To fully experience Naples as a city it is necessary to explore its street life, and Spaccanapoli, the long, narrow road running through the historic city centre, is a good place to start, as it reveals its popular pulse.

For the most important archaeological museum in Europe, head for the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and check out its many ancient erotic artworks.

The city has several interesting palaces and castles, and the Castel Nuovo, built by Charles d'Anjou in 1279, and the Capodimonte Palace, built in 1738 by Charles of Bourbon, are among the most impressive.

There is no shortage of ecclesiastical buildings in Naples, and some of them contain very impressive works of art, including the funerary chapel Cappello Sansevero and the medieval cathedral.

One of the most important buildings (and a real institution) in Naples is the San Carlo Theatre, the oldest opera house in Europe. It still runs a wide-ranging programme of superb opera, ballet and classical music performances, and the building itself is well worth exploring too.

Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno Cura e Turismo di Napoli
Piazza Plebiscito 1, Palazzo Reale
Tel: 081 252 5711.
Website: www.inaples.it

There are tourist information offices also at Via San Carlo 9 (tel: 081 402 394), Piazza del Gesù (tel: 081 551 2701) and Via Marino Turchi 16 (tel: 081 240 0911). The staff will help visitors obtain all the information they need about Naples and also assist with accommodation, bookings and tickets.

The Arte Card (website: www.napoliartecard.com) is an integrated card that gives free or half-price entrance to the city's museums and free travel on the city's transport system. The card comes in several versions, differing both in terms of scope and length of time.