Where to Stay in Naples 🇮🇹: Best Areas, Neighborhoods & Hotels for Tourists

Updated on April 13, 2024
by Alex Miller

With its charming streets, vibrant culture, and mouthwatering cuisine, Naples is one of Italy’s most captivating cities. But with so many neighborhoods to choose from, deciding where to stay in Naples can be overwhelming.

The city sprawls along the coast, with everything from hillside villages to posh seaside promenades. This guide will help you find the ideal neighborhood for your visit.

Our Pick of the Best Hotels in Naples 🔝

We’ll highlight the top areas, from historic Old Town to seaside Santa Lucia. You’ll discover where to stay for authentic local flavor, easy transportation, shopping, nightlife, or seaside views.

Quick Guide to the Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Naples 📋

1. Centro Storico  –  Where to Stay in Naples for the First Time 👀

🏡 Local living: Centro Storico (Historic Center) neighborhood is the vibrant heart of the city and home to many of its top attractions.

🚶‍♀️ District’s heart: The neighborhood radiates outwards from the Piazza del Gesù Nuovo and Spaccanapoli – Naples’ main street that slices through the Centro Storico, dividing it in two halves. Walk here to find artsy lanes full of artisan workshops, cute boutiques and pizza joints.

🔥 Some attractions not to miss in Centro Storico:

  • The spectacular churches: Il Gesu Nuovo, Santa Chiara, San Domenico Maggiore
  • Naples’ National Archeological Museum, hailed for its collections of Roman artifacts from Pompeii
  • Cappella Sansevero, with its “Veiled Christ” sculpture

The structure of the neighborhood consists of narrow cobblestone lanes, opening to small delightful squares, that follow its medieval foundations. At first sight it may appear as a labyrinth however Centro Storico can be conveniently explored on foot.

🚇Easy transit: There’s also a handy metro line curling through its eastern edge, with stops near Castel Nuovo (walk to Teatro San Carlo from here).

Il Gesu Nuovo
Il Gesu Nuovo
Il Gesu Nuovo
Il Gesu Nuovo
Santa Chiara
Santa Chiara
San Domenico Maggiore
San Domenico Maggiore
San Domenico Maggiore
San Domenico Maggiore
Naples National Archeological Museum
Naples National Archeological Museum
Naples National Archeological Museum
Naples National Archeological Museum
Cappella Sansevero
Cappella Sansevero

🍷 Come evening, Centro Storico transforms into a buzzing nightlife destination. Locals and tourists alike flock to wine bars and spirited taverns, like Black Bar, American Bar Pepiton and Vineria San Sebastiano.

All hotels in Centro Storico →

Best hotels in Naples Historic Centre 🏨

Mid-range hotels:

  • Neapolis Pie – cozy small hotel in the center of Naples, offers rooms with modern design and friendly service.
  • Viaggio a Napoli B&B – a welcoming B&B with comfortable rooms and great views of Naples from the windows.
  • B&B Napul'è – a great choice for travelers looking for an authentic atmosphere, located in a historic building.

Budget Hotels:

  • B&B Sweet night – simple and inexpensive B&B with basic amenities, ideal for budget travelers.
  • B&B Casa Tua – cozy small B&B with a homely atmosphere and friendly hosts.
  • La Sapienza – economical B&B with clean rooms, a good option for a short stay in Naples.

2. Quartieri Spagnoli – Where to Stay on a Budget 💸

🏠 Historic hood: Translating to “Spanish Quarter,” this charming area got its name from its history of housing Spanish soldiers in the 16th-17th centuries when Naples was under Spanish rule. Today, Quartieri Spagnoli makes up one of the most atmospheric and authentically Neapolitan neighborhoods.

📍 Well-located: The Quartieri Spagnoli is located just north of the main tourist areas around Via Toledo, Piazza Plebiscito, and the waterfront. It is walkable from most central hotels and attractions. Key sights like the Archaeological Museum, Opera House, and Spaccanapoli street are 1-2 miles away.

