It is very important to have some information before visiting Napoli, to know what to expect. It has been said that information is power as it helps in filtering stereotypes from truth. There are about seven indispensable things you need to be aware of before going to Napoli – Italy.
Napoli is a vast sprawling city
It may not be possible to get an idea of the true picture of this enormous city while you are at the center of it. If you have the chance take a boat ride to Sorrento or just in one of the many islands found off the coast. Look back at the city of Napoli while standing on the island grounds. How is the city from the water? It’s just gigantic. See how buildings crawl pragmatically stretching up towards region of Mt.Vesuvius, occupying ever possible nook and cranny of the earth. Ideally, Napoli has two sides; modern and historic sides.
Napoli is a hilly place
Things you need to be aware of before going to Napoli Italy. In as much as the historic center is accessible on foot, it is always prudential to consult a local person before looking at a tourist map to establish the walkability of a place. While some parts like the Centro antico have a flat terrain, most places will involve either walking uphill or downhill, particularly when going to the train station, Archaeological museum or just when moving about anywhere. As a matter of fact, there is an infamous museum and palace branded as ‘Capodimonte’ that give visitors memorable experience in their tour. One thing you need to understand is the meaning of Capodimonte; it is interpreted as ‘top of the hill’.
Not all taxi drivers in Napoli are cheats
Perhaps you have heard ugly stories of how cabs charge exorbitant fares to unsuspecting visitors. Well, there are cases of such malicious practices happening, but there still exists trustworthy drivers. In actual sense, the crafty would disconnect mileage meters just too deliberately interfere with the true rationale for computation of travel charges. This creates a loophole for them to demand outrageous charges. What you need to know for you to be safe, don’t use any taxi with non-functional meter. Kindly ask to have it fixed and if they are not ready to turn the meter on, choose another taxi as there are many of them. Nevertheless, do not go to Napoli with a notion that all the taxi drivers are cheats. You will be surprised to find out some of them are actually quite entertaining.
You will find bad and really good pizza in Napoli
Pizza originated in Napoli. This fact has made people fall in love with Napoli pizza. It is advisable to try out different pizza joints for you to get your perfect favorite. In the process, you will realize that pizza in some places is not that good. Therefore, you have to keep your eyes open and be watchful where you to buy your pizza. Places crowded with locals in search for pizza could be the best joints; try them out. Mindi and Daryl have created an excellent guide on where to find the best pizza in Napoli.
If you are a foodie, you might want to check out this cheap but fantastic food tour of the city as well, where you will try the most famous dishes Napoli has to offer. You can read my experience of the tour here.Napoli is a safe place
Problems of crime have been evident in Napoli and the surrounding regions. But the crimes are not targeted to tourists but the usual petty crimes found elsewhere in cities. Perhaps the only thing you need to be aware of is the security challenge involving two main crimes-jewelry theft and snatching of purses. Pickpockets are there, as it would be the case in other major cities all over the world.
Napoli is not as dirty as alleged
Go to Napoli with moderate expectations since achieving ideal levels of cleanliness in a city as big as Napoli may not be an easy task. The level of Napoli’s cleanliness has nothing to do with touristic missions. You will find no garbage pilled along the ways of tourists in Napoli .
Napoli neighborhoods are also safe
There are rooms around the train station. This area is quite some distance from the historic center. Therefore, booking a room around the train station might not be a wise decision. Trekking in the daylight is not every interesting thing and it even becomes less appealing during night hours. It would be better to find a b and b in the historic center.
Isn’t Napoli beautiful? And yes! Not all pizzas are good, but bad pizzas in Napoli are like the best ones in America, so…!
I’ve been to various parts of Italy but not Napoli. I love how they make pizza in Italy, your picture has given me a notion for it!!
Napoli is a special city. On e you love with the goods and the not -so -goods; crazy drivers , pick-pockets, and very noisy but somehow yet romantic & beautiful
This place is definitely on my bucket list! I will be looking forward to the good pizza in Napoli! I’m glad it’s cleaner than others have said. Pictures look gorgeous.
I have to admit, Napoli has never been in my list of places to visit. However, this might have just changed my mind. Just because a product originated in one place, doesn’t mean it’ll always be the best place to get them. Haha.
Such great photos, always wanted to go there! I’m off to get a less than satisfactory pizza now…
I loved the photo of the pizza, I think you captured a nice shot there. 🙂
And I love it when people write about places from personal experience, not just stating dry facts. 😀
I would love so much to go to Napoli and Italy in general. I heard it’s amazing. Really fun facts about Napoli in this post. Thank you, a lot informative and helpful post. 🙂
The areial view is fantastic. There are scrupulous cab drivers and pick pockets everywhere, so no worries. Wish to visit Italy soon!
Oh this is very interesting.. i know the fact that Pizza came from Italy but I didn’t where exactly in Italy the Pizza originated from.. now I know that it is from Napoli… I’m a big fan of Pizza so this must be a great experience to taste the authentic pizza dish…it is also nice that you pointed out that the place is safe and not all the taxi drivers will take advantage of the tourist which really occur in most country even here in the Philippines
I think taxi drivers pretty much take advantage of people everywhere in the world, not only in Napoli. Yes, pizza originated in Napoli. I would recommend you to watch Eat Pray Love movie, they do talk about the pizza in Napoli there. 🙂