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Naples, Italy
Shore Excursion and Port Reviews

Naples' Castel Nuovo/Maschio Angioino

Naples, Italy Port Information
Tom Ogg

Entry Requirements
Language and Currency
What is Naples Like?
What is the Weather Like?
Where Does the Ship Dock?
Where is the Shopping?
What is There to Buy?
What is There To Do?
Is There Anything of a “Don’t Miss Quality?
Are There Any Great Restaurants or Bars?

Naples, Italy Port Reviews

Entry Requirements

A valid passport is required but no visa is required for stays under 90 days.

Language and Currency

The official language of Naples is Italian, however some English is spoken in most areas. The official currency is the euro. Dollars are not accepted, but Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted. The best way to get euros is from an ATM machine using your debit or credit card.

What is Naples like?

Naples as Seen From a Docked Ship

Naples is a large bustling city with few attractions. However, it has its own distinct flavor and is well worth exploring before or after tours to the surrounding areas more interesting sights.

What is the weather like?

Naples is blessed with perfect Mediterranean weather. It is usually warm in the summer (but still mild) with temperatures in the 70s and 80s.

Where does the ship dock?

The Naples Cruise Terminal

Most ships dock right in Naples Harbor where one can simply walk into the main part of the city from the ship. Some whips will anchor and tender into the main part of the city. Naples Harbor is primarily a commercial harbor and as Italy's second largest harbor, sees quite a bit of traffic.

Where is the shopping?

Shopping in Naples

There is limited shopping on Naples' two main commercial streets. However, the shopping serves the local population more than the tourist trade. You will not find designer fashions, jewelry or other high profile shopping items in Naples.

What is there to buy?

Not a heck of a lot. The local wines are excellent and very well priced and there are some souvenirs worth collecting. Hand carved items, ceramics and general tourist souvenirs are available.

What is there to do?

Naples offers some sights and probably the more important is the Castel Nuovo/Maschio Angioino. This is Naples' civic museum and is located right across the street from where the ship docks for easy access.

A Typical Street of Homes in Pompeii

Naples is the gateway to some amazing sights. Most notable is the ruins of Pampeii. Completely devastated during a volcanic eruption in the first century. In 79 AD, Pompeii was buried by flows from erupting Mt. Vesuvius. The entire town was covered and all of its population perished. Now uncovered during past decades, visiting Pompeii gives one an eerie feeling.

Pompeii's Amphitheater

You can walk its streets, visit the stores and homes as they were in 79 AD and enter the world's largest Roman amphitheater.

Pompeii's Ruins

It is well worth the visit and is a "don't miss" attraction. Pompeii is so large, that it would take a week to see it all. HINT: Walk directly to the amphitheater and start your tour there walking back to the entrance. In this way, you will see the best parts and won't waste time.

Another well preserved ruin that was wiped out during the same volcanic eruption is the town of Herculaneum. Because the city was covered more in mud than volcanic flow, its treasures ere better preserved. If you are tight on time and cannot make it ot Pompeii, then a visit to Herculaneum can be arranged instead. Located just about 5 miles from Pompeii, it is a much smaller ruin, but still well worth the visit.

Sorrento Shopping Street

No visit to the area would be complete without a visit to Sorrento. An oceanfront village that was once the vacation spot for wealthy Romans centuries ago, now offers an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops. There is a ferry from Sorrento that takes you over to Capri and runs quite frequently.

The Sorrento Hydrofoil

There is also a ferry from Capri that runs back to the port in Naples. This makes for an interesting day where one can visit Pompeii, Sorrento and then take a ferry to Capri. If you would just like to visit Sorrento, there is also a ferry from Naples that will bring you and make sure you get back

Capri Shopping

The island of Capri is just a short distance from Sorrento, but offers its own unique experience for visitors. The main streets of Capri offer excellent shopping and dining opportunities.

Amalfi and the Amalfi Coast are also well worth a visit, but take a back seat to the attractions mentioned above. However, if you want a beautiful beach and scenery that is to die for, you may want to venture to Amalfi.

Is there anything of “Don’t Miss” quality?

Pompei, Italy

Yes. Don't miss Pompeii! Read a special report on how to do Pompei on your own by train.

Are there any great restaurants or bars?

Sorrento's Pizzeria Aurora

We found a wonderful restaurant in Sorrento (the Pizzeria Aurora) and would highly recommend it. Read the Special Report on "Capri and Sorrento On Your Own" for more details

Naples Special Reports

Tom Ogg, Capri and Sorrento, On Your Own
Tom Ogg, Pompei, On Your Own by Train  

Naples, Italy Port Reviews
(Click on the Review you are Interested in Reading)

Nancy LaChance, The Almafi Coast On Your Own
Evan Gray; A Taste of Sorranto and Pompeii Excursion
efschlenk; Doing Naples' Sights by Train 
Nancy Norris; A Day of Exploration

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