Just how rough is Naples?

[Cirrus_Minor]

I know a chap who was working in Naples as an aerospace contractor. He had just car stolen, a Mercedes, so reported it to the police. A few days later he saw his car being driven around so called the police, but they advised him to ignore and just go through the insurance since it was advisable to leave well alone. Apparently the guy driving his car was a leading member of the Cammero, the Napolese mafia, and the local cops wanted to stear clear.

[dougcollins]

I hired a car in Naples and was given a hand-written letter as a cover document. I showed it to an Italian speaking friend and he said 'That's fine, it just says you've borrowed the car from a local Cammero and you're entitled to drive it'. I thought it was odd when they insisted I paid in cash.

I was very careful whilst driving that car.

[Stayingup]

Damn rough for Klopp!!!

[Billy Balfour]

Aye, battered, and bruised.

[yorkyclaret]

Who would want to live between Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields? I wonder what they pay for house insurance. Never been into Naples itself (I am just not a fan of Cities), just driving past Naples on the Motorway it looks awful, high rise flats probably built before the Burnley game. I did go into Herculaneum once, incredible place, and it said it was only half excavated. Lots of great places when you get off the worst tourist trails.

[Healeywoodclaret]

I live here and yes there are parts of it I wouldn’t hang around in. Some areas are just a straight no, you wouldn’t even drive through. The main parts of the city itself though are absolutely fine and many parts are wonderful, historic and authentic - which i’d highly recommend seeing. I’ve personally never had any trouble in the city at all.

I go to Napoli matches every now and then, often thinking ‘would I fancy coming here as an away supporter’. Answer - yes. The atmosphere inside and around the ground is incredible, a serious experience, albeit with an intimidating feel. It always sounded good on TV but completely different experience live. On the other hand there is not a chance I’d be walking around in colours outside the ground, put it that way, though I probably wouldn’t do that at most English grounds regardless. I also think away fans have arranged transport to travel from specific locations together with police escort.

In answer to the OP, I’d say ‘rough around the edges’ but well worth seeing!

We stayed in Dear Ole Napoli for a week in 2014. Yes you need to have your wits about you.... Mainly I thought because the Scooters are everywhere! Great cultural experience though and me and my husband absolutely Loved it!

My daughter and I were in Sorrento for a week a couple of weeks ago... Obviously no comparison... She didn't fancy a visit to Naples and I respected that.

RV Claret.... That's exactly what I say to people... A little bit rough round the edges but an absolute Diamond

[dougcollins]

We stayed in Dear Ole Napoli for a week in 2014. Yes you need to have your wits about you.... Mainly I thought because the Scooters are everywhere! Great cultural experience though and me and my husband absolutely Loved it!

My daughter and I were in Sorrento for a week a couple of weeks ago... Obviously no comparison... She didn't fancy a visit to Naples and I respected that.

RV Claret.... That's exactly what I say to people... A little bit rough round the edges but an absolute Diamond

Yep, Sorrento/Naples no comparison - the food is half the price and twice as good in Naples!

[nil_desperandum]

...... just driving past Naples on the Motorway it looks awful, high rise flats probably built before the Burnley game.

So that's like the vast majority of European cities then.
The historical centre of the city is wonderful, and as others have mentioned there's a lot to see and do.

[Willy]

I went to the 1990 World Cup Quarter Final v Cameroon.
We were in the bottom tier behind the net below a banner proclaiming "Napoli welcomes English People".
They spent the match spitting on us.

[yorkyclaret]

So that's like the vast majority of European cities then.

Non of the ones I have been to though.

[the_magic_rat]

Only real rough part of Hamburg is the Reeperbahn, and even that's become pretty touristic. City centre is v nice particularly around the 'Rathaus' and the parks in the North.

I spent a year at Uni in Hamburg in the late 70's. It's a wonderful city, with two lakes in the centre, (The Binnen- and Aussenalster) linked to a network of canals and the massive Stadtpark in the north of the city. Admittedly, I lived on the north side of the city in Winterhude which is very pleasant, but it's a fantastic city and behind Berlin probably the country's second most important cultural centre . As Swizzle points out there are rough areas down towards the River Elbe and docks and across the water in Harburg but the Reeperbahn is now very much a tourist trap and no tackier than Blackpool's Golden Mile.

[bernielee]

When I went there , with the Royal Navy , we were targeted by gangs of young kids , they would have hands in every one of your pockets , they even managed to get our watches , the lads with nylon straps had watch taken , leaving the straps still secured on the wrist , very clever little scrotes . If you dared to confront them the big scrotes appeared out of the grimy backstreets , with allsorts of nasty weapons , not a nice place

[jrgbfc]

Looking like the Euro 2024 qualifier between Italy and England is going to be played in Naples. Could be interesting given the bother English club sides have had going there.

[Targetman]

Looking like the Euro 2024 qualifier between Italy and England is going to be played in Naples. Could be interesting given the bother English club sides have had going there.

Yes it appears that the England game will be played there.
I think Rangers, Leicester and Liverpool had either no tickets or a very small allocation in recent times when they played Napoli away, presumably due to fears of crowd trouble.

