Italy, Naples. What to see in Naples? Hotels in Naples

Naples (from Ancient Greek translates as "New City") is located in the south of Italy. In size, it is in third place after Rome and Milan. Naples has a kind of history, culture, even here people speak a special dialect that you will not find anywhere else. This city embodies the joy and pain that Italy is experiencing from time to time. Naples is also called the "theater of life", because from time to time events that have serious historical and political significance are played out. And this magical city is a favorite destination for millions of tourists. Annually to the south of Italy travelers come from all over the world to enjoy hospitality, warmth and local flavor.

History of Naples

Today, the southern Italian city is a major administrative center of the Campania region, where more than 3 million inhabitants live (if counted with the suburbs). The history of Naples begins in the VIII century BC. E., when the ancient Greeks founded the settlement of Parthenopeia. To the Romans it passed in 327 BC. They owned the city until the 6th century, until Byzantium attacked it. In the period from VII to XII century, Naples developed at an accelerated pace. Initially, he became the capital of the Duchy of Naples, then part of, and eventually the capital of the Sicilian kingdom. In 1224, Naples acquired its own university. In the 17th century Italy boasted the second largest city in Europe. Naples has grown to an unprecedented extent, it was inhabited by 300,000 inhabitants.

How to get to the resort?

You can get to Naples by any means of transport. It is a bright, lively city, easily accessible for travelers by sea, air and land. Naples Airport "Capodichino" is one of the largest in Italy, it is of great importance for all the southern resorts of the country. Every day it takes a huge number of regional, national and international flights. Fans of sailing are invited to use the services of a ferry or ship. From the port of Naples you can go to Olbia, Cagliari, Sorrento, Palermo and other cities.

Through the resort is a railway line connecting the south and north of Italy. By train, you can reach Naples from any major city in the country. The trains run between popular resorts. Naples is connected by bus to many Italian and even European cities. There is a bus station in the Garibaldi square. The bus is one of the most convenient and economical ways to reach cities such as Rome, Salerno, Lecce, Bari, Milan, Pompei, Taranto and others. The most convenient way to travel is to travel around Italy in a rented car. What transport to choose - it depends on the preferences of the tourist.

Hotels in Naples

At any time of the year, Italy is eagerly awaiting guests. Naples offers a wide range of hotels and hostels. Depending on their location, the price changes. For example, the most expensive apartments are on the waterfront, and the cheapest - in the historic part of the city. In Naples, there are almost no 3-star hotels, mostly only 1-2 and 4-5 stars. If you want to relax inexpensively and with comfort, it is better to rent a house in the historic district. From here it is convenient to get to the embankment, go on excursions and to other cities. Travelers recommend the Partenope Relais hotel, located on the waterfront. Also very popular is the UNA Hotel Napoli, located in the heart of the city. The Hotel Piazza Bellini has a good reputation, which can be found in the historical part.

Cuisine of Naples

Italian dishes find their admirers all over the world. Therefore, it is simply inexcusable to go to Naples and not taste all the most popular culinary masterpieces of this wonderful country. Pizza is the passion of the Italians. Each chef prepares it in its own way, bringing its own flavor to the traditional recipe. Pizzerias, restaurants, cafes are scattered throughout the city. In these cozy institutions for a relatively small amount of money nourishingly and deliciously feed even the most fastidious visitors.

Italian chefs offer a great selection of seafood dishes. Absolutely everyone likes local sandwiches, which can be taken with soft drinks for an easy snack. Also worth paying attention to the wines, their divine taste will not leave anyone indifferent. Sweet creatures will be amazed with delicious sweets and ice cream. The city of Naples is absolutely unforgettable by original dishes, cozy atmosphere of restaurants and cafes. Italians are able not only to cook delicious food, but it is also interesting to present it.

