Flight to Naples (NAP)

Flying to Naples: tips and information for your trip

Naples (Napoli) is full of old-world Italian charm. A sun-soaked, versatile destination – perfect for a beach holiday or a city break packed with culture and things to do. The Romans, the Normans and the Spanish all wanted to rule Naples, and it’s easy to see why. With two royal palaces, three castles and ancient ruins that include some of Christianity's oldest frescoes, this port town is teeming with history.

But it’s not the architecture that the locals are most proud of, it’s the food. The restaurants in Naples are where you’ll find some of the best pizza, pasta and seafood in all of Italy. So let Brussels Airlines serve you up some cheap flights to Naples and book your holiday today.

What to do in Naples?

1. The Naples region is home to some of the finest landscapes in Italy, and the best place to see it is from the top of the dramatic Mount Vesuvius. The climb up from the nearest car park is not for the faint hearted, but once at the summit, the views are incredible.
   
   
2. At the base of the mountain is Pompeii, an architectural treasure trove. The city was destroyed and then preserved by a volcanic eruption in the year 79 AD. You can now walk through the streets of a city frozen in time, giving you a sense of what life was like in ancient Rome.
   
   
3. If you are catching the train from Naples to Pompeii, make sure to also visit Herculaneum. This was the second major site destroyed and preserved by Mount Vesuvius. While not as large as Pompeii, the details of the houses and streets make this site well worth the journey.
   
   
4. In Naples city centre, the Duomo is a must-see for any walking tour. The neo-Gothic façade is impressive by itself but the real treasure lies inside. The ceiling of the San Gennaro chapel is decorated with a mesmerizing fresco of clouds and angels.
   
   
5. The Castel dell'Ovo, on the coast, is a grand building. From the top, there are excellent views over the bay of Naples. While below, the small port is littered with charming restaurants.
   
   
6. Across the bay, the islands of Capri and Ischia can be reached via the Naples ferry. These two islands are a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, with the beaches there being nicer, and sometimes quieter, than the beach in Naples itself.
   
   
7. For sports fans, S.S.C. Napoli are one of the giants of Italian football. Home games are played in the open-air arena of Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, and it’s well worth catching a game and sampling the renowned atm0sphere.

Practical information for your trip

• Brussels Airlines flies to and from Naples International Airport. You can take a Taxi to go to the city centre. Alternatively, the Alibus shuttle service runs every 10 - 30 minutes, and takes you directly into Piazza Garibaldi, which is the city’s main transport hub. From here various buses and train lines give access to most of the city. The bus to Naples also stops at the Beverello port for those looking to head straight to the islands or down the coast to Sorrento.  
  
  
• Currency: Euro. It is a good idea to have some cash on you in Naples, especially when paying in smaller cafés and restaurants.
  
  
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: : +39. Wi-Fi is available at all major hotels, and restaurants.
  
  
• Electric sockets: Sockets in Italy use type C and F European dual-pronged plug sockets, with most having a voltage of 220-240Vs.
  
  
• Travel Information: When visiting Naples, all travellers should make sure to have a passport which is valid for the duration of their trip. Passengers travelling from outside of the EU should check visa requirements.

Dos and Don’ts in Naples

• There is no better way to see Naples than on foot. But, do make sure to pack a good pair of comfortable shoes. You can spend hours walking in the city, and both Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii require half a day on foot, even when on a walking tour.
  
  
• In the summer, do make sure to bring plenty of water on your day trips, as the trains out can be particularly crowded and hot.
  
  
• A local Naples guide can be a big help in avoiding queues and seeing the best bits of these enormous sites.
  
  
• Naples’ transport connections make it a great base for exploring the rest of southern Italy.
  
  
• Shopping in Naples is among the best in Italy, so do make sure to leave plenty of room in your suitcase. The city’s winding streets are home to all manner of workshops and craft stores, so you can bring back unique gifts and souvenirs.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

Here are some simple phrases to help you get by:

• "Come va?" is the formal way of asking how someone is, and Sto bene, grazie means “I’m fine, thank you”.
• "Mi chiamo…" means “My name is…” and "Sono di ..." means “I am from…”.
• In Naples, and in the surrounding islands and ruins maps can be vital. To ask “can you show me on the map how to get there?” is “Mi puo' mostrare sulla mappa come si va?”.

Cultural events

• May. Maggio dei Monumenti. A celebration of Neapolitan culture. Free guided walks, wine and food tasting, and performances spring up all across the city.
  
  
• June. Napoli Teatro Festival Italia. A month-long theatre extravaganza – everything from street performers to events at Naples’ opera house.
  
  
• May, September, December. Festa del Patrocinio di San Gennaro. Three times a year the city locals squeeze into the Duomo, to witness the miraculous transformation of San Gennaro's blood from dried form to liquid. It is said that should the transformation ever fail the city will be struck by disaster.

When to go to Naples?

Because of its climate, it’s almost always an excellent time to go to Naples. The average temperature in the summer can be a bit stifling (over 30 degrees Celsius is common) and tourist attractions can get very busy, so you may want to avoid the crowds from June to September. However, if the weather is too hot or if you experience the odd day of rain there is plenty to do in the city, and lots of museums and galleries to take refuge in if you need to escape Naples’ weather.

What to eat in Naples?

The food in Naples is among the best in the world. Naples nightlife revolves around dining in the restaurants down by the sea. Its mix of pizza, pasta, and seafood is matched perfectly by the Campania region’s fantastic local wine selection.

• The Campania region is famous for its mozzarella di bufala, and any meal in Naples wouldn’t be the same without an antipasto of this delicate cheese.
  
  
• Because the cheese is so good Naples restaurants tend to keep their pizzas simple. Neapolitan pizza is mozzarella, tomato sauce, garlic and oregano – simple perfection.
  
  
• The first pasta factory was opened in Naples in 1840. Spaghetti alle Vongole, spaghetti and clams, is a local favourite.