Naples, in the south of Italy, is a vibrant, gritty city that is worth your attention for a day while in port. It is also the jumping off point for a number of other excellent destinations. I am always thrilled when Naples turns up on an itinerary as it means my choices are endless.
Since Naples is a port city it is an easy walk from the ship into town. If you are visiting sites further inland be sure to walk into town to find a cab (the ones at the port are a bit overpriced) or take the subway. Even if you don’t know the language a subway map is universal. Find the farthest point on the route you want to take and know which stop you want to get off on. This is the easiest way to travel in any major city, and the cheapest.
While in the city be sure to check out the beautiful San Francesco Di Paola Basilica and Santa Chiara monastery, the Royal Palace, and the Archaeological Museum which contains finds from the city of Pompeii. As you walk between all of these sites be sure to soak up the street life. Don’t forget to try the pizza! Naples is the birthplace of pizza and in our opinion, it has done it right.
A good combination if you are in Naples for a day is to spend half of that time in Pompeii. There are a number of options for getting there. We did the “on your own” cruise excursion which provided us the transportation to and from the port, with a great view of Mount Vesuvius on the way. It was the simplest and cheapest option for us. We had researched Pompeii and had a good map from a guide book to help us find our way around. From there we hit the museum to complete our understanding of this ancient city and its tragic history.
Another, and very worthwhile, consideration is to take a day trip to the Amalfi Coast. The scenic drive above soaring cliffs, the sparkling blue waters of the Bay of Naples and the quaint resort towns of Sorrento, Salerno, Positano and Amalfi are worth the cost of this excursion. Be sure to claim a seat on the right side of the bus for the best view during your heart stopping drive through the narrow winding passages. If you can combine this with a ferry ride between any of those towns to view the coastline from the water you will get the best value for your money.
A third option, and one we haven’t done yet, is to travel to the Isle of Capri. This resort area is famous for its blue grotto and stunning vistas.
There are sure to be many other options for exploring the south of Italy from your stop in Naples. Return often and enjoy the adventure.