Shopping in Naples

The resort is famous not only for its natural beauty and architectural monuments of antiquity, but also for shopping districts. There are concentrated both the shops of world brands - Gucci, Armani, Ferragamo, and ordinary shops, where you can buy inexpensive but very high quality and beautiful clothes and shoes. The starting point of all shopaholics is the Umberto Gallery, here is the largest number of souvenir stalls and boutiques. Also worth a stroll along such shopping streets as Via Chiaia (famous for its relatively inexpensive goods), Via Calabritto - a cluster of representative offices of world brands, Via Roma - a 3-kilometer commercial artery of Naples. In the vicinity of the city there are several outlets, in them at the expense of discounts you can buy branded items at affordable prices.

Catacombs - "the kingdom of Hades"

Time in Naples flies by unnoticed, if you seriously study the local attractions. Catacombs are a place where silence reigns, peace, an atmosphere of secrets and mysteries. Under the houses and streets of the city there are more than 700 caves, tunnels and galleries, for many centuries townspeople extracted from them tuff for the construction of fortress walls, squares, churches. In the catacombs you can see ancient underground sanctuaries, ritual crypts, aqueducts of ancient Romans, caves of ancient Greeks, underground passages, secret passages of the Bourbons. Archaeologists found objects here during their excavations, the age of which exceeded 5 thousand years. In the catacombs of San Gennaro are the tombs of bishops belonging to early Christianity. Also, tourists are invited to look at the numerous frescos and steles.

Excursion to the Archaeological Museum

Lovers of history and antiquity will also conquer the many-sided Naples. Photos of the National Archaeological Museum and its exhibits will not leave indifferent not only ordinary tourists, but also professional researchers. This is an important cultural center not only of Italy, but of the whole world. The museum has collected a huge number of collections of Roman and Greek artifacts. The building itself is also an architectural value. It was built in 1586. On the first floor there are sculptures of ancient times. Between the first and second floors are located mosaics found during excavations in Pompeii. Absolutely all visitors are impressed by the second floor, where the hall of the temple of Isis and the fresco hall are located.

Castles of Naples

A very interesting landmark of the city is Egg Castle, or Castel del Ovo. According to the legend, the poet Virgil spoke an egg, placed it in the amphora, and the vessel - in an iron cage, which he buried on the island of Magarida, where he erected an impregnable castle. The city will not be destroyed until the egg remains intact and safe. It is because of this legend that the castle got its name. Today Castel del Ovo is a complex of towers of different eras. The castle was built in 1139, in the 17th century it turned into a prison, and now it is open to tourists.

Castel Nuovo, or Anjou Donjon, is considered another architectural masterpiece that Italy can boast of. Naples was once the capital of the Sicilian kingdom, so Charles of Anjou built here a residence. The castle was built for five years, from 1279 to 1284. It is a trapezoidal fortress with powerful round towers at the corners. There is a portal of marble, it is decorated with bas-reliefs and statues.

Other sights of the city

Religious people are advised to visit the Cathedral of St. Gennaro. The church was laid by Charles of Anjou, having dedicated it to the heavenly patron of the city. The consecration of the building occurred already with the grandson of the king - Roberta. The cathedral impresses visitors with its decoration and riches. Famous Italian masters were engaged in its decoration. The main attraction of the temple is a vessel with the blood of a saint who was sealed 17 centuries ago.

Another interesting place to visit is the royal palace, which was built over half a century. This is a huge three-story building, made in the style of the late Renaissance. The palace is decorated with equestrian statues, sculptures of Neapolitan kings. Opposite the building is the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, built on the model of the Roman pantheon. The interior of the temple is decorated with numerous paintings, murals, statues. It is also recommended to visit the gallery of Umberto I. This is a huge shopping arcade of the XIX century, built in neoclassical style. Naples on the map of Italy is worth finding, at least in order to enjoy local attractions, plunge into the culture and history of the mysterious many-sided country.

What to do in Naples?

In the south of Italy it is not necessary to be bored, the sunny warm weather has an active pastime. Travelers are offered a huge selection of excursions, among which there are interesting, cognitive and even extreme. In Italy, there is where to go and what to see, because this is a country with centuries of history, culture, peculiar traditions. In Naples, you can simply wander through the historic center, look at the life of local residents, admire the narrow streets. Also here you can do shopping, tasting pizza and other traditional dishes. What to see in Naples, will find absolutely all categories of tourists. Having visited the city once, you will definitely want to come here more than once.