Naples

Naples is a city and major port in southern Italy, serving as the capital of the Campania region and of the Metropolitan City of Naples. It lies on the left bank of the Gulf of Naples, along the Tyrrhenian Sea, and is one of Italy’s largest cities by population. The port handles passenger and commercial traffic and acts as a gateway to the region’s historic and natural attractions.

Naples has a long, layered history. It began as Neapolis, a Greek settlement founded in the 6th century BCE, and later became an important city within the Roman world. In the medieval and early modern periods it grew as the seat of the Kingdom of Naples and later the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, before becoming part of unified Italy in 1861. The city has retained a distinctive character shaped by its architecture, religion, and street life.

The historic center of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognized for its concentration of churches, palaces, monasteries, and markets within a dense, lived-in urban fabric. Notable landmarks include Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino), Castel dell’Ovo, the Royal Palace, Piazza del Plebiscito, the Naples Cathedral (Duomo di San Gennaro), and San Carlo Theatre. The National Archaeological Museum holds an important collection of ancient artifacts, and the nearby sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum are part of the broader cultural landscape. The city is also known for its underground Naples tours and for Neapolitan cuisine, including pizza Margherita.

Economically, Naples relies on its port, manufacturing, trade, and services, supported by tourism. The city hosts the University of Naples Federico II, one of the oldest public universities in the world. Naples’ climate is Mediterranean, and its surroundings include Mount Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast, making the area a popular base for exploring southern Italy.