Naples (Napoli)

Beautiful Bay of Naples

Situation

Napoli (Naples) is the largest city of Italy's Campania region, 185 km. southwest of Rome.It is the capital of the province and the third most populated city in Italy after Rome and Milan.
It is situated between Vesuvius and the Phlegrean Fields and is stretched around the Bay of Naples, beyond a series of islands, like Capri, and peninsulas is the Tyrrhenean Sea.. It has a mild and constant climate. It is one of the most important industrial centers (metalworking, oil refineries, mechanics, electricity and food producing) and trading ports of Italy (the largest Italian port) and has a large international airport..

Brief History of Naples

Naples is the capital of the Campania region in Italy and the largest city in Southern Italy. It was founded between the 7th and 6th centuries BC by the Greeks and was named Neapolis, which means new city. Romulus Augustulus, last emperor of the Roman Empire, was imprisoned here after being overthrown in 476. In the sixth century, Naples was conquered by the Byzantines, and it was one of the last duchies to fall to the all-conquering Normans in 1039, as they founded the Kingdom of Sicily. In 1266 Naples and the kingdom of Sicily were given by Pope Clement IV to Charles of Anjou, who moved the capital from Palermo to Naples. In 1284 the kingdom was split in two, and stayed that way till 1816, when they would form the kingdom of Two Sicilies. In between, Naples had been under the rule of Spain, Austria, and the Bourbons, and had (briefly) been a Jacobin republic. Finally, in October 1860, it became part of the new Italy.

Because of its vast artistic heritage, the historic centre of Naples has earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site denomination. Its territory, particularly the iconic sight of the gulf of Naples, along with the colorful folklore (the pizza, the celebrated Mount Vesuvius, the music) is recognized abroad as on of the most powerful symbolic images of Italy.

General ... More >information

The old town with its narrow streets and stepped lanes and its tall balconied houses is fringed on the west and north by extensive villa suburbs and on the east by an industrial zone. In recent years much of the city has been redeveloped with new buildings and realigned streets, particularly in the area around the harbor, the Rione Santa Lucia.

Naples possesses many historical monuments going back almost 3,000 years, particularly the treasures, to be seen in the National Museum, garnered from the cities engulfed by Vesuvius; the port of Naples is of major importance for southern Italy.

How to Travel different Places:

Naples to Caserta>>Reggia di Caserta - A huge 18C royal palace and hunting lodge designed by architect Vanvitelli and rivaling Versailles. Magnificent, enormous park with lakes, rivers, statues, fountains and marvellous views. By train from Naples to Caserta (about 40 minues journey).

Naples to Paestum>>Paestum, an hour and a half to the south, (near Salerno) is Italy's most famous Greek excavation site

Rome to Pompeii>>There is fast express train service to Rome and points north, as well as points south. There are also local Italian Railway trains to Pompeii, but for such short distances, it is easiest to take the Circumvesuviana commuter train.

Naples to Pompeii & Herculaneum>>Tour the excavations of Herculaneum and Pompeii nearby to the south of Naples. Pompeii is 40 minutes via the Circumvesuviana train from the Naples Central train station

Pompeii to Vesuvius>>From Pompeii, take a bus to Mount Vesuvius, and hike to the summit. Mount Vesuvius is the only active volcano on the mainland of Europe.

Naples to Capri >>You can get a boat from Naples to Capri and it costs €30 return. When you get to Capri’s marina you can reach the main town by cable train or walking.

Naples to Ischia>> From Naples Central train station you can go The island of Ischia.

Naples to Amalfi Coast>>Naples airport is the closest airport.There are 3 airport buses a day to Sorrento and from Sorrento there are bus connections to Amalfi. The closest train station is in Salerno and buses connect it to Amalfi. There are hydrofoils or ferries from Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, and Positano, although they are less frequent during winter months. Buses connect all the towns along the coast.

Tourist Offices In Naples

Country's tourist office: www.italiantourism.com
City's tourist office: www.inaples.it

Main Tourist Office:
Piazza dei Martiri, 58
Open: Monday - Saturday 8.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. & 2 p.m. - 8 p.m. ( Sundays 9 am until 2pm)
Tel - 405311
The tourist office has useful free tourist maps and guides available.

Other Tourist Offices in Naples are located at the Stazione Centrale the main railways station of Naples open at the same times as the main tourist office. There are also branch offices at the Margellina train station and at Capodichino airport.


A useful alternative to the state-run tourist offices that vary in their helpfulness depending on the staff who work there and their ability to utilize modern-day technology like the internet is the AAST tourist office located at Piazza Gesu Nuovo, which is located close to Piazza Dante ( tel - 552 3328) and is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday - Friday, and 9 am - 2pm on Sundays.


Another useful resource for student travellers is the CTS (Student travel Centre), not a tourist office of Naples, but you'll find useful information on travel options throughout Italy discounted for student travellers. It's located at Via Mezzocannone, 25 ( Tel - 552 79 60 ).