Naples, Italy's sun-kissed jewel in the south, is a city steeped in history and brimming with vibrant energy. From its ancient streets in the historic centre to the culinary delights of Neapolitan pizza and seafood, Naples offers a sensory feast. Explore its rich culture, stunning coastline and fiery spirit.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Naples’ Centro Storico is full of monuments, churches and piazzas that retain the imprint of the area’s long and eventful history. To see several chapters of history in one building, visit the Naples Duomo, whose Gothic facade gives no hint of the Greek, Roman and Paleo-Christian ruins that lie underneath the church. Around the corner is the oldest spire in Naples, the Obelisco di San Gennaro. Erected in 1636, the spire was built in gratitude to Saint Gennaro for protecting the city from the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Santa Chiara is another highlight of Centro Storico. This religious complex features a church, a monastery, tombs and an archaeological museum.
Journey back in time with a visit to the one-of-a-kind city of Pompeii. When Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD, the impact was catastrophic. A large cloud of debris was ejected into the atmosphere, covering the region in volcanic ash. Then, a searing combination of pumice and ash as hot as 704 degrees Celsius rolled down the mountain at 70 miles per hour, destroying everything in its path – including the city of Pompeii. For 1,500 years, the ruins remained buried under a layer of lapilli (burning fragments of pumice stone). Today, a visit to the lost city is the world’s most fascinating and haunting archaeological experience.
Teetering on an almost vertical cliff ledge and surrounded by gorgeous turquoise water, Sorrento is a picture-perfect seaside town. You could easily spend hours wandering around Sorrento’s cobbled streets and exploring its designer boutiques, historic buildings and lively piazzas. It is from this area of Italy that limoncello originated, so be sure to attend a tasting session – nothing compares to a sip of limoncello made with real Sorrento lemons. Later on, an afternoon stroll across the peninsula will reward you with breathtaking views out across the bay towards Naples, Mount Vesuvius and the Isle of Capri.
Which cruise lines sail to Naples?
