As we all well know, food is extremely important for Italians, and it should be for any foreigner visiting Italy too.  Yes, the pizza is fantastic but Naples has a load more to offer than just that; from fried street-food to gourmet modern takes on age-old recipes, one thing you can guarantee from a few days in this city is that you’re not going to go hungry…

So just to get your tastebuds going, here’s our tips!

Italian and Traditional Napolitan Cuisine

$ Trattoria Nennella

I’m not sure where to begin. Nennella is crazy, chaotic, fun, and bizarre all at the same time. Not for people who want to have a quiet romantic dinner for two, but absolutely for anybody who wants to have a true Neapolitan experience with true Neapolitan food cooked by a team of seven brothers; the most Neapolitan of Neapolitan hosts. This is not meant to put you off; more to encourage you. And so should the price. There are no prices on the handwritten, daily-changing menus but a brother will give you a grand total on exit of around €10-15 per person for a 4 course dinner and as much wine as you can possibly get down you. Nothing extremely special on the food front but an unbeatable price, and the entertainment is included…

http://digilander.libero.it/trattorianennella/nennella.htm

$$ Timpani e Tempura

Something a little special and certainly off the beaten track. The restaurant only opens at lunchtime and seats less than ten (squashed) people but serves up some of the most traditional of traditional recipes, some of them originating from recipes researched by the head chef from as far back as the 16^th century. In the old town, near Piazza Dante.

http://www.timpanietempura.it/main.htm

$ Trattoria del Buongustaio

Tiny and always packed, this little trattoria in the market area of Montesanto offers again traditional Neapolitan ‘cucina’, at a low price. Perhaps the highlight is the frittura mista (fried seafood) or the seafood pasta. Reassuringly un-tourity.

$$ Hosteria Toledo

One of our very favorites. Run by an enthusiastic family, this little place tucked just into the Spanish Quarter off the main shopping drag Via Toledo, serves up fantastic traditional Neapolitan specialties like Ragu and Polipo all’Insalata (octopus salad)

$$ L’Osteria della Mattonella

Located in a more up-market area of Naples, between Piazza Plebiscito and Chiaia, La Mattonella offers an excellent ‘Genovese’ (pasta with onion sauce and chunks of beef, my personal favourite, just don’t expect to get lucky after eating it…) or Meat with Ragu sauce.

$$ La stanza del gusto

For those who want something a little more modern, sick of the same old Italian dishes this eatery offers modern twists on old classics and a very good cheese board. Also plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians.

$$$ Palazzo Petrucci

Set in a historic ‘Palazzo’ of the same name, on the side of the San Domenico Maggiore church in the heart if the historical centre, Palazzo Peutrucci is one of Naples’ most famous and most exclusive restaurants. Not cheap, but for the quality and originality of the menu, and considering it’s Michelin star status, the 40 euros you pay for the tasting menu could be a lot worse.

http://www.palazzopetrucci.it/home.html

Pizzerias

Word is that anywhere trying to charge you more than €3,50 for a Margherita is not worth it. The top three places mentioned here won’t sell ANY pizza for more than €6….

$ Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo

The queue is constant for a reason: this is the best pizza in Naples. Cripsy crust, thin base and delicious toppings. Grab a beer and stand out front until your name is called, it’s worth the wait.

$ Pizzeria Da Michele

Still probably the best known outside of Naples, especially thanks to it’s mention in that film starring Julia Roberts…. Da Michele still continues to serve up their two pizzas; the Marinara and the Margherita to an exceptional standard.

$ Pizzeria Di Matteo

They haven’t tried to refurbish this place.I’m glad they haven’t and they don’t need to; they serve up the best Ripieno and fried tit-bits in town. Try the melenzane fritte and panzarotti before delving straight into the Pizza.

Our wildcard:

$$ Fresco

Relatively very modern, this pizzeria is making a big name for itself. It’s along the seaside, near the Castel dell’Ovo and is a lot flashier than any of the other place listed here. Don’t let this put you off though. Prices are a little higher: on average €1 more per pizza but the view is beautiful and the result just as delicious.

