Why stay in Naples?
Naples has a reputation. Some will tell you it's notorious for its petty thieves and rather elaborate pickpocketing scams. Some will tell you that you're getting into Mafia territory. Some will tell you it's not safe to walk around at night. Like most warnings, there is some truth to these admonishments - and they still shouldn't scare you away from a visit to Naples.
Naples might not be as polished as some of its northern neighbors, but that's part of its charm. It's a real Italian city that doesn't rely on tourism. Of course, there are churhces, museums and galleries to visit, including the Museo Archeologico Nazionale with its collection of items from Pompeii and Herculaneum. The Naples Duomo, its main church, also has Roman ruins underneath it which you can visit.
Most people visit Naples not for its museums, however. It's the birthplace of that most ubiquitous of foods, the pizza, so many make the pilgrimage to sample the dish where it was born. The rest of the time, Naples is a fine place to explore - just be careful like you would in any big city - and soak in some real Italian culture. Naples is also a good base if you'd like to explore the preserved cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum - and don't forget to look with respect at the volcano which caused all the damage, Mt. Vesuvius.
There are going to be more budget accommodations in a city like Naples than in Italy's more popular cities, so you should be able to find one that's perfect for you. Just remember that "hostels" are not just for the young backpacking crowd (even if the property has the word "backpacker" in the name!) - they're ideal for any budget traveler who's interested in meeting other travelers. A few Naples hostels worth mentioning are highlighted below.
At Giovanni's Home there really is a Giovanni, and he reportedly occasionally cooks dinner. Hostel of the Sun is in the city center near the port and bus terminals as well as some of the city's main historic sights.
6 small rooms is a five minute walk from the metro station and close to restaurants and nightclubs. La Controra is in a 17th century building in the city center near a metro station.
If none of these hostels sounds like it's the right one for you, don't worry. There are other Naples hostels listed here which you can choose from. Just keep browsing the descriptions until you find the one that suits your needs.
Need anything else for your trip? You can look for the best deals on international airfare to Italy and book your ticket now. You can also learn more about the area in our Naples Travel Guide.
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