4 nights in Naples

Keep walking around at night to a minimum. Use taxis espec at night. Beware of your surroundings especially at naples train station. I felt ok as a tourist there a few yrs back.

Agreed don't walk around much after dark, take taxis.

Take a bag just keep non value items like sweater umbrella etc not cash cc or camera.
Don't keep anything in outside bag pockets except water & map!

You won't be touched mugged or robbed by weapon..unless you are really unlucky flashing cash or expensive watches etc. It is a poor area known for petty crime, bag grabs and pickpocketing...

It is a great city, gets bad press from many U.S. Tourists...I live in NYC and love Naples!

As for day trip, I recommend Herculano on short trip of 4 nights, as it is better preserved and can be seen in 1.5 hours without a guide; this means you can see the Archeological Museum in Naples on the same day! That leaves one day for Capri and two for the rest of Naples.

Keep all cash and cards passport under clothing!! Easy to do in November. Not in jacket that you will take off in restaurants etc!

I use under clothing pouch for extra cc, big cash like 500-700 Euros and passport
I keep a color paper copy of passport elsewhere on me. I use a bra stash, Google it, you want 2 strap style for my daily credit card and about 100 Euros this I take out but don't unhook in shops restaurants to pay..keeping about 20-30 Euros in coin and small bills in another pocket for small purchases not requiring a credit card.

In November pickings are slim so don't be a victim;)

I recommend Una Hotel Napoli very highly as I have stayed 4-6 times! Near Cental train states/ easy access to port by bus in 15-20 minute/traffic at most. Easy to take taxi to dinner etc
The immediate area around the station is gritty but just don't interact with anyone or leave bags without your hands on them!

Enjoy!

Hopefully the pockets for your phone and credit card is a front pocket with zippers to give you at least even odds of keeping them.

The typical phone in back pocket, so common here, is likely to be a gift to the expert pick pockets of Naples

The area immediately around the train station is being remodeled, much more attractive than it was several years ago.

I would take a daybag or messenger bag, just for water and a sweater if nothing else. I like hands-free when walking around,

Use a cross body purse or messenger bag for your phone, umbrella, coin purse, water and sweater.

I don't know how Naples has gotten such a bad reputation.
I've spent well over 3 months in the past and never had a problem.

While it can be a bit raw and gritty, it has an amazing amount of things to see besides Pompeii and the archeological museum. Both of which are wonderful.

This is a cute well located BnB.

http://www.orsini46.it/index_en.html

Look at the http://www.campaniartecard.it/artecard_Regione.cfm

The 3 day card includes 2 free sites and 50% off others, plus transportation both in Naples and along the Amalfi Coast.
Bus, metro, Circumvesuvian, and the Sita bus on the AC.

It will pay for itself just for the sites you mentioned.

Have a great time, and just be aware of your surroundings.
You'll have a wonderful trip.

We just spent a week in Naples and had no difficulty. We rode the metro and buses and did a lot if walking. We stayed in the Vomero neighborhood which I highly recommend. It's quiet and safe and has wonderful restaurants and cafes. Feel free to send me a private message if you have any questions.

We only spent one day in Naples, but felt no discomfort at all. Regarding respect for law, we actually saw more cars parked on sidewalks in Athens than we did in Naples. But many Naples streets are very narrow, making it important to watch for cars and motor scooters when you walk through a narrow passage. We saw no crime or unpleasantness in the daytime. We didn't happen to go out at night.

On the other hand, I almost lost my wallet to a "gypsy" boy in Rome. Since then, I wear an under-clothing belt pouch whenever I go out abroad. Don't let hearsay and urban legends spoil your plans for Naples. Cities can be intimidating to people who don't walk around them every day. Being isolated in an SUV in suburban American has its down side.

I personally recommend Pompeii over Herculaneum, especially since you may have less heat and sun to worry about. However, Herc is a shorter train ride. It is not helpful to imagine that you have seen "everything" at Herculaneum, because it simply is a less-excavated city than Pompeii. For example, our host, Rick notes that even Pompeii must have had a Synagogue. It just hasn't been found. One small reason to favor Pompeii is that you can have a quick, touristy lunch inside it, rather than spending two hours on a "slow food" lunch on the street in modern Herculaneum. (No food inside the excavation.) That can be helpful for tourists trying to accomplish a lot in one day. (Look up November sunset times and one hour earlier excavation closings.)

I was on my own in Naples for 4 days in February, often walking back to my hotel near the train station at 10-11 p.m. There were always people out and about and I never felt threatened (except when trying to cross a street). Just take normal precautions.

I can tell you that the town of Herculaneum is not a place you want to eat lunch...and for a 1.5-2 hour visit, you won't starve...LOL just head back to Naples and eat lunch!

If you are very into Pompeii from reading about it etc...go enjoy...just keep in mind it is about 40 times larger than Herculaneum...very spread out and requires planning and selection of what you want to see and is clearly A LOT more walking.

This is one person's blog that shares her thoughts on the sights, obviously if you are very interested..see both, but with only 4 days in the area you may want to have time to explore the city...and Capri etc

http://sedimentality.com/pompeii-or-herculaneum-how-to-choose-for-a-day-trip-from-naples-or-sorrento/

Enjoy!

I carry a small inexpensive backpack for a sweather and a small folding umbrella. i've never been the target of pick pocketers in Naples or elsewhere in Italy. The main recommendation to stay safe is to plan out your route before you leave a secure place. Also, stay alert and walk with purpose.