Just how rough is Naples?

[Quickenthetempo]

Now, there's plenty of rough cities in Europe where clubs visit for European games.
But for some reason English clubs fans always get warned not to travel into Naples in club colours or alone.

Just how rough is that place?

[forzagranata]

Its rough in general. Even as a tourist you have to watch your pockets and your bags. The scooter boys with knifes slashing handbags off women's shoulders isn't a myth.

Add in the local ultras for a football match and yeah....it can be very rough.

[nyclaret]

RVClaret will be able to answer that one!

[Bosscat]

(In Napoli where footy is king
and a boy meets a girl here's what they say)

When a fist hits your eye like a big pizza pie
That's a war aye
When the world seems to spin like you've had too much wine
That's a war aye
Bells will ring ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling
And you'll sing "Oh my head hurts aye"
fists will fly tippy-tippy-tay, tippy-tippy-tay
Like a gay tarantella

When the stars make you drool just like your hit by a stool
That's a war aye
When you dance down the street with the blood at your feet
You're in danger
When you walk and you scream but you know you're not dreaming signore
Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli
That's a war aye

I`ll get mi coat

[claret2018]

There are nice parts but you need to know where you’re going. It’s rough in parts, much worse than most major European cities.

[jedi_master]

Went into Naples for a while after visiting Pompeii - did not stay long. It felt almost dangerous in the centre with lots of groups hanging about and some dodgy looks. It felt a world away from the rest of Italy to me. Sometimes you just get a bad vibe, and we certainly did.

[RVclaret]

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!

[alf_resco]

Naples FL is a cut above

[It Is What It Is]

Just watch this!!
Napoli Ultras are utter thugs.
Burnley FC in Napoli
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... paign.html

[jollyjack]

Was there in 90s on HMS Illustrious. There was a walk to the dockyard gate and a bar inside the yard if you didn't fancy going into town. Two of my mess mates got mugged before reaching the gate! Needless to say most of us stayed in the dockyard bar area. Went to the NATO HQ about 5 miles down the caost and their housing and area was fabulous. City around stadium and docks area, avoid.

[yTib]

having watched gomorrah it looks pretty hairy!

[RVclaret]

having watched gomorrah it looks pretty hairy!

Interestingly a lot of the locals here hate that program and don't watch it because of how it makes the city look.

[forzagranata]

Funnily enough I always found the Napoletani to be similar in lots of ways to Scousers. Maybe it is the port city thing.

[Targetman]

Is it any worse than Liverpool?

[forzagranata]

Is it any worse than Liverpool?

I bow to RVclaret's greater knowledge of the current 'security situation' in the city but I was more comparing the character of the people. The similarities go beyond both having a very strong local dialect.

[Tricky Trevor]

Glad for the thread. I’ve long wanted to visit Naples, Pompeii/Vesuvius, Sorrento, Caserta Palace, etc.
RVClaret put my mind at rest. We’ll do it.

[RVclaret]

I bow to RVclaret's greater knowledge of the current 'security situation' in the city but I was more comparing the character of the people. The similarities go beyond both having a very strong local dialect.

Definitely a strong dialect. It's made learning Italian more difficult than it normally would be. Depending on where you go in Naples they might only speak in Napolitano and it's almost a completely different language. The people though are generally very friendly and welcoming. A friend visited recently and made that comment before even mentioning the pizza!

[forzagranata]

Definitely a strong dialect. It's made learning Italian more difficult than it normally would be. Depending on where you go in Naples they might only speak in Napolitano and it's almost a completely different language. The people though are generally very friendly and welcoming. A friend visited recently and made that comment before even mentioning the pizza!

Oh the food is where any comparison with Liverpool ends....Cuzzetiello....

[claret2018]

Funnily enough Rotterdam has a similar reputation (rough, unusual accent) within Netherlands and that’s another port town.

[houseboy]

My daughter and her bf flew to Naples on Sunday for a few days in Sorrento (I think). Hope they got through alive.

[4midable]

Now, there's plenty of rough cities in Europe where clubs visit for European games.
But for some reason English clubs fans always get warned not to travel into Naples in club colours or alone.

Just how rough is that place?

Its a dump.
Was a stop for our cruise one year. The pitts

[Billy Balfour]

When the stars make you drool just like your hit by a stool
That's a war aye
When you dance down the street with the blood at your feet
You're in danger
When you walk and you scream but you know you're not dreaming signore
Scuzza me, but you see, back in old Napoli
That's a war aye

I`ll get mi coat

I find it heartening that they sing 'I'll get mi coat'.

[jrgbfc]

Funnily enough Rotterdam has a similar reputation (rough, unusual accent) within Netherlands and that’s another port town.

In my experience port towns/cities generally seem to have a rough around the edges/gritty feel. Been to Rotterdam, Marseille and Hamburg and they all felt a bit like that.

[Quicknick]

Every port town/city I've been in has felt rough. Agree about Rotterdam.

[Bosscat]

Its a dump.
Was a stop for our cruise one year. The pitts

Which Cruise Line has a Ship called "The Pitts"

[Swizzlestick]

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.

[Top Claret]

Which Cruise Line has a Ship called "The Pitts"

Sh!t tip line

[elwaclaret]

Napoli has always been one of the main recruitment grounds for the Mafia, organised gangs feeding a steady supply. Every now and then there is a clamp down and headlines pour out about the end of the Mafia in Italy, it never has been so seems unlikely much has changed, more glossed over.

