Naples cruise port guide: How to spend your day in Italy

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Naples — “Napoli” in Italian — is the capital of the Campania region and the third-largest city in Italy. Famous for its stunning coastline, rich history and delicious local cuisine, Naples and the surrounding area is a must-visit destination.

The city itself has a reputation as being gritty, chaotic and — though not outright dangerous — not exactly the safest place. However, Naples is undergoing a rebirth as one of Italy’s most fascinating and creative hubs. Just don’t expect the pristine version of Italy you might see in more tourist-heavy cities; Naples is still a workaday place full of graffiti and traffic. It can feel intimidating at first, especially in the busy port area, but if you give it a chance, it’s a city that will get under your skin.

It’s no wonder so many cruise operators — from mainstream cruise lines like Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises and Disney Cruise Line to luxury brands like Explora Journeys, Viking and Windstar — stop in Naples.

3 things TPG loves about Naples

Proximity to some of Italy’s most picturesque destinations, such as the Amalfi Coast and Capri
A bustling city with vibrant piazzas, a top-notch archaeological museum and a royal palace
Some of the world’s best pizza, espresso and other delicious local cuisine

What we could do without

Crowds in the port and the area where the ferries depart for Sorrento and the islands most days, regardless of whether big ships are in port
The famously skilled pickpockets in Naples

Naples port guide overview

There is an old Italian saying, “Vedi Napoli e poi muori,” which translated means, “See Naples and die.” Essentially, it implies that Naples is the ultimate bucket list destination — only once you’ve seen it can you die happy.

Yet for a long time, Naples was considered a place you have to pass through to get somewhere better, like Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast and Capri. While those places remain among the biggest draws to the area, Naples is undergoing a bit of a transformation these days.

Neighborhoods that were once considered dangerous no-go zones, like the Quartieri Spagnoli, have become the city’s hippest hot spots. More travelers are choosing to stay put and explore the historic center, with its grand cafes, narrow lanes lined with shops and some of the best pizzerias in Italy.

If you’re taking a cruise that calls in the port of Naples, the biggest challenge might be figuring out how to make the most of your limited time in port. Read on for everything you need to know about the Naples cruise port.

Naples fast facts

Arrival details

The cruise port in Naples is the second-busiest in Italy, welcoming more than 1 million international visitors and 6 million ferry passengers every year. The port is called Stazione Marittima, and it’s right next to Molo Beverello, where the ferries and hydrofoil boats depart for Sorrento, Amalfi, Capri and Ischia, among other places.

The cruise port is about a 10-minute walk from the historic center of Naples and there are taxis available as well. The main train station, Napoli Centrale, is about 2 miles from the port. A 10-minute walk will bring you to the Municipio metro stop, which is a couple of stops from the train station (Piazza Garibaldi).

Language: Italian is the official language, but most tourist services use English.

Currency: Italy uses the euro; at present, the euro and the dollar are nearly equal. One euro currently equals $1.10. Most places accept credit cards, but it’s a good idea to have euros on hand, especially for small purchases.

Time zone: Italy uses Central European Time, which is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.

Top things to do in the Naples cruise port

Towering over the port is the Castel Nuovo, a 15th-century fortress. In the Cappella Palatina (inside the castle), you can see fragments of frescoes by Giotto, an Italian painter and architect from Florence during the late Middle Ages. In the castle’s Sala dell’Armeria, a glass floor lets you catch a glimpse of ancient Roman baths revealed during recent excavations.

The port is less than a 10-minute walk from the castle to Piazza del Plebiscito, the massive square that’s home to the Royal Palace of Naples and the Teatro San Carlo opera house. From there, you can walk north along Via Toledo, the north-south axis that passes the Quartieri Spagnoli and brings you into the historic center.

History buffs will want to visit the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, which contains an unrivaled collection of archeological finds, including mosaics and paintings from Pompeii and Herculaneum. Another highlight is the Museo di Capodimonte, which was built as the hunting palace of the Bourbon royal family and contains masterpieces by Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, Botticelli and many others.

Popular Naples excursions

One of the things that keeps drawing people to Naples is its proximity to bucket list places like the Amalfi Coast, the legendary island of Capri and the archeological area of Pompeii. Many cruise ships offer shore excursions to these places, but you can also visit them on your own with a bit of planning.

Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast

Pastel buildings cling to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Lemon groves cover terraced hillsides. Beach shacks in little coves serve impossibly delicious pasta and fish caught that morning. This is the Amalfi Coast.

From the cruise port, it’s easy to walk over to Molo Beverello and catch a hydrofoil boat to Sorrento, Amalfi or Positano. Sorrento is 45 minutes from Naples, while Amalfi and Positano are a couple of hours away.

Capri

Possibly the most glamorous island in Europe, Capri rises dramatically out of the water, its cliffs and peaks forming breathtaking backdrops. Arrive by hydrofoil boat, then take a funicular from the port up to the town. There you can sip Aperol spritzes at one of the outdoor cafes on the famous Piazzetta, shop (or window shop) at the designer boutiques on Via Camerelle, visit the Gardens of Augustus and walk along Via Tragara to the belvedere with views of the Faraglioni. Or, you can simply relax on the pebble beach at Marina Piccola.

Ischia

Larger and less crowded than Capri, Ischia is known as the green island. Thanks to the presence of naturally occurring thermal hot springs, Ischia has ample wellness-focused experiences. You can soak in the mineral-rich springs at one of the island’s thermal parks, go hiking on Mount Epomeo, or visit the Castello Aragonese and botanical gardens like La Mortella and Giardini Ravino.

