Help me feel better about Naples

[flitwit99]

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.

Be very careful near the train station.

I'd honestly cut my loses on the hotel and book somewhere anywhere else.

If you want to cancel, dm me and I'll happily go back! Seriously, you'll have a great time - you'll walk miles, be sick of all the car horns tooting, and the mopeds but you'll never eat pizza the same way again, you'll fold it in half and shove it in your mouth like the natives do! Have a wonderful holiday.

Why not check the reviews of the hotel on trip advisor? (Or tell us 😊) I can recommend the Hotel Alpha near Sorrento. The head waiter there was lovely. So friendly.

*Be very careful near the train station.

I'd honestly cut my loses on the hotel and book somewhere anywhere else*

Very careful of what? What might happen to us?
Why do people have such strong opinions on it being a terrible place? Honestly, I've never heard anyone say such negative things about any other city.

Whatever you do, don't watch the film of TV series 'Gomorrah'. Although they are fantastic, they are not flattering to Naples.

No idea, seemed fine to me!

I guess pickpockets? But really, it's absolutely, totally fine.

You know how tourists on the tube wear their backpacks on their front because they've been told that the underground is a den of theft and iniquity? I'm pretty sure it's the same with Naples. It's perfectly safe and the people were genuinely lovely (gave me directions, great with kids).

Went last year and didn’t see anything like burning rubbish! We stayed nearby and went for the day twice. It was busy and hectic but I didn’t feel unsafe at all.

Salerno is lovely and not far away.

It didn’t feel any more unsafe or strange than any other Italian city I’ve been in. There is a lot of litter but some places are like that.

It wasn’t the ghetto described above!

I didn’t really like it near the train station because the beggars were very persistent. A little boy aged around four was approaching people and tugging on their clothes, asking for money. It made me feel very uncomfortable. Felt sorry for him, but also concerned re pick pockets. Lots of graffiti, rubbish and rough sleepers with alcohol during the day. The little train gets really packed, and again constantly approached by small children begging.

I love Naples. It is a bit grubby and rough around the edges but it is also exciting, atmospheric and beautiful with a faded grandeur. Is it more risky than Barcelona? Genuine question bye.

My sister and mum got stranded there courtesy of BA during a summer holiday in. 2017. My sister is very well travelled, very confident, bollishy lawyer who I wouldn’t mess with. She said she had never felt so unsafe and vulnerable in all her life. They nearly had their bags stolen by a pick pocket and a man went up to my elderly mum and started showing lots of interest in a gold necklace she was wearing. My sister was fairly certain he was going to grab it and she bundled my mum into a hotel lobby to get away from him. She has sworn never to go back!

We went to Naples a couple of years ago with two pre-teen dc. I was unbelievably nervous before we went. However, we had an absolute blast, fell in love with the vibrancy of the place and didn’t feel unsafe at all.

The people were warm and friendly and proud of their city. The food was wonderful. We thought it was a beautiful city and no dirtier than any other big city. I wore a money belt because of its reputation and we were wary round the train station because of the reputation but we had no problems. We stayed centrally which may have helped.

Worst thing was when the taxi tried from the airport to rip us off massively. If you’re getting a cab when you arrive, ask your hotel roughly what the journey will cost. And yes the driving is bonkers!

I thought it was lovely. We stayed in the centre for a couple of nights before going to Ravello. It was authentic, the people were lovely and the food amazing. It's not glossy if that is what you are looking for but I loved Palermo as well although some people thought it strange I would visit there.

We stayed near the train station, in the roughest part. Our apartment was above a sex shop. It's not dangerous, just poor with lots of hookers at night. It was good fun- added a bit of character to the holiday.

If you are staying near the station then it will be dingy but most of Naples is either upmarket and glamorous or touristy.

@yikesanotherbooboo I found Barcelona very unsafe. There was blatant pickpocketing of an elderly British couple in front of us in a queue for quite a touristy attraction. Nothing was done and even when they were spotted they still persevered trying to get the poor old man's money belt.

Also meant to add having dc really helped. Youngest had to put up with lots of head patting from strangers! Thanks

I hate to worry you more OP but I have never felt as unsafe in any city as I did in Naples.
I would never go again, I couldn't say that of any other city I've visited.
There seemed to be a general air of menace that I've never experienced before.
We were staying in Sorrento & went for a day trip with my two young DDs.
Eventually we were surrounded by a scary group of people who attempted to nick my husband's wallet, then became menacing when my husband shouted when he felt a hand in his pocket.
My appeals for help to the railway worker sitting behind a counter close by were ignored, he'd seen it all & did nothing.
This was in the middle of Naples not some dodgy backstreet area.
We raced back to the station to get a train out of there feeling like no one was safe to even ask for help.
I'm still haunted by the very young girl in the group being hugged by a nasty looking much older man.
Just all felt so sordid.
Chatting to other hotel guests & every single one had had some kind of unpleasant experience on a day trip to Naples.
The rest of the area is wonderful though, don't miss Herculaneum.
Just get the train out of Naples each day.

Oh dear. I'm not going to read any more. I'll just worry even more and it can't be changed now. We're going, we'll survive and we'll have fun. And if it's terrible we can laugh about it when we are back home.

My two mates went there, separately last year - both said they loved it.

I wish I were going, OP.

Hope you have a great time 😊

We treated it the same as any big city and were sensible. Had the best pizza of our lives (would go again just for that) went out at night for dinner no problem and loved the museum (and secret room 🍆). We also stayed further down the coast to visit Herculaneum, Vesuvius etc. Still say it was our favourite holiday. I’d choose Naples over Cairo anytime 😬

@flitwit99 Seriously, it's fine. I've traveled all around the world as a solo female and I took my infant DS there solo six months or so ago.

I've been all through rural Africa and sketchy parts of Brazil etc where you're warned against being a female traveler. I'd laugh if someone warned me against Naples. Baby and I were out late at night walking to and fro no issues. It's an interesting city and you'll be with your husband and kids. You'll be fine.

eyesbiggerthanstomach my point exactly. Barcelona and Naples have a lot in common imo. B is a wildly popular holiday destination despite being well known for having an underbelly , N is the same. OP you will have a great time, there is loads to see and do there and within easy striking distance

I went a few years ago, absolutely loved the city.
Didn't feel unsafe or threatened at all.
Fabulous food and interesting sites. We stayed up high and had stunning views across the city and the bay. We caught boats to Sorrento and Capri, and did a trip to Pompeii.
I would thoroughly recommend it as a city break!