Does anyone actually like Naples?

[FrodoBiggins]

Going to Naples with my DH end of Sept, then on to Sorrento and Capri start of Oct. Everyone (literally everyone) I've told irl has said Sorrento/Amalfi/Capri are great but Naples not so much. I was really looking forward to it (still am) but I'm a bit confused now - it looks interesting and cool!
For info we're there 5 days, doing Herculaneum and Pompeii so maybe 3 days free. We like history and food. It seemed an obvious choice. I can speak Italian, DH is OK he can get by.
Anyone got any recommendations or is it as "grim" as everyone seems to say?

I absolutely loved it. It's full of rubbish, it's loud and chaotic, it has an amazing energy to it.
Some people really don't like rubbish or 'dirty' places, (indeed on mn it seems unbelievably gross to some to not immediately change out of school uniform the minute you get home due to the dirt and germs on the uniform... Each to their own...) I digress but hopefully you get my point.
Naples has history and amazing food around every corner. It's full of life and energy and I found that inspiring and fun.
You'll get calm beauty and chill time in Sorrento and Capri (although the cruise ship tourists flock to Capri in droves every day).
I'd rather immerse myself in Napolese culture and food than walk around a picture postcard with thousands of American tourists.
The underground Naples tour is meant to be fabulous. I loved the cloister of Santa Chiara. If you like walking/hiking you could climb Vesuvius? I filled 3 days just walking around, looking in old churches, drinking coffee. Wandering around you stumble upon amazing squares, we spent wonderful hours people watching drinking aperativo. I can't wait to go back!

We had a great time! It is a bit edgy in places but we didn’t feel unsafe (apart from crossing the road!). We did a culinary backstreets tour which was fantastic. Tip for the train to Pompeii is go early & don’t forget to validate your ticket on the platform before you get on the train!

I agree with the first reply and would echo everything. It's very much a marmite place though and, aside from the dirt and noise, just a bit too much for some people. DS2, for example, found it completely overwhelming and doesn't care enough for art/history to make it worthwhile.

I love the coast down there but found Sorrento a bit underwhelming.

We didn't like Naples. Caught the train there, and while I was walking along the road across from the station, someone bumped into me hard. I turned and found my bag open. I closed the bag, kept on walking, and the same thing happened again. An unsubtle pickpocket. A big bloke too. That was enough to put us on edge and not enjoy any of it. Tired, dusty buildings, horrible greasy pizza, threatening gangs of kids begging for money at the station. We regretted going.

Having said that, my parents went with a tour group and they were okay.

Hated Naples!

All the other places you mention were lovely. The Amalfi Coast was possibly the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.

Naples though. Insane taxi drivers, the outskirts looked like shanty towns.

I didn’t like it; my daughter did.

I liked Naples a lot. Wouldn’t give you tuppence for Sorrento or most of the Amalfi coast, though, I’m afraid. Boredom in a pretty setting.

I'm 53 and remember my grandparents telling me how 'rough' Naples is, to keep a close eye on your belongings, its not a 'nice' place!

My grandfather was there in WWII and he and grandmother holidayed in the '60s. My parents, me, my DC, have all visited Rome, Sorrento, Pompei, Capri, Vesuvius, Herculaneum, all over, separately and had fabulous times. But....!! My grandparents' 'warning' about Naples has meant that none of us have ever been apart from travelling through 🤭

I loved the chaos and the energy of Naples. Don't go expecting postcard perfect and you'll be fine. Go to Da Michele, one of the original pizzerias, the palace, the street with all the nativity scenes. And sit and people watch! Yes, there are pickpockets. Secure your belongings and enjoy your trip!

Has anyone been to Naples and Marseille? How do they compare as I wondered if they had a similar vibe? Loved Marseille.

I loved it, it’s busy and noisy but so different to the rest of Italy. Castella de oeuf (egg castle) is worth a visit, Herculaneum is better than pompeii and definitely go to Mount Vesuvius. Don’t carry a handbag or wallet: purse in outside pockets, when I was there i carried cash/cards in my bra !! Roads are busy but enjoy the different pace of life and you’ll have sm amazing time x

Naples is a self-sustaining microcosm. It has its own dialect, folklore, dance, theatre and music scene, food culture, social norms and history. Almost Bollywood style IMO*.
As they say “You see Naples, then you die”, meaning anything else pales in comparison.

If you’re interested in digging deep you’ll be rewarded. If not it may seem dilapidated, noisy and dangerous.
DH and 18yo DD went for 5 days last summer. They stayed in the old city, visited the catacombs and ancient history sites and used public transport for the Regia di Caserta and Pompei. They received a hearty and sincere welcome, it’s not all poverty and crime. They did keep a lookout for scams and pickpockets, as you would in any situation, but they had a wonderful time. I was dog sitting at home.

• If you want to see a fun fairytale film about two 1950s Neapolitan orphans stowed away on a ship to New York, try “Napoli-New York” by Gabriele Salvatores. It’ll give you an idea of the Naples spirit. Men, women and children.

Heaving with pickpockets and some areas have a dodgy vibe.

I love it.Going again in October.Sorrento is boring compared to Naples.I did live in Milan for a lot of years,so have been all over Italy.So much history and always somewhere new to explore.

We are staying on the seafront near the port this time.

I speak Italian but the Naples language I don’t understand.

We found Pompeii great and also really enjoyed walking up Vesuvius. Naples was fun but yes, undershirt money/phone belt is better than a handbag😬. Sorrento was pretty ish, Capri just awful (so polluted, dirty and just meh)… hope you find it more enjoyable than we did!

I adore Naples, I’m sure half the people who hate it don’t go much past the train station area (arse end - they really ought to sort that out). The older side and the Spanish quarter are amazing - edgy, yes, but all just raw and real with some stunning architecture and the best pizza in Italy. I much prefer it to Rome or Milan (both of which I love for different reasons).

Loved it, but I like bustling chaotic cities as much as I like beautiful history and nature. I found it really interesting - a real mix of history and edginess with something to look at around every corner whether that was an actual exhibit or attraction or just the little backstreets. I thought the pizza was good too. And we didn’t get pickpocketed or have any trouble

Yes I would say they have a similar vibe, along with Athens. Big port cities. Naples is maybe a bit more run down in the outskirts and has the mafia links too..

Agree with you. I’ve done the underground tour, it’s fascinating.

i found the graffiti and trash disturbing to think that some people think so little of history that they think tagging it is better.
total lack of respect BUT i get that that's a perspective from a tourist and that if it was your ancestral home town you might view it differently. kind of like teens painting their bedrooms black or purple.

Naples is AMAZING. I loved it. Make sure you book to go and see the veiled Christ we didn’t and couldn’t get in as fully booked.

One thing I did find so interesting though about the Graffiti is that the Churches were spotless. Every wall leading up to it would be covered but the Church untouched.

Agree with others that it's marmite. Just don't expect that you'll be sitting in a little square having a relaxing limoncello. In reality there will be multiple mopeds driving past your table.

I liked it but wouldn't spend more than a day or two there.

I absolutely loved Naples. It's bustling and vibrant and full of character. I guess it depends on what you want from a trip. If you're after a relaxing week, Naples probably isn't it. But if you want history and culture and a crazy, beautiful city, you'll have an amazing time.

I love it. I’ve been a few times

As well as Pompei and Herculaneum I recommend the archaeological museum.