🏢 Must-see spots: While small, Quartieri Spagnoli packs in things to see and do:

  • Street art, graffiti, and decorated alleyways
  • Classic trattorias and pizzerias specializing in Neapolitan cuisine
  • Historic churches like Santa Maria della Mercede and Chiesa del Rosario di Palazzo
  • Via Toledo street market

Checking out the vintage shops (Abbigliamenti Moda Vintage) and artisan workshops (NapoliMania) tucked away on side streets. You can find handmade leather goods, limoncello, paintings, and more unique souvenirs.

🙂 Friendly gente: While grittier than some parts of Naples, Quartieri Spagnoli gives visitors a chance to see a traditional neighborhood filled with classic architecture and some of the most friendly gente in Italy.

Where to stay in Quartieri Spagnoli? 🏨

Medium price category:

  • GELSO HOME – cozy guest house in typical Neapolitan style with panoramic views of the city.
  • Bottega Orafa Guest House – an elegant boutique hotel in a historic building with exquisite design.
  • Toledostop – a mid-range hotel with modern rooms and a good location.

Budget Hotels:

3. Piazza del Plebiscito – Best Place to Stay in Naples with Family 👦🏻

This grand public square sits right next to the Royal Palace and overlooks the Bay of Naples, providing stunning views.

🏛️ Historic plaza: The piazza enjoys a prime location within walking distance of major landmarks like the Galleria Umberto I shopping gallery, Teatro di San Carlo opera house, and Castel Nuovo. You can take the subway, trams, buses as well as taxis and even ferries to Capri and other islands from the adjacent port.

🔝 Key highlights include:

  • 18th century Basilica of San Francesco di Paola
  • statue of Equestre di Ferdinando I,  stands tall in the center

When ready for a meal or drink, around this zone cluster many trattorias, pizzerias, cafes and upscale restaurants, like Zero Zero Grano and Ristorante Amici Miei.

🛌 Luxury stays: Additionally, several 4 and 5 star properties allowing easy access back to your room after a long day of sightseeing.

Royal Palace
Royal Palace
Royal Palace
Royal Palace
Basilica of San Francesco di Paola
Basilica of San Francesco di Paola
Statue of Equestre di Ferdinando I
Statue of Equestre di Ferdinando I
Galleria Umberto I
Galleria Umberto I

🇮🇹 Quintessential Naples: It is undoubtedly one of the most impressive parts of the city. Walking through this iconic center, you can experience the very essence of Naples.

All hotels near Piazza del Plebiscito →

Where to stay near Piazza del Plebiscito? 🏩

Expensive Hotels:

  • Best Chiaia 74 By Dimorra – elegant apartments in a historic building with exquisite interior design and beautiful views of the Bay of Naples.
  • Residenza Reale – a luxury boutique hotel in a 19th century palace building with upscale service and a great location opposite Palazzo Reale.
  • Hotel Plebiscito Aparthotel – chic apartments with panoramic views of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius, located next to Piazza del Plebiscito.

Medium price range:

  • B&B Chiaia 32 – a cozy boutique hotel in a neoclassical building with a homely atmosphere and friendly staff.
  • Chiaja Hotel de Charme – a charming hotel in the historic center with individually decorated rooms and magnificent views of the Bay of Naples.
  • Casa Gennarino – a guest house with an authentic atmosphere, located in a typical 19th century Neapolitan building.

Budget Hotels:

  • Napoli sotterranea apartment – spacious economy apartment with a convenient location near Toledo metro station.
  • B&B Zia Sua – a small guest house with a friendly atmosphere, offers comfortable accommodation at a reasonable price.
  • B&B House S. Ferdinando – a modest guest house in the historic center, ideal for budget travelers.

4. Chiaia – Best Part of Naples for Local Vibe 🔮

⛵️ Seaside hub: The Chiaia neighborhood in Naples is located between the city center and the shoreline. Regarded as one of the top areas for visitors, Chiaia provides easy access to major attractions, cafes, and nightlife.

