Naples

Naples is the capital of the Campania region in Italy. The city is the third most populated municipality (city proper) of Italy, but the second largest metropolitan area, after Milan.

Because of its vast artistic heritage, the historic centre of Naples has earned the UNESCO World Heritage Site denomination.

Naples is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It has enormous cultural heritage and unique charm. Naples is tremendously underrated by those who do not know the city. Some may find the actual conditions of many buildings and streets, and the rampant graffiti, off-putting. Others claim that "the immense character and culture of Napoli...and even the dirt and grime has its own flavour...a Neapolitan recipe for reality, and great fun". Naples' peculiarity is that the city centre is not the elegant part of the city. Do not expect the pristine conditions of the centres of many other major European cities. The historical centre in Naples, unlike in most European cities, is not the "downtown". If you want to visit the elegant part of the city, you can walk around the wonderful lungomare (seafront promenade), the Riviera di Chiaia (best sunset views of Vesuvius) or via Francesco Caracciolo.

Here are just a few things you must see in Naples: Castel dell'Ovo - the ancient Egg Castle on a small peninsula overlooking Naples’ harbour (the castle currently houses the Museum of Prehistory); Piazza del Plebiscito - Naples' main square; and surrounding it you will find the Royal Palace; the Duomo - Naples' Cathedral with two luxurious chapels; and underneath it you can find excavation of a Roman site; and the Galleria Umberto, a shopping passage from the 19th Century.

Pizza comes from Naples. Look for Pizza Margherita, the original one, with tomato, basil and fresh mozzarella toppings. Eating a pizza in Florence or in Rome is not the same as eating it in Naples! In Naples every pizzeria makes a decent pizza. Many pizzerias display the official label of "Vera Pizza Napoletana," True Neapolitan Pizza (a black circle with a white figure of a Pulcinella holding a green pizza peel with a red pizza in front of a stylized red Vesuvio). This indicates that the pizzeria follows the standards of The Naples Pizza Association, AVPN.