Lily's EXTRA Tip: Since you are on top of the Mount Vesuvius don't miss the chance - after done visiting, at the bar near the bus stop - to try Lacryma Christi wine (a celebrated Neapolitan type of wine produced on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius, made out of the grapes that are growing on this volcano and is believed to be the nearest equivalent to wine drunk by the Ancient Romans).

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2.✔ Visit the ancient ruins of Pompeii:

Pompeii was an ancient Roman city (located near Naples) in the Campania region of Italy which along with Herculaneum and many villas in the surrounding area was buried under 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of volcanic ash and pumice in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius on 24 August AD 79.

Nowadays Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site status and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, with approximately 2.5 million visitors annually.

Largely preserved under the ash, the excavated city offers a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried and providing an extraordinarily detailed insight into the everyday life of its inhabitants.

Also from 1st April – 31th October the last entrance is at 18.00 while from 1st November – 31th March is at 15.30.

The cost of the ticket entrance for visiting Pompeii is €15.00 (full price) or €9 the discount ticket and is a pass valid just for one (1) day.
Entrance is free to all EU citizens under 18 and EU citizens under 24 have a special discount.
In fact visitors aged 18-24 are able to visit Italy’s state-owned attractions at any time for just two euros.

During summer and at the weekends to avoid face the line or the long queues to enter the site we recommend buying in advance online tickets.

You can hire an authorized tour guide if you want (two-hour guided tours cost about €11/visitor) and you can find them at the park entrance.
But you should know that Pompeii ticket includes a map and small pocket guide to the site which leads you number by number through the not-to-miss sights plus that you can also download for free, the comprehensive Pompeii guide PDF that is an explanation of all of the excavations by the Board of Cultural Heritage of Pompeii if you want.

In case you decide to visit 3 Sites: POMPEII, OPLONTIS (ancient wealthy village situated between Pompeii and Herculaneum), BOSCOREALE (located north of Pompeii), the ticket costs €18.00 and you can use it as a three days pass in the row (3 consecutive days, including the day of purchase. Only one entrance is permitted to each site).


Hours for Pompeii and Herculaneum:
April through October: 9am - 7:30pm (last entry at 6pm)
November through March: 9am - 5pm (last entry at 3:30pm)
Closed: 1 January, 1 May, 25 December

Tickets can only be purchased either from the official ticket offices at the entrances to the sites or from the online ticketing service (TicketOne).
Τhe official ticket offices are located only inside the Park.
Any ticket seller outside the main entrances is not in any way linked to the management of the Pompeii Archaeological Park.

Also on the first Sunday of every month (from October to March), it is free entrance at Pompeii and EU citizens under the age of 18 already receive free entry all the time to all Italy’s museums, along with humanities students.

Check more useful information and see real photos from a visit to Pompeii through my travel experience here: LilyVisitsPompeii

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3.✔ Visit the city ruins of Herculaneum:

• Herculaneum was a small town that used to be also a resort town in antiquity, buried beneath lava and ashes of about twenty meters thick, within hours of the eruption of the Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 AD.

Although a less known attraction than Pompeii - in fact it's a much better preserved archaeological site.

But the biggest difference between Pompeii and Herculaneum is in the size: The ruins of Pompeii cover about 44 square hectares, while Herculaneum covers just 4.

Herculaneum ruins daily ticket:
Full price € 11; Discount ticket: € 5.50

Hours for Pompeii and Herculaneum:
April through October: 9am - 7:30pm (last entry at 6pm)
November through March: 9am - 5pm (last entry at 3:30pm)
Closed: 1 January, 1 May, 25 December

However Herculaneum is in a much better state of preservation due to the deep layer of ash and dust that covered the site, filling the buildings without damaging them and it still has some of its wooden structures, frames and roofing intact.

On the other hand Pompeii was heavily battered by falling rocks and hot air that knocked down upper floors of buildings and incinerated wood, both of which are still intact at Herculaneum.

Find out even more information
about the ancient Herculaneum
| HERE |

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4.✔ Visit the underground Naples (Napoli Sotterranea):

• San Gennaro Catacombs:
Underground the city of Naples, you will find a network of tunnels and passageways (about 7 kilom. in total) that are lined with graves and crypts dating back to ancient history.