🗺️ Connects sites: Situated on the Gulf of Naples bay edge, Chiaia connects the city sights to the seaside promenade. Adjacent landmarks are the Castel dell’Ovo castle, Villa Comunale parklands, and Via Partenope street. From Chiaia, the Archaeological Museum and underground Napoli Sotterranea ruins can be accessed via funiculars and buses.

👣 Walkable: As a home base, Chiaia is very walkable with most points of interest accessible within 10-15 minutes along picturesque streets. Conveniences in the neighborhood include

  • metro stations such as Amedeo, Piazza Amedeo, and Municipio
  • constant bus and tram service
  • easy taxi pickup
  • bike/scooter rentals

This makes venturing out to other iconic Naples sights hassle-free.

🍷 Lively nightlife: Locals fill the many sidewalk bars and bistros, especially in the lively Piazza dei Martiri area. Upscale boutiques line the streets.

In the evening, trattorias and restaurants (Dora’s Restaurant, Aquarium Restaurant, Officine Bistrot) feature live music and street performers entertaining diners.

All hotels in Chiaia →

Where to stay in Chiaia? 🏩

Expensive Hotels:

Medium price category:

  • Savoy Riviera – cozy neoclassical-style boutique hotel with sea views and friendly staff.
  • CasAlice B&B Napoli – a charming small hotel in a historic building, offers comfortable rooms at a reasonable price.
  • La Casa Del Sole A Mergellina – a hotel complex with modern rooms, swimming pool and good value for money.

Budget Hotels:

  • Casa Allegra – small cozy hotel with simple rooms at an affordable price, warm welcome.
  • B&B Martucci Avenue – economical apartments with basic facilities for budget accommodation.
  • Rega Holiday House – guest house with simple rooms and friendly staff, ideal for budget travelers.

5. Vomero – The Most Scenic Views 🌇

The Vomero neighborhood located on a hill west of Naples’ historic center.

🚠 Convenient links: It offers scenic views and authentic Neapolitan life. Three funiculars connect Vomero to streets below:

  • Centrale funicular stops at Castel Sant’Elmo fortress and Certosa di San Martino monastery above harbor;
  • Chiaia funicolar links to upscale Chiaia district with luxury shops and stylish nightlife;
  • Montesanto funicular connects to Montesanto train station with metro and circumvesuviana rail.

🛣️ Wandering lanes: Pedestrian lanes contain trattorias with pasta, boutiques, and belle époque cafés.

👀 Panoramic views: Lack of tourist crowds and views make exploration enjoyable. Top attractions observed when wandering sloping cobblestone streets:

  • Villa Floridiana, early 19th-century estate turned public park with lush gardens, palms, camellias and historic mansion;
  • Villa Pignatelli,striking 19th-century neoclassical villa with furnishings and gardens;
  • Castel Sant’Elmo, 14th century star-shaped fortress on mountaintop with great views.

Convenient transport links, wealth of attractions and laidback charm make Vomero a delightful base for sites of Naples.

All hotels in Vomero →

Where to stay in Vomero? 🏨

Expensive Hotels:

Medium price category:

  • B&B La casa di Cò – a cozy hotel in traditional Neapolitan style with attentive service.
  • Your Bed Napoli – a comfortable hotel in the center with stylish design and friendly staff.

Budget Hotels:

  • B&B Da Vito a San Martino – a welcoming, good value for money hotel close to historical sights.
  • Il Chiattillo – a cozy small hotel in a traditional building with a homely atmosphere.
  • Ghina's home – a simple and inexpensive hostel with basic amenities for young people and budget travelers.

6. Central Station Area – Quick Access to Everything 🚆

🚉 Convenient hub: Central Station Area located in heart of Naples, is convenient, lively neighborhood perfect for visitors. Surrounded by some of Naples’ top attractions, area offers easy access to National Archaeological Museum, lively Spaccanapoli street, and historic center.

