Naples is a thousand colours

Naples is teeming with history and life, it is a city to be discovered and there is no alley or neighbourhood that is not surprising for its disarming beauty. It is the melody of its love songs, it is the intense perfume of the piennolo of hanging tomatoes, it is the red of its roofs and the lively hospitality of its inhabitants, it is the imposing Vesuvius behind it and the powerful "Maschio Angioino", it is a theatre of life in which contrasting souls coexist in perfect balance.

The historic centre comprises UNESCO heritage sites: Wonderful ancient buildings, splendid churches, shops of skilled craftsmen and delicious restaurants and street food, colourful shops and inviting pastry shops. Naples is a city of a thousand colours and faces expertly mixed together, giving rise to a unique place in the world.

In the closer vicinity of the city of Naples a total of 16 NephroCare dialysis centres are spread across the region, allowing you to enjoy you vacation and the beauty of all different places in the area, knowing that your regular dialysis treatments are taken care of by our experienced staff. Please contact the NephoCare holiday dialysis coordination service for requesting reservations.

Activities & Sights

Naples of the historic centre and the waterfront

The historic centre is the living heart of the city, and unlike other realities, it still belongs to its inhabitants who live it fully in all its manifestations despite being visited by thousands of tourists every year. The districts of the city are noteworthy: from the Spanish Quarters, to the Church of the Gesù Nuovo and the imposing Castel Dell'Ovo, on the ancient islet of Megaride, the landing place of the siren Parthenope which, according to legend, gave the city its name.

The elegant Chiaia district, with the Palazzo Mannajuolo, a masterpiece of liberty architecture with its unique ellipsoidal central staircase. It represents the point of contact with the coastal area of ​​the city. Together with via Toledo it is a destination for lovers of luxury with its exclusive boutiques of the most prestigious fashion brands and a night meeting with its bars, restaurants and trendy clubs.

Beyond the hill, the Vomero district, a quiet residential area with Art Nouveau buildings from which you can see the city from above reaching the Certosa di S. Martino and Castel Sant’Elmo. And finally, Posillipo, an elegant panoramic neighbourhood is overlooking the Marine Protected Area and the Parco della Gaiola, from which it is possible to admire the profile of Naples overlooking the gulf and with Vesuvius in the background.

Naples of the squares

From Piazza Garibaldi, in front of the modern central station in Piazza Dante, one of the most important squares in the city in the centre of which stands the wonderful statue of Dante Alighieri overlooked by the monumental churches of Santa Maria di Caravaggio, that of San Domenico Soriano and that of San Michele Port'Alba. Famous meeting place for young people with its bars and clubs, Piazza Vanvitelli, in the heart of Vomero, with its historic clock, symbol of a city that never gives up. Continuing, Piazza del Municipio, overlooking the tourist harbour and Maschio Angioino, is enriched by the imposing presence of the Fountain of Neptune, the Castel Nuovo, the Palazzo San Giacomo and the famous Mercadante Theatre.

A few steps, near the waterfront, Piazza del Plebiscito, a symbol of Naples, in the past the scene of struggles for the freedom of the Neapolitan people, today a meeting place for its inhabitants and an obligatory destination for the numerous tourists who come to admire the wonderful buildings that overlook it.

And finally, in the centre of the waterfront includes Piazza della Vittoria, with the wonderful statues of Nicola Amore and Giovanni Nicotera.

Naples of art and museums

Naples has always been an important European cultural and artistic centre and the ancient buildings and prestigious city museums are the highest demonstration of this.

From the National Archaeological Museum with the Farnese collection, to the Museum of Contemporary Mother Art in the wonderful historic Palazzo Donna Regina, from the National Museum of Capodimonte located inside the homonymous palace inside the Real Bosco di Capodimonte, an immense green lung park of the city.

Underground Naples

In the deep belly of Naples, a dense intrigue of ravines, cisterns, caves and tunnels dug into the tuff tell a story parallel to the life of the city on the surface, indescribable beauty, unique and rare heritage, the result of great civil engineering.

Visiting it means immersing yourself in two thousand four hundred years of history, from the Greek era to the modern one. From the ancient Greco-Roman aqueduct, to the air-raid shelters of the Second World War, from the War Museum to the underground gardens, from the Bourbon Gallery to the Seismic Station Ariadne.

The Catacombs of San Gennaro, which can be accessed from the Church of the Incoronata di Capodimonte, and the Catacombs of San Gaudioso are an expression of the early Christian period.

Finally, in the list of unmissable things also a visit to the metro stations of Lines one and six, true museums of contemporary art, called Metro dell'Arte: Toledo, Dante, Museum and Materdei, illuminated by extraordinary light effects and with more than two hundred works by contemporary artists on display can rightly be considered the most beautiful stations in Europe.

Naples of Vesuvius and the archaeological excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum

Lying on the slopes of the Vesuvius Park, a few km from the centre of Naples Herculaneum and Pompeii, the cities risen from the ashes of the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD and UNESCO Heritage, capable of reviving the suggestion of over two centuries of history.