Pastries and Other Sweet Stuff

$$ Scaturchio, Piazza San Domenico Maggiorewww.scaturchio.it/

$ Pasticceria Mary, Galleria Umberto, at the entrance from Via Toledo

$ Pasticceria Moccia, Via San Pasquale, 77, 80121 Napoli

$ Pintauro, Open since 1785, Via Toledo 275 http://www.pintauro.it/

Icecream

$ Fantasia Gelati Award-winning Icecream on Via Toledo. Always open. Make sure you try the ‘sorbetti’ as well… www.fantasiagelati.it

$ Gay Odin On Spaccanapoli, the famous street in the Centro Storico, some of the best gelato in town. Via Benedetto Croce 61 http://www.gay-odin.it/

Visiting Naples isn’t just about the city center; the bay of Naples has a huge amount to offer and something to suit just about any tourist.  Here’s a good suggestion for how you could spend three days in and around Naples.

Day One: Pompeii and Vesuvius

Doing Pompeii and Vesuvius in one day is not for the feint hearted, but follow our plan and it’s definitely do-able.  Rise early, grab yourself a quick cappuccino and cornetto from the bar outside the hostel and make your way into the port to catch the bus to Pompeii.  Try and get the bus around 8 or 9 to make the most out of your day; after all, you do have a volcano to scale and an ancient buried city to explore…Pompeii isn’t great food-wise, so in order to avoid over-priced and low-caliber grub, take some snacks with you.

From the ‘Pompeii Scavi’ stop (be careful: the bus keeps on going, we don’t want you ending up deep in mafia country) head into the ‘Vesuviana Mobilità’ office, directly in front of you when you get off the bus.   Here they sell the tickets for the bus that takes you within spitting distance of the summit of the volcano (yes,  it is still active but you should be safe enough, it hasn’t erupted now since 1944).  It’s just a short walk further until you can peer into the crater itself, although don’t forget to take a good look around you; this is one of the best views of Naples and the bay possible.  Make sure you take it all in but don’t get too comfortable, you still have the ancient city of Pompeii, buried by Vesuvius’ famous explosion in AD 79, waiting for you at the bottom.

Get the same bus down as you got up, and this will drop you right at the entrance of the ancient city.  Pay your entrance (it’s half price for EU  citizens under 25 and teachers so make sure you take some ID) and I’d recommend getting the audio-guide, which takes you on a guided tour of the whole site.  In total the audio-guide takes 5 hours, but you can always skip around the tracks to suit your own schedule.  I attempted to do Pompeii without a guide apart from the free little booklet they provide but regretted it, you end up walking around like a lost sheep, getting bored and going home early.

Buses aren’t so frequent on the way back, so get on the Circumvesuviana  train from where you got off the bus.  This train takes you all the way backs to the central station in Naples and jump on the R2 bus back to the hostel. An all-day ticket (the Unico Campania Fascia 3 Giornaliero)to and from Pompeii, including all buses in Naples itself, will set you back €4,60.

I know it sounds all sounds a bit daunting but don’t worry, you’ll get all your energy back in the evening on you return to Naples, with a delicious meal at Hosteria Toledo (http://www.hosteriatoledo.it/).  This cute little restaurant is set in the Quartieri Spagnoli, just off the main drag Via Toledo.  Here you can sample the array of Naples’ finest traditional dishes made in-house including homemade pastas, fish and meat.  It’s also  reasonably priced; a two course meal with wine here will cost you around €15.

If you still have any energy left, why not have a drink in the lively Piazza Bellini.  The bars here are relaxed but  get very busy with people sitting outside during the summer months.  Some are cheaper than others so shop around if you’re on a budget.  Take in the atmosphere but make sure you don’t over-do it, tomorrow’s another big day!

Day Two: The city of Naples

Many tourists bypass Naples to get down to the Amalfi Coast or to go to the islands, but they just don’t know what they’re missing.   Naples is jam-packed full character, with history and museums galore.  So that you can get the most out of your day exploring the city, here is our suggestion for Naples in only a day.

Naples is what some would describe as an acquired taste.  There’s nowhere quite like Naples for getting the true ‘Italian experience’; the atmosphere in this city is second to none.  It is, however, not for the feint-hearted but in order to really appreciate all it has to offer you need to embrace all the city has to offer.  Forget all the scare stories you’ve been told, Naples is like any other big city you’ve travelled through. you’re no more likely to lose your purse or wallet here than in Milan or Rome.

