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May 29, 2019

Would you like advice on what to see and do in Naples? Will you be on a cruise with a stopover in Naples? Cruising Journal offers a little guide, developed by Lucia Esposito, to see the best of Naples in just one day. Don’t forget to read Cruise Ship Reviews on Cruising Journal!

For those who have not yet visited my wonderful city, I recommend a walking tour of the historical centre beginning right at the exit of the port. Already from the ship, perhaps while having breakfast, you can get wonderful visuals of the city center. A breathtaking view that sweeps from the Castel dell’Ovo right on the sea to your left, and where, as legend has it, the city was born with the arrival of the mermaid Partenope. Moving on to the Castle in front of the port, is the Maschio Angioino, of which I recommend visiting. Then broaden your gaze further up towards the Vomero district with the other city castle, Castel Sant’Elmo, from which you can enjoy a wide panorama. From there move right, towards the heart of the city with its alleys, its countless churches, its squares, and its museums. Here we will talk about the itinerary I recommend for those who have never been to Naples.

With so many things to see I recommend you start early. Immediately head right towards the Maschio Angioino, the Castle just outside the port, in Piazza Municipio, and follow the road around it. You will find yourself skirting the side gates of the Royal Palace, and the Royal Theatre of San Carlo, the first theater in the world, built in 1737. You will then arrive in the Piazza Trieste e Trento with its characteristic fountain with an artichoke and immediately after that, in the splendid Piazza del Plebiscito, seat of the Royal Palace and the church of San Francesco di Paola with its beautiful semicircle shape. If you have time, I recommend visiting both. The Royal Palace was built in 1600 by the King of Spain, Philip of Habsburg, and there you can admire royal apartments with a variety of art work, the hanging garden, and the Royal Court Theater.

The church of San Francesco di Paola is the most important Italian church of the neoclassical period. Reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome for its circular shape. Afterward this, I suggest you head towards the ‘Lungomare’, the seaside promenade, to enjoy the fantastic view and from where you’ll arrive in only a few minutes on foot to Castel dell’Ovo,  the castle that stands on the ancient islet of Megaride right on the sea. Further on you will find the Villa Comunale, public gardens that were born as the King’s Walk and, if desired, following the promenade you can walk the entire bay and then go up towards the Posillipo district.

But if this is your first time in Naples, I suggest going back from here and heading straight towards the historic center. You can either go back from the road you already traveled, thus returning to Piazza del Plebiscito, or from Piazza Vittoria, where the entrance to the Villa Comunale is, you can head towards Via Calabritto on the right, Piazza dei Martiri, Via Chiaia and thus return to Piazza Trieste e Trento, taking a walk among the local shops.

From there walk almost all of Via Toledo, the main artery of the historic center and after Piazza Carità, turn at the third street on the right, into Via Maddaloni. Looking ahead on all sides you will realize that you are in the Decumano Inferiore. The area of Greek origin that we call Spaccanapoli. From here on, the historical and cultural visit of the city begins.

We immediately arrive in Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, one of the most beautiful squares in my opinion where we can enter to visit the Church of Jesus and the Church of Santa Chiara with its famous cloister which includes a separate visit and which I highly recommend for its perfectly preserved majolica and its various works of art. Continuing on from Spaccanapoli you arrive in Piazza San Domenico Maggiore where you can visit the church of the same name and from which you then head up towards via Francesco de Sanctis to visit the Sansevero Chapel Museum, Museo Cappella Sansevero, where the famous Veiled Christ and other exceptional works in marble are, and that absolutely deserves the visit.

Returning to Spaccanapoli you will soon reach the crossroads of San Gregorio Armeno, the way of the shepherds, where people work and create shepherd and nativity scenes all year round. Continue uphill to admire their creations and at the end of the climb head right towards via Duomo to visit the Cathedral with the chapel dedicated to the patron saint of the city, San Gennaro. Then return to the street you came from, Via dei Tribunali and follow it all the way. Let yourself be amazed by the quantity of food and souvenirs on display and, if you want, it is the best place to try a good pizza or a good babà.

On this road there are two other churches that deserve attention, the Church of Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio with its hypogeum on the lower floor. This was a cemetery area and a concrete representation of Purgatory. There is also the Church of San Pietro a Majella in Piazza Miraglia, which belongs to the famous conservatory of the same name that dates back to 1808 and is the only ancient conservatory still in business. After the conservatory, continue straight towards the arch of Port’Alba and you will find yourself in Piazza Dante, on the left of which you take Via Toledo back and then you can easily return to the ship by cutting halfway towards Piazza Municipio.

Of course, you can also decide to visit the historic center first and then head towards the sea afterwards. It depends on you, on when you come and on the weather conditions.

Have you been to Naples on a cruise?? With which ship? Don’t forget to read and do the Reviews of all the ships you know on Cruising Journal!

I look forward to seeing you next time with a new itinerary!

Lucia Esposito

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