Naples – The city of a thousand impressions

Anyone expecting a classic tourist town may be disappointed. Or surprised – like me. Because this city is different, but still has so much to offer. Here are my recommendations for places to visit in Naples.

Worth seeing…

... in the middle of the old town

Let’s go to the “Centro Historico” from Naples – because there is a lot to see here:

• The cathedral (Cathedral of San Gennaro): Not exactly big, but definitely worth it. 
• Via dei Tribunali: This street connects important points in the old town. You will definitely go cross-country skiing here more than once - and you definitely won't starve in the process ;). A food tip from me at this point: The restaurant “Casa Capasso” (Address: Via dei Tribunali 100) offers top value for money, delicious food and friendly service.
• Street art by Banksy: Directly on Via dei Tribunali is Banksy’s “Madonna with a pistol” – behind glass, of course (address: Piazza Gerolomini, 106-115)
• Nativity Street: It’s famous Via San Gregorio Armeno because of its numerous shops and stands where nativity figures are sold. Here you can find figurines in every design...
• Piazza Vincenzo Bellini: Definitely one of my favorite places in Naples. This little green oasis (see featured image) is a great place to relax. There's a lot going on here in the evenings. My recommendation: The “Bar Lemmelemme” – The bar isn’t earth-shattering, but you can sit comfortably there and the staff is super friendly!
• Basilica of Santa Chiara: The church itself is beautiful - but I liked the immediate surroundings of the basilica even better: there is a small dog park adjacent to the forecourt, and diagonally opposite is hidden behind a really special facade Jesuit Church of Gesù Nuovo and there is also a nice atmosphere in the Piazza del Gesù Nuovo. 
• National Archaeological Museum: On the northern edge of the historic old town is the “Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli”. To be honest, I wasn't expecting much, which resulted in me being pleasantly surprised. There are numerous excavations from Pompeii and Herculaneum here, but also some really fascinating and beautiful ancient statues. A little tip from me: It's best to come in the morning, as some areas of the museum are closed in the afternoon!

... beyond the core of the old town

There are also many sights in the rest of the city of Naples (strictly speaking, some of the items on this list also belong to the historic old town - I'll just take the liberty of separating them from the rest of the old town center):

• Toledo: Even though I found the Via Toledo to be rather strenuous, it shouldn't be missing from this list. There are numerous shops here and you can get to them Galleria Umberto I, a really pretty, light-filled gallery. The “Toledo” metro station is also considered one of the most unusual metro stations in the world. 
• Spanish Quarter: Directly adjacent to Via Toledo is the “Quartieri Spagnoli". Many narrow streets here form a dense network of residential buildings, shops and a few churches. Ground floor apartments, so-called Bassi, shape the image of the district. The living room and kitchen in these apartments are only separated from the street by a single door - so that when the door is open you can look directly into people's lives...
• Piazza del Plebiscito: This square not far from Via Toledo connects the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola with the Royal Palace of Napoli, a royal palace from the 17th century. There is always a lot going on here and the square is a popular photo spot. It's worth checking out!
• Via Chiaia: The charming alternative to the large shopping street Via Toledo. Although it is narrower, it still offers a lot: the huge bridge Ponte di Chiaia For example, at first it doesn't seem to fit into the picture, next to all the small residential and commercial buildings. Here you will find bakeries, bistros and ice cream parlors, but also boutiques and well-known brands. Perfect for exploring, strolling and taking a break.
• Via Partenope: The promenade street is ideal for an evening stroll at sunset. It is surprisingly quiet here, as cars and motorcycles are only allowed to pass through to a limited extent. The view of the sea and the gold colored by the evening light Castel dell'Ovo invites you to dream...

… and otherwise?

• Naples' underworld: Deep beneath the alleys of Naples, a labyrinth stretches around eighty kilometers long. Napoli sotterranea, the “city beneath the city”, is definitely worth seeing. The tuff caves have been around since the fourth century BC. Used for a variety of purposes. There are several above-ground entrances throughout the city from which you can reach the underworld. A guided tour makes a lot of sense here (approx. 10 euros per person)!
• A cemetery of a slightly different kind: in this catacomb-like grotto Cimitero Delle Fontanelle, in addition to the many victims of the plague, the Neapolitans, who could not afford a funeral in the Middle Ages, also rest. The thousands of bones and skulls stacked on top of each other come from four generations. Really impressive! You can reach the Cimitero, for example, by taking a walk through it Sanità district. On the way to the cemetery you can admire many beautiful and special street art works in this rather poor area. 

Of course, these are by no means all the sights that Naples has to offer. You can discover many special places just by strolling around. Naples is a city where you encounter something new on every corner. Just courage (and a bit of caution  )!

If you would like to get more travel tips or learn something about healthy eating, mindfulness or sustainability, take a look here over.

What are your favorite sights in Naples? Feel free to share them with us in the comments!