Pompeii

When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 CE, the bustling city of Pompeii was frozen in time. The ruins are now one of Italy’s most visited archaeological sites. Here you can see the Forum, amphitheater and several homes, including the House of the Tragic Poet and the House of the Vettii, which is the best example of a wealthy merchant’s home. Of course, that’s just a fraction of what’s on view — and archaeologists are still excavating. Just last year, they uncovered a fresco that appeared to show a 2,000-year-old pizza.

How to get around Naples on your own

On foot: Naples is quite walkable, especially in the historic center.

Taxi: You can hail a taxi in Naples, but be sure you’re getting into an official taxi. Also, make sure the driver turns the meter on. To find a ride, go to an official taxi stand or use the FreeNow app to hail one.

Metro and train: Naples is well connected by metro, and regional trains will take you to Pompeii and Sorrento from the main train station, Napoli Centrale. The stop closest to the port is Municipio.

Ferry and hydrofoil boats: If you want to visit the islands, your best bet is to take a ferry or hydrofoil. Keep in mind that the hydrofoils are faster than the ferries. There are also hydrofoils and ferries that go to Amalfi and Positano.

Car: Driving around Naples and the surrounding area is not recommended unless you have nerves of steel. Traffic is intense, and drivers are unpredictable. Plus, there are many restricted areas, and parking is a nightmare.

Naples restaurants near the cruise port

If you’re used to eating Italian food in the U.S., you might be surprised to learn that there’s no such thing as a universal national cuisine in Italy. Instead, Italian cuisine is regional, and Naples is home to some of the most recognizable Italian dishes.

As the birthplace of pizza, Naples is a city that’s collectively obsessed with the stuff. There are old-school pizzerias that only serve margherita and marinara pizzas as well as places where next-gen pizzaioli are slinging up all kinds of creative pies. In other words, there’s no shortage of places to get your fill of the beloved dish. Save room to try some pizza fritta (fried pizza), a traditional street food hailing from Naples.

Neapolitan cuisine uses fresh, local ingredients. Savor seafood pulled from the waters just off the coast, buffalo mozzarella produced in the surrounding countryside, lemons that grow in Sorrento and Amalfi, and piennolo tomatoes that only come from the slopes of nearby Mount Vesuvius.

Naples is also famous for excellent espresso. Pair it with sweet treats like sfogliatella (a fan-shaped pastry stuffed with orange-scented ricotta), rum baba (a soft spongy cake soaked in rum) or torta caprese (a chocolate almond cake).

Via dei Tribunali — the street famous for its pizzerias — is a little more than a mile from the port. Here you’ll find historic pizzerias like Pizzeria dal Presidente, Sorbillo and the Antica Pizzeria di Matteo. If you want to see how today’s pizzaiolo are shaking things up, head half a mile north to Concettina ai Tre Santi in Rione Sanita; there, Ciro Oliva tops pies with white truffle and offers pizza-tasting menus that elevate the humble cuisine to dizzying heights.

Near the train station, you’ll find Mimi alla Ferrovia, an old-school restaurant that opened in 1944. It has served celebrities like filmmaker Federico Fellini (director of “La Dolce Vita”) and Diego Maradona, a soccer player whom locals worship like a god. In the wood-paneled dining room, you can try classic dishes like eggplant Parmigiana and spaghetti alle vongole.

About a mile from the cruise port, in Chiaia — a sophisticated seafront neighborhood — Mattozzi has the best of both worlds: pizza and pasta. See, you can have it all!

Naples cruise port shopping

The Naples cruise port has plenty of shopping options right in the terminal area. Upstairs is a shopping mall with more than 50 stores, including a pharmacy, a post office, a food court and an ATM.

If you want to shop for typical Neapolitan items and are willing to go about a mile farther, head to Via San Gregorio Armeno, which is known for workshops selling nativity figurines. Naples is also famous for impeccably tailored men’s clothes, and the shop to go to is E. Marinella in Chiaia. For the colorful, exuberant women’s clothes commonly seen on the Amalfi Coast and Capri, check out Antica Sartoria by Giacomo Cinque, which has a handful of shops in Naples, Capri, Amalfi and Positano.

Free things to do in the Naples cruise port

While Capri and the Amalfi Coast have become very expensive, Naples is still quite affordable — and there are plenty of things to do that don’t cost a centesimo. It’s always free to wander around the Centro Storico, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and stroll along Naples’ seafront promenade Lungomare.

It’s also free to visit churches, such as the Duomo di Napoli and the Capella Sansevero, which houses the famed “Veiled Christ” statue by Giuseppe Sanmartino. Another beautiful site to visit is the 14th-century Santa Chiara monastic complex; its peaceful cloister with citrus trees is decorated by beautiful majolica tiles.

Related: Best Mediterranean cruises

Bottom line

At first glance, Naples cruise port might feel chaotic and intimidating, but it’s a place that rewards visitors who have a bit of patience.

Cruise travelers who want to use Naples as a jumping-off point to visit the picturesque Amalfi Coast, the islands of Capri and Ischia, or the archaeological complex of Pompeii can simply hop on a hydrofoil boat or take a train.

Those who want to immerse themselves in Neapolitan history and culture can spend a day exploring the city, strolling around the historic center and seeing the royal palace, the archaeological museum or the Museo di Capodimonte. Plus, they can savor some of the world’s most delicious pizza right from the source.

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