Naples Old Town Guide: Treasures in Naples Historic Centre

Naples Old Town, also known as the Naples Historic Centre (Centro Storico) is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Naples Old Town dates back to the Greek foundation of Neapolis in 5th century BC. It has continuously evolved through various historical periods, so you’ll see layers of Greek, Roman, Medieval and Baroque influences in Naples Historic Centre.

In this guide, I’ll show you how to navigate out of Naples Cruise Port to Naples Old Town and all the most famous landmarks and things to see at this historic centre of Naples.

This is Part 2 of my 5-part Naples Cruise Port Series. Links to the other parts are below. If you’re just interested to walk around Naples Cruise Port, then Part 1 is the itinerary you’re after!

• Part 1: Naples Cruise Port: Piazzas, Palaces & Pizzas Await!
• Part 3: Naples Cruise Port to Pompeii: Journey to Buried Roman City
• Part 4: Naples Cruise Port to Sorrento: Limoncello & La Dolce Vita
• Part 5: Naples Cruise Port to Capri: Grottos & Sun-Drenched Glamour

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Naples Old Town: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎 Straightforward

Whether you’ve arrived into Naples by plane, train or cruise ship, a DIY excursion in Naples Old Town is 😎😎😎😎 straightforward. Here’s why:

• Walkable Old Town: Almost all the iconic landmarks in Naples Old Town are close to each other and this means that you can easily walk from one to the other.
• Easily accessible by Metro: Naples’ Historic Centre is only a short metro ride away. If you’re traveling from Naples Cruise Port, it’s only two stops on the metro (Line 1). Naples’ metro system has contactless card payments, which means no fumbling for change at a ticket machine for a ticket. Just tap in and tap out to be charged the correct fare.
• Street Food Galore: If you’re not interested in churches or museums (typical things to do in Old Towns), then you’ll be glad to know that the main streets I’ll recommend you walking through are full of Napoli street food. There’s loads to try, including legendary Neapolitan pizzas 🍕!

Naples Old Town Essentials: All You Need To Know

• Currency: Euros
• Language: Italian
• Recommended Transport App: I would recommend using Citymapper to navigate around the city. Google Maps works fine too!
• eSim for roaming in Italy: For a great data connection without huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666  when you sign up or apply it at checkout

Naples Old Town Map

• On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
• On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
• If map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps

Tip: The map has a few “layers”. Check and uncheck each “layer” to see fewer markers on the map using button on top left corner and it will be easier to see what you’ve after! My suggested attractions in Naples Old Town below is in the “Naples: Centro Storico (Old City)” layer.

Naples Old Town: How to Get to Naples Historic Centre

The two closest metro stations to Naples Old Town are “Dante” station on the west and “Duomo” station on the south-east. Both stations make it easy to explore Naples Old Town.

If you’re coming from Naples Cruise Port, then you can walk to Municipio metro station, about a 5 minute walk and either catch Line 1 (Yellow) to Duomo metro station or in the other direction to Dante metro station. Which one is more convenient depends on which attractions on the list below you’d like to see.

Metro Tickets: It’s easiest to pay using a contactless card (or its equivalent on your phones or smart watches). Fares vary depending on how far you’re traveling so don’t forget to both tap in at the beginning of your journey and tap out at your destination ticket gates to get charged the correct fare. For a trip in Naples’ city centre, you will be charged €1.30 one-way. Note: contactless payment is only working on metro and certain train lines at the moment. It’s not yet operating on Naples’ buses.

Naples Old Town: Must-See Attractions

Naples Old Town is full of famous churches, all famous for different reasons! If you’re not interested in visiting any churches, there’s three streets which would still be interesting to walk through: Via dei Tribunali, Spaccanapoli (aka Via San Biagio dei Librrai) and Via San Gregorio Ameno, so-called Christmas Alley. For those interested in Napoli street food and to eat some authentic Neapolitan pizzas (including the famed fried variety!), then Via dei Tribunali and Spaccanapoli have the best options for you – suggestions below 👇

1. Naples Cathedral (Duomo)

Naples Cathedral, aka The Duomo, is the principal church of Naples. The central nave, flanked by two side aisles, runs for over 100m (~325 feet). Don’t miss the Baptistery, which dates back to the 4th century. With beautiful mosaics of early Christian symbolism, it is supposedly one of the oldest surviving examples of its kind.

The most famous chapel is the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro. San Gennaro (Saint Januarius in English) is the beloved patron saint of Naples. He was the Bishop of Benevento (city not far from Naples) before being martyred and his remains brought to Naples. His “Miracle of the Blood” refers to the liquefaction of San Gennaro’s dried blood, preserved in two sealed glass ampoules, three times a year – his feast day September 19th, the Saturday before first Sunday of May (commemorating the transfer of his relics to Naples) and December 16th, the anniversary of the 1631 eruption of Vesuvius.

