Thanks to someone either on this forum or Tripadvisor, I discovered B&B Orsini46 in Naples. When clicking on the rooms I was drawn in by the blue of the Procida room. It looks perfect for me, even though it is small. I told my husband that it is a sign to book that room, as I had decided on Sunday that I want to add a day trip to Procida. The property on the 3rd floor of a 9th century building gets rave reviews, the price is right, waterfront location, washing machine on site, and thus far I have received excellent communication and prompt replies to my questions. When I told my husband that this B & B was in the Santa Lucia area, he brought up the episode of Andy Griffith where Gomer sang Santa Lucia. We had to watch it for a laugh.
I'm sure there will be mixed feedback on whether or not Santa Lucia is an ideal location for someone spending 5 nights in Naples. I am a walker, so miles on my feet won't be a problem. I know it will be close to the ferry to Procida and a number of interesting sites, including the Lungomare, Plebiscito and more. The Archaeological Museum and Sanserveso are about 40 minutes, 2 miles, perfect for me as I love to walk to stumble on unexpected finds. One of the catacombs is about 50 minutes. I will be taking the train to Pompeii and on another morning visit Herculaneum.
I need to figure out the location of the train station that I will arrive at/depart from and head out to Pompeii. Also, I need to get a grasp of the bus/metro and the 4 funicular routes to see if any of those work in my favor or just to take for an experience.
Advice appreciated once again.
Posted by
Washington DC
28249 posts
I didn't get that far south during my winter 2023 stay in Naples, but the walk along the waterfront down there is said to be nice, and I see plenty of restaurants not too far from that B&B. It looks like a fair walk to the nearest Metro station (Municipio), so be sure you're good with that. Keep in mind that Naples is a very hilly city. The incline is reasonably gradual on the way to the Capella Sansevero and the Archaeological Museum, but you'll definitely know you're going uphill. You must pre-book the Capella because it sells out.
Google Maps will give you a good idea of how challenging an uphill walk will be if you ask it to plot the walk. Google uses 20 minutes per mile as its standard walking speed. If you see a time estimate appreciably longer than that, it's because there is gnarly terrain to negotiate, which in Naples probably includes flights of stairs. There are also cobbles in some areas, and some pavement that was slick when wet. I don't normally plot walking routes on Google Maps, I just look at where I am and where I want to go and head on out. In Naples Google Maps is really a good idea; it may save you from walking into a dead end and having to double back. It's not always easy to see from the map that the street you're walking on doesn't actually intersect with the one you're looking for because the latter is 30 feet higher.
It gets quite steep up toward the Capodimonte Museum, ending with a 131-step staircase (I counted). I'd recommend some form of transportation to that museum; unfortunately, there's no Metro station up there. The San Martino complex and Castel Sant'Elmo are up on a hill west of the city center. I don't recommend walking up or down from the east side of the hill; there were a lot of steps littered with broken glass; a stumble could lead to an emergency-room visit for stitches. Taking the Metro to Vanvitelli and approaching from the west might be better.
The Circumvesuviano train to Herculaneum Pompeii departs from the Piazza Garibaldi Station located right beneath Napoli Centrale. The Piazza Garibaldi Metro station is right there.
You might benefit from one of the ArteCards. I used the regional (Campania) version, which covers Pompeii, Herculaneum, etc., but there's also a Napoli card. The latter has some transportation benefits, I think. Don't try to buy an ArteCard locally; I went on two wild-goose chases trying to find a place to do that since the line at the train station is reportedly usually too long. (Perhaps the Napoli card can be bought at one of the participating museums; the Campania card cannot.) You can download the app and buy the card in the app. Be sure to make note of your transaction/card number in case the app stubbornly refuses to open when you arrive at a museum (it appened to me twice). If you show the transaction/card number to the ticket checker, it will be accepted.
Posted by
Firenze, Italy
1723 posts
I tell you a story; sorry for the negative vibes. About 10 years ago or so I had a work to do at Teatro di S. Carlo (the opera house) and my hotel was booked on the sea front (I believe hotel Continental, but not sure now). My colleague from the Naples opera told me that walking along via S. Lucia is safe (we walked there a few times) and I believe the area east of via S. Lucia, elegant palaces on an area reclaimed from the sea, is also safe. But it is better not to venture west of via S. Lucia, the so called Pallonetto area - very pictoresque but a place where even the police prefers not to be.
