuable tourist information at its two main tourist offices (San Carlo 9, 00 39 081 402394 and Piazza del Gesu Nuovo, 00 39 081 551 2701). Both are open daily from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm. You can also purchase an Artecard there for €13, which will allow you free public transport and discounted admission prices to the city’s main attractions.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Naples’ hotels
You can arrange for a nice place to stay during your 48 hour visit to Naples at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Hotel Palazzo Decumani (Piazza Giustino Fortunato, 8, 80100 Naples, Italy, 39 081 4201379, website). It has clean and well-designed modern rooms, delicious breakfast, and a convenient central location at value prices.
Hotel Palazzo Decumani (Photo by Italy Style)
A nice alternative is the Capri Palace Hotel & Spa (Via Capodimonte 2b, Anacapri 80071, 39 081 978 0111, website), which offers views of the Naples Bay and the Ischia and Procida islands, plus private swimming pools and gardens. You can also try out Covo Dei Saraceni (Via Regina Giovanna 5, Positano I-84017, 089 875 400, website), a hotel located right beside the sea and which has a top-notch restaurant inside.
SPACCANAPOLI: Let’s take a hike
Head down the Spaccanapoli Street, which is a prime spot for a classic Naples walk. It is the long main street that bisects the city’s Old Town district, thereby earning the nickname “Naples Splitter”. The street is lined by numerous historic sites, making it very popular among tourists. One of the most notable attractions you may pass by while walking through it is Santa Chiara, a religious place known for its monastery, mausoleums, and archaeological museum.
San Domenico Maggiore (Photo from Google images)
There is also the San Domenico Maggiore, a church famed for its impressive frescoes by Pietro Cavallini and sepulchers of the Aragonese royal family. Other attractions are Santa Marta, San Francesco delle Monache, Palazzo Venezia, Palazzo Petrucci, Palazzo Pinellalazzo Pinelli, Palazzo del Panormita, and Palazzo di Sangro.
NATIONAL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM: Dig out a bit of history
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Naples is the National Archaeological Museum (Piazza Museo 19 80135, +39 (0)81 440 166, website). Established in 1585, it houses a large collection of Roman artifacts harvested from excavation sites in Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae. You can also find there excellent art works made during the Roman, Greek, and Renaissance eras.
Most of the museum’s exhibits were taken from the Farmese Collection, which had been collected over the course of 300 years. Some of the most notable finds there are the Farmese Cup (a bowl studded with gems), the Farmese Marbles, and the Mosaic Collection. The site is open during Wednesdays to Mondays from 9 am to 7:30 pm.
TEATRO SAN CARLO: Have a cultural visit
Teatro San Carlo (Photo from Google images)
Opera lovers will definitely love the Teatro San Carlo (Via San Carlo 101-103, Toledo, Naples, Italy, +39 (0)81 797 2331), otherwise known as the San Carlo Theater. Built in 1737 in only eight months, it was burned down in 1816 but completely rebuilt. Inside, you’ll find six levels with over 200 boxes for the audience, and a massive stage whose backdrop can be removed to give a view of the Palazzo Reale. The theater often features opera shows, although you will have to order tickets in advance (and are a little pricey). During weekends, you can arrange for a tour of the theater.
DINNER TIME: Discover Naples’ restaurants
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is Antica Pizzara da Michelle (Via Cesare Sersale 1, Naples, IT 80139, 081-553-9204, website). It has been serving classic pizzas since the 1800s and the best-sellers are the margherita and marinara. A nice alternative is the ‘O Calamaro (Via Campi Flegrei 30a, Naples, IT 80124, 081-570-4387), which is an internationally renowned pizza house with great seafood dishes.
People lined up for Antica Pizzara da Michelle’s best-selling pizza (Photo by Marc Svenby)
You can also try out the La Bersagliera (Borgo Marinaro, Naples, IT 80132, 081-764-6016, website). It is a nice place for alfresco dining, and you can eat their delicious seafood while taking in the beautiful views of Vesuvius and Castel dell’Ovo. Another is the La Taverna dell’Arte (Rampe San Giovanni Maggiore 1/a, Naples, IT 80134, 081-552-7558, website), which is known for its menu offering pastas, beaf, veal, seafood, pizza, and the tiramisu with cappuccino.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Naples can be used to discover the city’s other tourist attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is Borgo Marinaro (bus: C25 to Via Partenope), which is a small island made of volcanic rock that is said to be where Partenope was washed ashore after failing to seduce Ulysses with her song. It is also known as a historical site where the Greeks settled during the 7th century BC.
Borgo Marinaro (Photo from Google images)
ANFITEATRO FLAVIO: See Naples’ very own Colosseum
Rome is not the only city with a Colosseum to boast of, as Naples has its own version of the famous structure. It is called the Anfiteatro Flavio (Via Terracciano 75, Pozzuoli), and is the third largest amphitheater in Italy. The structure had a seating capacity of more than 20,000 in its heyday, and its arena floor measures around 237 by 139 feet. You can take a tour down its underground tunnels, which have been well-preserved over the years.
Anfiteatro Flavio (Photo by Deacon Steve)
ORTO BOTANICO: Unwind, rewind
You can relax and unwind at Orto Botanico (Via Foria 223, Carlo III, Naples, +39 (0)81 449 759), which is one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in the city. It was created nearly 200 years ago by Joseph Bonaparte and Prince Joachim Murat, and covers an area of over 30 acres. You can take a leisurely stroll and discover its array of unique flora, be it palms, tree fern glades, cacti, shrubs, or flowering trees. The site is open daily from 9 am to 2 pm, and admission is free.
Orto Botanico (Photo by Francesco Gasparetti)
ACQUEDOTTO: Visit an aqueduct system
Naples has another Roman historical site, the Acquedotto (Piazza Trieste e Trento, Santa Lucia). It is a set of Graeco-Roman tunnels that were once part of the city’s aqueduct system, and were also used as air raid shelters during World War II. They were dug sometime between the 16th and 17th centuries, and extend for miles at a depth of around 40 meters. You can arrange for a one-hour tour underground, although this may not be advisable for the claustrophobics.
MUSEO NAZIONAL DI CAPODIMONTE: Come to appreciate art
Art lovers will definitely enjoy themselves at the Museo Nazional di Capodimonte (Via Miano 2, (Porta Piccola), Via Capodimonte, Capodimonte, Naples, + 39 (0)84 880 0288). The museum is known for housing one of southern Italy’s largest collections of old master paintings and decorative arts, most of them made during the Renaissance era. Inside, you’ll find over 3,000 pieces of 18th century porcelain figures, “Madonna” by Botticelli, “Mount Vesuvius” by Andy Warhol, and many more. The site is open during Tuesdays to Sundays from 8:30 am to 7:30 pm.
Museo Nazional di Capodimonte (Photo from Google images)
NIGHTLIFE: Enjoy Naples’ vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Naples’ bars and clubs to have a taste of the exciting nightlife of the city. One of the most popular is Alexander (15 Via Cilea, Naples, Italy 80023, 39 081 613 4235). It is a spacious club with elegant lounge areas and creative cocktails at its bar. A nice alternative is Alpen Beer (28-30 Via Camillo De Nardis, 39 081 560 55500), which is an entertainment bar with quality beers, music, videos, and board games.
You can also try out Arenile di Bagnoli (10 Via Coroglio Naples, Italy 80124, 39 081 570 6035, website). It is a disco and swimming resort during the day and a cabaret/disco/live music venue during the evenings.
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