Naples

Naples

Are you curious to discover the Naples gay life? This guide will reply all your questions.

Do & See

Naples is one of the most fascinating and authentic places in Italy and even if you are a Italy-holic Naples will surprise you with its exuberance and colors.The third largest city in Italy (behind Rome and Milan) welcome you with all of its amazing landscapes of the Naples Bay, Mt. Vesuvius and its passionate people. Due to its history, Naples is a place rich of historical places to visit, squares to meet locals and a fantastic nightlife to experience.

A walk in Naples

Start your visit of the city with Spaccanapoli. It literally means “Naples Splitter” and is a cobbled street that divides Naples in two parts. This is the real central hub for locals. Here is the place where you can find pasta in any size, color and shape (even penis pasta!), limoncello, coffee and pastry.Continue walking in Via Toledo to enjoy a real Neapolitan, to experience pure Italy and discover many epic attractions. Via Toledo is the heart of Naples and Via Chiaia is the shopping district of the city. A the end of the street you will arrive in Piazza Plebiscito that is undoubtedly the main square in Naples. It is a truly fantastic place to visit.A stop to Cafe Gambrinus is the perfect way to enjoy a traditional Italian coffee and to taste a gelato! Believe us, the creaminess of the ice cream here is just unbelievable!Near Via Toledo you can find Teatro San Carlo, a building of pure elegance and sophistication. Commissioned by Charles VII of Naples, this building is filled with golden decor and blue upholstery. Teatro San Carlo was one of the most important theaters in Italy and today it maintains much of its original charm.If you are in love with history you must visit the Christian burial sites of San Gaudioso and San Gennaro. Underneath the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità you can find the burial site of San Gaudioso, a fifth century tomb that was used by members of the nobility. If you have time, you can also visit the larger Catacombs of San Gennaro in the north of Naples.A walk on the seafront promenade is a must-do of every trip to Naples. From the promenade you can see the panorama of Mount Vesuvius, Capri and Ischia! A true unforgettable place of the city!From the promenade you will be able to see the Castel dell’Ovo.This castle was constructed in early 6th century BC and is now open to the public. Come in, explore the structure and walk through the passageways looking out into the sea.No visit to Naples is complete without a good pizza or other amazing foods to try in Naples in your mouth. Do you know the story of pizza Margherita? The story is told that this pizza was created in Naples for King Umberto’s wife and also honours the color of the Italian flag. It is not an exaggeration to say that here the food is the best in Italy and is not only about pizzas.

Idden spots

Naples has a lot of hidden treasures to discover. It is a big city and it easy to get lost in tourist-only spots. But Naples knows how to surprise you.

Creepy Naples

There are a lot of creepy spots around the city. One of these are the Cimitero delle Fontanelle, a tufa cave housing hundreds of human skulls and bones that are arranged in a particularly picturesque way.

Underground Naples

Forty meters below the streets of Naples you will find the heart of the city. Walking between tunnels and cisterns you will go back into history 2400 years, from the ancient Greek to the modern age. During the visit of the Underground Naples you can see the The Greek-Roman Aqueduct,  the War Museum and the Orti Hypogeum.

Street art

As you walk in the streets you can see some amazing artworks on the walls. Naples is a paradise for those who love street art. In Naples you can see a giant Saint Gennaro by Jorit Agoch, GIgante Verde by Blu and the only Bansky artwork in Italy – the Madonna with gun.

Top Museums

Naples has many museums to visit – from the archaeological to contemporary. Here the best museums to visit during a trip in Naples.

National Archaeological Museum

Here you can find one of the world’s finest collections of Greco-Roman artifacts and many of these items come from the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum. In here you can also see a display of mosaics and frescoes, and the incredible exhibit of erotic art from Pompeii.ADDRESS: Piazza Museo, 19
WEBSITE http://www.museoarcheologiconapoli.it/en/

Cappella Sansevero

Once you enter in this baroque chapel you will be surprised as you look at the incredible sculpture made by Giuseppe Sanmartino. The Cristo Velato (Veiled Christ) is made entirely in white marble and the veil is so realistic that you could be tempted to try to lift it. According to the legends, the sculpture was so unbelievably realistic that art critics thought that the sculpture was the result of some alchemical process of “marbleization” worked by the Prince of Sansevero.ADDRESS: Via Francesco De Sanctis, 19/21WEBSITE www.museosansevero.it/en

