Naples, Italy

I am an Italian-American who has traveled extensively in Italy, although visits to Naples have been limited to transits fo the train station on my way to/from the Sorrentine Peninsula. This past July My wife and daughter and I decided to add one overnight in Naples to our itinerary so that we could visit the magnificent Archeology Museum where the major relics of Pompei are housed. It was broad daylight on a Friday afternoon and we decided to walk the 2 kilometers from our hotel near Plaza Garibaldi to the museum. While wlaking down Via Luigi Settembrini at 1500 in broad daylight, a man with a Beretta Pistol ran up to me and demanded my watch. It was a 22-year old Rolex watch that I had since it was new. I gave it to him and he fled on foot. I made a report to the police the following day (they do not speak English) and they said that this was a bit unusual (daylight armed robbery on a city street) but that criminal elements in Naples love Rolex watches and chances are they singl... Read more

Naples was our last stopover on an 11-day eastern Mediterranean cruise. We opted to tour the ruins of Pompeii, then decided to have lunch in the city, do some sightseeing and shopping. The city has a gritty, earthy feel; the people aren't as warm and welcoming as in other Italian cities and we were warned by the ship's staff to be careful about pickpockets and purchases made in local stores (buy something, get distracted by sales staff and the big SWITCH would occur). So we were careful, watching our bags, pockets, etc. As we were walking back to our ship, a rather large man appeared behind me just over my left shoulder and attempted to pull at my handbag. When I realized what was happening, I reached up and grabbed my bag closer to my body. He then went for my watch and a struggle ensued where I screamed for my husband who had been walking a few yards ahead, talking with a friend. Needless to say, I ended up on the losing end as he broke the watch off my wrist and fled to an aw... Read more

For me, Naples is the New Orleans of Italy except Neapolitan food is a far superior, world class cuisine and Naples is a very large city - a densely populated wedding cake layered with millenia of civlized history. Parts of the city are clean, upscale and elegant but much of the city is grimey. The travel experience is profoundly better when accompanied by a native whom you know and trust. Some Neopolitans may seem gruff or even ignorant, but a deeper understanding and familiarity betray true sophistication, wit, guile and urbanity. A typical Neapolitan is very streetwise, business savvy and can easily survive in foreign cities. By contrast, a typical New Yorker will be easily duped in Naples until he or she learns the ropes. Unfortunately, many Americans confuse pretense with culture; Neopolitans have culture. But, if you're into a Disney style scene and/or a control freak, Naples is definitely not for you.

Hi,I have been living in Napoli for three months, it is a very interesting city, the pizza is the best, the buildings are beautiful but the majority of the people....mamma mia!! Very ignorant, rude and impatient!! I know it is the culture of the majority of Neapolitans but the mentality is incredible.....I am sorry, there are very few good points...I have been ripped off so many times, been classed as a tourist and shopkeepers and restaurant workers just think i am stupid.....dont get me wrong, there are beautiful places here, more so than places that i have been.....its just the mentality, no order, no rules.....and the police and officials.....phewwww....sorry, anybody else agree??????

I have lived in Napoli for 1 1/2 years and will be here for another 1 1/2. Naples is like a beautiful woman with dirty feet. There is lots of trash around and a bit more petty crime than other places. If you keep a hand on you wallet and look above the trash it is beautiful. As for the traffic, it is like living in a NASCAR race. Rubbins' racin.

One of my favorites. I don't think the average tourist would feel the same. There are some shady elements and the traffic is a bit scary. Pompei other Bay of Naples attractions are close by. The pizza is terrific. Watch yourself especially in areas like Piazza Garibaldi

