Naples—-hotel, sightseeing, and transport to the airport

I did a lot of research on Naples before spending a week there last winter. I mapped all the points of interest I encountered, and I wasn't very discriminating--a pretty church, a cute square, a quirky building are all worthwhile to me. Nonetheless, except for the Porta Capuana northwest of Napoli Centrale, I have a big, empty area extending in front of the station all the way to a cluster of sights around the Duomo. Near the Duomo you have Pio Monte della Misericordia, the fabulous San Gennaro Treasury (pre-book). Beyond Pio Monte you can entertain yourselves with people-watching on Spaccanapoli.

I know I was over in the area just in front of the train station at least twice, but I don't remember it as being especially interesting; I might just not have been on the right blocks.

The Capella Sansevero is probably less than 1.5 miles from the train station. Entry must be pre-booked. The Archaeological Museum isn't much more than 0.5 miles from the Capella.

With limited time, I would go to the Archeological Museum, then do Rick’s walking tour (or part of it as you walk back). Take a taxi to the museum if you’re short in time. Not that expensive. Ask for flat rate.

To get to the airport, I would take a cab, esp for two people. Verify cost at your hotel. They can call you a cab and come out and verify the rate w your driver. We found taxi drivers always resisting flat rates in Naples with an amusing litany of excuses. Part of the experience.

We did not feel unsafe walking around Naples, even by the train station. Just stay aware of your surroundings. One guy was targeting my partner’s daypack. They would have gotten a raincoat and an umbrella and maybe our Michelin guide. I glared at him and he disappeared.

We loved Naples!

Thanks, everyone. I just reviewed the train schedule, and it appears we will not get to Naples until 15:30, so 4 pm before we are checked in at our hotel. Google says it is 0.5 mile to walk from there to the Duomo, so I think we will just wander over that way and see what we can find.

Update: after looking around at hotels, and considering my husband’s request that, now that we are “older” and can afford nicer places, I have decided to stay near the Museo Archeologico instead of near the train station. It looks like a better area for walking, and we can taxi there from the train station, and from there to the airport to meet our group.

Lola, our 3 week Italy vacation (next month) ends in Naples. I booked a room for 3 nights at Hotel Piazza Bellini in the historic area. It came highly recommended on this forum. It’s less than a 10 minute walk to the Archaeological Museum. Maybe check it out?

Jane, I am smiliing at your post. That is the same hotel I chose! I looked at Google maps for hotels close to the Museo, read reviews on 3 of them, and Hotel Piazza Bellini came out the winner. My husband likes the name (he is an opera fan). 😊