Napleswise | Where to Stay in Naples | Naples Neighborhoods (2024)

Naples is a large city, with several distinct neighborhoods and zones. Some make for great locations to stay in, and others are less suited to visitors and tourists.

From luxury property to small B&B’s, Naples offers all types of accommodation and we’re sure by following this guide you will find the right area and option for you!

Let’s jump straight in with our top recommendations for where you should stay in Naples.

This depends on what you are looking for; so if you’re planning a relaxed visit with more time to explore, you should consider either the Santa Lucia or Chiaia neighborhoods.

These districts are located right next to each other and offer everything you could possibly need for a stay in Naples. With lovely views out to the Bay of Naples, you’ll find fantastic places to eat and drink, easy connections to the rest of the city and wider Campania area and plentiful accommodation options.

If you tend to stay in hotels when you travel, focus your search on the Santa Lucia area as this is where you will find many of Naples’ luxury and top rated establishments. In Santa Lucia you’ll also have immediate access to Naples’ main ferry port, meaning trips to Sorrento, Capri, Ischia, Procida and the Amalfi Coast are super easy.

If you generally prefer to stay in apartments or in smaller bed and breakfasts, opt for Chiaia which has more property availability.

Alternatively, if you have less time in Naples or want to be in the middle of the action, stay near Piazza Dante in the city center. From here you will have easy access via public transport or on foot to all of the major sites, Napoli Centrale train station and the port.

Piazza Dante is within a few minutes walk of Via Tribunali and Spaccanapoli so you will not struggle for places to eat and drink at!

On a sunny day, if you stop for a coffee or spritz along Santa Lucia’s lungomare, you’d be forgiven for thinking you were in the Italian or French Riviera.

This neighborhood, less than 10 minutes walk from Piazza Plebiscito and the high-octane energy of the city center, feels like a totally different place, in a good way!

The grand hotels here – some luxury – honor an ‘old world’ vibe, offering sweeping views of the Bay of Naples, the Sorrentine Peninsula and Capri.

One of the things we love most about Santa Lucia is that it’s mostly flat, where a lot of Naples is hilly and steep. It makes getting around a lot easier, especially during the warmer months!

Eating and drinking in Santa Lucia couldn’t be easier also. Outside of hotel restaurants, you’ll find plenty of authentic dining spots on the lungomare (the promenade that winds along the coast), around the Castel dell’Ovo and in the streets back from the sea. Naturally, being Naples’ waterside neighborhood, fish is on the menu everywhere but you can also find pizza and meat dishes if that’s your preference.

Chiaia, separated from the city center by Santa Lucia, is one of Naples’ most desirable neighborhoods for tourists and residents alike, and offers visitors a unique experience compared to staying centrally.

Here you’ll find streets packed with artisan shops and great quality restaurants, and like Santa Lucia, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the Bay of Naples and surrounding area.

The main difference between here and Santa Lucia is that where you are a little further from the center, prices per night for a hotel or apartment are lower. Note that accommodation options here are mainly apartments (including luxury property options) and room rentals, so if you prefer staying in hotels, this might not be the best area for you.

One important consideration for staying in the Centro Storico is that it’s not quiet. If you are sensitive to sounds when sleeping, you should only consider staying here for convenience or check if your accommodation building or room faces the busy streets.

To make things easier, we’ve broken down this jam-packed part of Naples into several distinct parts:

The Spaccanapoli – which loosely translates as ‘Naples Splitter’ is a long road that runs through the center of Naples.

Like in most of the Centro Storico, you will find predominantly self-catering rentals and small B&B’s available, with only a few larger hotels.

This area is packed with plenty of bars and restaurants, which contribute to the constant hum of life in Naples during both day and night.

We would recommend staying in this area if you are looking for an authentic Neapolitan experience, with a focus on sightseeing as most of the city’s main sites are within a short walk.

This area is located in the northern part of the Historic Center and is named for Naples’ main cathedral which is located here, the Duomo di Napoli.

There is also a metro station named Duomo here, part of the main metro Line 1, meaning if you stay in this area you can get to other parts of Naples extremely easily and quickly.

You will not struggle for places to eat and drink around the Duomo, and should consider that the rate for a room will be in line with the Naples average.

Via Toledo is Naples’ main modern thoroughfare which runs north-south through the city, either directly connecting most of Naples’ main monuments, or providing easy access to its principle museums, galleries and underground sites.

As a rule of thumb, any hotel, apartment or B&B on, or adjacent to Via Toledo is a good location, and you should find the prices in line with the city average, or a little higher depending on your proximity to the following key locations:

Beyond the ‘top’ northern end of Via Toledo you’ll find the Museo metro station (on metro Line 1) on Piazza Cavour, named for its proximity for the National Archeological Museum of Naples, the MANN.

Consider staying here if this world-class museum featuring finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, ancient statuary from Rome and much more is on your itinerary!

This location is a little further away from the best restaurants and night life but is therefore a little more quiet so it depends what your priority is for your trip.

Following Via Toledo south towards the sea you’ll find yourself at Piazza Dante, named for the large statue of the famous poet and symbol of Italian nationalism, Dante.

This area is close to Naples’ main university, meaning you’ll find a endless selection of places to eat and drink at, from high-end restaurants to hole-in-the-wall takeaways.

You’ll also find a plethora of artisan shops selling everything from books to ceramics.

This is mine and Sara’s go-to area to stay whenever we’re in Naples, as we like to be close to the action!

At the southern end of Via Toledo you’ll arrive at Piazza Plebiscito where you’ll find the Royal Palace, Galleria Umberto, San Carlo Theater and Castel Nuovo.

This end of Via Toledo makes a great base not just for sightseeing, but also for a quick walk to the port for ferries to Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia and Procida, without the price tag of staying in Santa Lucia.

The Spanish Quarter is a close second as our personal favorite part of Naples to stay in after Piazza Dante.

However, consider that this area is Naples at its most Neapolitan.

What we mean by this is that the hotels and apartments are less refined and the streets more chaotic – think constant mopeds and excited voices 24/7. Light sleepers should not stay here!

The Spanish Quarter is a great place for offering visitors a real of taste of Naples, where the tight streets are packed with local and authentic restaurants and intimate bars.

You’ll find a good selection of small hotels/B&B’s and apartment rentals, following Naples’ average price per night.

If you opt to stay in the Spanish Quarter you’ll benefit from easy access to all of Naples’ main sites either on foot or via the Toledo metro stop (Metro Line 1).

In Sorrento you’ll find all sizes and classes of hotels, as well as plentiful rental accommodation options.

Getting to and from sites like Pompeii will take you a little longer, but Sorrento is less energetic than Naples, and can make for a more relaxing home base.

Click here to find out more about Sorrento.