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Original poster

Help me feel better about Naples

122 replies

flitwit99 · 24/03/2019 21:30

We are going to Naples in a few weeks, mainly so we can visit Pompeii and the like. We are staying for 4 nights. I had thought we might stay somewhere else but dh has booked Naples. He said it was fine when he stayed there in 1988.
Everyone I have spoken to says Naples is horrible, dangerous, unsafe. We will have 3 kids with us, does that mean people will be nicer to us or be more likely to pickpocket us?
I have travelled all over the world and have never been this paranoid but I honestly have not heard anyone say a single good thing about Naples. Surely it can't be that bad? We'll be out and about most of the day but it sounds like there are lots of areas you wouldn't want to be in in the evenings.
Please help me feel better.

OP posts:
RumpoleoftheBaileys · 24/03/2019 21:34

Sorry - having been there I can't say anything to contradict what you've been told. We did have some nice pizza though.

FirstNameTiredLastNameAlways · 24/03/2019 21:35

We're going in May... eek Shock

poseybobblehat · 24/03/2019 21:36

Stayed in Sorrento when I went there. Naples was dirty, covered in graffiti and I didn't feel safe.

TrySinging · 24/03/2019 21:36

Haven't been either but have heard similar tales from two different trusted friends within the last year.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 24/03/2019 21:37

We went there recently and it was honestly lovely. I never felt unsafe and I also never felt like people were trying to rip us off.

There are people whizzing around on mopeds and I have no doubt there are bag snatchers so of course you would keep your bag across your body rather than on one shoulder. And the area round the main station felt like it might feel a bit risky after dark.

When I went as a student in the 90s I felt constantly on edge so was pleasantly surprised this time round. It definitely compared well with Rome, where I have had several attempts at pickpocketing me.

DramaAlpaca · 24/03/2019 21:38

I wouldn't be keen on Naples either, tbh.

elQuintoConyo · 24/03/2019 21:39

I lived in Palermo for 2 years, people from Naples were horrified!

I'm sure it'll be fine, just keep your wits about you.

burritofan · 24/03/2019 21:41

We were in Naples last autumn; it was wonderful, didn't feel unsafe at all, ate the most wonderful street food, pastries, gelato and cheap pizzas the size of bicycle wheels; DP wandered around with his wallet in his back pocket like always, both felt totally safe at all times. I spent a lot of time napping at the hotel (first trimester) so DP wandered around alone a lot too, it was fine. Even had the "we are clearly tourists" markers of standing on street corners staring at maps on iPhones or reading guidebooks. Loved it there!

Wintersnowdrop · 24/03/2019 21:41

We stayed in Sorrento a couple of years ago and went to Naples to visit the Archeological Museum. We traveled from Sorrento on the local train. There were a several beggars on the train and in the station at Naples, including very young children, seemingly alone, who were quite persistent. Going to the museum, I did feel a bit wary, just seemed quite rough, lots of litter.
I loved Sorrento, and Pompei and Herculanum, it’s a great place to visit. Beautiful scenery further down the coast. Any chance you could change your accommodation? We stayed in a nice little place just up from Sorrento, SAN agello ? I think it was called.

Bobbybobbins · 24/03/2019 21:42

Liked it too though crossing road felt risky at times!!

Keener · 24/03/2019 21:43

I’ve never been there, but I have Neapolitan friends, and I’d love to, for the art, architecture and food. No, it’s not pretty, and you should keep safety in mind, and not hang around the Piazza del’ Gesù at night, but I envy you.

Fraula · 24/03/2019 21:44

My friend is from there and took her young kids there for a holiday. They had a great time! Lively, energetic people... embrace it!

adulthumanwolf · 24/03/2019 21:46

Eh, we went to Ischia via Naples a couple years ago. Unless you're a very streetwise family I'd advise holding onto your phones and wallets or you'll lose them sharpish. Just try not to look like a tourist.

Weird but beautiful city, with constant low level crime. I nearly got hit by a car and had a dodgy chap trying to get my wallet off me within 30 minutes.

Original poster
flitwit99 · 24/03/2019 21:48

Any chance you could change your accommodation

Sadly not, he's booked some sort of non-refundable deal so we can't get our money back.
I'm sure it will be fine, it's not like it's a war zone or anything. It's mainly the eating out at night part I'm a bit worried about. But we'll be eating early I suppose because of the kids, then back to the hotel.

