One of the questions we get asked all the time is Where to stay in Naples? That’s why we thought we’d tell you ours in this comprehensive article .
Naples is a vibrant city, rich in history in every neighborhood and offering a wide range of areas in which to find the perfect lodging.
In Naples, every neighborhood is different. This means that you can also choose the area of your housing based on personal preferences and needs .
In any case, here are our 4 favorite neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm and attractions.
1. Where to stay in Naples: first choice is the historic center
The historic center is the beating heart of Naples!
A maze of narrow streets, lively squares, historic buildings and typical food.
You’ll find plenty of accommodations here: from cozy guesthouses to luxurious five-star properties. Staying in the Historic Center will allow you to be in the middle of the city, with easy access to famous monuments such as Naples Cathedral and the National Archaeological Museum.
You will travel often by foot and sometimes by subway, but very infrequently. Staying in the historic center means experiencing the city in all its PROs and cons.
There is a mix of bohemian and touristy feel to the center. There are really lots of little places to stop and have a drink and hundreds of pizzerias and restaurants.
Among the CONs, Being in the center, you will be in the midst of chaos at virtually every hour of the day. If that’s not a problem for you and you’re willing to spend just that little bit extra, the Old Town is the perfect choice for you .
2. Rione Sanità: the authentic neighborhood even today
Let’s face it: although the historic center is still the best option for feeling in the midst of the Neapolitan way of life, to this day in the eyes of the most observant tourist it comes off as a tad touristy .
A picturesque, true neighborhood located at the foot of Capodimonte Hill, Sanità is like a world of its own.
With its winding streets and charming artisan stores, Rione Sanità offers a quiet and relaxed atmosphere . Here you can find delightful bed and breakfasts and charming apartments, lots of street art, the highly regarded Jago Museum, and truly excellent food. Just think of pastry chef Ciro Poppella’s famous Snowflake and Concettina‘s pizza at the Three Saints, punctually ranked among the best pizzas in the world.
Another point in favor of Sanità? You’re really a stone’s throw from the historic center , and there’s the Materdei stop on Line 1 that connects you with the rest of the city. What more could you ask for?
3. Vomero: the city living room away from the chaos
Every city has its “good neighborhood.” In Naples it is the Vomero, which, to be fair though, has been undergoing a really interesting transition in recent years.
Located on a hill above the historic center, the Vomero is a stylish and modern neighborhood with breathtaking views of the city and the Bay of Naples. With its designer boutiques, fine restaurants and luxury hotels, Vomero is the perfect choice for those seeking a more exclusive and sophisticated stay, but not only that.
The Vomero neighborhood is being transformed!
Until a few years ago it was a tree-lined and elegant dormitory neighborhood but without any particular verve. Today, however, aided by the explosion of the city,small bookstores, vintage stores and a great many restaurants and pizzeriashave opened in the Vomero. Suffice it to say that two of the city’s most influential pizza makers, Porzio and Sorbillo, are based in this very neighborhood.
The atmosphere in Vomero is very relaxed, almost village-like. Life flows slowly. And although there are several places to go out and party, it remains a quiet neighborhood .
The real plus of the Vomero? Its truly incredible views and the evocative stairways towards the center.
Vomero is a pretty central neighborhood, and you only need 3 or 4 subway stops to find yourself in the center of the city.
4. Pozzuoli and Bacoli: far from the center but wonderful
Where to stay in Naples if you want to experience the sea and tranquility? Of course: the Phlegraean Area.
Here we are outside Naples but, as we at Partenope in Tour always say, the Phlegraean Area is among the most picturesque and evocative places not only in Campania but in all of Italy.
Pozzuoli and Bacoli are two areas farther from the center (in fact, they are in the province) but well connected via the Cumana, which, with a half-hour ride, will put you right in the middle of the historic center of Naples .
Sea, Greek history, mosaics, clean air, wonderful sights, hidden bays, unspoiled nature, and little places to have a drink in the evening after a busy day around town. What more could you ask for?
We recommend staying in Pozzuoli if you already know Naples, are looking for a quieter place, or prefer to center your stay in Naples on the sea .
You will find a variety of cozy and authentic accommodations, perfect for those who wish to explore both Naples and its most beautiful coastal areas.
Absolutely not to be missed in the area is The Underwater City of Baia, one of the few examples of underwater archaeological sites anywhere in the world. Really a crazy show.
Then in the area we recommend the Aragonese Castle and Piscine Mirabilis in Baia, and the Casina Vanvitelliana on Lake Fusaro in Bacoli, perhaps one of the most Instagrammable places in the entire city.
Conclusion
Deciding where to stay in Naples is an experience even before arriving in the city. The neighborhoods are so diverse and so layered that you will have a totally different experience in each of them.