🏛️ Backbone: Central Station, or Stazione Centrale, forms backbone of neighborhood. Circa-1940s station serves as main hub for trains, buses, metros, and taxis, making getting around Naples and beyond breeze.

🚇 Well-connected: Metros and city buses stop outside station entrance, providing quick connections to neighborhoods like Chiaia and Mergellina. High-speed and regional trains offer access to top day trips like Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, and more. Taxis queue along street by station’s side exit.

🏙️ Gritty charm:Surrounding station lies gritty yet charismatic urban area. Interspersed with art deco buildings are eclectic shops and eateries, giving taste of quintessential Neapolitan street life. Top sights include:

  • Donnaregina Museum of Contemporary Art, converted 14th century monumental complex housing avant-garde installations and artwork from names like Andy Warhol and Mario Merz
  • Piazza Garibaldi, Naples’ largest square, fringed by palms and historic buildings.

Area can get dodgy at night, but main streets around Central Station safe during day.

All hotels near Central Station →

Where to stay near Central Station? 🏨

Expensive Hotels:

  • Starhotels Terminus – a modern hotel in the center of Naples with elegant design, upscale service and views of the bay.
  • Palazzo Firenze – luxury hotel in a historic building with exquisite interiors and a restaurant overlooking Vesuvius.
  • Garibaldi Rooms – elegant apartments in the city center with excellent service and spectacular views.

Medium price category:

  • B&B NA Stella – cozy small hotel with friendly staff and good value for money.
  • Mamì B&B – stylish mini hotel with modern design and views of the bay.
  • B&B BELIEVE con SPA privata – a hotel with basic facilities, private spa and friendly staff.

Budget Hotels:

  • B&B Sweet night – a simple and inexpensive hotel for short trips on a tight budget.
  • Convitalia – an economical hotel with simple but clean rooms and a good location.
  • B&B Casa Tua – a budget hotel with basic amenities, suitable for budget travelers.

7. Port of Naples – Waterfront with Views of Vesuvio 🌋

⛴️ Cruise port: The Port of Naples serves as the gateway to Naples for cruise ship passengers and other visitors by sea. The port has ferry and hydrofoil traffic to destinations like Sorrento, Capri, Ischia and Procida.

☕️ Café area: The area by the docks features simple eateries and cafes for traveling to or from voyages. Moving inward just a few blocks, visitors will find the Piazza Municipio, an ideal jumping off point for exploring Naples by foot or metro.

🔝 Sites and activities in and around Piazza Municipio:

  • Castel Nuovo, a medieval castle with Renaissance trimmings housing the Civic Museum and the Palatine Chapel;
  • Teatro di San Carlo, Italy’s oldest continuously operating opera house with 18th century lavish performances;
  • Via Toledo, a bustling pedestrian shop and restaurant thoroughfare leading directly to the historic city center.

But the main highlight of this neighborhood is the oceanfront promenade overlooking the Gulf of Naples. Walking along the paths of the Via Marina, you can admire views of Vesuvius and the island of Capri.

🏩 Accommodation options in the neighborhood range from elegant hotels behind the piazza to simpler establishments near the docks.

All hotels in Port of Naples →

Where to stay in Port of Naples? 🏨

Expensive Hotels:

Medium price range:

  • Residenza Molinari Suite – hotel in a historic building with spacious suites and friendly staff.
  • Donna Elena B&B – a small guest house with a homely atmosphere and attentive hosts.
  • BnB Naples – a simple and inexpensive B&B with basic amenities in the center of Naples.

Budget Hotels:

8. Posillipo – the Most Peaceful Neighborhood in Naples 🤫

🌊 Seaside charm: Nestled along the northern coast of Naples, the charming neighborhood of Posillipo offers picturesque seaside views and a retreat from the bustling city.

🚌 Well-connected: Public transportation in the area includes:

  • City bus lines that connect Posillipo to downtown Naples and major rail stations
  • A metro station situated at the base of the neighborhood with trains to the city center, airport, and archaeological sites
  • A ferry port providing boat access to the islands in the Gulf of Naples

Wandering the neighborhood by foot allows you to discover its seaside promenades, terraced gardens, Roman ruins, and hillside churches and monasteries with panoramic vistas across the glittering bay.

