Naples Stay - 3 nights
- Isabelle Lemoine
- Jun 24, 2024
- 4 min read
After Rome, the next destination is Naples. We had chosen to spend a few days in this city because it brought us closer to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast. And then we had to taste the famous Neapolitan pizza!
Our stay in Naples
Day 1 :
Arrival in Naples
Cathedral of Naples
centro storico by night
Day 2 :
centro storico
Day 3 :
Capri
Day 4 :
Departure for Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast
Day 1
Arrival in Naples
We left Rome by train from the central station on January 1st. The train ride takes about 1h30 in comfortable surroundings. Arriving at the central station in Naples, we took the metro to our lodging which is located in a working-class neighborhood about a fifteen-minute walk north of the historic center.
When we got off the metro, we were quite shocked. It was such a contrast to our posh neighborhood in Rome. Since it was a public holiday, all the shops were closed. It looked like a deserted city.
The only people on the street were either homeless people still intoxicated from the party the night before or migrants who seemed to have nothing to do. But above all, the city is dirty! It's terrible. The management of garbage is a real problem. The most beautiful rubbish rubs shoulders with the dirtiest.
The first impression was really not good. We even considered changing our accommodation because we felt so uncomfortable. But once we entered the cottage, the pressure was off. The place is splendid, an oasis that contrasts with the neighborhood, and the hosts are very welcoming and good advice. Our host told us where to go to find life on this holiday. In the end, we did not regret staying. The next day, the neighborhood had a completely different look and we really liked the popular atmosphere.
Cathedral of Naples
On the advice of our host, we headed to the historic center to spend our first Neapolitan evening. Of course, we arrived in front of a cathedral, the Duomo di Napoli. Here too the Catholic religion is very important. It is one of the largest churches in the city. As in Rome, we find the splendor of the decorations, even if the style is a little different.
Centro storico (historic center)
Here we are, first crowd bath in the narrow streets of the historic district. It's late, it's winter here, and it's packed with people.
We have dinner in a real Neapolitan pizzeria. Best seafood pizza ever!
Day 2
Centro storico (historic center)
Our first idea was to visit the National Archaeological Museum, but we chose the wrong day, it was closed. Change of plan, we spent the day in the historic district. Without any specific goal we took the time to stroll through the small streets that we had a glimpse of the day before. It is by walking through the alleys that you can immerse yourself in local daily life and live to the rhythm of the Neapolitans.
Our steps led us to the church of Sant Luciella a San Biagio dei Librai and the torture museum, which are located next to each other in a small street in the historic center.
This small church, dedicated to Saint Lucy, is currently being restored. It can only be visited with a guide. At the time we visited there were only Italian guides available.
The Torture Museum is a very small museum that shows how limitless human imagination is when it comes to making your opponents suffer. The Inquisition period was a very prosperous time for this kind of creations.
Among the tourist attractions of Naples, the sculpture of the Veiled Christ is very popular. This masterpiece by Guiseppe Sanmartino is located in the San Severo Chapel. We had not bought tickets in advance and unfortunately we were not able to enter the chapel. It was full for the day.
Diego Maradona, god of soccer... Even if he was not Italian but Argentinian, the Neapolitans have an almost religious cult for him. Everywhere in the historic center, there are frescoes or posters with his portrait.
Day 3
Capri
Capri is an island in the Bay of Naples about 1 hour by boat from the port of Naples. The island is six kilometers long and almost three kilometers wide at most, with 17 kilometers of coastline and has an area of about 10 km2.
It has been a holiday resort since Roman times. There are high-end hotels and luxury boutiques. During the high season from May to September the island is invaded by tourists and the streets are crowded.
The visit can be done easily on foot. A short boat trip will be necessary to see the famous Blue Grotto and admire the coast with its houses perched on the cliffside.
However, it is not a place to go to the beach. Access to the seaside is very limited for swimming.
To be continued ...
Comments