The best location to stay in Naples for first-timers

The city of Naples is one of the most famous destinations in southern Italy. It is known for its rich history, vibrant atmosphere, and proximity to some of the most important historic landmarks and Roman ruins. Although it’s also considered one of the dirtiest cities in Europe, I truly believe it’s worth visiting. In this blog post, I’ll share with you the best location to stay in Naples, along with a selection of some of the best hotels to help you plan your trip with ease. This blog post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Find out more here.

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Centro Storico 

The Centro Storico, which means historic center in Italian, is the old town of the city. Its history goes back over 2,700 years. 

It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995. It is also included on the list of historic assets to be preserved.

This district is full of narrow cobblestone streets. The aging buildings are decorated with Napoli football flags or laundry hanging between balconies.

There is a vibrant mix of small shops and restaurants. It’s the perfect place to take a stroll and soak in the city’s authentic atmosphere.

At the heart of the historic center is Spaccanapoli, the long, straight street which name means “Naples splitter”. This is because it appears to cut the old city in two.

Staying here puts you directly in the center of Naples’ lively everyday life. You’ll be within walking distance of some of the best restaurants and pizzerias, close to museums, palaces and major historic landmarks.

The area is also a lively nightlife spot and a great base if you want to explore other parts of the city easily. With its medieval architecture, small piazzas, fountains, and layered history, this neighborhood is ideal for first time visitors looking to truly experience Naples Italy.

Here are some of the best places you can stay at the heart of Naples within a short walk from the city center. 

MAMALU – Studios and Suites

MAMALU – Studios and Suites offers stylish and welcoming accommodation in the heart of Naples. It is just 800 m from Castel Nuovo and 1.2 km from the Royal Palace. The location is perfect for exploring the city’s historic center.

Many top landmarks are within easy walking distance. These include Piazza Plebiscito, MUSA, Museo Cappella Sansevero, San Gregorio Armeno, and Chiesa dei Santi Filippo e Giacomo.

The rooms are modern, beautifully decorated, and designed for comfort. Each room features air conditioning, free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, coffee machine, fridge, kettle, safe, and a private bathroom with a bidet and modern fittings.

Some rooms include a balcony or city views. Guests often praise the hotel’s cleanliness and the friendly, helpful staff who go out of their way to assist.

With Teatro San Carlo, the National Archaeological Museum, and Molo Beverello nearby, this hotel is a great choice for travelers seeking comfort, style, and a top location.

Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments

Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments is a popular hotel in the historic center of Naples. It’s in a beautiful building from the 1500s, just 300 meters from Dante metro station.

The location is great for seeing the city, especially because it’s close to the famous National Archaeological Museum.

The rooms are clean, modern, and quiet, even though the area around is busy. Many rooms have special artwork by a local artist, Alessandro Cocchia, and some have private balconies.

One of the best parts of the hotel is the peaceful courtyard. It is a quiet place to relax away from the busy streets.

Across from the hotel, there is a lively square with music and street shows. There’s also a rooftop terrace with amazing 360° views of Naples.

Guests can enjoy a big breakfast buffet. Next door, there’s a stylish restaurant that gives discounts to hotel guests. If you want a break from traditional Italian food, it’s a great option.

With its comfort, culture, and location, Hotel Piazza Bellini is a great choice for anyone visiting Naples for the first time.

Chiaia

Chiaia is one of Naples’ most elegant and fashionable districts. It is located between Vomero, Fuorigrotta, San Ferdinando, and Posillipo. At its edge lies the famous Riviera and the seafront, with an amazing view of Mount Vesuvius.

Chiaia is well known for its vibrant nightlife. Its streets are full of small boutiques and shops, making it perfect for those who adore shopping.

Beginning at Via Toledo and Via dei Mille, tourists can appreciate the stunning architecture. One example is the bridge shaped like a triumphal arch, which includes an internal lift.

From this point, narrow streets like Via Filangieri, Vico Cavallerizza a Chiaia, and Vico Belledonne come alive at night with the city’s renowned nightlife.

Chiaia is easily accessible by Metro Line 2 via Piazza Amedeo. You can also reach it on foot from Mergellina and its picturesque harbor.

Chiaia is both a local favorite and a tourist magnet. Here, you will find a wide variety of cocktail bars, fine restaurants, and artisanal shops.

I think it’s a district where history, fashion, and the authentic spirit of Naples coexist. 

Grand Hotel Parker’s

The Grand Hotel Parker’s is a historic 5-star hotel located in Chiaia. It is housed in a beautiful early 20th-century building. It combines classic Italian style with modern comfort.

