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Things to see in Naples

Attractions

Spaccanapoli

This warren of laundry-hung lanes features street-side shrines, heirloom businesses, local lottery shops and tightly packed families in medieval palazzi. Originally the ancient Roman road that bisected the town, 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.

Address: , Spaccanapoli, Naples,
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Teatro San Carlo

Commissioned by King Charles of Bourbon and opened in 1737, this opera house is the oldest working theatre in Europe and is famous for its pitch-perfect acoustics. Its six gilded tiers and frescoed canopy make for a magnificent evening experience, especially amid a vociferous Neapolitan crowd. Guided tours of the building are given daily.

Address: , Via San Carlo 98, Naples, 80132
Telephone: +39 81 797 2331.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 1030-1730, Sun 1030-1400.

Website: http://www.teatrosancarlo.it
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Museo Archeologico Nazionale

This magnificent archaeological museum houses some of the world's most significant Greco-Roman antiquities and mosaics which sit alongside stunning Etruscan and Egyptian pieces from the royal Bourbon and Borgia collections. It also has numerous artefacts from Pompeii. In the Secret Room, visitors can see a collection of ancient erotic artwork.

Address: Historic centre, Piazza Museo Nazionale 19, Naples, 80135
Telephone: +39 81 442 2149.
Opening times:

Daily 0900-1930.

Website: http://cir.campania.beniculturali.it/museoarcheologiconazionale
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Pompeii

Naples is a good base for exploring the ruins of Pompeii. Destroyed by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, the excavated Roman town lies about an hour away by train. Lost for more than 1,500 years, it has been a tourist site for over two centuries. Much of this has to do with the remarkable preservation of the town and its artefacts due to lack of air and moisture after its burial. For a taste of life in southern Italy nearly two millennia ago, Pompeii is as good as a time machine.

Address: , Pompeii, Naples,
Telephone: +39 81 857 5111.
Opening times:

Mon-Sun 0830-1930 (1 Apr-31 Oct) Mon-Sun 0830-1830 (1 Nov-31 Mar).

Website: http://www.pompeiisites.org
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Chiesa Santa Maria della Sanità & Catacomba di San Gaudioso

Beneath the Chiesa Santa Maria della Sanità are the catacombs of St Gaudioso, a North African bishop who died in Naples in 452 AD. Accessed by a staircase beneath the altar, you can glimpse mosaics and frescoes dating back to the 5th century. English language tours should be booked at least four days in advance.

Address: Historic centre, Piazza Sanità 14, Naples, 80136
Telephone: +39 81 744 3714.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1000-1300.

Website: http://www.santamariadellasanita.it
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: Yes

Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte

Set in lush gardens on a hill overlooking the city, this palace was built in 1738 by Charles of Bourbon and houses an outrageously extravagant collection of medieval, Renaissance and baroque art in its 160 rambling rooms. The great and the good are on the first floor, including Bellini, Botticelli, Masaccio, Titian and Caravaggio.

Address: , Via Miano 2, Naples, 80131
Telephone: +39 81 749 9111.
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 1000-1300 and 1700-2000, Sat-Sun 1700-2000.

Website: http://cir.campania.beniculturali.it/museodicapodimonte
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

San Domenico Maggiore

Dating back to Charles of Anjou's original commission in 1238, this is one of Naples' most important churches. Today it's a fusion of different styles, with remnants of the original church and elements of the 17th-century baroque makeover seen through its 1850 neo-Gothic restoration. The chapel inside is dedicated to Thomas Aquinas.

Address: Historic centre, Piazza San Domenico Maggiore 8, Naples, 80139
Telephone: +39 81 459 298.
Opening times:

Mon-Sun 0930-1200 and 1700-1900.

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Castel Nuovo

The colossal castle on the city's seafront, known as Maschio Angioino, is as glorious as it is imposing. Built as the royal residence and military headquarters of the Angevins, it now houses a gallery with works from the Renaissance and other periods. There's also an armoury and its historic Palatine chapel.

