Naples (Napoli)

Napoli is the third most populated municipality of Italy, but the second metropolitan area, after Milan.

Naples (Italian: Napoli), in Italy, is the capital of the Campania region. The city is the third most populated municipality (city proper) of Italy, but the second metropolitan area, after Milan. It has one of the biggest historical city centres in the world, and its pride are the 448 historical and monumental churches, the highest number in the World for a single city.

Sure, the city has a bad reputation concerning the Mafia, trash crisis (the worst is actually over) and many parts of the city are impoverished and really dangerous, but if you look even further than that and by excising lot of caution, you will find a vibrant city with plenty to see and do. A hidden gem just 2 hours south of Rome.

Pizza comes from Naples. Look for pizza margherita, the original one, with nothing more than fresh tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella and a little olive oil. Eating a pizza in Florence or in Rome is not the same as eating it in Naples! Here the dough is thicker (than in Rome, for example) and is a little chewy. In Naples every pizzeria makes a decent pizza. Some places display the label “Vera Pizza Napoletana” [“True Neapolitan Pizza”] which indicates that the pizzeria follows the standards of the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana [True Neapolitan Pizza Association]. In general it is easy to find a good pizzeria, just look for one without tourists. The city and region are also famous for their pasticceria (pastries) and coffee.

One of the best pizzas in Italy, however, you will not find in Napoli but in Caiazzo, a small town 45 minutes north. The place is called Pepe in Grani, a pizzeria I highly recommend if the occasion calls for a gourmet dinner in a very nice location.