There’s nothing better to start off your day in Naples than a rich, Neapolitan coffee (just about any bar will do but for something a bit special try the caffè alla nocciola with a delicious pastry.  All sugared-up, get yourself lost in the winding streets and alleyways of the centro storico (the old town) visiting along the wall Piazza del Gesù, Spaccanapoli, the Duomo, Via San Gregorio Armeno famous for it’s year-round nativity scene shops, Piazza Dante and Piazza Bellini.

Having worked up an appetite experiencing Naples’ historic centre, there’s a treat in store.  Naples is known worldwide as the home of the pizza, and believe me, you will not be disappointed.  Head to Via Tribunali and one of the two most famous pizzerias: Gino Sorbillo or Di Matteo both as good as each other, these are best (and for some reason cheapest) in the city.

You’ve spent the morning very much in the thick of it, so how about seeing the city and its famous neighbor Vesuvius from above?  Feel free to relax your stomach for a while over another coffee before heading down the main shopping street Via Toledo until you reach the magnificent Piazza Plebiscito housing the Royal Palace.  Right next-door is the famous San Carlo theatre itself recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.  From here, wander through the Galleria Umberto until you’re back onto Via Toledo and facing the funicular train stop ‘Piazza Augusteo’.  Take the train to the last stop ‘Piazza Fuga’ and follow signs to Castel Sant’Elmo.  From here you get the most fantastic view of Naples and it’s surroundings. You can see the ominous Mount Vesuvius, the beautiful coastline as well as the bustling city below you.  Sit here among the lovers and enjoy a cold drink from the bar.  If you have a chance the Certosa di San Martino, the Carthusian monastery is certainly worth a visit.

If Naples hasn’t already completely worn you out then it has one last trick up its sleeve: Nennella.  There are huge amount restaurants worth a mention in Naples but, if you have just one night in the city, Nennella is an unfortgeattable experience.  Run by a family (and yes, mamma is in the kitchen) this restaurant is not the kind of place where you can sit for hours sipping at your drink but there’s nothing like force-feeding you atmosphere.  Don’t worry if the waiters start dancing-or even if they force you to dance with them-its all part of the experience. Plus: a four-course meal with all the cheap table wine you can handle will set you back around 12 Euros…

Day Three: Capri Island

Capri is a must-see for any tourist, and Naples is the perfect base to visit it from.  Staying on Capri is typically reserved for the super-rich, so getting the ferry over from the mainland for a day trip is the perfect option for most.  The island of Capri is luxurious, but luxury doesn’t come cheap.  For an equally beautiful but cheaper and arguably less touristy option, try the island of Ischia, Capri’s bigger cousin.  Ischia also has the better beaches, so if you’re looking to have a day lazing around on the beach and having a dip in the Mediterranean then head here.

Having said that, visiting Capri is well worth it.  If you are trying to save money just make yourself up a lunch to bring with you to avoid tourist-priced food.  To have as much time on the island as possible before the last boat home in the evening, get up early, grab a quick breakfast to enjoy on the ferry and head to the port, Porta di Massa, about 5 minutes walk from the Hostel.  The cheaper ferries cost €9.60 and take around 1 ½ hours, but if their timetable doesn’t suit you, hydrofoils leave from the adjacent port, Molo Beverello, roughly every half an hour, cost around €17 and take 45 minutes.  Both ferries will bring you into the Marina Grande, a short funicular train away from Capri Town, the largest town on the island.  Capri Town is fairly self-explanatory; a seriously cute maze of teeny tiny cobbled streets and exclusive boutiques, leading you out every now and again to another beautiful view of the island’s  cliff shoreline.  For a change of scenery hop on an über-cute miniature bus to this tiny island’s other town, and long-term rival Anacapri.  Here you can take a short chairlift to the island’s highest point for  picture postcard  views.

If you do fancy a swim, there are options on Capri, although the majority of the coastline is cliffy.  Catch another bus (don’t worry, the island is only big enough for each coach trip to take about 15 minutes, even allowing for traffic!) to Marina Piccola and wind your way down the steps to the small but gorgeous beach at the bottom.

