Where to Stay in Naples 2026 | Best Areas + Hotel Map

Naples is Italy's most intense city - raw, chaotic, beautiful, and utterly authentic. Birthplace of pizza, gateway to Pompeii and Amalfi, and keeper of incredible baroque churches. Naples divides opinion - some find it overwhelming and gritty, others find it the most authentic city in Italy. Be street smart, embrace the chaos, and eat everything.

Editor's Pick for First-Timers

Centro Storico / Near Via Toledo

The authentic Naples experience - staying in the UNESCO historic center amid ancient churches, legendary pizzerias, and genuine Neapolitan chaos. Via Toledo provides a slightly more polished base while keeping you in the heart of things with metro access.

First-Timers & Authenticity

Centro Storico

Upscale & Waterfront

Chiaia

Seafood & Romance

Santa Lucia

Transit & Budget

Stazione Centrale

Views & Peace

Vomero

Luxury & Opera

Royal Palace Area

Quick Guide: Best Areas

Centro Storico: UNESCO historic center, Spaccanapoli, churches, authentic Naples, pizza
Chiaia / Lungomare: Elegant waterfront, upscale shopping, Via Chiaia, Castel dell'Ovo views
Santa Lucia / Borgo Marinari: Castel dell'Ovo, seafood restaurants, bay views, fishing village charm
Stazione Centrale Area: Train connections, budget options, transit hub
Vomero: Hilltop views, Certosa di San Martino, residential calm, funicular rides
Piazza del Plebiscito / Royal Palace: Royal Palace, Teatro San Carlo, grand square, luxury hotels

Things to Know

  • Station area (Piazza Garibaldi) has high petty crime - be very careful or avoid staying there
  • Some Centro Storico streets are rough at night - research exact location
  • Don't flash expensive items or cameras in crowded areas
  • Traffic and scooter chaos is real - watch when crossing streets

Understanding Naples Geography

Naples climbs from the Bay of Naples up the hillsides. The historic center (Centro Storico) is inland and ancient. The waterfront (Chiaia, Santa Lucia) is more elegant. Vomero sits on the hill above with views. The main train station is northeast. Funiculars connect the waterfront to Vomero.

Main Districts Centro Storico: UNESCO ancient heart. Chiaia/Lungomare: Elegant waterfront. Santa Lucia: Seafood village, castle. Vomero: Hilltop, views. Station: Transit hub.

Accommodation Map

Check availability and prices across Booking.com, Vrbo, and more.

Best Neighborhoods in Naples

Centro Storico

Best for: UNESCO historic center, Spaccanapoli, churches, authentic Naples, pizza

$38+ $86+ $216+
Budget
First-timers History Foodies Culture

"Raw, chaotic, and utterly authentic Naples with ancient streets and legendary pizza"

Central - metro hub
Nearest Stations
Dante (Metro L1) Museo (Metro L1/L2)
Attractions
Spaccanapoli Duomo San Gregorio Armeno MADRE museum
8.5
Transit
High noise
Generally safe but be street smart. Watch belongings. Some areas rough at night.

Pros

  • Historic heart
  • Best pizza
  • Authentic chaos
  • Churches everywhere

Cons

  • Overwhelming
  • Gritty
  • Some sketchy blocks
  • Noisy

Chiaia / Lungomare

Best for: Elegant waterfront, upscale shopping, Via Chiaia, Castel dell'Ovo views

$65+ $151+ $410+
Luxury
Upscale Waterfront Shopping Couples

"Elegant Naples with waterfront promenade and upscale shopping streets"

15 min walk to center
Nearest Stations
Amedeo (Funicular) Piazza dei Martiri (bus)
Attractions
Lungomare Castel dell'Ovo Villa Comunale Via Chiaia shopping
7
Transit
Moderate noise
Very safe, upscale area.

Pros

  • Beautiful waterfront
  • Upscale area
  • Great restaurants
  • Sea views

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Less authentic
  • Hilly to center

Santa Lucia / Borgo Marinari

Best for: Castel dell'Ovo, seafood restaurants, bay views, fishing village charm

$59+ $140+ $378+
Luxury
Seafood Views Romance Waterfront

"Historic fishing village beneath castle with romantic seafood dining"

20 min walk to center
Nearest Stations
Bus to Municipio area
Attractions
Castel dell'Ovo Borgo Marinari restaurants Bay of Naples views
6.5
Transit
Low noise
Safe tourist area.

Pros

  • Seafood heaven
  • Castle views
  • Romantic atmosphere
  • Bay views

Cons

  • Tourist-focused
  • Expensive restaurants
  • Limited accommodation

Stazione Centrale Area

Best for: Train connections, budget options, transit hub

$27+ $65+ $162+
Budget
Transit Budget Practical

"Chaotic station area with budget accommodation and transit connections"

10 min walk to Centro Storico
Nearest Stations
Napoli Centrale Garibaldi (Metro L1/L2)
Attractions
Train to Pompeii/Amalfi Walk to Centro Storico
10
Transit
High noise
Higher risk area. Watch belongings. Avoid lingering at night.

