I arrived in Naples this morning via a train from Rome. I tried to go to Cappella Sansevero (the Veiled Christ) this afternoon and was told tickets were all gone. I just tried to buy a ticket online and the next available date is next week. Looks like I am not going. So if you plan on going there, I recommend buying a ticket a week in advance. Perhaps it’s particularly busy because of school holidays in Europe, but I thought I had researched things pretty carefully and had no idea I needed a ticket bought a week in advance.
Re: Arte Campania I am really glad that I bought that in advance because it avoided lines and was just so easy to use for the metro. It turns out there is a QR code for cultural activities and another one for transportation. You have to click on a title that says cultural or one that says transportation. Make sure you have your password memorized because you have to sign in basically every time you want to use it (and have an internet connection).
Re: having a working phone—I bought a SIM card at a TIM store in the Naples train station—it’s cheaper than Vodophone (or my Verizon option) and should give me enough data and connectivity for the two weeks I will be here. That being said, I have no idea why I couldn’t connect to the internet while at the National Archaeological Museum (in order to better use the audioguide). So much to figure out when traveling.
So far, being in the Naples train station, taking the metro, walking in spiraling circles to find my hotel (asking Napoli residents didn’t go well), I felt perfectly safe. I just saw lots of exuberant students and people going on about their lives.
Posted by
New York
148 posts
Thank you for the tips, Lauri! I hope you will have a wonderful vacation. I will be in Naples in mid May. Now I know to buy advance tickets for the places I want to see.
I wonder if there is an influx of church visitors because of Holy Week?
Posted by
Washington DC
28372 posts
My thanks, too. I've done a lot of research on Naples this year, and you've uncovered issues I wouldn't have expected. I would never have thought the Capella Sansevero would sell out so far ahead. Perhaps it still has COVID-related capacity limits in place? I see that all my notes say is that the ticket line can be long, so best to buy in advance. Week-long sellouts are something I expect in only really rare situations.
Posted by
Tinton Falls, NJ
792 posts
I'm visiting Naples for 3 nights in July. I just chose an apartment in the Plesbicito area (after viewing hundreds,) but plan to spend time both in the historic center and down by the Lungomare/Castel Dell'Ovo and possibly go to Herculaneam (already been to Pompeii.) I'm into the detailed trip planning, so if anyone has any great pizza/pasta/bakery/shops/sights tips, please share! We will definitely visit the Archeological Museum to see what was stripped from Pompeii!