Another tourist favorite is the Grotta Azzura (the Blue Grotto).  Boat trips can be taken from Marina Grande, where the ferry docks, and cost around €15-20.  Although they will definitely ask, don’t feel forced to give your guide a tip, unless you feel he deserves it.  The grotto was  reportedly used as a swimming pool by Emperor Tiberius and, depending on your guide and  weather conditions, you can literally bathe in this cave’s history…

Make sure you don’t miss the last ferry: times vary with the seasons, so make sure you ask at the reception before you go, and prepare yourself for another feast back in Naples.   You might well fancy another pizza (and I don’t blame you) so try whichever pizzeria you didn’t make it to yesterday.  If you fancy trying any other one of Naples’ specialties, our recommendation is  Trattoria del Buongustaio.  Another classic Neapolitan restaurant,  Trattoria del Buongustaio is cheap and very cheerful.  Try the steak and friarielli  or any one of the primi  that change day by day…if it’s on offer, the genovese is particularly good.

On the way back to the hostel buy a bottle of wine- there are plenty of local ones to try out- and sit out in Piazza del Gesù  watching one of the frequent live concerts  that this square hosts.

Whether you hang with the reggae crowd, dance with the traditional folk dancers, or just simply prefer getting as sloshed as possible, Naples has the scene for you! Although Naples nightlife is best experienced outdoors, depending on what tickles your fancy (and how the weather acts), you may also enjoy some indoor activities…
Here we have compiled a list of places for drinking, dancing and live music that might interest you. Most of them are within a short walking distance from the hostel, that way you can stumble back at whatever hour you prefer, without worrying about public transport or paying for a taxi. Check out each business’ website for the specifics of what event is offered each night. Also, come to us at the reception so we can help you navigate the way on your map.

If you like DRINKS and socializing:

Piazza “Kestè”
-This is one of the most frequented piazzas by Neapolitan youngsters and is located right in front of the Istituto Orientale. A cheap large Peroni for €1.50 is ideal for backpackers on a budget. Find beer in the small corner-shop of the piazza by the stairs. The piazza is also bordered by a couple other small bars where you can get cocktails, such as a delicious mojito from bar Keste, and even a small slice of pizza.

Piazza San Domenico Maggiore
-This piazza is in the heart of the historic center, just going up Via Mezzocannone. You can buy cheap beer in the corner shop at the bottom of the piazza and take a seat to observe or socialize with Neapolitan youth. Quite often there will be entertainment as well. On the warmer nights dancers of traditional Southern Italian dance perform to music in the center of the piazza.

Perdi Tempo
-If you like to mix your drinking with books and intellectual conversation this is your scene. This hip bar tends to serve their cocktails strong and the wine selection also pretty good, although prices are a bit higher than what you would find in the piazzas. Some nights you will also get free munchies like cheese and salami! Mmmm…
Via San Pietro a Maiella, 8
081 444958
www.perditempo.org

Volver
- Volver is definitely a hub for fun activities and entertainment. There is a large seating area where you can order a panino or other smaller appetizers. The beer, wine and cocktail menu is enormous, and the prices are decent. Tuesday night is trivia night. After a couple drinks you won’t worry about the fact that you don’t speak Italian. Thursday nights downstairs there is a music competition, and Friday nights there is a theatre contest. Both start at 22:30. Also, on varied nights during the week there are live international bands of diverse genres. The best part of Volver might be the wide variety of board games they supply. Go with a group, grab a board game and a table, and have fun.
Via V. Bellini, 56
081 0606630
www.volvercafe.it

Piazza Bellini
-This is a great piazza for cafes and bars with outdoor seating. There are 2 places in particular worth checking out. Intra Moenia is serves a wide range of cocktails and wine, with both seating inside or outside among the many plants. If you do an inside tour you will be surrounded by an impressive collection of art. The other popular hangout next door is Caffe Arabo, also with indoor and outdoor seating. This Arab themed restaurant/bar is the place to go to experience Arab cuisine or to smoke tabacco alla frutta with Narghilè while sitting on Persian cushions and rugs.
Intra Moenia 39 081 290988