Being in Italy, I do not know the Andy Griffith story. But together with the classical 19th century "Santa Lucia" song by Teodoro Cottrau, there is a very moving song from early 20th century, "S. Lucia luntana", about the Naples emigrants whose last peek on the city from the sea was S. Lucia.
Posted by
OP
86 posts
After more research, as much as I thought the B&B Orisini46 would be wonderful, it seems that it is not the best option for me due to its location. I am now looking into the 319 Al Duomo B & B, which is much closer for the attractions I wish to see, getting to the train for two day trips and arrival and not far from the port for my day trip to Procida. THe area looks nice on google maps. The price is also reasonable, and I can get a 10% discount with booking.com's genius rate; though booking via the property's site could be cheaper. The only negative, but not a deal breaker, is that there is no washer, though laundry services are offered for a fee. I have airbnbs picked out for Florence and Rome, but I have not yet found an airbnb in Naples that I'm sure of. This looks like a solid choice.
Posted by
lexington, il
4105 posts
This map gives you transportation options and attractions.
https://www.mapsta.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Mappa-integrata-transporti-napoli.pdf
I recommend enlarging it as big as possible. And take it with you. The busses are the ABCs they have the bus# and show you the direction of travel.
Metro is pretty easy. You’ll probably only use 2 of the lines.
Pompeii and Herculaneum are reached by using the Circumvesuvian, which is located in the lower level of Napoli Centrale.
https://www.visitpompeiivesuvius.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule
Stops are Ercolano and Pompeii Scavi
Campania Arte Card
https://cbnapoli.it/campania-artecard-eng/
This pass will save you $$
Posted by
75 posts
I see you have changed hotels, but I was going to post that there's absolutely nothing wrong with that location. I stayed earlier this year at Rex Lifestyle Hotel, very nearby B & B Orsini 46. I'm a walker and walked everywhere from there, day and night.
Previously we have stayed at Hotel Piazza Bellini. Great hotel, but I wouldn't say it's a "better" location. Closer to some things, farther to others.
Anyway, have a good trip.
Posted by
2 posts
Just got back from Italy last week. If you are going to Pompeii and Archeological museum it is a no brainer to get the Arte Campania card. I got the three day and it gets you 2 free entrances to museums and unlimited public transportation. Paid $41. To go to Pompeii and Archeological Museum would cost $40. The first two places you scan it at are free so I would wait and make sure to use them for these 2 because they are the most expensive and just pay like normal and any you go to inbetween or before. We took the metro a bunch and also the train from naples to pompeii is included its a no brainer. Dont activate it until you get there on the app. Each person should create their own account on the app and buy it through that account so they can log in on their own phone. When you activate it screen shot the 2 qr codes and use them as your tickets/metro pass. Metro does not always have a scanner or the scanner doesn't work just show someone working. Worker told us to just use the handicap lane that opens automatically if it wouldn't scan or no scanner. You will find mixed reviews about this card because of how it doesn't scan sometimes or there is no scanners but EVERY worker knows about this card. Even if you don't use public transport paying the extra $1 is well worth it because you already have your tickets, and you have the option of the metro. you do not need to wait in the buying line you can just go up and go through. Except in pompeii we waited in the very short "free or discount ticket" window and they scanned the app and printed tickets, not sure if the app would have scanned at the gate.
Posted by
Upstate NY
40 posts
I’ve stayed at Orsini 46 each of the three times I’ve visited Naples solo and will return there in July. It’s a wonderful B&B run by a lovely family and I’m already looking forward to being in “my” room (Procida!) and enjoying their hospitality. I love the location, especially during the summer with its proximity to the water, and it makes catching a ferry to Ischia very easy. I grew up outside of NYC and find Naples to be lively, rather than particularly “gritty,” and more diverse than many other areas I’ve visited in Italy. Enjoy your time there.