Let's be honest, when the festive period comes to an end and all that's left behind from it is the freezing cold winter weather, you might find yourself scrolling through SkyScanner or Booking.com. If you're planning a European city break this year, this is why Naples should be at the top of your list.
The food
It is no secret that Naples is a dreamland for any foodie. Being the birthplace of pizza itself, there is no doubt that there is some truly delicious pizza to be found in Naples. If you don't mind long waits (usually around two hours), L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele is the place to go for the number one rated pizza in Italy (and therefore the world, let's be honest.) L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele serve only two types of pizza: Margherita and Marinara, and once you taste them, you'll realise why only two are needed! I really can not recommend these pizzas enough. Their ticket system means that you can use your waiting period to go and explore nearby streets and build up your appetite!
If after a few days in Naples you are feeling the need for a pizza break, you can also find amazing pasta, risottos, lasagnes... basically any Italian dish you can think of. And not forgetting Italian gelato, even if you are visiting in the winter. Let's be honest, there is no bad time for ice cream!
The streets
The streets of Naples are absolutely Instagram-worthy (I made the most of this) and you can spend hours wandering through them. The idyllic little side streets with yellow painted walls and laundry hanging from the windows were my personal favourite.
Walking through Naples is the best way to get to know it, and also the best way to find good places to visit, eat and shop. The streets have a lively and energetic atmosphere and are always full of people, even late in the evening. As well as the picturesque houses and buildings, there are market stalls dotted around the streets, selling every kind of souvenir you can think of.
Pompei
When visiting Naples, a trip to Pompei is something you can not skip. To give a little background, Pompei was an ancient Roman city which was completely buried under ash following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Considering the fact that the city was built in Ancient Roman times, and also had a huge volcanic eruption, an insane amount of the city has remained. When you visit, you’ll see remains of houses, shops, and Roman baths, and it is honestly amazing how much of it there is to see!
I definitely think it is worth getting a tour guide to take you around Pompei. As there are no signs or panels to read, you probably will need a guide to understand what you’re looking at.
Culture
Let's be honest, everyone feels at least a little bit cultured when they're travelling, especially in a European city. Naples is definitely not lacking in places you can go to get your culture fix, from cathedrals to museums to ballet theatres.
We went to see a ballet at the Teatro di San Carlo, and whilst it was not really my thing (in other words, I had a really good two-hour nap), the theatre itself is stunning, and definitely worth a visit. We also went to a chapel called Cappella Sansevero, which had the most impressive marble sculptures I have ever seen!
Amalfi Coast & Capri
If you are in Naples for more than a flying visit, take the opportunity to go and visit the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri. I only saw them from afar as I was there during the winter (sunny but not exactly beach weather), but they looked so pretty and I would love to visit eventually!
Having visited other more popular cities in Italy, such as Rome and Venice, I can definitely say that there is something uniquely authentic-feeling about Naples.
Whilst it may not be the first city that comes to mind when you are considering a holiday in Italy, it is well worth a visit, even just for the pizza!
I absolutely love Naples. I went there about 8 years ago and it was one of the best experiences ever. I love this blog post and I love the fact you included food, as that was one of the most memorable things about my trip there. Amazing blog post.