I can see your Naples.

Naples is not only the pizza capital of the world it’s also the cat capital… catpital. We stayed in Naples for two weeks and I honestly don’t remember doing anything other than eat pizza and try to take pictures of neighbourhood cats. Apparently I did other things in between pizza meals and finding cats. I mean, I have pictures of other things they’re just not as great as pizza or cats.

Our apartment was in this ye olde cloister that had been repurposed as a wool mill during industrialization, and then repurposed again into apartments within the last hundred years or so. It was neat. The original church is still next door with all its loud bells and beautiful art filled interior.

(click here for the panorama if the embedded one doesn’t work, or to see it full screen)

One of my fav non pizza related activities in Naples was the archeological museum. It’s full of ancient Roman artifacts from Pompeii and Hercalaneum. The museum, like Italy, is just lousy with history.

 

My Naples highlights include:

1. Our adorable sun dappled cloister apartment. It was a quiet retreat from the hectic Naples streets.
2. The Tribunali, which is the main vein running through old town. It’s filled with shops and pizza stands. It always felt authentic and not just tailored to the tourist population.
3. I don’t need to say, but obviously pizza makes the list. Neopolitan pizza is world famous for a reason.
4. I’d like to include food in general. They are not kidding around when it comes to cooking. Everything is so fresh and delicious without compromise.
5. Pompeii and Hercalaneum, although not in Naples is one of the main highlights of the area. Visiting these ancient cities was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever done. I will talk more about them in separate posts.

(click here for the panorama if the embedded one doesn’t work, or to see it full screen)

Naples is a hectic city. I learned to be more assertive crossing the street here. There is always a scooter zooming past you or a car refusing to stop for you. We decided the rule of the streets is whoever is there first gets the road, but you better hustle anyways.

I would 100% recommend Naples to everyone and especially for foodies. It’s a little rougher around the edges than my impression of Florence or Rome, but that’s exactly what makes it unique. It’s just a little harder to be a starry eyed tourist while navigating the spiderwebs of narrow streets with cars and scooters speeding by. They love them scooters there. I even saw an entire family (2 adults 2 kids) precariously balanced on one flying through the streets. It was impressive.

~B~

Bonus: Our personalized map of Naples.