Things to see in Naples

Some of the most interesting parts of Naples are buried underground. In fact, the eerie catacombs, which extend like a web below ground, feel very much like a second subterranean city. Beneath the Chiesa Santa Maria della Sanità are the catacombs of St Gaudioso, a North African bishop who died in Naples in AD452. Accessed by a staircase beneath the high altar, they retain traces of their ancient mosaics and frescoes, some dating back to the 5th century. English language tours should be booked at least four days in advance.

The magnificent archaeological museum houses some of the world’s most significant Graeco-Roman antiquities and mosaics, alongside stunning Etruscan and Egyptian pieces from the royal Bourbon and Borgia collections. Highlights include the sculptures of Hercules, the Farnese Bull and world-weary Atlas carrying the globe on his shoulders. In addition, in the Secret Room, you can see the museum’s choice collection of ancient erotic artworks.

To get to the heart of Naples take a turn around the area of Spaccanapoli. This warren of laundry-hung streets sports street side shrines, heirloom businesses, local lottery shops and tightly-packed families in medieval palazzi. Originally the ancient Roman road that bisected the town, the name literally means ‘Break Naples’. Wander its length from Via Benedetto Croce in the east to Via Vicaria Vecchia in the west, taking in the lively Piazza Maggiore along the way.