Guests can enjoy spacious, tastefully decorated rooms. The rooms feature air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free WiFi. Many rooms offer balconies with stunning views of the city or the Bay of Naples.

One of the hotel’s highlights is its panoramic rooftop terrace. It’s perfect for relaxing while taking in breathtaking views of Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf.

The hotel also features a stylish restaurant serving traditional Neapolitan cuisine. And they also have a cozy bar for evening drinks.

Its prime location puts visitors within walking distance of upscale boutiques, charming cafés, and the scenic seaside promenade.

The hotel is also well connected to public transport. Thus, it’s easy to explore Naples’ historic center and major attractions.

Grand Hotel Parker’s offers a luxurious and memorable stay in Naples.

Hotel Romeo

Hotel Romeo is a modern 5-star hotel near the waterfront. It’s known for its sleek, contemporary design by architect Matteo Thun.

The rooms are spacious and elegant. They all have air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, minibars, and free WiFi. Many offer panoramic views of the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius.

Guests can relax at the rooftop pool and bar, with amazing views of the city and sea. The hotel also has a Michelin-starred restaurant, Il Comandante. There’s also a trendy lounge bar, perfect for cocktails.

The location is ideal for exploring the city. It’s close to top attractions, luxury shops, and the scenic promenade. The nearby Molo Beverello port makes trips to Capri, Ischia, or the Amalfi Coast easy.

Hotel Romeo is perfect for travelers looking for a stylish and comfortable stay in Naples.

Quartiere Spagnolo 

The Spanish Quarter is a small area within the historic center of Naples. During the 16th century, this neighborhood was occupied by Spanish soldiers. This whole period is known as “the Spanish occupation.”

Due to the “bad habits” of the soldiers, the area was connected with crime and prostitution. The bad reputation continued to characterize it until recently.

It was considered as a very dangerous area. Most travel companies advised visitors to avoid it due to safety concerns.

Fortunately, lately the Spanish neighborhood has changed. And it has become one of the most important tourist attractions.

Today, it represent the soul of Naples. Narrow alleys, clothes hanging in the sun, and small taverns are all part of its charm.

Quartieri spagnoli is the perfect choice for those who want to live the authentic Napoli life.

NapoliMia Boutique Hotel

NapoliMia Boutique Hotel is a beautiful hotel in a historic building in Naples. It is in the Plebiscito district, just a short walk from the Toledo Metro Station. The location is perfect for exploring the city.

The hotel has a shared lounge and a small bar. Free WiFi is available everywhere. Each room is unique, with colorful and modern design.

All rooms have air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, and a work desk. The private bathroom comes with a rain shower and free toiletries. Some rooms also have a private balcony.

Guests love the friendly and helpful staff. The breakfast is served every morning. And, of course, it includes many tasty options. At the same time, the breakfast room is stylish and relaxing.

Many visitors say the hotel has a lot of charm and character. That’s because it’s clean, quiet, and full of personality.

This hotel is a favorite for couples and first-time visitors to Naples.

Napolit’amo Hotel Principe

Hotel Principe Napolit’amo is a charming hotel in a historic 16th-century building. It is located in a quiet pedestrian area.

It’s very close to Via Toledo, one of Naples’ main shopping streets.

The rooms are traditional and comfortable. They have air conditioning, satellite TV, and private bathrooms.

Superior rooms also have nice views of the Spanish Quarter and Via Toledo. Some guests say the rooms are very spacious and the decoration is classic and elegant.

Every morning, a European breakfast is served. The friendly staff speak many languages and are happy to also share tips about the city. Free WiFi is available in shared areas.

The hotel is close to Piazza Plebiscito, San Carlo Opera, and the port for ferries to Capri and Ischia.

This hotel offers good value for money.

Vomero

Naples is a city of great differences. This is why visitors either love it or dislike it. One of the calmest and most elegant parts of the city is Vomero. This is an upscale neighborhood far from the noise and chaos of the center.

Vomero is located on a hill and is one of the highest areas in Naples. From here, you can enjoy beautiful views of the Bay of Naples, Mount Vesuvius, and islands like Capri. It feels very different from the rest of the city.

Fun fact: People who live in Vomero often say “I’m going down to Naples,” as if it were a different town.

One of the main attractions in this part of the city is Castel Sant’Elmo, a large and impressive fortress. Nearby is the Carthusian Monastery (Certosa), an important monument in Naples. Inside, you can visit the National Museum of San Martino.