It is a bit out of the centre but it is easily reached by taking a bus from near to the Dante Metro station.

From the 7 kilometres of endless tombs going off into the dark you can visit only hundred meters.

Visits are by tour only – every 1 (one) hour.
Besides you wouldn't want to visit here alone, you'd be lost in an instant. It's a fascinating maze and I found the pre-Christian and early Christian chapels here an unexpected delight.

If you feel like, it's well worth the long walk up to the Catacombs from the city centre.

The normal entry ticket (costs: €9 per person, under-18 €5, students/over-65/law enforcement €6, under-6/disabled free, accompanying person €6) can also gets you into the Catacombs of San Gaudioso so you could say that it's a good value for money. It is also covered by the Artecard.

Visiting the two Catacombs and the Fontanelle Cemetery is one of the high-lights of a Naples trip.


San Gaudiosu Catacombs:
Check tour hours before you visit these catacombs to ensure they are open. They usually close at 1.00pm on weekdays.
Remember: With the same ticket (€9/person) and with no extra cost - you can enter both catacombs:
San Gennaro and San Gaudiosu.


Galleria Borbonica:
Several underground tunnels that locals used in the bombing period of the WW2.
The entrance (ticket: €10 per person) is a short walk from Piazza Plebiscito and the guided tour (your only option to visit this underground place too) takes one hour.

Be aware that it is only open Friday to Sunday and just for 5 guided tours (in English) per day.
The entrance ticket also includes a visit to other underground city of San Lorenzo Maggiore.

At the end of the visit there is a place selling old WW2 items.
San Lorenzo Maggiore: The ancient Neapolitan old tunnels, 2400 years of Greek, Roman and Medieval history. The tunnels served as shelters during WWII. Your visit starts by going down 40 meters (about 130 steps).

If you speak Greek as your native language choose Eva as your tour guide.
Ticket costs €10 and includes a visit too at the underground Galleria Borbonica.


Lily’s EXTRA Experience Tips on the underground Napoli:
On a rainy visiting the underground Naples might be the best thing to do.
Wear comfortable (and not slippery) shoes as well as comfortable clothes and avoid taking with you large backpacks or handbags.

If you are suffering from claustrophobia, if you are too tall or a bit overweight, the underground tunnels of Naples might not be the perfect choice for you.
Some parts of the tunnel are incredibly narrow and pitch black.

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5.✔ Take a long walk to the Plazza del Plebiscito:

• Take a long walk to the Piazza del Plebiscito which features the Basilica Royal and the stunning Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale - open to tourists):

Piazza del Plebiscito is an enormous public plaza (the biggest plaza of Naples) located near the heart of the city, not far from Naples harbor.
It gained its name from a plebiscite in 1860 that brought Naples into the Kingdom of Italy.

On one side is the remarkable Royal Palace (17th century) and on the other side is the Church of San Francisco di Paolo (19th century) which reminded us of the Pantheon in Rome.

On the opposite two sides are the imposing Vesuvius and the beautiful harbor and Teatro di San Carlo and the rest of Naples.

Teatro di San Carlo is the oldest continuously operating opera house in the world (1737) .
Visitors can have a guided tour to the theatre main hall, the boxes, the Royal box and the two Foyers.
You can complete the tour including the MeMUS, the Multimedia Museum of Teatro San Carlo, buying an extra ticket.
Booking is warmly recommended.
Guided tours last 45 minutes.
Entrance fee for San Carlo Theater only 7€ (reduced 5€, schools 3€).
This is a must-see.

In the Plazza's center is the statue of Charles III.
It is worth visiting these views alone!

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6.✔ Visit the Caserta Royal Palace, the Archaeological Museum, the Naples Cathedral and the old town's chapels:

• The Caserta Palace is the largest in the world by volume (taking into account its floor as well as its height).
The building has five floors and 1200 rooms but not all of them are open to the public.
The ticket entrance will cost you €12 for a regular ticket.

Caserta Palace is located 30 kilometres inland from Naples but it’s an easy day trip from Naples with a direct train from Napoli Centrale (takes about 45 minutes and costs €3.40) that stops right in front of its main entrance.

See and read even more
information about Caserta Palace
| HERE |


• The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli - one of the world’s greatest museums on Roman art - is located in Piazza Museo 19 (Metro Line 1 Museum Station & Metroline 2 Piazza Cavour Station - and is closed: on Tuesdays, 1st January, 1st May, 25th December).