Herculaneum, anciently rich commercial city that legend has it founded by Hercules, is one of the most prestigious monumental complexes of classical antiquity for the refinement of the works found.

The Baths, the College of Priests of Augustus, the Bicentennial House and the House of the Deer, as well as mosaics, paintings, statues and a perfectly preserved theatre. Not far from the ancient Roman city of Pompeii lies the most visited archaeological park in the world. Walking through its ancient paved streets you can visit the famous Amphitheatre, the Teatro Grande, the Forum, the Roman villas of ancient patricians and public buildings. Numerous events, exhibitions and guided tours organized to lead the discovery of this exceptionally preserved archaeological area capable of giving a vivid insight into the daily life of its ancient inhabitants.

Naples of the islands

Comfortable ferries from Naples and Pozzuoli connect the splendid islands of the Gulf of Naples: Capri, Ischia and Procida, enchanting villages where time seems to have stopped.

Mild climate, fine sand beach and volcanic sand bathed by a crystal clear sea, hills that they smell of lemon and a rainbow of colours distinguish Ischia, the largest of the three, as an indispensable destination rewarded by international tourism thanks to a landscape of extraordinary beauty and its famous spas.

Capri, with the famous Faraglioni, the incomparable Blue Grotto, the picturesque tuff houses, the terrace roofs, the arches, the pergolas and the winding streets that emerge in the famous Piazzetta animated by elegant bars and restaurants, is a magical place chosen every year from the international jet set. While Procida, an enchanted fishing village chosen by illustrious registers to shoot great masterpieces of Italian cinema, is the wildest of the islands.

Walking through Naples with a stop in Sorrento

To get away from the city frenzy and find yourself in silence, the Hermitage of Camaldoli is one of the most enchanting areas of the city from which you can enjoy a breath-taking view of the Gulf of Naples and its islands.

It is a jewel of sixteenth-century architecture of the late Campanian Renaissance, a place that speaks of history and art.

At the foot of the Posillipo hill, one of the most hidden places in Naples, the Virgiliano Park, one of the largest in the city from which you can see Capri, Ischia, Procida and Nisida.

A few kilometres from Naples, immersed in an oasis of tranquillity and mystery, the Campi Flegrei is a wonderful coastal area dominated by geological phenomena that make its territory unique. Visitors can enjoy the thermal area of ​​Agnano with the Solfatara and the Astroni Reserve, the archaeological and submerged park of Baia or the perched town of Bacoli and Cuma.

Around 50km far from Naples, Sorrento stands out, a terrace overlooking the sea, a jewel nestled between rocky walls and surrounded by fragrant citrus groves, a magical place to be explored walking through the characteristic alleys of the historic centre, between lace and lace shops , and the numerous shops artisans who make delicious handmade leather sandals made to measure or sipping a refreshing limoncello in the fiery sunset in the lively Piazza Tasso. And for a moonlit dinner, lulled by the lapping of the waves, the enchanting Marina Grande, a typical fishing village animated by picturesque restaurants and romantic clubs overlooking the sea.

Accommodation

Staying in the historic centre is ideal for a short stay and allows you to visit the main attractions by foot. There is a broad choice of small hotels and delightful B & Bs whose favourable prices and the warm and authentic hospitality of the managers are able to respond to every need and expectation. For the most demanding tourists, there is no shortage of exclusive hotels and refined Spas located on the panoramic promenade or in the Chiaia area, a refined neighbourhood and one of the most exclusive in Naples together with the elegant Via Toledo, well connected to the centre. Finally, the university district, ideal for young people, which is characterized by moderate prices, trendy clubs, pubs, restaurants and nightlife.

Culinary & Culture

Neapolitan cuisine, the perfect combination of ancient traditions and the influence of many cultures, is among the most appreciated in the world. Its sea and land dishes, prepared with the highest quality ingredients, can satisfy even the demanding palates.

Despite being the best known and revisited dish in the world, the real pizza "Margherita" is only the Neapolitan one: thin, high edges, the result of a few genuine ingredients magically combined in a symphony of flavours, colours and scents. Each dish is magically special and unique: spaghetti with clams, cannelloni, ragù, lasagna, pasta and potatoes with provola, sausages and broccoli. The famous, sfogliatelle, the delicious babà, struffoli and pastiere, all washed down with a fragrant Falanghina and, to conclude, a refreshing limoncello and a good coffee.

But beware, for Neapolitans, coffee is not a simple drink, but a ritual, a real cult: Coffee in Naples is a symbol of sociability, meeting and social identity. Naples is also famous for street food and every corner of the city hides a characteristic place where you can savour the culinary specialties of the area, a "cuoppo" of zeppole, panzarotti and other fried food to be enjoyed walking through the crowded streets or in front of a breath-taking sea landscape.

Despite we know that all of these specialties would be very tempting, please do not forget to stick to your diet, having just small bites or sips of these succulent temptations!