Address: , Piazza Municipio, Naples, 80133
Telephone: +39 81 795 7713.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 0900-1900, Sun 0900-1400.

Website:
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Il Duomo

Built in the early 14th century, Naples' cathedral is dedicated to the city's patron, San Gennaro. His blood is kept vials to protect the city from a fatal Vesuvian eruption. The highlight is the baroque chapel of St Gennaro with its ceiling frescoes and Giuseppe de Ribera's canvas of St Gennaro Escaping the Furnace Unscathed.

Address: , Via del Duomo 147, Naples, 80138
Telephone: +39 81 421 609.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 0800-1230 and 1630-1900, Sun 0800-1330 and 1700-1930.

Website:
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: Yes

Stazioni d’Arte

The city has sought to reinvigorate its metro stations by inviting renowned artists from across the globe to contribute installations, sculptures, photography, and more. Curated by Italy's foremost art critic, Achille Bonito Oliva, the once dirty and unwelcoming underground network has revitalised Naples' arts scene and helped to reduce congestion on the roads.

Address: , Various, Naples,
Telephone: +39 81 227 2111.
Opening times:

Sun-Thu 0600-2300, Fri-Sat 0600-0200.

Website: http://www.metropolitanadinapoli.it
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Osservatorio Turistico

Address: Colonnato di San Francesco di Paola, Piazza del Plebiscito 12, Naples,
Telephone: +39 081 247 1123.
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0900-1900.

Website: http://www.comune.napoli.it

The official, municipal information office in the city is the Osservatorio Turistico, which is situated on the grand Piazza del Plebiscito, near Castel Nuovo.

Tourist passes

Valid for three days, the Naples Artecard (+39 6 3996 7650; www.campaniartecard.it) is an integrated card that offers free or reduced entry to more than 40 attractions in the city, including museums, archaeological sites and underground tours, and free travel on the city's transport system. The card is available from the train station, news agencies and hotels as well as participating museums.

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

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Port Alba Relais

A haven for book-lovers, Port Alba Relais houses a wonderful library with sections dedicated to the city's art, music and history alongside a book swapping section. Rooms with wooden beams are dedicated to literary genres and furnished with bedding and accessories from Mario Bottiglieri. It has a super central location and some rooms overlook buzzing Piazza Dante.

Chiaja Hotel de Charme

Situated on Naples' premier shopping street, Chiaja Hotel de Charme is housed in a former residence of a marquis. The owners have recreated a period feel with restored architectural details such as marble fireplaces and grand staircases alongside decorative touches like the gilt-framed portraits and antique furnishings.

Grand Hotel Oriente

A few minutes from Toledo metro station, the Grand Hotel Oriente is within easy walking distance of both the historic centre and the seafront. Sleeping quarters are clean and bright with large comfortable beds and immaculate bathrooms. Ask for a room with a private terrace to soak up the sounds of the city.

Grand Hotel Parkers

One of the finest hotels in Naples, the Grand Hotel Parkers has 71 luxuriously appointed rooms along with a spa, a beauty salon, restaurant and the exclusive atmosphere of an historical palace. It is decorated with belle époque-style frescoes and paintings, and Armani-clad guests lounge in the foyer in gilt Louis XVI chairs or on the stunning sea-view terrace.

Grand Hotel Vesuvio

The grand dame on the seafront, this 5-star deluxe hotel is renowned for hosting millionaires and screen legends. Appropriately, its refined public spaces drip with twinkling chandeliers and are furnished with period antiques, and it has a cabin cruiser service which lets guests island hop in style. The Caruso Roof Garden restaurant is gorgeous too.

Romeo Hotel

Eschewing the Baroque extravagance of other luxury hotels, the Romeo Hotel is a temple of modernist design. The striking steel-and-glass exterior encases soothing minimalist interiors of marble, wood, stone and steel. The rooftop restaurant and pool include one of Naples' few sushi bars and there's a seriously sexy modern spa.