BereVino WineBar
-Music, art and wine all come together in this beautifully decorated, slightly sophisticated wine bar. Found on the “street of musicians” in the historic center, it is only a 15 minute walk from the hostel. Wednesday from 19:00-24:00 is “MERCOLEDIDIVINO”, which means appetizers starting with antipasti and ending with desert! There is also a DJ, video art projection, photo exhibitions and more. This bar offers some fancy bottles so prices are average to high. Ideal for singles who want to sit at the bar and also for groups who prefer a table.
Via San Sebastiano, 62
081 0605688
www.berevino.org

If you like to DANCE the night away:

Kinky
-If you need a reggae fix you can satisfy it at Kinky Klub, in the historic center, whose anthem is to spread the reggae vibe throughout the world. The spot is right behind the Modernissimo cinema, near Piazza Dante.
The only catch is that it is a “private” club which means that you are obligated to purchase a members card, the cost of which is 10 Euros. Don’t forget to bring a valid ID (like a copy of your passport). Check out their website to see what the live music/DJ schedule looks like.
Vico della Quercia,26
33 55477299
www.kinkyjam.com

Rise
If your goal is to stay close to the hostel Rise is the place to go for music, drinks and dance. Tuesdays are the official Erasmus Party night. There is a DJ so you can dance the night away with university foreign exchange students and locals alike. Friday night is house music night, while Sundays there is live hip-hop/reggaeton group RealSoundProject at 23:30.
Via Umberto Giordano, 10
081 6584538‎
Facebook page: RISE… Music&drinkfusion

If you like LIVE MUSIC and more:

Mamamù
-This club is not only for music lovers but also for the artsy poetic type. It is in the university zone and features live emerging musical groups, both Napoletano and international. Apart from music they hold poetry readings, and there are always rotating art exhibits (painting and sculpture). After all, why wouldn’t you want to check out a place whose name means “fat woman” in Thai?
Via Sedile di porto, 46
www.myspace.com/mamamubar

U-Turn
-If you like live bossanova, blues, folk and rock, this small and hidden city jewel is for you. This club is small, intimate and literally underground. The crowd is maybe a bit older then the students you would find in the piazzas. But who can complain if they offer 18 types of rum and an excellent beer selection on tap. Live music is on Friday and Saturday. You will definitely want to google map the location.
Vico Pallonetto a Santa Chiara, 15/C

Bluestone
-Bluestone is slightly more fancy than the other clubs mentioned. The bar is opened Sunday-Thursday from 18:30 to 2:00, and 18:30 to 3:00 Friday and Saturday. Happy Hour is from 18:30 to 21:30 and there is a buffet included with small appetizers. Rotating days of the week there is life music with free entry, except on Tuesdays.
Via Alabardieri, 10
081 4238455
bluestonenapoli.it

So what are you waiting for? With so many choices why are you still sitting on your bum!!!???

Fantasia not only offers gelato, but also ice cream cakes, filled cakes and other wonderful goodness.  Being that it is practically a commodity of Italian culture you will be happy to know that a handful of loose change should get you a small gelato, which includes a choice of two flavors.  If your sweet tooth likes a challenge, you can dare yourself to try “un brioche con gelato”, which is basically 2 huge scoops of gelato sandwiched between a giant brioche pastry.

The closest Fantasia Gelati to the hostel is at 381 Via Toledo across from the Banco di Napoli.  The best part about this fantasy is that it is open late!

Babà: a little cake baked in the oven and then covered in rum

Sfogliatella Riccia: shaped a bit like a shell, this pastry is crunchy on the outside and filled with lovely sweet ricotta on the inside

Sfogliatella Frolla: a similar kind of thing but with shortcrust pastry as the shell

We reccommend trying AT LEAST one of each, but don’t blame us if you feel a bit queasy afterwards…

Around ten minutes walk from the hostel, get onto Via Toledo and walk towards Piazza Plebiscito, it’ll be on your left hand side, just inside the impressive Galleria Umberto.

