“A Food Lover’s Guide to Naples, Italy” was originally published on Wanderdash (you can follow me there @travelteachread)!
Naples, the third largest city in Italy, is located in the south of the country and nestled between the idyllic Tyrrhenian Sea and the infamous Mount Vesuvius.
This city is like Marmite. Travellers seem to either love it or hate it! It’s loud, chaotic and gritty with heaps of authentic Italian passion. I LOVED the unfiltered atmosphere both times I visited Naples, it was truly captivating. This, combined with the unparalleled food scene (it’s the home of pizza after all) makes it an excellent destination for an Italian city break.
Here are my top recommendations for an unforgettable foodie experience in Naples. Thrown in are a few other highlights, so that you too can leave with a full belly and a deep appreciation for this vibrant city.
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
With Naples being the pizza capital of the world, it made sense that I start my recommendations off with an incredible pizzeria! L’Antica Pizzeria da Michelle is famous, especially after its appearance in Eat, Pray Love. It’s without a doubt worth the hype (and the queue to get in)!
This pizzeria is the epitome of simplicity. There are only two options; margherita (with cheese) and marina (without). Due to its popularity, they use a ticket system to get a table in the restaurant. We found this worked quickly and smoothly on our visit, which was outside the peak dining hours – I’d recommend doing the same to minimize your waiting time.
Stroll through the Spanish Quarter
This neighbourhood is a truly fascinating part of the city, full of chaotic character and authentic Italian energy. The tiny, grid-like alleyways and streets are a labyrinth that locals can navigate with ease but can easily cause a tourist to get lost!
The sounds of horns fill the air, residents converse with neighbours by shouting down from their balconies and laundry hangs down from every window. Meander the graffiti-covered streets and through the many passageways, squares and staircases and see what you discover!
A quick note: It pays to be cautious here and keep a close eye on your belongings. I never had a bad experience during my two visits to Naples, but I was warned by locals to be careful in this district – just something to be mindful of.
Make your own Neapolitan pizzas
Trying pizza in Naples is obviously a must, but why not go one step further and learn to MAKE your own?! We took a two-hour pizza workshop located underneath the Galleria Umberto. Here we learned all the secrets to making the perfect Neopolitan pizza! The cooking class cost €35 when booking through AirBnB Experiences.
Take in the view at Castel Sant’Elmo
Did you know that Naples is home to seven castles? The most famous is Castel Nuovo due to its impressive exterior and its location right in the centre of the city.
While this one is worth a visit for any history lover, my personal favourite is Castel Sant’Elmo. The incredible panoramic views over the city, bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius are out-of-this-world!
The easiest way to reach the castle is with the Montesantro funicular, where you need to get off at the stop “Morghen”. From there, it’s an easy 5-minute walk. The castle costs €5 for a full-price entrance ticket, or €2 for European citizens aged 18-25.
Join a street food walking tour through the old town
One of the best ways to satisfy your taste buds and learn about the food culture of Naples is to join a local on a street food walking tour through the historic heart of the city!
On our tour, we tried fresh local produce including tomatoes, olives and mozzarella, and Neapolitan street food favourites like fried pizza and croquettes. We then finished off with limoncello, ice cream and coffee! All while learning interesting facts from a local. There is something for everyone on this culinary journey through the old cobbled streets of Naples.
Many companies offer similar tours, but we booked ours through AirBnB Experiences for €40 per person.
Try some Sfogliatella
This delicious, flaky, shell-shaped pastry was born in the Campania region back in the 17th Century. Since they are from this region, you’ll find them in practically every bakery in the city!
My personal recommendation is to head to Antica Pasticceria Carraturo – a bakery specialising in Italian pastry and confectionery since 1837.
Indulge in a wine tasting
When you think of wine tasting in Italy, you probably think of the Tuscany region! But Naples and the Campania region have some wonderful wines on offer too. This is due to the rich, fertile volcanic soil that comes from nearby Vesuvius. During our trip, we learned that this makes for excellent produce, including tomatoes for their famous pizzas and grapes for their wine.
You can visit Bosco de’ Medici Winery on the outskirts of Pompeii, for a delicious lunch, wine tasting and tour. Prices start at €45. You can even combine your tasting with a guided tour of the Pompeii ruins, or a horse riding experience in the shadows of Mount Vesuvius.
Visit the Pompeii ruins and Mount Vesuvius
If you’re staying in the city of Naples, then a day trip to explore the famous ruins of Pompeii is a MUST. It takes 35 minutes by train, or 30-40 minutes by car with no traffic.
TIP: Set off early to avoid the heavy traffic these roads are known for!
Pompeii was once a thriving and sophisticated Roman city, with bustling market squares, temples and bathhouses. All of this was frozen in time when it was buried under a thick layer of ash during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
Nowadays, it has been uncovered to reveal an expanding archaeological site where visitors can wander through the cobbled streets, marvel at incredibly well-preserved frescoes and step inside a Roman house. A visit is truly a journey back in time where you can discover for yourself what daily life was like thousands of years ago.
Entrance to the site costs €18 (or the reduced price of €2 for European citizens aged 18-25).
There are also many guided tours on offer which vary in price. I highly recommend getting a guide, since they are a wealth of information and will really help bring your experience to life!
Many tour companies will offer a package which also includes transfers to and from Naples, and/or a trip up Mount Vesuvius where you can hike to the crater!
Take a day trip to Capri
From Naples to Capri, it is an easy 50-minute ferry ride. There’s no excuse not to check out this famous luxury island for the day. The island is known for its incredible views of dramatic stone cliffs which plunge down to meet with the idyllic, sparkling blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea.
From the harbor, take the steps up to the town of Capri. Here you can wander through the pretty streets, admire the luxury shops and hotels, and then walk to some of the many stunning viewpoints.
Top tip: I have two foodie recommendations for you in Capri! First, head to the beautiful restaurant of La Capannina and try the Ravioli Capresi – incredible! Then get a lemon sorbet at the ice cream shop “BGA in Piazzetta”. The sorbet is served inside a hollowed-out lemon. It’s super fun and deliciously refreshing, especially if you’re visiting on a hot, sunny day!
Piazza Bellini
This small square in the heart of the historic centre of Naples transforms into a bustling meeting point as aperitivo time draws near. The area is lined with bars and cafes, and locals and tourists alike gather here to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.
As a testament to just how much history Naples has, there are actually some ancient ruins slap bang in the centre of this square!