Where to Stay in Naples, Italy

Choosing where to stay in Naples makes a big difference to your trip. The city is big, intense, and full of contrasts — and the best area depends less on budget and more on how you plan to move around, what you want nearby, and how much noise you’re happy to live with at the end of the day. This guide breaks it down clearly, area by area, so you can choose a base that actually works.

I’ll be honest: I got it wrong the first time I stayed in Naples. Since then, I’ve stayed in better spots, moved around the city more confidently, and used Naples as a base for ferries, food-focused trips, and short stopovers before the Amalfi Coast. Read this entirely for context, or jump straight to the quick picks if you want a clear answer and somewhere good to book.

A quick note on safety and walking around at night in Naples

Naples can feel intense at first, but most safety concerns come down to where you are and how late it is. In central areas like the Historic Centre, Chiaia, and around Piazza del Plebiscito, walking around in the evening is normal and often lively, especially near restaurants and main streets.

Stick to well-lit routes, avoid empty shortcuts late at night, and stay aware in busy areas. I’m comfortable walking around in the areas covered in this guide, but I’m more selective once streets start to empty. Choosing the right base makes evenings much easier

A quick note on hotel star ratings in Italy

Hotel star ratings in Italy don’t always match what you might expect in cities like London. A good four-star hotel in Naples can be just as comfortable and well run as a five-star, often with better locations and more character.

When choosing where to stay in Naples, I’d prioritise location over star count every time.

Historic Centre (Centro Storico) — Best for first-time visitors

This is the heart of Naples: loud, layered, messy, and fascinating. If you want to walk almost everywhere, eat well without planning ahead, and feel fully immersed in the city, this is the easiest base to choose.

The trade-off is noise and grit, especially in the evenings. I’d stay here again for a short trip, but I’m more careful now about which streets I choose.

Where to stay in the Historic Centre

• Relais Della Porta ★★★★ — Central without being buried in the narrowest lanes, with larger rooms than many old-town options. A good choice if you want to walk everywhere but still sleep reasonably well.
• Rinuccini Relais ★★★★ — Right on Piazza Dante, which makes transport and orientation easy. Choose it if you like stepping straight into the city without navigating tight backstreets.
• Decumani Hotel de Charme ★★★★ — A traditional hotel inside a historic palazzo, with a classic feel and hotel-style comfort rather than a guesthouse setup.
• Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments ★★★ — Simple, reliable rooms in one of the most enjoyable parts of the old town. Best if location matters more than extras.

Santa Lucia & Lungomare — Best for ferries and sea views

Santa Lucia and the Lungomare feel flatter, calmer, and more orderly than most of Naples. It’s a good base if you’re heading to Capri or the Amalfi Coast and want ferry access without staying right at the port.

Evenings are quieter here, and the seafront setting gives the area an easier rhythm.

Where to stay in Santa Lucia & Lungomare

• Eurostars Hotel Excelsior ★★★★ — A good waterfront hotel with easy walks to the historic centre and ferry points. Works well if you want convenience and space without fuss.
• Artemisia Domus Giardino ★★★★ — Set just behind the seafront, with a small garden that feels like a pause from the city. A good fit for calmer evenings without isolation.
• Grand Hotel Vesuvio ★★★★★ — A long-established waterfront hotel with a formal feel and one of the best locations along the Lungomare. It suits travellers who want space, service, and sea views, and are happy with a traditional style.

Chiaia — Best for shopping, dining, and style

Chiaia feels easier and more pulled together than the historic centre, with wider streets, good restaurants, and a slower evening pace. It’s still central, but far less chaotic.

This area works well if you like having good places to eat close by and prefer to dip into the old town rather than stay inside it.

Where to stay in Chiaia

• Grand Hotel Parker’s ★★★★★ — Set slightly above the city, with wide views across the bay and a calm, traditional feel. Best if you value quieter evenings and don’t mind a short uphill walk.
• De Bonart Naples, Curio Collection by Hilton ★★★★★ — A more contemporary option with comfortable rooms and an easy layout. Works well if you want modern comfort in a calmer part of the city.
• Agra Suites ★★★★ — A small guesthouse near Piazza dei Martiri, well placed for walking and dining. Suits travellers who want Chiaia’s location without a large hotel.

Vomero — Best for quieter stays and views

Vomero is above the city and feels more residential, greener, and noticeably calmer. It’s a good choice if you want quieter evenings and don’t mind relying on the metro or funicular.