A little bit more expensive than just grabbing a pizza but you won’t regret it. Hosteria Toledo offers all the local specialities of pasta, meat and fish, and you’ll still be able to eat a couple of courses with a glass of wine for about 15 euros.  My favourites are the Spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), the Bruschetta al Pomodoro (tomato bruschetta) and the Carne al Ragu (meat in sauce…doesn’t sound so special translated, huh).  Good idea to ask what the daily specials are too.

mmmmmmmmm…………..

Also, helpfully, they have a website (although not so helpfully only in Italian) which gives you a little taste of what they offer.

http://www.hosteriatoledo.it/

You’ll find this little trattoria in the Quartieri Spagnoli area of town, around ten minutes walk from the hostel.  Once you’re on Via Toledo, the main shopping street, take a right when you get to the Banco di Napoli and you’re there!

Via Giardinetto a Toledo, 78
80133, Napoli

The Quartieri Spagnoli area (the Spanish quarters) of Naples is one of the poorest areas and as is true of the rest of Naples, the poorer the area the more religious it is. Along with life-size statues of Padre Pio and shrines to various saints and dead relatives, this area contains an enourmous amount of churches. Although not one of the most famous, La chiesa di Santa Maria Francesca delle Cinque Piaghe (The Church of St. Mary Frances of the Five Wounds of Jesus) attracts a particular type of visitor: this church has a repuation throughout Italy for helping women experiencing problems conceiving, and people travel from far and wide (I once met a couple who’d made the trip all the way from Turin) with the hope that the nuns’ blessing will help them to get pregnant.

The church itself is small and very beautiful, but it’s not until you make the climb up the winding staircase that the miracles happen. If you weren’t already convinced, the walls are plastered with the ‘new arrival’ cushions common in Italy: proof of the nuns’ success. Not hoping to get pregnant myself any time soon, I declined the offer to sit in the famous chair where the magic happens, but the popularity and belief in the mircacle can be seen in the queues of women that flock here every day.

The Naples underground has a history that most people don’t know much about.  It wasn’t even until recently that Neapolitans themselves drew their attention to it, although it was born and has grown with the city of Naples itself.  This simultaneous growth is most obviously demonstrated by the identical  symbols and graffiti found on the underground’s quarry walls and on the walls of the city blocks above.

The very first excavations took place 5,000 years ago, and were then proceeded by Greek intervention.  The Greeks obtained tufa stone blocks by digging deep into the ground and used it to build the city walls and temples.  They also dug caves  for use as graves known as hypogea.  During the Augustan Age the Romans continued digging, eventually creating a 400 km long aqueduct named Claudio.  Because of rapid city growth, by the 17th century the Greek Roman aqueduct had to be extended.   In 1629 the Neapolitan nobleman named Carmignano built a new aqueduct in order to finally solve the problem.

In 1884, due to the cholera epidemic, people stopped digging and the aqueduct was definitely closed.  The result was the abandonment of two million square meters of tunnels and empty space.  The most recent use of the caves was during WWII when Neapolitans used them as air-raid shelters.  Because of extensive damage during this time, some parts of the caves are not reachable.

Address: Piazza San Gaetano, 68

Phone: 081 296 944, cell 368 354 0585

Hours: Mon-Fri, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00.  Thursday also at 21:00. Sat-Sun & holidays, 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00.

Directions: Turn right our of hostel.  Turn right on the first main street that you come to, Via Depretis.  Follow Via Depretis, which becomes Corso Umberto.  From Corso Umberto turn left on Via Mezzocannone (by the university).  Continue up the hill into the historic center until you arrive at Via dei Tribunali.  Turn right and follow Tribunali until you reach Piazza San Gaetano.  The sign for Napoli Sotterranea is on your left side.

The tours last about 1 hour and a half.  It is advisable to wear a sweater even if it is hot outside.

More info: www.napolisotterranea.org

The Catacombs of San Gennaro are underground paleo-Christian burial sites in Naples and are the most important such sites in Italy south of Rome. They are situated in the northern part of the city, on the slope leading up to Capodimonte,  on a site that is now easily identified by the large church of Madre del Buon Consiglio. Originally there were three separate cemeteries, dedicated, respectively, to Gaudiosus of Abitine Severus of Naples, St. Januarius. These Catacombs in Naples are different from their Roman counterparts in that they have more spacious passageways along two levels.

