The ancient city of Naples, or Napoli in Italian, is a striking presence in the south of Italy. The city’s natural beauty on the Bay of Naples provides the perfect backdrop to the city’s urban architecture. First-time travelers booking flights to Naples are usually caught off guard by the city’s chaotic vibe. Naples is not one of Italy’s take-it-slow towns. From five-star restaurants to world-famous music festivals, Naples is a hodge-podge of excitement for visitors.
In 1995, the Naples historic center was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site and more travelers are booking flights to Naples to explore the energetic city. After the city sights, visitors can take in some of Naples’ culinary treasures including pizzas and fresh seafood. Music lovers will fly to Naples in June for the city’s biggest music festival, Neapolis, which features local and international artists. Need another reason to book Naples flights? Head to the city in September for the 10-day pizza festival and gorge on world-famous pizzas while listening to local music groups and entertainment. One thing is for certain about Naples, if the sights and sounds don’t seduce you, the aromas will.
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Warm dry summers and wet falls and winters characterize Naples. The inland winds make the winters chilly with January temperatures ranging from the upper 30s (F) to low 50s. Most of the rainfall is during the fall and winter. July and August are the hottest months and temperatures can reach the upper 80s. When the Sirocco wind blows, it brings high humidity and hot air.
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Peak Season:
The high season in Naples is July to September. Most residents leave the city for the second half of August and close many restaurants and shops, but this also means fewer crowds for the summer tourist booking flights to Naples.
April to June and October may be the best times to visit Naples. The weather is pleasant and there are fewer crowds. If you're planning a Naples vacation in May, keep in mind that the Maggio dei Monumenti has exhibits, fairs, and special events so Naples flights and accommodations might be pricey.
Spring and fall provide the best views from Vesuvius, but the days are shorter than in summer.
Off Season:
The off season is November to March when the weather can be chilly and damp, but there are less tourist crowds. You can likely find a cheap flight to Naples during the off-season, but pack appropriately for cold nights and rainy days.
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Buses leave regularly from the airport for Napoli Centrale railway station and the city center. Taxis are also available.
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Although walking is a peaceful way to explore Naples, it is too large to cover on foot, so you will probably take public transportation at some point. The cost of tickets is the same for funicular, metro, bus, or tram, and you can buy them at the stations or any shop with the Gira Napoli–Napoli Pass logo.
The bus network is extensive and some bus routes are more direct and faster than train routes. However, you may want to avoid buses during rush hour—the crush to board can cause physical injury. Best to take a tram or subway during rush hour, or avoid rush hour altogether.
Official taxis are white, metered, and have the Naples symbol on their doors. You can pick one up at a stand or call for one. There are lots of extra fees, and if the driver claims the meter is broken, make sure to negotiate a fare before taking off.
Driving in Naples is nerve-racking. Drivers are impatient and tend to ignore traffic lights. To add to the fray, there is the maze of one-way streets and a high rate of car theft.
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- The center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as are the nearby archaeological sites of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata.
- Among the famous artists who have lived here are Giotto; Pietro Cavallini who painted frescos in Santa Maria Donnaregina; Tino Da Camaino whose sculptures can be admired in San Lorenzo Maggiore; and Caravaggio who arrived in the city after a brawl in Rome, which left a man dead. He painted Madonna del Rosario and The Seven Acts of Mercy, which now hangs in the Church of Pio Monte della Misericordia.
- The Duomo - built between 1294 and 1323 - houses the relics of San Gennaro, patron saint of Naples. The relics are two bottles of his blood, which are said to liquefy twice a year (in May and September).
- The Teatro San Carlo is a beautiful opera house with a backdrop that can be removed to reveal the gardens of the Palazzo Reale.
- Napoli Sotterranea is a series of underground caves, catacombs, passageways and aqueducts in the Old Town. This is the “original city”. The Greeks took out lots of the tufa stone to build walls and temples and the Romans followed, building an aqueduct and tunnels. During the Second World War, the area was used as a bomb shelter.
- The Royal Botanical Gardens, on more than 29 acres, is one of Italy’s largest botanical gardens. It has 10,000 species of flora from all around the world.
- The Museo Nazionale displays artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum as well as Greek and Roman sculptures. There is also a wonderful mosaics section and a fine Egyptian collection.
- The islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida are worth a visit. Ischia is very popular with spa-goers. The island receives about 2,400,000 visitors a year. Spas on the island feature steam baths and mud treatments.
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