Naples is a fascinating city. So many things come to mind when I think about it: scooters, crowds, pizza, churches, graffiti, Maradona, street vendors, Vesuvius. It’s not possible to define it as it is full of contradictions. I visited Naples a few days before Christmas and enjoyed its atmosphere. Here are my suggestions on a few things to do in Naples in the winter time.
Things to do in Naples in the winter time
Walk the streets of the Centro Storico
Start your Naples adventure in the historic center or the Centro Storico. Walk the narrow streets, sit down for a bite to eat, walk into a church, check out an outdoor market, and feel the vibrant atmosphere. One of the most ancient cities in Europe, almost the entire historic center is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list.
Check out the Nativity scenes
Stroll down Via San Gregorio Armeno, a narrow alleyway in the historic center, and check out the colorful nativity scenes. Presepi, as they are known in Italian, are handcrafted nativity figurines which are definitely an attraction in Naples. Walk into a couple of courtyards and take a look at some of the artisan stores hidden from the main view.
Visit the Spanish Quarter and the Maradona shrine
Quartieri Spagnoli or the Spanish Quarter is a vibrant part of Naples, right outside the historic center. Take the narrow winding streets and hike up to see the Shrine to Diego Maradona, the Argentinian player who lead the Napoli soccer team to victory twice in the 1980s. Maradona is considered a god in Naples and you’ll see his image not only in the Spanish Quarter but on many murals, flags, home shrines, magnets, Tshirts, etc. He is a constant presence in Naples.
Enjoy views of Naples from Casteel San'Elmo
For expansive views of Naples, head to Castle San’Elmo in the Vomero neighborhood. While you can take a fernicular rather than hiking all the way up, we decided to walk and enjoyed it. Once on top, you will have great views over the city and the Bay of Naples. You will also be able to see Spaccanapoli, the splitter you’ll read or hear about. Walk around the area, sit down for a coffee, and relax for a bit.
Stroll along Piazza del Plebiscito
Piazza del Plebiscito is a large, elegant piazza adjacent to the historic center. It’s surrounded by the Royal Palace on one side and the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola on the other. While the church building is quite impressive, the graffiti and the homeless encampments made the area uninviting. We decided not to go inside either building but I’m sure the Royal Palace would be quite interesting to visit.
Explore Galleria Umberto I
If you’ve been to Milan, Galleria Umberto I will look familiar to you. That is because a similar light-filled shopping arcade, Galleria Umberto II, is located there. It was built towards the end of the 19th century during the reign of King Umberto I and houses a variety of shops, restaurants and cafes. Definitely stroll though it if you’re in the area.
Enjoy Naples' piazzas
There are many piazzas or squares in Naples. Some of the more popular ones are Piazza del Plebiscito, Piazza Dante, or Piazza Garibaldi. We particularlu liked Piazza del Gesù Nuovo located in the heart of the Centro Storico. It is flanked by two churches, Chiesa de Gesù Nuovo and Basilica de Santa Chiara, both worth visiting. The statue of the Virgin Mary in the center of the square makes for a great meeting spot if you happen to be meeting friends or family members in Naples. There are several smaller squares around it where you can sit and enjoy a drink or a meal with fewer people around.
Stroll along Via Chiaia
Via Chiaia is a modern pedestrian-only street that removes you from the car and motorcycle traffic. It’s a good street to sit down for a meal as it is much more quiet than other areas of Naples. It is also a great shopping street with expensive shops and boutiques. It offers a different taste of Naples, a bit more sophisticated and elegant.
Have a pizza
One of the things Naples is famous for is its pizza and we definitely indulged in it. Mind you, the pizza is pretty simple: marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil, but the bread is to die for. I think the bread is really what makes Italian pizza so delicious! There are several popular spots along Via dei Tribunali. We tried fried pizza there, which was huge, so sharing one may be a good idea. For pizza margarita, we headed to L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele where Julia Roberts ate in the movie Eat, Pray, Love. You certainly can’t go wrong, so grab a slice on the street, go in and have a whole one or take one to go and have a picnic. You’ll love it.
Take a tour of Pompeii
If you’re in Naples, you must set aside at least half a day and visit Pompeii. This ancient city was buried in ash after Mount Vesuvius erupted more than 2,000 years ago. It’s an amazing experience to walk around the ruins. There are many incredibly well-preserved buildings as well as entombed bodies of people in their final moments of life. It’s a short and easy train ride, so read my post here and definitely make the trip. You’ll be glad you did.
Take a boat to Capri
Capri is a beautiful island less than an hour from Naples. We spent 4 days on Capri in the winter time and loved it. It was lush, quiet, and spectacular. I highly recommend a visit. You can read more about my recommendations for Capri here.
Other places to visit in Italy
Italy is an amazing country and while there, you may want to visit other places as well. Here are my suggestions with blog posts:
