Best areas to stay in Naples

Seafront Posillipo is stacked with colourful apartments and villas, sloping gently towards the sea below. Stay in this picturesque area, once a fishing village, and you will be rewarded with fantastic views and walks; one of the best routes sees you walk along a road on the shorefront, offering panoramic views over the bay. As well as quaint parks, former grand estates and a smattering of World War I memorials to take in, there’s a string of seafood restaurants to choose from by the harbourside piazza in Marechiaro.

Naples’ Historical Centre, or Centro Storico as it’s more commonly known, is the beating heart of the city and as such is one of the best areas to stay in Naples. Accommodation may be slightly pricier, but you’ll be staying in one of the most ancient areas the city has to offer. Its Spaccanapoli district dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times; one of its ancient streets wanders into side alleys and squares, and makes for a must-do while you’re here. In terms of sights, you won’t be far from the likes of Santa Chiara church, Cappella Sansevero chapel and peaceful San Gregorio Armeno convent.

Set upon a hill, visitors can reach Vomero by funicular from either the seafront or city centre. It makes sense to stay here for a night or two so that you can work your way around the sights, green spaces and other public spaces in one go. There’s no missing the Castel Sant’Elmo with its 360-degree views from the ramparts, nor the Museum of Neapolitan History and Culture. But best of all? Escape up here to Villa Floridiana, an expansive public park that is also home to the beautiful, 19th-century royal summer palace that’s now a ceramics museum.

One of the most fashionable areas to stay in Naples is Chiaia, skirting Pizzofalcone Hill. This trendy spot is accentuated by Via Chiaia, the prime shopping street that’s lined with expensive boutiques, art galleries and antique stores. Once you’ve window-shopped-till-you’ve-dropped, settle down at one of the affordable restaurants, watch the sunset with a martini or swing by the Neoclassical Villa Pignatelli, which houses a museum focusing on 19th century high society.

Part of the Historical Centre, the Quartieri Spagnoli was the former Spanish Quarters, and dates back to the 16th century. With a labyrinth of streets, it’s easy to get lost here, so keep your bearings – feel free to ask your accommodation provider for directions or recommendations to stop you from getting lost. That said, there’s nowhere better to go to simply wander around and take in the laundry drying overhead and the locals chatting across their balconies. You couldn’t pick a more authentic area to stay in Naples than Quarteieri Spagnoli.

In need of a stronger history fix? Then consider staying slightly further out in this seaside village, which stakes its claim as a luxury resort as far back as the Romans. And speaking of Romans, check out the ruins of the Imperial palace at the Archaeological Park, which also affords view over some of Naples’ other neighbourhoods in the distance. You can then take your time to explore the sheltered cape Miseno harbour, once used as a naval base by the ancient Greeks but today you can enjoy even more picture-perfect views from the headland.