Naples Historic Centre: UNESCO, Spaccanapoli and the world's best pizza
Naples is one of the oldest, most chaotic, most wonderful and most unique cities in the world: its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site enclosing three thousand years of history in a labyrinth of streets, churches, markets and courtyards buzzing with unparalleled human energy. Spaccanapoli, the famous dead-straight road that "splits" the city in two along the ancient Greek Neapolis grid, is the axis around which the beating heart of the city unfolds: every hundred metres brings a church, a noble palace or an artisan workshop. The Cathedral with the Chapel of San Gennaro holds the city's most precious treasure — the blood of the patron saint that, by tradition, liquefies three times a year. Piazza del Plebiscito, one of Italy's largest squares, is dominated by the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola and the Royal Palace. Underground Naples offers a journey into the Greco-Roman subsoil beneath the city's streets. And then there is the pizza: in Naples it is a cultural heritage, a gastronomic experience not to be missed at one of the historic pizzerias in the centre. From O'Vesuvio B&B in Torre del Greco, Naples is just 25 minutes away by car or by Circumvesuviana train.
How to Get There
By car from Torre del Greco towards Naples along the coastal road or the A3 motorway: about 25 minutes. By train: Circumvesuviana to Napoli Porta Nolana or FS to Napoli Centrale, then metro or on foot into the historic centre.
Highlights
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Spaccanapoli: the ancient straight street cutting through the UNESCO historic centre amid churches and workshops
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Neapolitan pizza: the original true pizza, inscribed by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage
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Underground Naples: Greek and Roman galleries beneath the streets, hidden cisterns and ancient theatres
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Cappella Sansevero: Sammartino's Veiled Christ, marble that looks like a veil, absolute 18th-century masterpiece
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Spanish Quarters: historic market, street food, fritto misto stalls and Naples' most authentic popular soul
💡 Practical Tip
Avoid driving into the historic centre: park at the city's edge and continue on foot or by public transport. Metro Line 1 has museum-quality stations with extraordinary artistic installations.
Stay at O'Vesuvio B&B
Just 20 minutes from the main attractions of the Bay of Naples. Book directly and save on commissions.