Girls' holiday in Naples?

Question

A girlfriend and I are planning to go to Naples for a week/10 days in October. Can anyone sugest a cheapish hostel in the city centre? Any recommendations on where to go, what to see, where to eat etc will also be much appreciated - I want to see the Roman ruins and my friend likes art - neither of us will be driving. I can look up the tourist websites myself, but would be grateful for personal experiences.

Thank you all

Answer 1

I live near Naples and, although 10 days seem a long time, if you plan your visit well you won't get bored. Please before anything bear in mind:

1) It would be untruthful to deny that there aren't pickpockets, beggars or just plain idiot males who want to have a "foreign" adventure. Just take the necessary precautions and use your common sense.

2) There is a reasonably good public transport system. It's not too expensive and will take you from Sorrento all the way to the Campi Flegrei. Just be careful of your wallet and in certain cases avoid empty train carriages (especially on the train to Sorrento, there have been reports of gangs).

3) If you are not scared by Youth Hostels and their rules, there's one in Naples, only a few steps away from the underground stop of Mergellina (also next to the sea and the ferry terminal to Ischia and Capri).

Having said that, here are only a few morsels of what you will find in Naples:

- Archeological museum, with finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum (even charred food and shoes..!)

- Naples Cathedral with the blood of San Gennaro, its patron saint, a dark blob that liquefy twice every year (and if it doesn't it means trouble ..!)

- Cappella of Sansevero (search image "cristo velato" and see what's in there...)

- Campi Flegrei with the Solfatara (an extinct volcano with sulphur gas geyser-things that looks like h**l)

- Lake of Averno, the entrance to h**l (again) according to the Romans

- Vesuvius! You can actually go all the way to its rim and look down its crater (and think: "what if it decides to wake up just now?"), but probably you will have to take a tour, I don't think there is public transport all the way up there...

I can blab for hours, just get a guide from the turist office (there's one in Piazza Gesù Nuovo, at the beginning of Spaccanapoli, which is the ancient road (decumanus) that used to divide Naples in two and enjoy...!!

Answer 2

why is everone telling u not to go to naples?!?! i lived there for three years and wish i could go back again! first off u can ALWAYS fill up your time eating, any resturant u go is bound to be uber yummy! the food is much better then in Rome i think.  as for the sites to see u might want to see if u can check out some local markets, u can find them everywhere. i am not sure where u are staying but wherever it is ask the management if there are any local markets around. I have to agree with the Italian guy who answered u simply HAVE to see the island of Capri. its a wonderful day trip or u might even want to stay one night there and then head back to naples. anyways def. go there and see it! and there is also and ancient ampitheater in Pozzuoli. well i think thats all i can say i hope i gave u some fresh ideas!

Answer 3

I too would suggest skipping Naples--or perhaps only visiting for a few days.  I was there for one afternoon and that was enough! There really was nothing to see. I would suggest visiting Capri and/or Pompeii. Both are close, and I have heard from friends that they are wonderful.

Answer 4

Have you considered staying in Sorrento?  The ancient Roman sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, plus Vesuvius, are mid-way between Sorrento and Naples.  From either city you have to the same train for the same amount of time.  The difference is that Sorrento is beautiful, peaceful, relaxing and clean while Naples is hurried, stressful and very dirty.  From Sorrento you can easily explore the rest of the Amalfi Coast and/or take a boat trip over to the island of Capri.  You can also get into the center of Naples in 70 minutes by Circumvesuviana train (this is the same one that connects Naples to Pompeii).  If you're interested in staying in Sorrento, I would highly recommend Hotel Desiree.   You can stay there on the cheap, it includes breakfast, and if you request a sea-view room you can look out over the Bay of Naples.

Answer 5

I went to Rome today on vacation & it is so much beautiful. You`d enjoy it more. There is a lot to see & so much places to shop, they have designer shops as well. Also Naples is very known for pick pocketers and dirty areas. It be best to stay in Rome, everything there is beautiful.

Answer 6

sorry for me english i'm from Naples and i say dont' think other people. if you wonna visit Naples just do it. I 'm from Naples and my city it's wonderful well the ciy is small it's much people living in little space the traffic is impossibol but if mirror the city you feel new sensation. The hotel in the center it' much more contrcts on the price it's usually all hotel have air condition 'n'more optional.Visit Capri island, Ischia island,Posillipo, Marechiaro, castel dell'ovo, Pompei Ercolano Pozzuoli, Cristo velato,  ISOLOTTO DI SAN MARTINO remember this visit it there isn't on the travel guide but in the net you can find it magnific only one in the world, you entry in the cave at the escape after five miles you are in the island united by bridge.Bye bye i hope you and your friends visit Naples

Answer 7

I would suggest skipping Naples altogether and just going to Rome. Naples is a very dirty city...and there's not enought to see to fill up 10 days. Rome is wonderful and there's tons to do. As you speak English, you can get free tours at the Colliseum and other ruins, and a free tour at St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican is also a great place to see. The food is awesome pretty much no matter where you go and the metro is cheap, so driving wouldn't be a problem.