The lower level is the oldest, going back to the 3rd-4th century and may actually be the site of an earlier pre-Christian cemetery later ceded to the new sect. It apparently became an important religious burial site only after the entombment there of Bishop Agrippinus of Naples. The second level was the one expanded so as to encompass the other two adjacent cemeteries.

The foundation of San Gennaro extra Moenia is connected with the Catacombs of San Gennaro, the largest Christian catacomb complex in southern Italy. The first structure was probably the result of the fusion of two ancient burial sites, one from the 2nd century CE that contained the remains of Saint Agrippinus of Naples, the first Patron saint of Naples, and the site from the 4th century CE that contained the remains of San Gennaro, the now traditional patron saint of the city.

The site was consecrated to Gennaro (Januarius) in the fifth century on the occasion of the entombment there of his remains, which were later removed to the Cathedral of Naples. Until the eleventh century the catacombs were the burial site of Neapolitan bishops. Between the 13th and 18th century, they were the victim of severe looting. Restoration of the catacombs was made possible only after the transfer of skeletal remains to another cemetery.

Address: Via di Capodimonte 13

Hours: Guided tours only. Tue-Sun, 9am, 10am, 11am, 12pm

Phone: 081 7411071

Price: €3

Directions: Turn right out of hostel and you will arrive at Via Depretis.  Cross to the bus stop on the other side of the street and catch R4 bus to Via Capodimonte.  Follow alley alongside of the Madre del Buon Consiglio church.

The card is activated on entry to the first site or on first use of the transport system and is valid for 3 or 7 days depending on the chosen itinerary.
While the card is valid it is possible to charge it with a single itinerary and several special events (pluses).
The card can only be used by the holder, is not transferable, must be endorsed on entry to each site and shown to site or transport staff on request. The “card giovani” must be supported by an identity document when shown and can be used by 18 to 25 year olds from EU member countries and from states subject to conditions of reciprocity, in observance of the provisions in force governing admission to Italian state museums and archaeological sites.
Admission to all sites is permitted until one hour before closing.

3 Days Artecard:

Price: 27 Euro

UE citizen age 18-25 : 25 Euro

Free public transportation access

Free access to first 2 sites in itinerary

Valid for 3 days

50% discount from the 3^rd entrance to all other sites in the itinerary

7 Days Artecard:

Price:  30 euro

Free Access to first 5 sites in itinerary

Valid for 7 days

50% discount from the 6^th entrance to all other sites in the itinerary

What you can visit:

-         National Archaeological Museum

-         National Museum of Capodimonte

-         Certosa di San Martino

-         Sant’ Elmo Castle

-         Museum of Duca di Martina

-         Pignatelli Cortes Museum

-         The Royal Palace of Napoli

-         Civic Museum of Castel Nuovo

-         Diocesano Museum

-         Treasury Museum of San Gennaro

-         MADRE museum of Contemporary Art

-         Church of S. Maria Donnareggia Vecchia

-         National Railway Museum

-         Campi Flegrei Archaeological Museum

-         Baia Archaeological Park

-         The amphitheatre of Flavius in Pozzuoli

-         Tempio di Serapide

-         Rione Terra

-         The Royal Palace of Caserta

-         Anfiteatro Campano

-         The Archaeological Museum of Ancient Capua

-         Gladiators Museum

-         The Mithraeus

-         Complesso Monumentale Belvedere di San Leucio

-         Pompei Archeological Site

-         Ercolano Archeological Site

-         Scavi di Oplontis

-         The Antiquarium of Boscoreale

-         Scavi di Stabia

-         Archaeological Museum of Paestum

-         Museo Narrante di Hera Argiva

-         Pastum Scavi

-         Scavi di Velia

-         The Certosa of San Lorenzo

-         The cave of the Angel or San Michele

-         Città della Scienza

Where you can buy:

Naples Central Railway Station

Moday – Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm

Sundays and Holidays: 9 am – 5 pm

Capodimonte Museum

Certosa di San Martino

Royal Palace of Napoli

Everyday from 9 am to 7pm (except on Wednesday)

National Archaeological Museum

Everyday from 9 am to 7 pm (except on Tuesday)