Hidden gems in Naples

[Misself]

Hello

 

I'm going to Naples again in June and trying to decide what to do.  I've been several times before (all my Med cruises seem to go here!) and so have been to both Pompeii & Herculaneum, plus trekked up Vesuvius.   The last couple of times I did some research and ended up doing the Naples Underground tour and also the funicular up to Vomero (lovely views and a fantastic bar to sit and enjoy a classy cocktail 😉 )

 

So looking for suggestions to pass a few hours.   Options are a visit to Capri, or trip to Amalfi Coast,  but I'd rather ideally not have to go too far away from the port.  Anyone know of any secret wonders in Naples!!!

 

Thanks

 

[steamboats]

Last time we did a food tour. You can see photos here. In the meantime the company offers food tours through different quarters of the city. All tours are not just about food but also a little about history and life in Naples. All tours are in English. We were lucky as it was only us and one other woman. We had lots of fun.

 

steamboats

Edited March 21, 2019 by steamboats

[marazul]

Consider the wonderful National Archaeological Museum.  Perfect complement to your prior visits to Pompeii and Herculaneum.

https://www.museoarcheologiconapoli.it/en/

[euro cruiser]

I could go on for days about things to see and do in Naples and the immediate area.

 

One of my favorite places in Naples is the Certosa di San Martino, the building that's looking down over the cruise port as you arrive, in front of Castel Sant'Elmo.  This former monastery is a gem of a museum, with an ornately decorated church and some wonderful art.  It has an excellent collection of high end presepi, the Nativity scenes that Naples is famous for, it's worth going just to see them.  http://www.polomusealecampania.beniculturali.it/index.php/certosa-e-museo

 

Near Spaccanapoli in the heart of the old town you can find the Museo Cappella Sansevero, with the amazing sculpture of the Veiled Christ:  https://www.museosansevero.it/

 

Also in the heart of the historic center you can find the Cloisters and museum of Santa Chiara.  The cloisters are an amazing oasis of peace in the middle of the city and the museum highlights ancient ruins discovered on the property after the bombings of WWII.

http://www.monasterodisantachiara.it/

 

If you are willing to take a quick trip out of town, the royal palace and gardens at Caserta are phenomenal.  It was built to rival Versailles and it does.  To get there from Naples you take a regional train from Napoli Centrale for 40 minutes to Caserta, the palace is directly across the street from the train station, it couldn't be easier.

http://www.reggiadicaserta.beniculturali.it/

 

[Hlitner]

Surprised Euro did not mention Pizza :).  Some folks give Naples credit for inventing pizza although it is probably more accurate to just say that Naples is a city famous for its pizza :).  We have had more then our share, including at the most famous pizza place in Naples called Da Michele (we were underwhelmed....but it was fun).

 

We give Euro Cruiser some credit for convincing us to spend more time exploring Naples.  It is certainly not our favorite city or place in the region, but it does have its charms.   The Palace at Caserta (accessible by train from Naples) did turn out to be a very nice day trip (go on a nice day since the gardens are expansive) which is a place that Euro Cruiser has mentioned here for quite a few years (great find).

 

Hank

[Victress2007]

Near Spaccanapoli in the heart of the old town you can find the Museo Cappella Sansevero, with the amazing sculpture of the Veiled Christ:  https://www.museosansevero.it/

 

These sculptures are AMAZING - but no photos allowed! I would have stayed for hours taking photos if I could.

 

Vic

 

[euro cruiser]

Naples does claim to be the origin point of pizza, created for Queen Margherita of Savoy when she visited shortly after Italy became a country in the late 1800's.  The three colors, red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil represent the colors of the Italian flag.

 

I love the vera pizza (true pizza) of Naples but usually if I'm there for two weeks I might eat it once, at most twice.  Everyone has their favorites, I tend to focus on any pizzeria that has pledged to follow the "vera pizza" ingredients and cooking process and there are more than 60 of them in Naples.

 

https://www.pizzanapoletana.org/en/associati

 

 

[cruisemom42]

I heartily second the Archaeological Museum in Naples -- it's one of the best museums in the world for looking at Roman frescoes, sculpture and mosaics from all the nearby sites.

 

Another church in Naples that I can recommend is San Lorenzo Maggiore because it has underneath it the excavated ruins of an ancient Roman street and market.

 

https://www.ancientworldmagazine.com/articles/roman-market-naples-site-underneath-san-lorenzo-maggiore/

 

It's not far from the museum or several of the other sites already recommended (including the Capella San Severino.

[Despegue]

16 hours ago, euro cruiser said:

Naples does claim to be the origin point of pizza, created for Queen Margherita of Savoy when she visited shortly after Italy became a country in the late 1800's.  The three colors, red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil represent the colors of the Italian flag.

 

I love the vera pizza (true pizza) of Naples but usually if I'm there for two weeks I might eat it once, at most twice.  Everyone has their favorites, I tend to focus on any pizzeria that has pledged to follow the "vera pizza" ingredients and cooking process and there are more than 60 of them in Naples.

 

https://www.pizzanapoletana.org/en/associati

 

 

I much prefer the Rome style thin crust pizza to be honest.

 

pizza or similar flatbreads have been part of Italian food culture way before the visit of Queen Margherita of course. But the Pizza Margherita was invented for her visit, or so goes the tale, as recent research cast doubt on this. 

[gfkcruiser]

We had been to Naples also a few times.  Decided to do a free walking tour that started across road from port.  Was very interesting.  Stopped for pizza after tour.  Had an enjoyable day.  

[Misself]

oh Wow, thanks for all the replies and suggestions.  A foodie tour sounds good!!!     A lot of people say Naples is a bit of a dump, but I actually think it's got lots going for it.    As it seems from the above comments there is plenty of things to do other than the obvious tourist attractions.