Which Neighborhoods to Stay (and Not to Stay!) in Naples, Italy
- Nathaniel Mellor
- 5 days ago
- 9 min read
Updated: 4 days ago
Planning on visiting Naples, Italy? Here's our suggestion for safe neighborhoods without being too far from the action!
Naples has a pretty famous reputation for being a dangerous city. While most of this reputation was minted in the 80s and 90s, it still exists today. However, while Naples can be dangerous, something to keep in mind is that Naples (in Italy) is far safer than most American cities.
If you're thinking about spending a few nights in Naples to take in the atmosphere, or to use it as a base for visiting Capri, Pompeii, or even the Amalfi Coast, then here are a few neighborhoods that are consistently safe.
If you'd like a little further reading on the safety of Naples, you can check out our article about Naples being safe at night or being safe for tourists!
(And for those of you wondering why I keep typing "Naples, Italy" instead of just "Naples" is because, apparently, it's far more common to find search results for Naples, Florida than Naples, Italy.)
Which neighborhoods in Naples, Italy are the best to stay in?
Naples Train Station
The area around the train station often gets a bad rap in any city, and Naples is no different. While it can feel unsafe at times, especially for solo travelers in the middle of the night either arriving on the train or coming back from a club, it's by no means a "no-go zone".
Likewise, there are often people—and police—around to keep people safe, especially for those of you who are arriving early or leaving late.
Potential downsides to staying near the station:
Noise: It's pretty much a constant, especially if you have one of the street-facing rooms. Buses, taxis, cop cars flying past, you name it, it'll happen at 3-4AM.
Trash: As it's also an area with a ton of restaurant that don't have an "alley" to put trash in, once a restaurant is closed for the night, they stack up their trash out front to be picked up. If you happen to have a room that's lower to the ground floor, you might find yourself with some unpleasant smells.
Early risers: There's nothing that cuts through sleep quicker than the sound of a rolling metal grate. And the area around the station is chock-full of shops and stories, as well as newspaper stands and tickets stands. So once it rolls around to 5 or 6AM, you'll start hearing the rolling, clattering sound of metal.
Where to stay around the Naples train station:
Centro Storico and Porto, Naples
Italian for "historic center", the centro storico of Naples is a popular place for tourists to stay, which means there's a "safety in numbers" atmosphere. You'll be in the center of the action, a short walk from the Metro or buses, surrounded by some of the best pizza in Naples (which means it's some of the best pizza in the world), and you'll get a sense of why so many people have a fondness for Naples despite the trash and graffiti that cover the city.
Just south of the Centro Storico (across the street from Corso Umberto I) is the Porto neighborhood, or Port neighborhood. It's very similar to Centro Storico, so much so that you might not even realize you've passed into another neighborhood.
However, if you're coming from, or going to, a cruise, this neighborhood should definitely be up for consideration.
Potential downsides of staying in Naples' historic district:
Noise: Centro storico can be a bit noisy. Not just in the day, but well into the early morning, especially if Napoli just won a soccer game, there's a procession, a march, a demonstration, or any type of gathering. For those who called New York City "the city that never sleeps", it's only clear to the rest of us that they never visited Naples, the true city that never sleeps (after all, how could you with all those coffees coursing through your veins?).
Old buildings: Most of the buildings in the historic district are just that—historic. In the States, for example, this might be a hotel from the 1800s. In Naples, this is a hotel from the 1400s, if that recent. There was no need to put bathrooms in the rooms, create outlets, windows were a luxury, and most importantly, stairs. Now, if you're lucky, you might find a hotel, BnB, etc. in here that has an elevator, but eve n then, I want to warn anyone who uses a wheelchair, most elevators in these retrofitted buildings have tight elevators. I'm talking less than a yard (or meter) wide. And, this is the kicker, most of the elevators don't leave from the ground floor (where you might enter) but from a landing that's a few stairs up. Of course, since these buildings were created, they've added in some of the expected amenities, but outlets might still be limited in a room to one or two. There might not be a window (on the ground floor, this is far more likely), do your best to check the photos. And while they have added bathrooms, there's only so much space a contractor can carve out of an already-small room.
Where to stay in Centro Storico and Porto:
Chiaia, Naples
A wealthy, mostly residential neighborhoods in the west of Naples, this is a great neighborhood if you're planning on coming with kids, or if you'd prefer to stay in a quieter neighborhood. It's one of the safest neighborhoods in Naples and, if you were to walk west for about 3-4 minutes, you'd hit Via Toledo, and the start of the tourist area. Plus, if you're into shopping, but you'd prefer to scope out the smaller boutiques rather than the larger, multi-national stores like Prada, then Chiaia is definitely the neighborhood for you.
Potential downsides to staying in Chiaia:
Too quiet: If you're into nightlife, you won't find it here. Once dinner is over (10:30-11:30), that's it for this neighborhood. That being said, this is also a pro. The people who live in this area like things to be quiet, so they'll make sure there aren't rude tourists/locals stumbling through at 3AM, chanting or singing.
Few hotels: Below I'll add in a few hotels that are fantastic to stay in, however, as a whole, Chiaia doesn't have many hotels. As a residential area, there are plenty of AirBnBs, but if you prefer to stay in hotels, or if you prefer the service that comes with hotels, there are slimmer pickings here.
