Is Naples Worth a visit?

Question

I'm off to Rome in the Summer and thinking of visiting Naples for a few days. Is it worth it?

Answer 1

Si!  Napoli es molto bella!  (TRANSLATED:  Yes!  Naples is very beautiful!)

Answer 2

I think so. A lot to see. More street crime than Rome, so try to blend in with the locals.Take a trip to Vesuvius whilst you are there - an amazing place.

Answer 3

Rick Steves has a great show on Naples.  You might be able to find a copy at your local public library, or watch for it on the Travel network.  (He also does several other areas of Italy.)  He describes it as "quintessential Italy".

It is supposed to be a little safer now, but on a tour several years ago with a stay in a nearby city, the guide flatly forbid us to go there.  We did of course.  We were really careful and all was OK, but do be cautious.

Naples has a museum that is where they took all the small items found in Pompei.  Seeing that museum completes your picture of Pompei.  You see table settings and cooking utensils of everyday life.  Art, scuptures, etc.  Wonderful.

Romelle

Answer 4

I'm a Military wife and we're stationed in Naples. We've lived here for almost three years and I think this is just an amazing place. It would be very much worth it to visit. Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius are right here, the Amalfi Coast is a beautiful drive, and you can't forget the warm and friendly local people. People from this area are some of the most friendly Italians I've met since moving here.

A lot of people think the crime is bad here, but it's not. Don't get me wrong, there is crime in Naples, but it's not usually violent crime. I recently answered another question about Naples, and I was telling that person that in all of my time here I've only heard about two or three murders and they were all Mob related. No "Civilians" were involved. The Military gives us a list of places we can and can't go to, and there are very few places on that list we have to stay away from. We live off base and we've never had a problem with our car getting broken into, but that is probably the crime you hear most about here. As far as the dangerous stuff, rape, murder, beatings, it's very rare. As far as crime goes, I feel safer for myself and my family over here then I do at home in the States.

Yes, I think a visit here would be very worth your time. There is a ton a history and beauty to see.

Have a great trip!

Answer 5

Are you kidding?  Yes, FORZA NAPOLI !!!  The best people on earth!!  

Just watch your personal belongings.  It is not just americans (and foreigners) theifs are after, anyone is fair game(even other italians).  Remember that.  People will tell you that Naples is unsafe and dirty.  While the later of that is true, the city has been under a major trash crisis for years, I feel comfortable to say that in most of the city I felt safer than I am here in the United States. Like what Military said there are places best avoided (and the Navy tells you not to go to), such as the Quartieri Spagnoli (my italian friends from Naples won't even go there).

I have seen several italian cities and out of them all Naples is my all time favorite.  And with Pompei, Ercolano, Paestum ( a bit out of the way but well worth it, hardly any tourists), Amalfi, Sorrento and Naples itself being one of the most geographically beautiful cities on earth with Vesuvius in the background.    The Archeological Museum is my favorite with all of the findings of Pompei among others and the veiled Christ is also very impressive.  There is so much to do there it would take ( like Rome ) years to see them all.  And of course one of the best things to do is just walk on the streets, the street action is entertainment.  However if you feel uncomfortable then take an organized tour.

Make friends from there too and try to speak as much italian as possible.  I have been studying Italian for over a year and my friends have been more than helpful.  A friend from Naples is a friend for life!! ;)  It would be unthinkable to go Italy and not experience the italian culture.  Naples is the place to do this.

Answer 6

(Mega...si' pop' strunzzzz!!!!

Per caso, voti Lega Nord? Penso proprio di sì....Guarda, non ho parole...)

Don't listen to mega, he's never been to Naples!

I live near Naples and I can see its qualities as well as its problems. Napoli is a beautiful city and enchanted my scottish friends. They asked why it is known as the most dangerous city in Italy, but soon realized that every big city has its dangerous suburbs and  walking through the centre of Napoli isn't much different from walking through the streets of London, Manchester, Glasgow or Paris.

I suggest you visiting not only Naples but also Capri, Ischia, Sorrento, Positano, Salerno if you have enough time.

Answer 7

Sure! and Visit Capri too then try the famous Neapolitan Pizza. .

(--,)

Answer 8

Absolutely, if you can stand the summer heat!  

Our travelogues offers tips you may find helpful in your planning: http://www.thetravelzine.com/rome0301_1....

Have a great time!

Answer 9

are you kidding??

it's wonderful! that's why they say "see naples, and then die", because it's so beautyful that visiting it makes a life complete and no one should die before he could have seen it.

really, go. you won't regret that. but  pay attention , because people sometimes take advantage of tourists

Answer 10

YES!!!

Naples is one of the best places to visit in Italy!! There are things you should know before embarking, though.

DO NOT wear jewelry

DO NOT visibly carry a camera

DO NOT use an expensive car with a foreign tag.

DO NOT speak to people in the streets, especially in bad neighboorhoods, while you can safely speak to your Hotel's personel, and Restaurant's people.

CARRY YOUR MONEY WITH YOU ALL THE TIME IN A HIDDEN REPOSITORY possibly sewn in your underwear

HAVING SAID THAT:

GO TO NAPLES AS SOON AS YOU CAN!!

There are museums in Naples that are out of this world, like the Capodimonte, with all the little authentic terracotta statuettes that, during Chritmases far in the past, used to populate the Holiday Season. You will not be able to see anything of the sort even if you traveled the world over.

Visit the enchanting seacoast: Positano, Capri, they have some seasights that are the best you could expect in the Mediterranean.

Pay a visit to Pompei and Ercolano and experience first hand how life was like during the Roman Empire, this only is worth the visit, if nothing else.

Eat the REAL pizza NOBODY ever has been able to replicate.

Visit some theaters to listen to the authentic tradition of the "Canzone Napulitana", the Neapolitan folk music, one gem in authentic Neapolitan dialect: try and see if you can get some English translation of the lyrics, the poetry is incommensurable.

By the way: I am not Neapolitan, I do not belong to Lega Nord, I AM JUST A PERSON THAT HAS VISITED NAPLES and will remember it for the rest of her life.

BUON VIAGGIO!

Answer 11

I would strongly second everything that Linda said.  Is it worth it?  That depends.  The area is definitely worth it and if you choose not to visit the city itself, you should still take a few days from Rome to see the area.  Is it dangerous?  That depends.  There are definitely parts of the city that you should not visit under any circumstances.  You are a tourist and there is no way to 'blend in' with the natives... especially if you are from a non EU country.  But if you are well travelled, have specific plans and don't do anything stupid, you should be ok.  If you are going to go to Naples, make sure you read up a lot about it.  Don't wander around, please.  Take an organized tour of the city if you are worried.

Now that I've said all that... don't be scared of Naples!  The people are extremely friendly, there are amazing museums and gardens, and the food.... oh the food!  I can't describe it.  But only you will be able to decide if you feel comfortable enough to visit Naples.

Answer 12

More than naples i would visit Capri....and maybe Ventotene south to rome. Capri is stunning

Answer 13

It's dangerous - see Naples and die!

Answer 14

Naples is BEAUTIFUL in the summer. There in '03. Gorgeous views. See: www.travelwithus1st.globaltravel.com