Art treasures from the Pompeii and Herculaneum excavations, including the best mosaics and frescoes and the giant Farnese sculptures from ancient Rome are the top highlights in the magnificent National Museum of Archaeology in Naples, Italy.

Its full entrance ticket costs €18 per person and there is a free entrance every first Sunday of the month from October to March.
Read more useful information about the Naples Archaeological Museum in its official site here

Lily’s EXTRA Travel Tips about this museum:
Personally - if you don't have a lot of money to spend - I suggest (if you can) to visit it only on the days with the free admission to the public because (and always based on my own travel experience) with its half exhibitions closed and the mummies available at very specific times, the money that you'll give for what you'll see is more than enough (if you exclude the Pompeii mosaics and speaking without a rare sincerity - you can say that the money you pay for the entrance ticket is a "thrown away").

Sorry for that Dear Museum but in Greece the entrance ticket to the famous Acropolis Museum costs only 5 euros per person!


• The Naples Cathedral - Cathedral of Duomo - stands as the main church in Naples, is widely known as the Cattedrale di San Gennaro (in honour of Saint Januarius, the city's patron saint - features the remains of an Early Christian basilica, many notable artworks as well as the miraculous blood of San Gennaro which is said to be liquefie three times a year, as a sign of a good fortune for the city - If the blood does not liquefy it is believed to bring very bad luck to the city) and is located on the Via del Duomo 147.

The medieval Cathedral is accessible (200 meters away) via the Museo metro stop (Metro Line 1) or the Cavour stop (Metro Line 2) but also has a regular bus service that passes the front façade.

Underneath it you can find excavation of a Roman site.
Near the duomo you can find the St. Gennaro Treasury Museum (Museo del Tesoro di San Gennaro a Napoli), with arts exhibits from the duomo and another heavily frescoed chappel.
It is said that St. Gennaro's treasure is worth more than London's Crown Jewels.
Entrance to the Duomo is free but the tickets for St. Gennaro's treasure cost 6€ for everybody.

Another interesting church is San Domenico Maggiore (location: Piazza S. Domenico Maggiore, 8A, 80134 Napoli, Italia) which was founded by Dominican Friars and was constructed in 1324 – located in the heart of the old town of Naples (near to the University of Naples and close to the Dante Metro stop).

Few meters away to the San Domenico Maggiore another monastery is also located; The Gothic Monastero di Santa Chiara (visit its official site here)

On the side there is a rich array of churches, squares and historic buildings. It is referred to as “an open air museum” and is the liveliest and most atmospheric places in Naples with traditional small cafes and shops.

Another one is the Sansevero Chapel created in 1590; Located in the centre of Naples (visit its official site here) is indeed a Must See while you are strolling around the town (but it's not free - it has a bit expensive entry ticket at the price of 8 euros).

The Sansevero chapel is not far from the Harbor and the Castel Nuovo - where you can go afterwards.

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7.✔ Naples harbor, Castel dell’Ovo and Castel Nuovo:

• Take a long walk to the Naples harbor and visit Castel dell’Ovo at Porto Santa Lucia (constructed in the early 6th century BC; The castle currently houses the Museum of Prehistory. The entrance is free and has magnificent view of the gulf of Naples from the top of the castle) and Castel Nuovo.
Castel Nuovo was created in 1279; houses the main city museum featuring various collections but most importantly a picture gallery (with focus on 19th Century Italian painting).
From its roof, you can get one of the best views of the city.

Furthermore, if you continue to the west side of the harbor, you will find the Porto di Mergellina which is full of trendy restaurants and cafes and has a great vibrant atmosphere.

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8.✔ Explore the districts of Spaccanapoli, Santa Lucia and the Spanish quarters:

• Spaccanopoli which means "Naples Splitter" is a long straight and narrow street that starts behind San Domenico Maggiore, at Piazza Gesu and has many of the best historic sites in Naples, numerous restaurants and sights.

Watch out your personal belongings, your pockets and the hurry Vespa riders.

The district of Santa Lucia is located to the west of the Piazza del Plebiscito, this district has a myriad of narrow cobbled streets that wind down to the sea and offer an array of craft shops, restaurants, cafes and shops.

