Tour Details
Duration
3 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Castel Nuovo
- Palazzo Reale
- Castel dell'Ovo
- Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter)
- Piazza del Plebiscito
Photos & Highlights
- Gain an understanding of the complex political and social developments of Naples through history
- Led by an art or social historian
Select a date
Tour Description
Naples is a complex place—a city of immense historical importance and one of the bedrocks of Italian culture that in modern times has developed a reputation for being chaotic and unsafe. This three-hour Naples Walking Tour takes us along the city waterfront, visits the royal palace, and explores two castles with an art or social historian. Along the way, we'll explore the city’s political and social history, from its Greek origins as Neapolis (the new city) to modern times, developing a deep appreciation for both the Naples of old and its current incarnation, grit and all. This is a great tour for first-time visitors looking to get a feel for Naples today, in all of its chaotic beauty.
The walk begins with an exploration of Castel Nuovo, the political fulcrum of the city during antiquity, when there was a crucial commercial port in the area (some Roman ships have recently been discovered nearby), up through the high medieval period when Petrarch and Boccaccio were guests here. We will also discover the other Neapolitan castle, Castel dell'Ovo (literally, the egg castle), which too has a history stretching back to Roman times and has experienced many reincarnations, most notably as a prison under the Normans. With the Bay of Naples as a backdrop, we will push on to the Palazzo Reale, designed by Domenico Fontana, which served as the royal palace during the reign of the Spanish Bourbons in the 18th century. Boasting an overwrought imperial style of interior decoration, the royal apartments attest to the wealth and power of the city during Bourbon rule.
Our itinerary can vary at this point, continuing along the waterfront to drink in some of the legendary scenery, or turning to the dense Spanish district and its artist treasures, such as the church of Santa Maria degli Angeli or the Palazzo Serra di Cassano.
The emphasis of this walk is on understanding the political and social development of Naples, and therefore serves as an excellent primer for further explorations in the city. From lowly harbor to elaborate palace, this coastal area is a true marker of the complex Neapolitan identity.
Are skip-the-line tickets included in this tour?
We do not purchase tickets in advance of the tour as the sites included may vary per guide and clients' interests. The sites we visit also do not require waiting in a long ticket line. Clients purchase on-site entry tickets to the site they want to visit, which is around 16 euros/adult; children under 18 are free.
We do not purchase tickets in advance of the tour as the sites included may vary per guide and clients' interests. The sites we visit also do not require waiting in a long ticket line. Clients purchase on-site entry tickets to the site they want to visit, which is around 16 euros/adult; children under 18 are free.
Is this suitable for children?
This tour is not part of our family program; however, we can adapt the itinerary based on the ages, needs, and interests of travelers in your party. Families might also be interested in our Ancient Naples: Above and Underground Tour for Kids or our Full Day Pompeii Tour for Kids, which have been particularly designed to engage children and are led by family-friendly expert guides.
This tour is not part of our family program; however, we can adapt the itinerary based on the ages, needs, and interests of travelers in your party. Families might also be interested in our Ancient Naples: Above and Underground Tour for Kids or our Full Day Pompeii Tour for Kids, which have been particularly designed to engage children and are led by family-friendly expert guides.
Is this tour suitable for travelers with mobility challenges? While this tour is relatively walking-intensive, we can adapt the itinerary for travelers with mobility issues. Please reach out to start the discussion.
Where You'll Start
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102 Reviews
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Fiorella was, simply put, extraordinary. She picked up on our REAL interests - culture, food and art - particularly Caravaggio - immediately and took us to places that were exceptionally meaningful to us. We each fell in love with her in our own way. Highlights were traipsing through her favorite Neapolitan sweet treats and the end of the tour, where we say rapt for 20-30 minutes before the Caravaggio The Seven Acts of Mercy, where she extemporaneously explained the painting, pointing out about 30 details, and wove the history of Caravaggio, the church, Western religious painting, and Italian and Neapolitan history into a coherent and riveting tale. She was attentive and went over and above to make us love this city. By the end of the tour, the craziness and cacophony of the city we had found so off-putting was something we embraced and even felt comforted by.
Cynthia
Reviewed on:
Jul 10, 2018
Fabrizio loved his topic and shared history and architectural styles with us gladly. I would say his English was very good which we appreciated.
Tanya
Reviewed on:
Jul 2, 2018
Really loves the orientation to Naples. Just what we needed to then set off on our own adventures. Roberta was excellent. Super knowledgeable and engaging. We loved it!
Rose
Reviewed on:
Oct 11, 2017