OP posts:
Original poster
flitwit99 · 24/03/2019 21:49

Weird but beautiful city, with constant low level crime

Really? This is not making me feel any better.

OP posts:
TheSheepofWallSt · 24/03/2019 21:49

Naples is mad, dirty, busy, elbowy... and utterly fabulous. It’s so alive- and real.

Honestly, go with an open mind and you might be surprised.

Iggity · 24/03/2019 21:50

We spent one day there, don’t remember much about it apart from driving there and seeing loads of burnt rubbish along roads and cars overtaking us on both sides. We were glad to get out alive. I wouldn’t go back. Nothing happened to us while we were there and car was parked up during day and was fine.

Original poster
flitwit99 · 24/03/2019 21:50

I've never heard of any British tourists being murdered or kidnapped, right?

OP posts:
CherryPavlova · 24/03/2019 21:50

We had the most fantastic week in Naples. Absolutely fell I need love with the place. Went out because a friend’s daughter was doing Erasmus there.
Drive from airport was truly terrifying, it’s true.
Buildings covered in graffiti so looks really rough until..
You step behind doors and find the most amazing interiors. Just simply stunning artworks and architecture hidden behind the heavy doors.
We walked everywhere in the city and found a real warmth and welcome. Watched football with a group in a piazza - loud but very friendly. We’re pers to free liqueur by a restaurateur in very generous glasses.
Fantastic pizza - one place only did marguerita, was very crowded, had checked plastic table cloths but was absolutely the finest pizza I have ever eaten. It’s the oldest pizza place in Naples, I think.
Food was far superior and cheaper than Verona, Florence or Rome.
Lots to see and do. Christmas alley was intriguing. The theatre was stunning.
Our hotel was lovely. Shopping was good.
We did circumvesuviana to Herculaneum. It was easy and safe. Scruffy, mind. Plenty of buskers but just say no. Herculaneum was spectacular.
Preferred it to Pompeii. Pompeii was good though.
We did a day trip,out to Ischia and swam in very warm seas and pottered around in October. Good fun.
We went down to Sorrento which was nice enough but dull.

Our friends daughter was there for six months and worst thing she suffered was homesickness. Go with an open mind, a willingness to engage with locals and open doors.

Prometheus · 24/03/2019 21:52

Just don't take anything valuable out with you. Keep your cash in your bra and don't go walking round with an iPhone!

mrswarthog · 24/03/2019 21:53

Went last Easter, was the most uncomfortable place I've ever been and I've travelled & worked across Europe, North Africa & the Middle East. I'm a nearly 50, 5'11, slim, confident, bolshy & obviously Northern European woman. Was with my DH and DC. We were staying in a naice part of Naples but I have never felt so unsafe & threatened.

RHTawneyonabus · 24/03/2019 21:53

It had this like air of menace about it, not really sure how to describe it. It’s such an interesting place. I loved it though. The food was fabulous

Keep your wits about you at all times and you’ll be okay.

Awks · 24/03/2019 21:55

We went the year before last for a week with our 2 teenage daughters and had the best time! It's hilly, hot, teeming with people and scooters, friendly, sweaty, graffiti marked a nd bloody marvellous.

We went to Rome, Sorrento, Herculaneum, Pompeii and up Vesuvius mostly on the commuter train with some taxis and spent lots of time just mooching the city.

Highlights were the 1€ aperol bar, the pizzas, the veiled Christ statue, the wonderful bars in the touristy bit near the castle on the harbour, the free snacks at supper time, the absolutely beautiful scenery.

We were just talking about Naples tonight and what a great time we had. Only downside, the mozzies. Brutal.

JuniorAsparagus · 24/03/2019 21:55

I went to Naples in January 2018 with DD. We were fine. It did not feel unsafe.
It is dirty though - levels of rubbish and dog poo much higher than here.

Bayleyf · 24/03/2019 21:55

I was in Naples in December and loved it. Fabulous architecture, one of the best archaeology museums in the world, and amazing food of course.

I didn't notice any crime, and no more begging than in London (which is a horrific amount, but that's another issue).

Yes there's litter and the traffic is insane. But you'd have to be quite a delicate flower for that to put you off a holiday.