Out of the way: Unlike Centro Storico, Porto, or even the Spanish Quarter, Chiaia is a bit out of the way. If you're okay with walking everywhere, this shouldn't be too much of an issue. However, if you prefer to travel via public transportation, then Chiaia might not be the best neighborhood for you. Lastly, if you prefer to step out of the hotel and be in the thick of things, this also might not be the best location.
Where to stay in Chiaia:
Piazza del Plebiscito, Naples
While this is technically near the Spanish Quarter, and technically near the Centro Storico, and more appropriately called "Santa Lucia", most people refer to the area around the Piazza del Plebiscito as "the Piazza del Plebiscito neighborhood".
And true to form, it's exactly where you think it is! If you're looking for a sort of middle-of-the-road neighborhood, something that's close to the boutique shopping of Chiaia, near the tight alleys of the Centro Storico, and the Via Toledo pedestrian street—while also being surrounded by plenty of tourist sites like the Opera House—then this is the place for you. It's also pretty easy to reach via walking, metro, or taxi, so you'll never feel as if you're stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Potential downsides to staying around the Piazza del Plebiscito:
Noise: If you're right on the piazza, you might find that the street noise is a little too much for you. Traffic continues near the piazza all night and into the morning, so there's not really a period of "it'll get quiet." That being said, most of the hotels and vacation homes in the area acknowledge this and have double-paned windows and other sound-insulating measures.
Not many hotels: Again, if this doesn't matter to you too much, then you'll have no problems! However, if you're looking for something with a front desk, or something with a place where you can leave your baggage if you arrive early/leave late, then there aren't many options in this area.
In fact, you might notice from our recommend hotels below that they aren't actually on the Piazza, but near it (within a 3 minute walk). That's because, even though there's ton to see around the Piazza, there aren't hotels.
Where to stay in the Piazza del Plebiscito:
Rooms from €80 a night.
A separate "hotel" owned by Hotel Art Resort.
Vomero Hill, Naples
Okay, hear me out. Staying at the top of a hill isn't on everyone's "to do" list, but between the views, the semi-secluded area, and the nightlife, this should be in everyone's consideration.
Likewise, if you're into history, you're right next to the strangely-star-shaped Castel Sant'Elmo, the Certosa of San Martino, and the Villa Floridiana.
Potential downsides to staying in Vomero Hill:
It's a hill: Okay, so, with the nature of hills, if you're going down in one direction, you must go up in another (didn't Newton say something like that?). Which means, even though you get to start your morning going downhill, each evening will end with you going back uphill.
Now, good news, there is a funicular. Which means, you don't have to walk either way! However, if your hotel/lodging is not near the funicular station, or near the Petraio (ancient pathway linking Vomero with Via Toledo), it's unlikely that the funicular will be useful.
Nightlife: Vomero hill is known for its late-night lounge bars and hangouts. This can be a bit of a double-edged sword. On one hand, if you're into activity late into the night, it's the perfect spot to be. However, it also means noise, people walking around home in the early morning (potentially even drunk and loud), and a less "family friendly" feel.
Where to stay in Vomero Hill:
Hotel De Bonart Naples, Hilton
Rooms from €360 a night.
The only Hilton in Naples, so if you have points, this is the place to use them.
Rooms from €550 a night.
Possibly the nicest hotel in Naples, between Chiaia and Vomero.
Which neighborhoods to avoid staying in Naples
Quartiere Spagnoli
The famed "Spanish Quarter". I know what you're thinking: why wouldn't I stay in one of Naples' most famous neighborhoods? Just like the centro storico, the downsides here are similar, but almost amplified.
First, the Spanish Quarter was created as the quarters for the Spanish Garrison when they controlled Naples. Being created for soldiers, comfort wasn't at the top of the list. So you might find yourself in a strange, small apartment that has no window, no ventilation, and feels claustrophobic.
Of course, a number of the apartments have been updated to modern standards, but not all, and it can be more of a toss-up than you would think.
Posillipo (unless it's the summer)
An ansolutely gorgeous neighborhood west of Chiaia. It's a very wealthy suburb (but, old-school suburb, not Americana suburb) of Naples. However, it can also feel like you're in the middle of nowhere. There's some shopping, bars, etc. however, there isn't that quitessential soul of Naples in Posillipo.
If you're staying in the summer months, Posillipo has access to a number of fantastic beaches and fairly empty parks, which can make Posillipo feel like Sorrento but less crowded.
Everywhere else
There are a number of other neighborhoods in Naples that might look interesting (like Capodimonte with its catacombs, or Medaglie d'oro with its student arts vibes and cache of theaters), however, we'd say that they're a bit out of the way if you're only staying in Naples for a few nights.
Likewise, we don't recommend staying in Pompeii, Ercolano, or Caserta. Apart from the one thing they're famous for, there's very little to do in these areas/towns, and you can feel pigeonholed.
Hotel De Bonart Naples, Hilton
Rooms from €360 a night.
The only Hilton in Naples, so if you have points, this is the place to use them.
Rooms from €550 a night.
Possibly the nicest hotel in Naples, between Chiaia and Vomero.
