Luxury holidays in Naples

When to go

Naples gets its share of sunshine, but in July and August, temperatures can get a little stifling – as can the crowds. Visit in May, June, September or October, when it’s still warm, but far quieter.

Getting there

• Planes

  Southern Italy’s main airport is Capodichino, roughly eight kilometres from Naples’ city centre. The airport’s served by Alitalia (www.alitalia.com), EasyJet (www.easyjet.com), British Airways (www.britishairways.com) and others.

• Boats

  Daily ferries and hydrofoils link the Port of Naples with Sorrento, Capri and Ischia – try Snav (www.snav.it), Alilauro (www.alilauro.it) or Gescab (www.gescab.it). Tirrenia operates ferries to Sicily and Sardinia (www.tirrenia.it).

• Trains

  The city’s train hub is Stazione Centrale. Daily services run to other major cities, including Rome (see www.trenitalia.it); the journey to the capital takes roughly two and a half hours. The Circumvesuviana line connects Naples with destinations across the Amalfi Coast, including Sorrento, as well as Ercolano and Pompeii (www.vesuviana.it). Naples also has a comprehensive metro system; a day pass costs €3.60 (€3.00 at weekends) and is available from multi-lingual machines at most stations (www.metro.na.it).

• Automobiles

  Driving in Naples can get hairy: traffic lights and one-way streets are generally seen as optional and Vespas rule the road. If you are coming by car, the city is on the north-to-south Autostrada del Sole (A1 to Rome and Milan, A3 to Salerno).

• Taxis

  Taxis regularly pass Via Cristoforo Colombo, the main road that runs along the seafront. They’ll also be waiting at the larger train and metro stations.