The city of Naples, located in the south of Italy on the wide bay that shares its name. There is a lot in the city to entertain visitors of all ages. With a massive 448 historical churches, Naples is one of the most Catholic cities in the world, while the old part of the city has been listed a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its cultural and historical importance. As with any large city, there are always lots of interesting and entertaining cultural events taking places, including sporting fixtures, music and film festivals and lots of religious celebrations.
Piazzas and Palaces
The main square in the centre of Naples is the Piazza del Plebiscito, a large open space bounded on one side by the Royal Palace and on the other by the massive church of San Francesco di Paola. Nearby is the spectacular Teatro di San Carlo, one of the world’s most famous opera houses which can be visited on days when there aren’t performances or rehearsals. Unless you feel like splashing out on a ticket for a show. The most impressive feature of the Teatro is the many rows of private boxes that stretch from the stalls up to the ceiling, all decorated in sumptuous gold and red. The Galleria Umberto, a few streets away from the square, is the main shopping arcade and still the place where Neapolitans go to see and be seen.
Museums
There are hundreds of museums in Naples, including the important Naples National Archaeological Museum, which houses many of the artefacts found at the nearby Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Museo di Capodimonte is one of the most visited museums in the city, and features a wide variety of art works by some of the most famous names in history, including Raphael, Caravaggio and El Greco. Even children might be persuaded to spend an afternoon in the city’s railway museum, which is home to the first locomotive that ran on the Italian peninsula.
Parks and Beaches
There are lots of pleasant open spaces in Naples, which can be a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of a busy city in the height of summer. The Villa Communale is the largest green space, while the Parco Virgiliano offers great views over the sea to the nearby islands of Procida and Ischia. Despite being on the sea, there are no beaches within the city of Naples, as the busy port has taken over much of the waterfront. However, there are many small towns and even islands only a short journey away, where visitors can relax on the beach.
Looking for self catering holiday accommodation in Naples? Then below is a selection of Apartments in Naples and villas in Naples that can be rented direct from their owners. You can either click on each listing for further details or you can use our search engine on the left if you are looking for something in particular.