Capodimonte Museum

The Museum and National Galleries of Capodimonte is the Italy’s richest museum with an extraordinary collection of  medieval and contemporary artworks. Don’t miss a visit to the royal apartments from the Bourbon and Savoy dynasties.ADDRESS: Via Miano, 2WEBSITE www.museocapodimonte.beniculturali.it/

Santa Chiara Monastery

The Majolica columns are one of the most attractive sights in Naples. In the museum you can view the archeological finds from the 1st through 4th centuries, the excavation of the Roman thermal spa, and religious artifacts.ADDRESS: Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, 18WEBSITE https://monasterodisantachiaraing.jimdo.com/

Madre

This is the Naples’ museum of modern and contemporary art. MADRE hosts a permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, photography and installations from the prolific Andy Warhol, Gilbert & George, the Italian Mario Merz, Michelangelo Pistoletto and Anish Kapoor.ADDRESS: Via Luigi Settembrini, 79WEBSITE: www.madrenapoli.it/NEARBY DESTINATIONS

Pompeii

Pompeii was encased in AD 79 by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius and what you can see today is an incredible historical treasure. With the neighboring site of Herculaneum, Pompeii is Italy’s finest example of a ancient Roman town, its way of life, homes, shops and public buildings.

Ischia and Procida islands

Frequent boats connect Naples with the islands of the bay: Ischia and Procida. The Bay of Naples is a treasure for those who love luxury villas, beautiful gardens and hot springs. Ischia island,  its Castle, the forio, and the village of Sant’Angelo and the smaller island of Procida are beautiful places to spend hours walking and enjoying life.

Caserta

In 30 minutes by train you can arrive to Caserta. Opposite to Caserta’s station you can find the Royal Palace, the “Italian Versailles”. The Royal Palace of Caserta was built by Vanvitelli for the the King of Naples and Sicily and a visit to this beautiful residence is mandatory if you have time for a day trip around the city. Here you can see the Grand Staircase, the Cappella Reale, the Royal Apartments, and the theater and its magnificent English Garden.

Amalfi Coast and Capri

Amalfi’s coast is a UNESCO site since 1997 and must be on your to-do list once in Italy. The  marvellous white houses, the fair climate and the genuine italian food that you can try here make this place one of the best destinations for thousands of Italian tourists and foreigners. If you have enough time make sure to visit the towns of Capri, Sorrento, Ravallo and Positano.

Salerno

Salerno is a fantastic and beautiful tourist destination due to its proximity to the Amalfi coast. But Salerno has much to offer starting from its beautiful architecture to the gorgeous gardens, from sun-kissed promenades to a very active gay lifestyle. Take your time to visit the city, the Salerno Cathedral and the Forte la Carnale with its history and artwork.

Gay nightilife in Naples

Naples has a vibrant gay nightlife and the people are very welcoming. A good place to start the night is by going to Piazza Bellini in the University district for a couple of drinks and to meet locals. Here you can drink at the gay friendly Bar Fiorillo and meet many other friendly guys to have fun with.The gay life in Naples is very active during the weekends and it offers one of the most fun and extravagant Italian gay experiences.From discos to sauna in Naples, you will find all you need for an amazing night. King Bear and MachoLato are the perfect places if you are in love with bear and otter, but the best party in the city is at La Mamada at the JD Club.

Before your trip

Naples has one main airport. Naples’ Capodichino Airport is located about 6 kilometres (4 miles) northeast of the city centre. But you can get to the city with trains arriving from all over Italy. Despite its famously chaotic and congested streets, Naples offers an efficient public transport system.

Festivals and main events

There are a several festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Naples each year.

  • February Carnival festival
  • June Pride Week and Pride Parade
  • July SummerJazz on the Gulf
  • September Feast Day of San Gennaro

November–December: Christmas Market in Via San GregorioTourist informationWhen you arrive in Naples get in touch with the local tourist office for more information and to help organize your stay.Azienda Autonoma di Soggiorno, Cura e Turismo di NapoliADDRESS: Via San Carlo, 9 or Via Marino Turchi 16