[longsidetrumpet]

The island of Ischia, off Naples, is truly beautiful and well worth a week of anybody’s time

[Jamesy]

Naples is rough and you definitely need to keep your wits about you. Nice place though and lots of friendly welcoming locals.

[Padiham2022]

It’s a bit spicy in parts just keep your common sense don’t go too nw, eat at di matteo and you will be fine .
Yes ischia is a delight . Fairly untouched

[Culvert_for_one]

Nice trip! Pompeii worth the visit for sure.

As for a casual walk around the city, depending where you are staying:

Spaccanapoli - a very long, narrow and famous city street full of bars, little shops etc
Via Toledo - main shopping street which leads to
Piazza di Plebiscito - beautiful architecture and from you can walk to
Castel Nuovo - medieval castle, it’s massive!! Round the corner there’s another one called
Castel dell’Ovo - this castle is on the seafront and you get a nice view of the city front from here, you can go inside both but up to you
Santa Lucia - area around here which is nice to walk around
Lungomare di Napoli - basically the seafront walk, great views of the bay and lots of restaurants/bars to pass by, Antonio & Antonio is one we’ve been to a few times
Quartiere Spagnoli - ‘Spanish quarters’ amazing area to walk around, beautiful buildings with washing drying between them due to how narrow they are, expect to see lots of old women on the balconies chatting in the morning! Also there is a large Maradona mural around here that you may have to ask to find, expect to see lots of him around the city!
Vomero - a more chic area of Naples with bars lining the middle of the streets and less traffic, near there is the famous Castel Sant’Elmo which overlooks the city (and gives the best views possible)

Food
Pizzerias - 50 kalo is my favourite while L’Antica Da Michele and Sorbillo (the one in Centro Storico) are the most famous and oldest - expect some queuing at these two, both very authentic
Others - La Laconda Vecchio is traditional Napolitano, Chalet Ciro Gelato - desserts and gelato here are no joke!! Also someone else mentioned above Cuzzetiello - google it, hard to explain but it’s amazing.

Areas to avoid - anywhere going towards the port side (particularly the industrial part) which is the east side on the map and also don’t wander too far past the Quartiere Spagnoli or deep into the north east

Hope that helps, quite a bit there so you (and others) can take your pick!

Just replying to this post as I would like a bit more information if possible mate

Me and my missus are coming out to the Amalfi Coast in late April but we are having a night in Naples after the flight. You mentioned areas to avoid are close to the east side of the port but isn't the Spaccanapoli street from your recommendations in that area? Or are you talking a lot further to the east? Our hotel is booked in between that street and the port, I think the nearest metro is called Università, is this area generally safe?

Also, we may wander up to the ground if Napoli have a game, again would tourists be okay in and around the ground?

Cheers

[RVclaret]

Just replying to this post as I would like a bit more information if possible mate

Me and my missus are coming out to the Amalfi Coast in late April but we are having a night in Naples after the flight. You mentioned areas to avoid are close to the east side of the port but isn't the Spaccanapoli street from your recommendations in that area? Or are you talking a lot further to the east? Our hotel is booked in between that street and the port, I think the nearest metro is called Università, is this area generally safe?

Also, we may wander up to the ground if Napoli have a game, again would tourists be okay in and around the ground?

Cheers

Centro storico (old town) area is fine, that’s where the street you mentioned is. Loads going on there. Looks like your hotel is just south of that and nearish to La Pizzeria Da Michele (oldest pizzeria in Naples)? Just do all your wandering to the east, more or less, of that, not that it’s bad the other way, just nothing going on and gets a bit scruffy. I went to a bar on that street the other week called Barrio Botanico, which was nice, it’s near the Castle.

Yeah be absolutely sweet at the stadium and match, unreal experience, though with Napoli chasing the Scudetto it might not be easy getting tickets at that time!

[Culvert_for_one]

Centro storico (old town) area is fine, that’s where the street you mentioned is. Loads going on there. Looks like your hotel is just south of that and nearish to La Pizzeria Da Michele (oldest pizzeria in Naples)? Just do all your wandering to the east, more or less, of that, not that it’s bad the other way, just nothing going on and gets a bit scruffy. I went to a bar on that street the other week called Barrio Botanico, which was nice, it’s near the Castle.

Yeah be absolutely sweet at the stadium and match, unreal experience, though with Napoli chasing the Scudetto it might not be easy getting tickets at that time!

Top man thank you!! Will definitely try to get to the game

[Goalposts]

Visited once and as RV says some interesting beautiful places , however you always feel your being watched and sized up and therefore is never a place you can ever truly relax , only other place ive felt like that was Kingston in Jamaica back in the 90’s . When thankfully a copper approached me and suggested i get in his car, when he would drive me back to my accommodation or a more appropriate part of the city.

[fatboy47]

Visited once and as RV says some interesting beautiful places , however you always feel your being watched and sized up and therefore is never a place you can ever truly relax , only other place ive felt like that was Kingston in Jamaica back in the 90’s . When thankfully a copper approached me and suggested i get in his car, when he would drive me back to my accommodation or a more appropriate part of the city.

Do you love cricket??

[LS7]

It will be fine.
Jesus.
I’ve walked about in downtown Johannesburg on my own. Your perception of risk is much greater than any actual threat which you can easily mitigate by eg not flashing a Rolex.