The Best Non-Touristy Experiences in Naples

From baroque cemeteries to cursed islands, Naples has so much to offer the keen traveller
From baroque cemeteries to cursed islands, Naples has so much to offer the keen traveller | © Adam Eastland / Alamy

So, you’ve admired the impressive marble sculptures at the Museo Archeologico Nazionale, gazed across the city skyline from the Certosa di San Martino and followed in the footsteps of Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love to eat pizza at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. What else does Naples have to offer? Find out with this list of non-touristy things to see and do in Italy’s third-largest city.

Keen to explore Naples and beyond? Book yourself onto our specially curated 10-day trip to southern Italy and tour the Amalfi Coast and the delights of Puglia with a Local Insider.

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Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture trip

Looking for an expert's perspective?

Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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Cimitero delle Fontanelle

Cemetery

Come face-to-face with Napoli’s previous residents at the Fontanelle Cemetery in the Materdei neighbourhood. Thousands of anonymous remains – many of them plague victims – were laid to rest in these volcanic caves from the 17th-century onwards. The site even spawned a cult with devotees dedicated to caring for the unnamed remains until the cemetery was closed in 1969.

Chiesa del Purgatorio ad Arco

Church

Bronze skull in outside the church of the Purgatorio ad Arco, or Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio
© Anbusiello / Alamy

The Neapolitan cult of the dead continues at the Chiesa del Purgatorio ad Arco – one look at its baroque facade and morbid iconography and it’s obvious this church is different from the rest. Built in 1616, the church is split across two levels. The street-level church contains a number of fascinating death-related artworks, while the underground hypogeum was once a burial place for the city’s pezzentelle – the poorest residents without family or a home. Look out for the skull of Lucia, a young bride who supposedly died in a shipwreck along with her husband.

Chiesa dei Santi Marcellino e Festo

Church

The church of saints Marcellino and Festo – formed when two adjacent monasteries were united in the 16th century – is lavishly decorated with gilded stucco, colourful frescoes and carved woodwork. However, save for special occasions when the church doors are opened, as it’s only accessible with a reservation. Fortunately, part of the complex is now occupied by the Museum of Paleontology – so for a €2.50 (£2.11) entrance ticket, visitors can at least see the church’s rectangular cloister filled with lush green palms and trickling water features.

Castello Aragonese di Baia

Historical Landmark

Italy, Naples, Baia, view of the castle
© Benny 48 / Alamy

Built in the late 15th-century by the Aragonese, the Castle of Baia is perched on a rocky outcrop of the Bay of Pozzuoli – 24km (15mi) outside Naples. Originally built to defend against possible French invasion, the castle now displays local archaeological treasures found in the volcanic Campi Flegrei area. Admission is only €4 (£3.37) on weekends – but check the website for the latest information, as parts of the museum are sometimes closed. The last entrance is at 1pm.

Il Crocifisso Ferito

Church

In 1923, a fire broke out in the Church of San Carlo all’Arena and sent a marble crucifix crashing to the floor. The sculpture – carved by Michelangelo Naccherino in 1599 – was painstakingly pieced back together and returned to the church. Known ever since as il crocifisso ferito – or the wounded crucifix – the statue is all the more moving for its injuries.

Palazzo Donn’Anna

Historical Landmark

View of Posillipo and DonnAnna Palace of XVIII century in Naples, Italy
© Laura Di Biase / Alamy

Palazzo Donn’Anna isn’t open to the public, but its eerie beauty and place in local folklore make it well worth a look anyway. Overlooking the sea, the villa was built in the 17th-century for Anna Carafa – the princess of Stigliano in southern Italy – by her husband Ramiro Guzman, the Spanish viceroy of Naples. One story goes that Anna was killed during a revolt against the royals, while Ramiro fled to Madrid, leaving her ghost to haunt the palace for eternity.

Palazzo della Borsa

Historical Landmark

The monumental building of the Chamber of Commerce was built in 1895 and housed the stock exchange until it was moved to Milan in 1992. Many locals are unaware that the grandiose neo-Renaissance trading floor – lined with marble columns and lunettes depicting Hermes and Dionysus – can still be visited.

Villa Doria d’Angri

Historical Landmark

Built in the 1830s in the Posillipo area of the city, Villa Doria d’Angri affords stunning views across the Port of Naples and beyond. In their prime, the villa terraces featured lush hanging gardens with fountains and exotic plants. Much of the extravagant interiors have also been lost to time – but some of the original Pompeian-style frescoes survive in a few rooms. The building is now owned by the Parthenope University of Naples and houses a naval museum.

SSC Napoli

Stadium

the new luck of the Diego Armando Maradona stadium on the stands is written Napoli with white seats during the Serie A football match SSC Napoli vs Spezia Calcio. Spezia Calcio won 2-1
© Antonio Balasco / Alamy
The Diego Armando Maradona Stadium might seat 60,000 people, but taking in a football match is pretty much off the radar of most tourists in Naples. It’s been almost 30 years since SSC Napoli won a scudetto – but the city’s passion for the beautiful game remains strong. Get to know the calcio-loving locals at a partita.

Palazzo Dello Spagnolo

Historical Landmark

Dating back to 1738, the Palazzo Dello Spagnolo was designed by Ferdinando Sanfelice and is perhaps the most important example of Neapolitan baroque civil architecture. The star of the show is undoubtedly the monumental staircase – its five archways and double-ramped stairwell were also featured in the films Processo alla città and Giudizio Universal.

Isola Della Gaiola

Natural Feature

Gaiola protected area and abandoned island at Posillipo, Naples, Italy
© Laura Di Biase / Alamy

The Isola Della Gaiola is a small but perfectly formed island – well, two islets, actually – that affords stunning panoramic views across the Gulf of Naples. Yet, the island remains deserted with locals telling stories of a curse that befalls anyone who dares visit this secluded spot. Today, the island is part of the Gaiola Underwater Park and is a scenic destination for snorkelling and diving, with archaeological ruins and many species of wildlife to admire.

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It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

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I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

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