👀 Top attractions in Posillipo include:

  • Parco Virgiliano – Lush public park on the coast,  for picnicking
  • Grotta di Seiano – Ancient Roman tunnel nearly half a mile long
  • Villa Rosebery – Historic 19th century villa that now serves as an official residence of the President of Italy
Parco Virgiliano
Parco Virgiliano
Parco Virgiliano
Parco Virgiliano
Parco Virgiliano
Parco Virgiliano
Grotta di Seiano
Grotta di Seiano
Villa Rosebery
Villa Rosebery

Thus this neighborhood will allow you to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city center and enjoy the energy of Naples.

All hotels in Posillipo →

Where to stay in Posillipo? 🏨

Expensive Hotels:

  • Lux – a luxury hotel with exquisite design, panoramic sea views and top-notch service.
  • PrimoPianoPosillipo – an elegant colonial-style boutique hotel with magnificent views of the Bay of Naples.

Medium price range:

  • M'incanto B&B – cozy small hotel in traditional Neapolitan style with friendly staff.
  • B&B Vista Mare – a comfortable mid-range hotel with sea views and good value for money.
  • Santa Clara Garden – a simple and inexpensive hotel with basic amenities, ideal for budget travelers.

Budget Hotels:

  • Mergellina Resort – a hostel with minimalist design, shared kitchens and a convenient location close to the beach.
  • Santa Clara – a small hotel with basic amenities at a reasonable price.

Best Hotels near Naples Airport 🛫

1. Falco Luxury Home – A modern and stylish apartment located just 5 minutes from Naples airport.

Features include a fully equipped kitchen, a spacious living area, and a private terrace with views of the city. Ideal for couples or solo travelers looking for comfortable accommodation close to the airport.

2. Terminal 1 Guest House – A cozy guest house situated only 1 km from Naples airport terminal 1.

Offers simple, affordable rooms with free WiFi. A convenient location if you have an early flight or late arrival. Breakfast is included.

3. Holiday House – A comfortable B&B housed in a historic building just 1 km from Naples airport.

There is also free shuttle service to and from the airport. A good option for those looking for a traditional Italian guest house feel near the airport.

Best Areas to Stay in Naples on a Map 🗺

FAQs about Staying in Naples, Italy ❔

What is the safest areas to stay in Naples?

Choosing the safest neighborhood in Naples largely depends on your preferences and priorities. However, Chiaia and Vomero are generally considered safe and pleasant areas to stay. These neighborhoods offer a mix of historic charm, upscale shops, and a variety of dining options. Keep in mind that it’s always wise to stay vigilant and take standard safety precautions regardless of the neighborhood.

How many days do you need in Naples, Italy?

To truly experience Naples, Italy, a stay of at least 3 to 4 days is recommended. This allows you ample time to explore the city’s rich history, vibrant culture, and, of course, indulge in its renowned cuisine.

Is it better to stay in Naples or Pompeii?

Choosing between Naples and Pompeii depends on your interests. Naples offers a lively urban experience with a wealth of historical and cultural attractions, while Pompeii is renowned for its archaeological treasures frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. If you have the flexibility, consider a base in Naples for its broader range of activities and easy access to Pompeii for a day trip.

What is the best month to visit Naples Italy?

The best time to visit Naples is during the spring (April to June) or fall (September to October). During these months, the weather is pleasant, and the city is less crowded. Summer (July and August) can be hot, and many locals go on vacation, leading to some closures. Winter (November to February) is cooler, but the city retains its charm with fewer tourists.

Where to avoid staying in Naples?

While Naples has many welcoming areas, it’s advisable to exercise caution in certain neighborhoods, such as the historic center during the late evening. Quartieri Spagnoli, although vibrant during the day, may be less secure after dark.