Here you can experience Neapolitan life at its best – Locals will walk through the streets going about their daily business, clothes hang out on washing lines and children play without a care in the world.

The Spanish Quarter (Quartieri Spagnoli) is a part of the city of Naples in Italy.
The Neapolitan language is stronger here than anywhere else in the area itself is considered to be the “Heart of Naples“.

The Quartieri were created in the 1600s to house Spanish garrisons (hence the name) whose role was to quench revolts from the Neapolitan population.
The streets are so narrow (some measure only 3m.) that sunlight doesn't always penetrate to the pavement level.

Furthermore in the Spanish Quarter you can findsmall trattorias with good food at cost prices,  many market stalls (with fish, meat, fruits, fresh flowers, even clothes).

The main street - via Toledo - is bounding the Spanish Quarters and the cheaper way to step there is by taking the Metro (stop at Toledo Metro station).

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9.✔ Visit the Metro station of Toledo (Stazione della Metropolitana dell'Arte):

• Toledo is a surreal station on Line 1 (L1) of the Naples Metro, named after nearby Via Toledo.

It was designed by the famous Catalan architect Oscar Tusquets Blanca (opened to the public in September 2012) and it was awarded first place in the ranking published by the British “Daily Telegraph” as the most beautiful subway station in Europe and it has also won the 2013 LEAF Award as “Public building of the year”.

Use the elevator to take amazing videos and photos of this surrealistic station.
The Toledo station, grace to his spectacular architecture and works of art, is now among the symbolic places of Naples contemporary Art.

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10.✔ Take a boat trip to Procida, to the island of Capri or a short day trip to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi:


• Procida:

Procida is a small island close to Naples with colorful houses and is still considered as a hidden gem.
You can reach it by a ferry from the port of Naples going to the island of Ischia.
Check the boat timetables and ticket prices here
Procida is suggested as a place to relax by the sea and take wonderful colorful photos (in the Port of Corricella) for your social media accounts.


• Capri:

A boat trip from Naples harbour to Capri, takes from just 40 minutes to one hour and a 25 minutes.
There are regular ferries that travel between the island and Naple's mainland and neighboring Sorrento during the summer period though there are fewer during the winter time.

Ferries from Naples to Capri depart from two ports:
The Molo Beverello (all high speed ferries) and the Calata Porta di Massa (ferries and slow ferries).
The distance in between the two ports (about 15 min. walk) is also covered by a local shuttle bus in 2 minutes time.

From Easter until November, vehicles are prohibited from embarking for the island, with the exception of residents but it's ok; They have an excellent public transportation system.

The ticket for the high speed ferries from Naples to Capri costs around €20 per passenger (one way) and the trip's duration takes 40 minutes, while tickets for the ferry and slow ferries, cost around €15 and it might take you from 50 - 85 minutes long.

The slow Ferry's ticket (one way) from Napoli to Capri costs about €14.80 (departure from Calata Porta di Massa) and the duration is about 1 hour and 25 minutes long.
On returning from Capri to Napoli ticket's prices start at € 12.30 (arrival at Calata Porta di Massa) and the journey time - as mentioned above - is also 1 hour and 25 minutes the most.

The cheapest High Speed Ferry's ticket costs from Naples to Capri costs (from) €21.70 per passenger/one way trip (departure from Molo Beverello) and it takes about 50 minutes to reach the island.

On the other hand the cheapest ticket for your quicker return to Naples port from the island of Capri via high speed ferries, starts at €19/person.

Because the timetable of the route's schedule changes often, double-check it a few days before your travel dates here: naplesbayferry

During the summer, afternoon returning routes can be very crowded and it's a good idea to pre-purchase your return ticket, especially on Sundays, on the eve and on the same day of all the official Italian holidays.

Also in case of high winds and rough seas, contact the ferry company using the phone numbers below to check if routes have been suspended, especially during the winter time.

While you are in Capri, walk through the wonderful Marina Grande, admire the boats in the harbour and then set off to explore the island.
I would suggest to take the (2 euros/person - one way) cable car untill the top of the hill (Capri town) and after wandering around, take the local bus (also 2 euros per person for an one way ticket) to the Anacapri village.
From there with an hour of climbing (alright stop yelling - you can also climb up on a chairlift in only 12 minutes from Piazza Vittoria, Anacapri) you can visit the top of Monte Solaro to admire the unique panoramic views across the island of Capri, the surrounding Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast and as far as the distant mountains of Calabria.