[Funkydrummer]

Was it ever thus. My late dad was stationed there towards the end of the 2nd World War in the RAF and he said that very few his mates ventured out of camp. Those that did were, more often than not, hit with extreme abuse and violence. He advised that I shouldn't go there for pleasure, or even at all if possible.

Conversely, he was also stationed in Trieste and he highly recommended that I go there. I have and it was fantastic.

Make of that what you will.

[Carport]

Oh the food is where any comparison with Liverpool ends....Cuzzetiello....

Isn’t it famed also for its mozzarella?

[Vino blanco]

I went to Naples several times in the noughties when I was looking at purchasing a manufacturing company in the area. Our financial/tax advisors at the time warned us that the criminal elements in Naples weren’t just petty thieves looking for opportunities, he said that most of the crime, including football hooliganism, was very well organised and something to be aware of at all times in the city.

[RVclaret]

Isn’t it famed also for its mozzarella?

Yes the mozzarella here is amazing. Part of the Mrs family go all over Italy selling theirs. Guess that’s what helps makes the pizzas taste even better too!

Have to strongly disagree with those labelling it as a dump etc and can only assume they haven’t seen Naples properly. I do think it’s a place that’s really handy to know where to go, mind.

[Gaia]

The Neapolitan mafia are called the Camorra. They aren't in the same league as the Calabrian Ndrangheta mafia who have overtaken the Sicilian Cosa Nostra as the leading organised crime group. The Ndrangheta control the majority of Europe's cocaine trade.

[dougcollins]

Been to watch games there many times whilst on holiday.

Not as bad as a trip to Preston.

Naples is a fantastic place.

[MrTechno]

Went there around 10 years ago, the most unEuropean city that I’ve ever been to and that’s what made it enthralling. It’s rough around the edges but has a great soul and isn’t touristy, for me that’s what made it special. The food and drink is amazing. It’s not for everyone and it has its very dodgy areas, when we were there we got chatting to a guy in a bar and he drew a line on the map and told us to not go further than that, he was a local who’d had a gun to his neck the night before.

It’s easy to see why people might not like it but if you scratch the surface and like things a little off tilt, it’s a great place that will provide you with lots of memories. The people are so lovely and will go out of their way to try and make you have a good time. I always keep an eye Napoli as a result of going there.

[Bosscat]

Been to watch games there many times whilst on holiday.

Not as bad as a trip to Preston.

Naples is a fantastic place.

They do say see Naples and Die ... been there 3 times and not dead yet so can't be that dangerous

[Tribesmen]

Was there in 1990 for the World Cup semi final , now Italy lost and as soon the full time whistle blew i was out of the ground and made my way back to the camp ground . Now by myself and was worried but made it back in one peice so to say .

[Billy Balfour]

They do say see Naples and Die ... been there 3 times and not dead yet so can't be that dangerous

Boss, to be fair, we only have your word for it. You might well be a ghostwriter for all we know.

[Bosscat]

Boss, to be fair, we only have your word for it. You might well be a ghostwriter for all we know.

good one BB

[Stayingup]

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!

Well worth seeing -----and dying?

[Clarets86]

RVclaret, heading to Naples in October on honeymoon; we’ve got 4 nights in Rome first and then have two in Naples. We’re planning to head to Pompeii on the first day, but any recommendations of places to see in the city on the second day/good places to eat?

Second day will be fairly relaxed, we usually like a wander around the city to see as much as possible when we are staying somewhere, so any recommendations you may have always appreciated!

[Stayingup]

No more dangerous than London.

[nil_desperandum]

Been to watch games there many times whilst on holiday.

Not as bad as a trip to Preston.

Naples is a fantastic place.

I agree
You need to be a little careful, as you do in many European cities, (notably Rome), but it's an amazing city of great contrasts, with great food, some incredible architecture, superb museums, great views, passionate people and totally crazy drivers.
Not been to a Napoli game there, but did watch a World Cup final in a square there when Italy lost to Brazil on penalties. Quite an experience.

[RVclaret]

RVclaret, heading to Naples in October on honeymoon; we’ve got 4 nights in Rome first and then have two in Naples. We’re planning to head to Pompeii on the first day, but any recommendations of places to see in the city on the second day/good places to eat?

Second day will be fairly relaxed, we usually like a wander around the city to see as much as possible when we are staying somewhere, so any recommendations you may have always appreciated!

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!

[dougcollins]

Hi RV- I always like to visit Caffè Gambrinus, a proper Art Deco cafe near the Opera House (Italy's oldest!), and with Oscar Wilde connections.

[Clarets86]

Amazing; thanks for taking the time to post these - much appreciated!

Been to Italy a few times, but never to Naples so really looking forward to it, always had the impression it’s not just for tourists (which is does feel a bit like in places like Venice), and granted it sounds like areas you’d want to avoid, but could say that about most cities in the world, we’ll be sure to follow your advice on that!

[Woodleyclaret]

One of my great Burnley memories is seeing my team beat Napoli at the Turf, a truly memorable night .Reports of the second leg focussed mainly on the crowd violence, bad loosers!

[ArthurShelby]

This could be about Liverpool tbf

[colne-claret]

This could be about Liverpool tbf

I can relate. Nearly got stabbed by a bunch of kids down near the docks.

[dougcollins]

That information seems a bit weird to be honest, telling them to stay near the port area and away from the city centre.

I'm no expert but my experience of Naples suggests that information is back to front.