The heart of the neighborhood is Piazza Vanvitelli. This is a popular meeting point with shops, cafés, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Vomero is one of the best neighborhoods in Naples. It is a great choice for visitors looking for comfort, views, and a quieter stay.

Gentile Suite & Spa Vomero

Gentile Suite & Spa Vomero is a modern and elegant place to stay in Vomero. It offers quiet, clean, and comfortable rooms. And also a calm and cozy atmosphere.

Each room has air conditioning, a private bathroom, free WiFi, a minibar, and a flat-screen TV. Some rooms have a spa bath or jacuzzi, perfect for relaxing after a busy day. There is also an option for private wellness treatments.

The hotel is in a perfect location, close to Piazza Vanvitelli. There are shops, cafés, restaurants, and bakeries all around. The Vanvitelli metro station is also just a short walk away. Thus, you can quickly get to the historic center.

Guests say the area is both peaceful and safe. The staff is friendly and ready to help. Some rooms also offer nice views over Naples.

Gentile Suite & Spa Vomero is a great choice if you want to stay in a quiet area. But you still want to be close to the city center.

Port of Naples

The Port of Naples is one of the busiest and most important ports in Italy. It is located very close to the city center.

From here, many cruise ships arrive and leave every day. You can also take ferries to islands like Capri, Ischia, and Procida.

The port is near many popular tourist spots such as Castel dell’Ovo and Piazza del Plebiscito. You can also walk to the beautiful Lungomare di Napoli. This is the city’s waterfront promenade, with great sea views.

This area is full of life, restaurants, and antique shops.

If you want to visit the islands the next day, you can easily do it. Staying near the port is the best choice because you can easily catch the ferry early in the morning and enjoy a relaxed trip.

Thanks to its close proximity to the historical centre, the Port of Naples is a great place to start your trip.

B&B Depretis19

B&B Depretis19 is a bright and welcoming stay in Naples. It is ideally located just a few steps from the port. Thus, it’s perfect if you’re catching a ferry to Capri or other nearby islands.

The historic center is within walking distance. At the same time, most major sites can be reached on foot.

Rooms are modern, spotless, and well-lit. They have excellent beds, high ceilings, and some even feature balconies.

The private bathrooms are new and very clean. Guests appreciate the security of the building and the easy access via elevator.

Ernesto, the host, is known for his warm hospitality. He offers maps and local tips, and and also responds quickly to questions.

Luggage storage is also available, even for guests heading off for multi-day trips. Upon returning, many find their bags already waiting in their room.

Depretis19 strikes a perfect balance between hotel convenience and local hospitality.

Stazione / Piazza Garibaldi

Stazione Garibaldi is the main train station in Naples. It is a very busy place where many people travel every day. From here, you can take trains, buses, and the metro to go to other parts of Naples or other cities.

Piazza Garibaldi is the big square in front of the station. It is a busy meeting place with many buses and taxis. The metro station is also here, so it is easy to move around the city.

The area around the station is full of shops, small restaurants, and markets. It is not very quiet, but it is very convenient if you want to travel fast.

I stayed here during my trip and I really liked the location. It felt very close to everything, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

If you stay near Stazione Garibaldi, you will be close to the city center and many tourist spots. It is also easy to catch a train if you want to visit other cities or take a trip to the nearby islands.

Dimora Carafa

I booked this trip last-minute for the end of June, so most hotels were already sold out. That’s because Naples is the closest large city to the Amalfi Coast, so most people spend a few days there when in Southern Italy.

I ended up booking a one-bedroom apartment, called Dimora Carafa. I loved it!

The apartment was about a 15-20 minute walk from the train station in a residential neighborhood. I could also walk to most tourist attractions from there.

The host, Tina, was super nice and responsive via WhatsApp. I arrived in Naples earlier than 3pm (the check-in time). But she said I could check in early and just wait for her to finish cleaning the apartment.

I really appreciated this gesture since I didn’t have to store my luggage for a few hours and waste time. She also told me to contact her whenever if I had questions or something was wrong with the apartment.

She had 6 bottles of water in the fridge for me. And she also had biscuits and toast on the kitchen table as a welcome gift. 

The kitchen was fully stocked with everything I needed to cook breakfast. It even had a mocha pot for Italian coffee!

The apartment was spacious, clean and it had an AC unit both in the bedroom and the living room. The building was clean and pretty quiet.

Overall, I loved staying here and if you prefer an apartment over a hotel room, Dimora Carafa could be a great choice. The price was very affordable too.

If you want to stay at a hotel I recommend Santa Chiara Boutique Hotel, Caruso Place – Boutique & Wellness Suites, or Starhotels Terminus (next to the train station).

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