Why You Should Visit Naples And Its Underground Worlds

written by Tiana Kai
Naples caught gramming

The air is thick with vespa smoke, incredible architecture and a sweet smell of pastries that just haunts you on every street corner. This is the Naples that I was hoping to meet.

One step in and I could feel the underlining static pulsate through the streets of Naples, a city I’ve wanted to experience since moving to Florence. After hearing how dangerous the city is (or is it?), I arrived prepared with no diamonds dripping from my ears but rather a clunky Canon and iPad mini that clearly call attention. Naples is like any main city—you shouldn’t leave your wallet on a counter or wear all your valuables all on one day.

A part of me doesn’t want to believe the crime rumors I’ve read and heard about, but another part of me can feel that there’s this grit, a heat on the streets. The city’s intoxicating and although I wouldn’t move there, I can see why some Americans love calling it home.

Everything seems beat-up—there’s even graffiti on garbage cans and Baroque churches. Yet, the dirt and grime are not a turnoff; they’re alluring and part of the charm. It’s an Italy that not everyone gets to see and should be added to the typical list of: Florence, Rome and Venice.

Visit Naples Mount Vesuvius

View of Mount Vesuvius

Visit Naples antique store

Self portrait among the antiques

Visit Naples vespa and bird

Naples Gay Odin chocolate shop

Gay-Odin chocolate shop

Naples Church of Gesù Nuovo

Looking up inside Church of Gesù Nuovo

Naples baba dessert

Soaking up rum from a Babà

Visit Naples and nonni

The Subterranean Naples

Naples has a heartbeat that started way before the Renaissance and the Romans… which leads us to its underground cities.  I was lucky enough to investigate the Subterranean Naples that makes up 80 kilometers of a city dating back to 470 B.C. that’s now 40 meters underground. For the Greeks it was Neopolis, meaning New City and for the Romans it was the perfect site for underground aqueducts and catacombs. What is now an underground museum was also used as a bombing shelter during WWII. The city has more depth than one would think.

A more modern twist of life underground is the very trippy metro system. The second day of visiting Naples I toured the crazy, psychedelic, space-like world of a metro system. Imagine it more as a museum, so if you aren’t into churches or galleries, then at least buy a metro ticket for 1.30€ and hop on and off each metro stop for some inspiration.

Mainly funded by the European Union, it’s a brilliant way to attract more locals and deter them from adding to the already congested streets above ground. The list of artist is predominantly Italian, many from Naples, but the roster also includes brilliant minds from around the world, like Katharina Sieverding and Sol LeWitt.

Visit Naples Subterranean Tour in Italy

Pizzeria back in the day

Naples underground art

The lovely Laura, A.K.A. @ruberry

Naples metro art

Although my stay in Naples was only three days I saw a lot thanks to Antonio from Instagramers Italia. He hosted me with a great group of fellow Instagramers from Italy. Unforgettable! Don’t miss this list of 15 Things To Do In Naples to see all the great things to check out.

What do you think, will you ever visit Naples?

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11 comments

Visti Naples, What I really think | Life in Ita... December 26, 2014 at 2:19 pm

[…] Do you want to visit Naples? Then read what I really think about the city and it's underground world, now an incredible museum and psychedelic metro system.  […]

Reply
Susan Nelson December 29, 2014 at 9:18 pm

Tiana, I really like Naples. It has its gritty side, but I especially love the waterfront and the evening stroll. The underground is amazing! Thank you for an informative post.

Reply
Tiana Kai December 30, 2014 at 10:16 am

Thanks Susan, I loved the waterfront as well…so many great sections of the city to visit!

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Becky Padmore December 29, 2014 at 11:01 pm

I’ve passed through Naples on our way to the Amalfi Coast but I’m ashamed to say I didn’t explore properly. It looks like an interesting city – if a little rough around the edges! 🙂

Reply
Tiana Kai December 30, 2014 at 10:19 am

There’s lots to see, I could have easily stayed a week!

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Escape Hunter December 31, 2014 at 8:50 am

Naples was interesting, but it’s really dangerous… and you can feel that on every corner.
The modern subway is intriguing, I know… unfortunately it was still under construction when I was there…

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Tiana Kai December 31, 2014 at 8:56 pm

It’s a really cool feature that adds a lot to the city.

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Naples Monthly Roundup February 2, 2015 at 11:24 am

[…] Another “Northerner” is seduced by Naples charms – Why You Should Visit Naples And Its Underground Worlds […]

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knish March 1, 2015 at 10:02 pm

I lived in Naples for almost 4 years and truly fell in love with it. It’s not at all dangerous (unless you’re trying to cross the street

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Tiana Kai March 2, 2015 at 10:46 pm

I agree, it was an amazing trip! Naples has so much character that sets it apart from the rest of Italy, in a good way. I hope more tourists add it into their itinerary, even other Italians!

Reply
Clet Abraham, intimate interview with famous artist in Florence April 7, 2015 at 11:19 pm

[…] Clet in Naples […]

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