You won’t get the constant buzz of central Naples here, but you will sleep better.

Where to stay in Vomero

• Hotel San Francesco al Monte ★★★★ — In a former monastery between Vomero and the historic centre, with wide views over the city. A good middle ground if you want quiet without being completely removed.
• La Chambre in Vomero ★★★ — A small, simple B&B on a pedestrian street near the funicular and metro. Best for a local feel and easy transport rather than hotel facilities.

Posillipo — Best for longer, scenic stays

Posillipo is beautiful and residential, with sea views and very little noise — but it’s far from the centre. It works best for longer stays or repeat visits where outlook matters more than convenience.

Where to stay in Posillipo

• BW Signature Collection Hotel Paradiso ★★★★ — Set above the city, this is a quiet, well-run hotel with wide views across the bay. It suits longer stays where calm and outlook matter more than walking everywhere, and it’s best if you’re happy using taxis or public transport to get into the centre.

Port of Naples — Only for early ferries

This area is purely practical. It only makes sense for very late arrivals or very early departures.

Where to stay near the port

• Smart Hotel Napoli ★★★★ — Built directly into the ferry terminal, this is the most practical option for very early departures or late arrivals. Choose it for convenience and a simple night’s sleep, not for atmosphere.
• Romeo Hotel ★★★★★ — A high-end, design-led hotel overlooking the port, with proper facilities and an insulated feel from the surrounding area. It works if timing matters but you still want a comfortable stay.

Naples or Sorrento — which makes more sense?

If you’re deciding between Naples and Sorrento, it comes down to what you plan to do. Naples is better for food, museums, and transport links. Sorrento is calmer and easier in the evenings, but far less layered.

If you plan to spend time in Naples itself, stay here. If your focus is the coast, Sorrento may suit you better.

Once you’ve chosen where to stay, here’s what’s actually worth doing in Naples.

Still unsure if Naples or the Amalfi Coast makes a better base? This Naples vs Amalfi Coast guide helps you choose.

FAQs

What is the best area to stay in Naples for first-time visitors?

For most first-time visitors, the Historic Centre is the easiest base. You can walk to major sights, food is everywhere, and it gives you a strong sense of the city. If you want something calmer but still central, areas around Piazza del Plebiscito are a good alternative.

Is Naples a good place to stay for a first visit to Italy?

Yes, especially if you enjoy food, history, and cities with strong character. Naples is lively and intense, but it’s also rewarding and well connected to the rest of southern Italy.

How long should I stay in Naples?

Two to three nights works well for most trips. This gives you time to explore the city and still take a day trip to places like Capri or the Amalfi Coast.

Is Naples safe to walk around at night?

Yes, in well-chosen central areas. Neighbourhoods like the Historic Centre, Chiaia, and around Piazza del Plebiscito are lively in the evenings. Stick to well-lit streets, avoid quiet shortcuts late at night, and keep normal city awareness.

Which areas of Naples are best for walking everywhere?

The Historic Centre and areas close to Piazza del Plebiscito are the most walkable. From here, you can reach major sights, restaurants, and transport links without relying heavily on public transport.

Are hotels in Naples noisy?

Noise depends more on location than hotel quality. Central areas, especially the Historic Centre, stay lively late into the evening. If quiet nights matter, Vomero or parts of Chiaia are better choices.

Is it better to stay near the port or the train station?

For most trips, neither is ideal. Staying near the waterfront or in central neighbourhoods is usually more pleasant. The train station area is practical for arrivals and departures but not the best base for exploring the city.

Is Naples a good base for the Amalfi Coast?

Yes. Naples works well as a base if you want flexibility, better transport links, and more accommodation choice. Ferries and trains make it easy to reach the Amalfi Coast without staying there full-time.

Is it better to stay in Naples or on the Amalfi Coast?

Naples suits travellers who want food, museums, and easy transport connections. The Amalfi Coast is more scenic and relaxed but harder to move around. Many travellers stay in Naples first, then continue on to the coast.

Is Naples a good base for Capri and Ischia?

Yes. Ferries to Capri, Ischia, and Procida run frequently from Naples. Staying near the waterfront makes early departures much easier.

Naples works best when your base matches how you plan to move around. Get that right, and the city feels far easier — and far more enjoyable.

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