Naples is my all-time favorite city in Italy. Many people complain it is not as safe as Florence or Rome, which is true. You do have to watch your back; especially at night. Like other places, you have to be vigilant about pickpockets. But I've found certain parts of LA and other cities to be worse; so if you just use common sense and deal, you won't regret it. The food and restaurants in Naples are first-rate; it's where pizza originally came from. Naples itself is also one of the most beautiful cities in the world; it has the most gorgeous cathedrals. I remember passing one during the day and going inside, and it had candles glowing inside and lots of baroque architecture. It's a great city for walking. There are cable cars which take you to where you can view the whole city. Pompeii is nearby. Lots of beautiful squares, and there is a great promenade area near the ferries to Ischia, Capri, and Procida, islands near Naples. I rode an overnight ferry from Palermo to Naples with friend... Read more

Ah Bella Napoli. What sailor worth his salt has not been to Naples. I made it there twice, in 1995 and 2002. From a distance, Naples is a pretty looking town. But when you get right into the city, it is absoultely true what they say about the city's cleanliness (or lack thereof). Trash is strewn everywhere. But who cares about that. I've been to several towns in Italy, but I would have to say the best Italian food was Naples hands down. A real Italian pizza is nothing like you see in America. Too bad, because it is so delicious. The weather is also very nice. It kind of reminded me of San Diego weather. I'm not a sightseer, but I did spend a day at the ruins of Pompeii. It was one of the neatest things I ever saw. I was amazed at how evolved civilization was, even at 79 AD. The homes had a rudimentary plumbing system and the town had both an arena and a place that must have been like a Fort Lauderdale Nightclub at Spring Break. The Pompeiians knew how to party. The only... Read more

Naples is one of my favourite cities. It is my kind of town. Wild, fun and a great city to relax in, this crazy place is full of excitment. I love looking at all the photos I took around the Plaza Garibaldi. You could just live there! Great place. There are so many things to see and do there, I am going to go back. Naples, watch out - I am on the way back!!!!!! I guess they survived Nelson.

i love naples and the napoletans its a first rate city

Naples itself may be the pits of Italy, but if you go further down the Amalfi Coast, you come across the most dramatic and romantic scenery...stunningly beautiful.

its lovely....antique...but very messy but you would like it for sure just like PIZZA ciao ciao

What's utterly special about Naples is its surprise. I never expected it to be so beautiful - each tiny, meandering Medieval street beckoning you to the next. If you're a history buff, Napoli will leave you famished. The current city was built above the medieval one, which was built over the Roman one, which was built over the Greek one. You can traverse 50 feet down beneath the city via tunnels and find an exciting and ancient world. Plus the seafood is awesome, and so is the pizza.

Naples is an atypical Italian city, although many Americans think it is the quintessential Italy. It is noisy, chaotic, has a high crime rate, and is overbuilt. Despite that, the people genarally are friendly, outgoing, exuberant, philosophical, and amazingly clever and quick-witted. Comments based on having lived in Naples a total of about four years (1967-68 and 1979-81). There are pleanty of sights to see in the city itself (lots of great panoramas of the bay, and museums such as San Martino), and lots of great attractions nearby (Pompeii, Herculanaeum, Capri, Ischia) Food is great, espcially if you like seafood, pizza, or pasta. Wines are good, but not as good as in northern Italy. Ice cream and coffee are at least as good as anywhere else in Italy. Mozzarella is a local specialty, and bears little resemblance to mozzarella found in the US, which tastes like rubber in comparison. Fresh mozzarella to a Neapolitan means mozzarella that's less than 12 hours old. It is unquest... Read more

Naples gets a bad rap, the crime rate is far worse in most American citys. The scenery is stunning,with the gorgeous blue sea and Mount Vesuvius in the background.The people are fun and it is relatively inexpensive.

Pizza was invented here and you'll get the best you've ever had (at least, I did). Naples is a great entry point into southern Italy, and has a very different feel from Rome or Florence. It's a neat place to explore.

Naples is a fasinating city. The traffic is hectic and I would not recommend anyone venture outside your hotel after 8PM, the crime rate is horrific. Visit the archeological museum there. It has many interesting artifacts from nearby Pompeii (the city buried in ashes by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius). It occupies a nice spot in the Bay of Naples. Stay in nearby Sorrento or Capri if you go to the area.