If you visit Capri in the summertime or at least from late spring until early autumn, you can visit the famous Blue Grotto Sea Cave by boat.


• Sorrento:

Sorrento is a town of lemons and the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and the beautiful island of Capri.
It's easy access from Napoli by train, its plural hotels and restaurants and its good public transportation, make Sorrento a good day-tripping base to explore the Amalfi coast, Pompeii, Vesuvius and other attractions of Naples.

The narrow streets of the historic center, a cappuccino in the lively Piazza Tasso and the spectacular sunset from the scenic of the public Villa Comunale park will make your visit memorable - any time of the year!

Check more information about Sorrento in its official tourist website: sorrentotourism

The Express train's ticket from Napoli to Sorrento (with only 4 routes per day on 45 minutes each) costs €8 per person one way.

The slow train's ticket (Circumvesuviana) from Naples Centrale to Sorrento costs about €4 per person and the trip itself takes about one hour.

Lily's EXTRA Safety tip:
Circumvesuviana train is the train that many poor locals use for their transportation, has many stops and is notorious for pickpockets so keep your wallet, your bags or luggage next to you ALL THE TIME.



• Positano, Amalfi coast:

From where I should start for my favorite travel destination: Positano, with its colorful amphitheatric houses, cafes, bars, restaurants and hotels and its beautiful beach in front.
Idyllic, photographic and cinematic stage for every season (with just some sunshine and good weather).
Just over an hour's drive from Sorrento (the distance is 16 kilometers and you can go there with an only 2 euros ticket/per passenger/one way) and is considered to be one of the most chic resorts in the Amalfi Coast.
After arriving to the top of Positano village, a local shuttle bus goes down and - especially - up the hill following the meandering always congested road.
On that bus no Unico Campania tickets are valid!
The charge to ride the orange bus around Positano is €1.30 if you purchase your ticket from a local shop, or €1.70 if you purchase directly from the bus driver.
You will fall in love with Positano for sure!


• Amalfi:

Amalfi was the first Sea Republic of Italy later joined by Pisa, Venice and Genova.
The best way to see the Amalfi coast (from Sorrento) is to take the standard Sita bus - about an hour ride - from outside the railway station. The bus stops off along the way (including Positano) and the views are magnificent.

Lily's EXTRA Travel tip: When you are travelling from Sorrento to Positano and Amalfi, sit on the right side of the bus to enjoy the view.
When travelling on the other way, sit on the left side as well.

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• Summing up on your Naples vacation with some tasteful suggestions:

Naples is a great choice to visit with a wonderful history and present.
Don't forget to try reasonably priced authentic Naples food in small trattorias like:
• the Pizzeria 'Ntretella in the Spanish Quarter. It's famous for its pizzas - especially for those with Buffalo mozzarella.
• The Gino e Toto Sorbillo (is considered to offer not just excellent pizza but the best pizza in Italy - I personally love Elena's Pizza), It's always sooo busy but you can have your pizza take-away.
• the Pizzeria Di Matteo (for its fried pizza),
• την L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele (try its Pizza Margherita),
• the Trattoria Da Nennella (in the Spanish Quarter with genuine Naples atmosphere, a few minutes' walk from Toledo Metro Station),
• the extremely busy L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele (with only two tasteful Pizza options, but it's the place where Pizza Margarita was born)
• the family Italian restaurant A' Cucina Ra Casa Mia (0,2 klm. from Piazza del Plebiscito) or
• Tandem (tasteful meatballs with Genovese and best gnocchi with ragu in town).
• the Pizzeria Starita in the Materdei area, close to the (tried the appetizers with the excellent raw materials, marinara alla Starita and definitely the calzone pizza they offer).

Because many of the above restaurants - trattorias are quite small, I recommend making reservations on busy nights to get a table.

For a unique night experience try the opera house Teatro San Carlo; the oldest opera house still functioning in Europe!

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• Important note:

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♡ Thank you all for your trust and support!
💋 Kisses from the beautiful Naples in Italy!

_{Love Always}
Lily (WasHere)
















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