Things To Do In Naples

Naples’ attractions are largely historical, with its varied and fascinating past having left such a mark on the city, which is composed of impressive squares and cultural hotspots. Its architecturally pleasing buildings sit side by side with fascinating museums and laid-back activities such as the Aquarium and the Botanical Gardens.

San Carlo Theatre

Built in 1737, and rebuilt after a fire in 1816, this is one of the city’s most famous venues and features beautiful architecture and excellent acoustics, making it one of Italy’s premier opera houses. The interior boasts six levels with 200 boxes and an enormous stage that opens out to the gardens of the Palazzo Reale. If you’re lucky, you can get tickets at short notice through your hotel’s concierge, but they don’t come cheap.

Piazza Matteotti

This is one of the most important piazzas in the city and it is here that you’ll find some of the city’s best known buildings, such as the curving post office - a result of Mussolini’s whimsical request for 'good Italian architecture' in the 1920s. True to his request, there are many other lovely Baroque and handsome period-styled buildings here.

Palazzo Reale

Architecture lovers should make a bee-line for this palace to admire some of the city’s best building styles. Commissioned by the Spanish viceroys during the prosperous Aragon rule in the early 17th century, the Palazzo eventually took 150 years to complete, by which time the Hapsburgs had usurped the Spanish and Campagnia was relishing a brief period of independence before the unification of Italy. It was the home of the ruler at the time, Charles III of Bourbon, and today, it is open to the public, with 30 first floor rooms on display including beautiful frescoes and paintings, some vaulted chambers and the lovely private Court Theatre. The magnificent staircase is claimed to be the finest of its kind in Europe. It is also home to the National Library (Napoli section), which includes the vast Farnese collection, brought to Naples by Charles of Bourbon. It contains more than 2,000 papyruses from Herculaneum and fragments of a Coptic Bible dating from the 5th century.

Monte di Piet

This grand house dates from the early 16th century and offers an insight into the wealth and lifestyle of the rich in Naples during the Middle Ages. It includes a grand courtyard, a sumptuous interior and a chapel, which has many excellent frescoes painted by Belisario Corenzio.

San Francesco di Paola

You can’t miss the San Francesco di Paola when in Naples, as it sits smack in the centre of Piazza del Plebiscito and is modelled on the Pantheon in Rome. Commissioned in 1817 by wealthy and powerful Hapsburg ruler, Ferdinand I, it is a masterpiece distinguished by its neo-classic basilica and magnificent altar, which is detailed in gold and precious stones from the long lost Church of the Santi Apostoli.

Palazzo Serra di Cassano

Situated on the posh via Monte di Dio, the Palazzo Serra di Cassano is perhaps the grandest of the many fabulous mansions here and was once home to Prince Aloisio Serra di Cassano and his family. It boasts extravagant interiors and some truly luxurious antique furniture and art. Today, it is home to the Istituto Italiano per gli Studi Filosofici, devoted to the study of philosophy.

The Aquarium

Europe’s oldest aquarium is still one of its most notable and is an excellent attraction for the whole family. More than 200 species are on display in various tanks as well as plenty of flora, some dating back to its founding by a German naturalist in the 19th century. It’s open every day, except Mondays, and closes early in the afternoon on Sundays.

Botanical Gardens

An extraordinary collection of exotic plants from around the world make this one of Europe’s finest botanical gardens, which dates back to the original landscaping 200 years ago under the orders of Joseph Bonaparte. This was a gift to the city by his brother Napoleon before being chased out a decade later after the emperor’s fall. The gardens cover around 12 hectares and are well worth visiting to admire some of the imported tropical species.

The Gardens of Augustus

The Gardens of Augustus are far older than the Botanical Gardens and remarkably, they date back to Roman times when they were founded by Julius Caesar. The collection of mature trees and shrubs on terraced levels offer some spectacular views of the Bay, making this attraction worth seeking out.

Castles
Of the several ancient castles in Naples, Castel Nuovo is the most central, built in 1279 as a protection for the port. This striking castle is now a museum full of 14th and 15th century frescoes, which are housed in the castle’s Gothic Capella Palatina. The silver and bronze collections here are particularly impressive. Castel dell’Ovo is a Norman castle southwest along the waterfront at Santa Lucia, surrounded the small fishing village of Borga Marinaro.

Museums
The city boasts a truly exemplary collection of museums, with an astonishing range of antiquities, Renaissance art and Greco-Roman artefacts from the region.

The National Archaeological Museum
This museum has one of the most comprehensive archaeological collections in Italy including spectacular treasures recovered at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Also on display are Roman statues, fine arts, frescoes, portraits from wealthy 17th century prominent families, Greek vases and decorated bronzes. The ancient Egyptian and Etruscan relics are also impressive, making a trip here a full day excursion. Musuem opening times are limited to Mondays to Wednesdays, sometimes only until 13:00.

The National Museum of San Martino
The National Museum of San Martino focuses on Naples’ history in art and culture, including fine exhibits of inlaid marble, period costumes, ship models and other local curiosities. Visitors to this museum can also marvel at the view (closed on Mondays).

The Duca di Martina Museum
This museum has a fantastic collection of porcelain figurines and enjoys a gorgeous location on a grand 18th century estate, boating lovely landscaped gardens (closed on Mondays).

National Museum di Capodimonte
The National Museum di Capodimonte is located in the enormous Capodimonte Park and dates from the early 18th century, with its impressive neo-classical royal palace. It now houses Naples' wonderful picture gallery, which includes old master paintings and decorative arts. It’s thought to be one of the foremost Renaissance collections in the world under one roof. Highlights include Botticelli’s 'Madonna', Filippino Lippi’s 'Annunciation' and masterpieces by Caravaggio. Other lesser known pieces reveal Naples before the arrival of modern vehicles and buildings. There is also a whole wing full of 18th century porcelain figurines (closed on Mondays).