safety in Naples

If you are aware and follow common sense suggestions for keeping your things safe, Naples will be fine. For most though, Naples only offers a few sights (the Museum, Pizza, a few other venues) that require being in the city. Consider doing most of your three to four days in Sorrento, much more pleasant plus access to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius, and Amalfi Coast. Once you find a couple Hotel choices (others may have suggestions) ask about transfers to the airport, if timing does not work, then consider someplace closer to the airport for your last night.

We are also a senior couple and last March we spent three nights in Sorrento and three nights in Naples. We visited Pompeii from Sorrento and Ercolano from Naples. The time it would take to move hotels from Sorrento to Naples is not worth it. If you only have 3-4 days we would recommend staying in Naples. You can easily access the train to visit Pompeii or Ercolano and spend the rest of the time exploring Naples. We defied all recommendations and stayed in a hotel in Piazza Garibaldi as it is a 5 min. walk from the train station. We stayed at Hotel Cavour; our room had a terrace with a great view. The hotel included breakfast and had a restaurant which served lunch and dinner. We ate all our dinners in the hotel, great meals, so we were not wandering about at night. The waiters and desk people were very friendly as were the other patrons. We felt completely safe and found the Neopolitans to be very friendly and helpful. Yes, the city has a garbage problem - too many people packed into a small area, but aside from that it was very enjoyable. We visited many churches, the Cathedral, the Archaeological Museum, some castles, and the waterfront over two days and used one day for Ercolano. We expected no problems in Naples and we had none. Hopefully, if you stay there, you will also have a great time!

lorraine, I was also given stern "warnings" prior to visiting Naples, but decided to ignore them and see for myself. One of the Flight Attendants on the flight to Rome was from an Italian family, and indicated that her parents "forbid me from going to Naples". I was only there a couple of days but had no problems at all, despite the fact that I was often wandering around carrying an expensive D-SLR Camera. Of course there are parts of Naples that tourists shouldn't venture into, especially at night (I've been told that the Spanish Quarter is one of those areas). With only a very short 3-4 days, there are a few possibilities. You could certainly spend that in Naples touring the Archeological Museum, the Sansevero Chapel with the "Veiled Christ" (it's incredible!) and stop for a Pastry or whatever at the Gran Caffè Gambrinus. Another option would be to spend three nights in Sorrento, touring Pompeii, Erculano or perhaps a day trip to the Isle of Capri. Move to Napoli for the night prior to your flight. One Hotel you might have a look at is Hotel Chiaia (which is located a short walk from Caffe Gambrinus). The Hotel can arrange transportation to the airport for you. Happy travels!

Lorraine, Naples is fast, loud, confusing. That's what makes it great. The area around the train station is a little rough, with all the hawkers and street vendors, but it is a lot safer than it used to be. Have your hotel address and get a taxi from there. We found the taxi drivers information was invaluable on which areas not to go to. As stated prior, visit the Archaeological Museum, SanSevero Chapel, Pompeii, the outdoor food markets,and the Caffe Gambrinus for pastry. Also, no one goes to the Colosseum of Flavius. It's called the Anfiteatro Flaviano Puteolano in Italian. Take the number two subway to the Pozzuoli Stop. It's the third largest colosseum in Italy. You can walk around, in, and under it. You can still see parts of the gears, that the slaves turned, that lifted the cages of Gladiators, wild animals, trees, plants, Christians, etc,etc, up to the arena floor, through trap doors. It's amazing, and hardly anyone goes there. I don't think RS even mentions it. Make sure to eat pizza or fresh made pasta with prawns, mussels or clams at Brandi. It's on Salita Sant'Anna di Palazzo, number 2, Naples. It's pretty new, having opened a few years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. (1780 or so.) The multi cheese pizza is to die for.
Wear your money belts, be careful and you'll be good. Stay in Sorrento if you have any doubts. Cheers, Crash

I liked staying in the Piazza Dante/Piazza Bellini area. I stayed at a small family-owned B&B (as in, the family lives in an apartment and they rent out a couple of front rooms!) called Bellini 67. It was lovely and to be welcomed into the family was a nice respite after a day in hectic naples. I found that area perfectly safe, close to the sights, transportation, and the pizza, and still a little bit crazy/frenetic too :) Don't let people scare you away. Staying in Sorrento is NOT the same thing and you cannot get the same experience. I was there 4 days, I took one afternoon trip out to the palace of Caserta (well worth it), and saw all the main sites others have mentioned. The Santa Chiara cloisters are stunning, and I enjoyed wandering the Spanish Quarter (in the late morning). The Chiara neighborhood is actually quite upscale and lovely to wander. Really the options for sight-seeing are endless. I enjoyed parking myself on a bench and just watching the time go by, especially in the late afternoon pre-dinner but post-siesta, when you had this awesome mix of zooming scooters, groups of lovely elderly ladies, young kids playing soccer in the street, and everything in between. I felt safe in Naples, and the only thing I did besides typical diligence was not stay out past dark (I was there in May, so that was easy). As for transportation, I took a taxi from the station to my hotel and back and I would recommend that. I also took buses and metro all over and had no problem. And if you stay central, many things are in walking distance. If you do take taxis just watch the meter diligently like you would anywhere else. Enjoy!

To make the most of your time in Naples, checkout the Campagina Arte Card. The three day includes tranportation, but you have only a few sights that are free. The 7 day in my opnion is a better value as all the sights listed are free, but transportation is not included. Metro bus tickets are 1,50 E. You will need to figure out just how much time you will have available. I would also recommend the Reggio Caserta. Short train ride, it' like a mini Versailles I LOVE Naples...its a very vibrant city!
If you want layed back and more upscale, go to Sorrento.

I love Naples, too! I usually stay in the Piazza Garibaldi area, very near the train station (also metro station and some intercity buses). I noticed that women in Naples don't wear gold or expensive jewelry in public, that's the only precaution I would advise beyond the normal awareness you need when traveling in any big city. Naples is unique and unforgettable. If you have a chance to go to one of the islands (I prefer Ischia to Capri because it's less crowded), you'll have the view of Naples and its bay from a beautiful perspective.