Naples, Italy: Ancient Ruins, Vibrant Streets & Local Eats

The National Archaeological Museum was established at the end of the 18th century by King Charles VII of the Spanish Bourbon dynasty. The king commissioned the museum to house antiquities his mother left him as an inheritance. They became the museum’s Farnese Collection. Three other collections at the museum include the treasures from Herculaneum and Pompeii, gifts to the museum from minor collections, and items from archaeological excavations in Naples. Must-see highlights of the museum include the sculpted Toro Farnese (the Farnese Bull), Ercole Farnese (the Farnese Hercules), the mosaics on the mezzanine level, and the Farnese Atlas (Atlas carrying the celestial spheres) on the first level.

Piazza Museo, 19, Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-14-42-21-49

The Royal Palace of Naples is situated downtown along one side of the Piazza del Plebiscito. The first striking feature about the palace is the exquisite double staircase leading to the Museum of Furnishings in what was once the palace’s royal apartments. Here, visitors can peruse the collection of neoclassical and baroque furnishings, tapestries, paintings, sculptures, and porcelain. Other highlights include a lavish theater – Teatrino di Corte – as well as a royal chapel known as Capella Royale, with a nativity scene from the 18th century, and the National Library – Biblioteca Nazionale – where visitors will find fragments of a Coptic Bible dating back to the 5th century as well as a 2,000-year-old papyrus.

Piazza del Plebiscito, 1, Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-15-80-82-55

The Flavian Amphitheater of Pozzuoli comes in third behind the Amphitheater of Capua and the Roman Colosseum when it comes to large-scale coliseums. The ancient oval amphitheater is situated at the intersection of two dominant streets in Pozzuoli – one of them leading to Naples. Divided into three levels, it’s similar to sports stadiums today. The ima is the arena level seating with the best seats, the media section is above it where the middle class sat, and the suma is the highest and least favorable section, where women and children sat. It is encircled by a wide, pillared portico. Tickets also provide entrance to Phlegrean Fields Museum and Cuma Archaeological Park.

Corso Nicola Terracciano, 75, Pozzuoli, Italy, Phone: +39-08-15-26-60-07

Castel Nuovo, also known as Maschio Angioino, is a 13th century castle completed in 1282 for the new Charles I of the House of Anjou. Realizing how vast his possessions were, he needed a central ruling location, and Naples was it. The castle was popular among those in the intellectual class. Charles I was also a patron of great artists like Giotto, whose fragmented frescoes can still be seen on the chapel window splays. A must-see are the Roman ruins visible through a glass floor in the Armoury Hall. Other highlights include Neapolitan paintings from the 17th to 20th centuries, especially those on the top floor – Luigi Crisconio’s landscapes and Carlo Vanvitelli’s watercolors.

Via Vittorio Emanuele III, Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-17-95-77-22

Pausilypon Archaeological Park sits high atop Posillipo Hill. Some of what was at one time a 22-acre villa is now underwater. What remains dates back to the 1st century BC through the 4th century AD. Visitor access to the villa is via a nearly half-mile (770-meter) tunnel called the Seiano Grotto. Tunnels originally connected villas to each other and Naples to other ports. Once inside the villa, visitors will see the remains of an amphitheater seating 2,000. In keeping with Greek theaters, it follows the natural slope of the hillside. Other highlights at the site include the Odeion – a small theater used for intimate musical and poetic performances – as well as a temple, a nymphaeum, a vineyard, and a thermal bathhouse.

L’ingresso è dalla Grotta di Seiano, Discesa Coroglio, 36, Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-12-30-10-30

The 12th century Castel dell'Ovo, which translates to Castle of the Egg, is the oldest castle in Naples. Allegedly, its unusual name is owed to Virgil, a Roman poet, who is said to have buried an egg there saying Naples and the castle would fall when the egg broke. Situated on tiny Borgo Marinaro, it’s the primary reason for visiting the islet. Visitors who climb to the ramparts will experience epic views. The castle is host to occasional temporary art exhibitions and other community events. It is also a popular wedding spot. There is an array of trendy restaurants on the islet offering sea views.

Via Eldorado, 3, Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-17-95-45-93

Avid hikers will adore Vesuvius National Park. Wrapped around the active volcano complex Somma-Vesuvius, the park has a reach of over 83 square miles with 13 towns and nine distinctive hiking trails. Those wanting to hike to the crater’s edge could start with Trail 1 – the Valle dell’Inferno – and continue on Trail 5 – The Gran Cono – up to the edge of the crater. Each of the park’s 13 municipalities has something different to offer visitors, from the enchanting medieval district of Trocchia to the Golden Mile of Ercolano to Boscotrecase, the closest town to the Pompeii ruins; there is so much history and culture to explore.

City of Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-18-65-39-11

Galleria Borbonica, or the Bourbon Tunnel, is an 1853 tunnel that connects Palazzo Reale to the military barracks and to the sea. It was the idea of Ferdinand II to have an escape route that followed the 17th century Carmignano aqueduct system. During World War II, the underground tunnel system doubled as a shelter during air raids and as a military hospital. Tours start at the Morelli parking area near the second entrance to the tunnels. Regular tours don’t need advanced reservations. The 80-minute Adventure Tour is a combination walk/raft tour that must be pre-booked. History and archaeology buffs may prefer the 2.5-hour Speleo Tour, which is for adults only.

Via Domenico Morelli 40, Parcheggio Morelli, Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-17-64-58-08

Palazzo Zevallos Stigliano was turned into an opulent museum in 2014. It’s the sister of two other Italian museums, one at Milan’s Gallerie di Piazza Scala and the other at Vicenza’s Palazzo Leoni Montanari. It was originally built by the Duke of Ostuni in 1639, and it has changed hands numerous times over the centuries. Today, it houses artworks from the 17th to 20th centuries, primarily Italian and Neapolitan. One must-see at the museum is The Martyrdom of St. Ursula, the famous final painting by Italian painter Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. There are historical paintings, landscape paintings, and terracotta and bronze sculptures – 120 works in all.

Via Toledo, 185, Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-17-91-73-92

Visitors to San Gregorio Armeno can indulge in the wide-eyed glee of Christmas all year long. This street of shops specializes in artisan Christmas nativity items. Visiting off-season, of course, means a more leisurely pace. Travelers can anticipate ample time to watch the artisans in action as they create nativity sets in their own styles. From whimsical celebrity figurines and parody characters to serious masterpieces by second or third generation skilled craftsmen, the choices are vast. Visitors will find nativity pieces and scenes in a wide variety of sizes from miniature to giant. Visiting during the weeks before Christmas is magical, when many people flock to the street out of tradition.

Via S. Gregorio, Armeno, 1, Naples, Italy, Phone: +39-08-15-52-01-86