Napoli travel guide
1. Best things to do in Napoli
For an alternative tour, let’s begin to visit the city from SpaccaNapoli, a beautiful area along the Lower Decuman: it is called SpaccaNapoli because it divides the old city in a northern and a southern part. Here calmed your thirst for culture with a free visit to the Duomo, Piazza Gesu Nuovo and Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, with the basilica.
Do not lose the shops that sell typical products. Sfizi e Bontà Eder is a small shop halfway between Piazza Gesu Nuovo and Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, here you can stock up buffalo mozzarella, limoncello of Sorrento, bagels, scialatielli and enjoy a chat with the owner. He looks like a character from the Italian comedy and he will entertain you with cookies with almond paste and sips of homemade liquor: fair prices and undisputed quality.
The Museo Cappella San Severo, in De Sanctis street is a gem of wit and skill. It contains the famous Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sammartino made of marble, with a breathtaking drapery.
How not to stop in the famous Piazza del Plebiscito, the historic venue of events and concerts in front of the Royal Palace. A little curiosity for the superstitious ones: it seems that to reach the statues of horses from Royal Palace, blindfolded, brings a lot of luck... Try it!
The Naples Gulf is beautiful. You can enjoy the best view from Dell'Ovo castle, on the bridge that connects Naples with the island of Megaride.
From the top of the castle you can see the sea and the Vesuvius, a combination of forces of nature not to be missed!
The seaside village at the foot of the castle is very picturesque, stop for a drink or a dinner but ... pay attention to the prices, which in this area are very prohibitive!
Via San Gregorio Armeno is the typical way of the shepherds and Christmas markets. To be admired even in August: the road is always animated by the incessant work of the Neapolitan masters who stage theaters made of funny of political figures!
2. Tastes and local food
We are in Naples, in the heart of Campania. The Neapolitan cuisine is a mix of tasty homemade recipes and dishes of old tradition.
We do not need to tell you that the queen is the Margherita pizza, created by chef Esposito for Queen Margherita of Savoy. A simple and ingenious dish, that has amazed and astounded the whole world, becoming an alternative take away snack without losing its "sovereignty". Local people argue that the real Neapolitan pizza can be eaten exclusively in Naples, so... do not miss this opportunity!
Via the Courts this is definitely one of the places to to taste exceptional pizza. Here there are two famous pizzerias: Sorbillo, in Tribunali street, 32, and Pizzeria Matteo, inTribunali street, 94. Matteo pizza costs 1 euro! Unbelievable but true!
The pizza then, can not be eaten without the famous "crocché" and the potato croquettes.
Not only margherita one, but pizzas to suit all tastes, from classical Napoletana with anchovies and oregano to the typical "sausage and broccoli" with vegetables and pork... sweet, multiethnic and alternative pizzas with ingredients from around the world are avaiable too!
Naples, we said, is not only age-old tradition, but also a modern and simple city with a lot of dishes easy to reproduce at home such as the famous casatiello cakes with vegetables, served hot. Great homemade bread and roasted artichokes. Dairy products are a true flag, with the delicious mozzarella di bufala Campana famous all over the world.
In order to oversee the fund puffs and sweet... “babà” with rum. Taste them at the “Sfogliatella Mary” and “Scaturchio.”
3. Capri, Sorrento and surroundings
You cannot talk about Capri and Sorrento peninsula, without falling into the stereotype of "magic".
We would like to be able to convey the simple beauty, the sun breaking over the cliffs to the warm breeze of a sea-colored sky.
The gardens and villas make their way besides pine trees, opening the horizon to a pastel world of huts and lemon scented. Exotic and local, poor but refined, it's certainly worth a visit.
On the mainland Pompeii offers history and religion, with the Sanctuary of SS. Rosario and the famous ruins.
"Golden Mile" is the stretch of road that once connected Naples to the "Royal Road of the Eighth Tower" here along the coast you can take the route of "pleasure villas," which from the small port of Granatello arrives in Torre Annunziata.
Vesuvius is the father of this land, with its clouds of gas and mudslides of volcanic materials that have sown years ago panic and destruction. The areas around the Vesuvius are particularly fertile and rich in crops: vegetables, apricots, cherries, mandarin oranges, walnuts, figs, oranges, tomatoes, beans, peas, zucchini, cauliflower, artichokes, broccoli and wine ; the "Caprettone", Falanghina and Lacryma Christi, which is obtained from grapes of Piedirosso of Mount Vesuvius, are typical vines of unmatched value. From the height of Vesuvius it can be seen Torre Annunziata and the Gulf of Naples, Castellammare di Stabia, Tower of Greek, Capri, Ischia and Procida.
4. Nature, sport and green itineraries
Not out of topic, take a walk to the volcano Vesuvius National Park, recently founded, was born in defense of geophysics and volcanology research in the area. Mediterranean scrub everywhere, pines, oaks, chestnut trees and the famous Leopardi broom. You will find many animal species such as foxes and hares, and birds of all kinds.
Mount Faito (for the many beech trees that populate it) in Vico Equense, is at the top of Mons Lactarius, from here you can visit all the Preappennines.
One of the most Panoramic mount of the Sorrento Peninsula is Mount San Costanzo. Paths are very simple and ring shaped. The Ieranto Bay at the foot of the Mount is a great idea for a reflexive walk.
5. Where to stay in the city and surrounding
Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in the province of Napoli: bio hotels in the heart of historical town, little eco bed & breakfast overlooking turquoise sea, organic farms surrounded by ancient olive trees.
Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in Napoli
by Angela Sebastianelli