Whether you believe in miracles or not, San Gennaro’s Miracle of the Blood is a big deal to Neapolitans! Many Neopolitans believe that the liquefaction is a sign of San Gennaro’s continued protection over Naples.

• Opening Hours: 9:30am to 6pm daily – note last admission at 5pm.
• Ticket: Naples Cathedral is free to enter but the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro and its associated museum costs €12 adults, €8.5 seniors and free for kids under 12. You can view the virtual tour of the Treasure of San Gennaro here. The ticket includes an audio guide and if you follow it, the visit will take about an hour to see both the chapel and the museum.

2. Basilica di Santa Restituta

Sometimes known as the “old cathedral”, Basilica di Santa Restituta served as the main church of Naples before the construction of the current Duomo. It’s located right next to Naples Cathedral.

Dating back to the 4th century, it is believed to be one of the oldest churches in Naples. The interior has stunning mosaics from the 4th and 5th centuries as well as later medieval frescoes. It’s well worth popping in for a quick look if you’re visiting Naples Cathedral. The Basilica is free to enter.

3. Pio Monte della Misericordia

Pio Monte of Mercy, is located along Via dei Tribunali across the Duomo. Founded in 1602 by seven young Neapolitans committed to providing help to the poor and sick, it has offered food, shelter and medical care to those in need since then. But today, it’s probably more famous for housing a stunning collection of art works from the 17th century!

The star attraction is Caravaggio’s “The Seven Works of Mercy”, considered one of Caravaggio’s masterpieces by showcasing the artist’s characteristic use of light and shadow and his focus on realism. Painted in 1607, Caravaggio was on the run from Rome on a murder charge and accepted the commission in Naples for a princely sum of 400 ducats. (A ducat was worth about 10-15 grams of gold.)

• Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 9am to 2:30pm
• Tickets: €10 adults, €8 for youth under 25. Free for kids under 6.

4. Chiesa dei Girolamini

Opposite the Duomo on Via Duomo is the Chiesa dei Girolamini. The church’s facade is in classic Renaissance style but the interior is in lavish Baroque interior, adorned with rich marbles, gilded stucco work and captivating frescoes. It may look rather plain from the outside but the interior is stunning.

Founded by the Oratorians in the late 16th century, the complex includes the Oratory and the Library. The Oratory features a stunning elliptical domes while the Library (Biblioteca Giralamini) is one of the oldest libraries in Italy.

• Opening Hours: 9am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 1:30pm Saturday to Sunday
• Tickets: Unfortunately, I think they’ve just started charging for entry to fund restoration. It’s €5 adults and €2 for kids.

5. Via dei Tribunali

Via dei Tribunali, translating to the “Street of the Tribunals“, is the main east-west thoroughfare. Back when Naples was the ancient Greek city of Neapolis, this street was named Decumanus Maximus, when this street used to be filled with legal and administrative institutions! This is the street to walk through to get a real feel for Naples Old Town.

Thankfully, Via dei Tribunali isn’t just filled with churches and museums, there’s also a few famous pizzerias and lots of street food in this Historic Centre of Naples. Here’s some of them – see these marked on my Naples Cruise Port Map above 🗺️📍👆.

Neapolitan pizzas have a slightly raised puffy edge (cornicione) which should be slightly charred and airy. The cornicione is formed by hand-stretching of the dough. They are individual sized and are typically 10-12 inches in diameter. Besides the classical Margherita pizza, the Capricciosa is also very popular – mozzarella, tomato sauce, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, prosciutto cotto (cooked ham) and olives.

• Pizzeria Gino e Toto Sorbillo: Situated on Via dei Tribunali itself, the Sorbillo family is one of the oldest families of pizza makers in Naples. (The family owns multiple branches actually.) The pizzeria is closed Sundays. Open 12 noon – 3:30pm, then 7pm – 11:30pm. For lunch, either go at 12 noon when it opens or eat late around 2:30pm to avoid having to queue. Serves traditional Neapolitan pizzas. You can’t go wrong with a Margherita pizza with buffalo mozzarella! 🍕😋 Sorbillo is also famous for its Pizza Fritta (fried). Pizzas are all under €10 each.
• Antica Pizzeria Di Matteo: Also on Via dei Tribunali itself, Di Matteo is famous for its fried Pizza Fritta! 🍕Opened since 1936, the current owner is the 4th generation of pizza makers in the family. The pizzeria is small but you can also buy a “quick fix” at the counter. There’s also other fried treats on the menu with arancini (rice balls), crocchè (potato croquettes), and frittatine (pasta omelets).