Pros

  • Pompeii/Amalfi trains
  • Budget hotels
  • Metro hub

Cons

  • Sketchy area
  • Not pleasant
  • Watch belongings carefully

Vomero

Best for: Hilltop views, Certosa di San Martino, residential calm, funicular rides

$43+ $97+ $238+
Mid-range
Views Quiet Local life Museums

"Affluent hilltop neighborhood with stunning views and peaceful atmosphere"

Funicular to center
Nearest Stations
Vanvitelli (Funicular/Metro L1)
Attractions
Certosa di San Martino Castel Sant'Elmo Panoramic views
7.5
Transit
Low noise
Safe residential neighborhood.

Pros

  • Amazing views
  • Peaceful
  • Great museums
  • Safe

Cons

  • Far from sea
  • Need funicular
  • Less atmosphere evenings

Piazza del Plebiscito / Royal Palace

Best for: Royal Palace, Teatro San Carlo, grand square, luxury hotels

$59+ $151+ $432+
Luxury
Luxury History Opera Central

"Monumental Naples with grand Bourbon palace and Italy's oldest opera house"

Central - walk to everything
Nearest Stations
Municipio (Metro L1) Toledo (Metro L1)
Attractions
Royal Palace Piazza del Plebiscito Teatro San Carlo Galleria Umberto I
9
Transit
Moderate noise
Safe central tourist area.

Pros

  • Grand architecture
  • Opera house
  • Luxury hotels
  • Central

Cons

  • Tourist-heavy
  • Less authentic
  • Expensive

Accommodation Budget in Naples

Budget

$43 /night
Typical Range: $38 – $49

Hostels, budget hotels, shared facilities

Most Popular

Mid-Range

$86 /night
Typical Range: $76 – $97

3-star hotels, boutique stays, great locations

Luxury

$194 /night
Typical Range: $167 – $221

5-star hotels, suites, premium amenities

💡 Prices vary by season. Book 2-3 months ahead for best rates.

Our Top Hotel Picks

Best Budget Hotels

Hostel of the Sun

Near Station

8.4

Friendly hostel with helpful staff and good location for train connections.

Solo travelersBudgetTransit
Check Availability

Decumani Hotel de Charme

Centro Storico

8.9

Charming hotel in historic palazzo on Spaccanapoli with antique furnishings.

History loversCentral locationCharacter
Check Availability

€€ Best Mid-Range Hotels

Hotel Piazza Bellini

Centro Storico

8.8

Design hotel overlooking lively Piazza Bellini with contemporary art and great bar scene below.

Nightlife seekersDesign loversCentral buzz
Check Availability

Palazzo Caracciolo

Near Centro

8.7

Former 13th-century palace with modern design in quieter location near historic center.

History loversQuieter stayDesign
Check Availability

€€€ Best Luxury Hotels

Grand Hotel Vesuvio

Santa Lucia

9.3

Legendary 1882 hotel where celebrities stayed with bay views and old-world glamour.

Luxury seekersHistoryBay views
Check Availability

Grand Hotel Parker's

Chiaia

9.1

Historic grand hotel on Corso Vittorio Emanuele with stunning bay views and refined service.

Classic luxuryViewsElegant dining
Check Availability

Hotel Excelsior

Santa Lucia

9.2

Elegant waterfront hotel with rooftop restaurant and direct sea views.

Sea viewsRooftop diningWaterfront luxury
Check Availability

Unique & Boutique Stays

La Ciliegina Lifestyle Hotel

Chiaia

8.9

Boutique hotel with individually designed rooms and excellent Chiaia location.

CharacterBoutique experienceChiaia access
Check Availability

Smart Booking Tips for Naples

  • 1 Book ahead for Easter (major processions) and summer season
  • 2 Naples is cheaper than Rome/Florence - budget for quality
  • 3 Consider Naples as base for Pompeii, Amalfi, Capri day trips
  • 4 Train to Pompeii/Herculaneum is cheap and frequent (Circumvesuviana)
  • 5 City tax €1-5/night depending on hotel category
  • 6 April-June and September-October offer best weather

Why you can trust this guide

We built this guide using recent climate data, hotel price trends, and our own trips, so you can pick the right month without guesswork.

Curated locations based on walkability & safety
Real-time availability via live partner maps
Jan Krenek

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best area to stay in Naples?
Centro Storico / Near Via Toledo. The authentic Naples experience - staying in the UNESCO historic center amid ancient churches, legendary pizzerias, and genuine Neapolitan chaos. Via Toledo provides a slightly more polished base while keeping you in the heart of things with metro access.
How much does a hotel cost in Naples?
Hotels in Naples range from $43 per night for budget accommodation to $86 for mid-range and $194 for luxury hotels. Prices vary by season and neighborhood.
What are the main neighborhoods to stay in Naples?
Centro Storico (UNESCO historic center, Spaccanapoli, churches, authentic Naples, pizza); Chiaia / Lungomare (Elegant waterfront, upscale shopping, Via Chiaia, Castel dell'Ovo views); Santa Lucia / Borgo Marinari (Castel dell'Ovo, seafood restaurants, bay views, fishing village charm); Stazione Centrale Area (Train connections, budget options, transit hub)
Are there areas to avoid in Naples?
Station area (Piazza Garibaldi) has high petty crime - be very careful or avoid staying there Some Centro Storico streets are rough at night - research exact location
When should I book a hotel in Naples?
Book ahead for Easter (major processions) and summer season