You’ll also see some smaller street vendors and stalls selling street food. Look out for these:

• Taralli: Savory ring-shaped biscuits (cookies, that is, for my American readers)
• Zeppole: Sweet or savoury fried dough balls, often filled with cream or Nutella.
• Panzerotti: Very similar to calzones

6. Underground Naples (Napoli Sotteranea)

Napoli Sotterranea or Underground Naples, takes you through the city’s hidden depths. You’ll see a fascinating labyrinth of tunnels, aqueducts, cisterns and ancient ruins beneath Naples’ bustling streets.

The tunnels and cavities were originally excavated by the Greeks in 4th century BC to quarry the soft tufa stone used to build the city’s walls and structures. The Romans then further expanded this network, creating a vast system of aqueducts and cisterns to supply the city with water. It was also used as air-raid shelters during WWII.

You can only explore Napoli Sotteranea through guided tours – 90 minute tours cost €15. It’s not suitable for those who are uncomfortable with confined spaces. You’ll descend about 40 metres (~130 feet) below the city’s surface and walk along dimly lit ancient aqueducts that once carried water from the surrounding hills!

7. Via San Gregorio Armeno (aka Christmas Alley)

This narrow street is best known as “Christmas Alley” because of its year-round display of nativity scene workshops and artisan shops selling figurines and religious crafts. Beyond nativity scenes, you’ll also find traditional crafted gifts such as ceramics, jewellery and leather goods.

p.s. If you’d like to purchase souvenirs, don’t forget that Neapolitans have a tradition of haggling!

8. Spaccanapoli

This famous street, runs parallel to Via dei Tribunali but changes its actual name a few times along the way. “Spacca” means “split”, so Spaccanapoli literally means “Naples splitter”, as in splitting Naples (Napoli) in half.

Street food tours start on Spaccanapoli because this “Naples splitter” has many small vendors selling street food. There’s DIY options if you prefer:

• Decumano 31: Serves classic Napoli fried food including cones of fried mixed seafood
• Scaturchio: Traditional Pasticceria with all kinds of sweet treats
• Passione di Sofì: Another small shop selling Napoli fried food

9. Museo Cappella Sansevero

The Museo Cappella Sansevero, or Sansevero Chapel Museum, is an 18th century chapel known for its Baroque architecture and its sculpture collection. The most famous sculpture on display is the Veiled Christ, renowned for its incredibly realistic marble veil. There’s also two anatomical models, known as the “Anatomical Machines” which showcase the human circulatory system in intricate detail.

• Opening Hours: Closed Tuesdays. Open 9am to 7pm Wednesday to Monday
• Tickets: €10 adults, €7 youth up till 25. Free for kids under 9.

10. Church of San Domenico Maggiore

The Church of San Domenico Maggiore is a magnificent Gothic church and monastery complex founded in the late 13th century. The church’s architecture is primarily Gothic, with pointed arches, ribbed vaults and stained glass windows. But several Baroque style chapels adorn the side aisles, with elaborate decorations and artwork from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Sacristy is full of Renaissance art.

As the Church of San Domenico Maggiore served as the royal chapel for the Aragonese dynasty (1442 to 1501), there’s a few royal tombs, including King Alfonso V of Aragon (aka Alfonso the Magnanimous) who conquered Naples in 1442. The “Cell of St Thomas Aquinas”, his living quarters, can also be visited along with his personal belongings.

• Opening Hours: 10am to 1:30pm, then 2:30pm to 5:30pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm Saturday to Sunday
• Tickets: The church itself is free to enter but there’s a fee to enter the “special areas”, such as the Sacristy, the Crypt and the Cell of St Thomas Aquinas.

11. Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo

The most striking aspect of Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo (Church of the New Jesus) is its facade, constructed with diamond-shaped piperno stones. This unusual pattern was originally part of a 15th-century palace, Palazzo Sanseverino, which was later converted into a church after being acquired by the Jesuits in 1584. The interior is all Baroque style, so expect to see opulent decorations, frescoes and sculptures.

• Opening Hours: Daily 8am to 1pm, 4pm – 7:30pm. The church is free to enter, so duck in and have a look.

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Directions Back to Naples Cruise Port: By now, you’ll be at the western stretch of Spaccanapoli – the street at this point is actually called Via Benedetto Croce. Metro station “Dante” is nearby and you can catch it back to “Municipio” metro station (2 stops) on Line 1 (Yellow). From “Municipio” station, it will be around 5 minutes walk back to Naples Cruise Port.

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Featured Photo by Montse Monmo on Unsplash

If you’re keen to explore Naples’ Old Town, I hope that this guide has provided with sufficient ideas on how to spend your time and how to fill your belly! 🤣 Hope you’ll have a wonderful time in Naples, which often gets skipped because tourists head straight to Pompeii, Capri or Sorrento. Happy cruising as always and drop me a line below if you have any questions! And my Facebook Page is finally up and running! Follow me on Facebook if you’d like to get regular updates on my blog posts on your FB feed! 

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