What Naples is famous for? 16 Reasons to visit the city

The number one reason Naples is famous is pizza. The renowned pizza Margherita was born, made in honour of the homonymous queen by pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito. It then became the dish that symbolised the city and the whole of Italy. 

Today, with its world record, the city has the best pizzerias globally, competing to create the best pizza in all of Naples. In 2017, UNESCO declared The Art of Neapolitan Pizza-making a World Heritage Site. 

Moreover, Neapolitan pizza is among only two Italian products to deserve the European TSG label. The other is mozzarella, food produced in Campania and the main ingredient of pizza Margherita. 

But Naples at the table is not just pizza! Neapolitan cuisine is, in fact, among the most appreciated in the world: a variety of flavours that would be a great blasphemy not to try if you decide to visit the city. 

The Neapolitan culinary tradition is ancient and rich. Influenced by the many cultures with which it has come into contact during trade and various dominations. The availability of the highest quality raw materials and a menu that varies between seafood and meat dishes can satisfy every palate. 

And what about the confectionery tradition! Neapolitan confectionery includes masterpieces such as Sfogliatelle, baba, pastiera and much more. The latter, the Neapolitan pastiera, has received recognition as a Campania food product. Then, as far as the Sfogliatella is concerned, it can be in two variants: the Riccia, prepared with puff pastry, and the Frolla, with shortcrust pie. 

The historic centre of Naples is the largest in Europe. In 1995 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Imposing palaces, narrow streets, ancient churches, unique underground landscapes. These are perhaps some of the things that contribute to making the historic centre of Naples the most unchanged in Europe. 

It still follows the street plan of the ancient Greek city, Neapolis. One example is the famous 16th-century Quartieri Spagnoli, which still retains the chessboard layout of the Greco-Roman structure. 

Therefore, crossing the historic centre of Naples means crossing more than two thousand years long history. It is still possible to see several finds witnessing its immense historical stratification among its alleyways. 

As far as religion is concerned, Naples has a solid Christian-Catholic heritage. Over the years, it has been the nickname of the five hundred domes' city because it is one of the cities with the most places of worship in the world. 

In the historic centre alone, there are one after another. They date from the early Christian period to the 20th century. Trying to remember them all is very complicated, and mentioning just a few of them seems almost as if we would be doing the others a disservice. 

In addition to the 500 churches, there are about two thousand votive shrines, smaller places of worship that are equally important for the city. They were founded in Greek times and became increasingly widespread in the 18th century with a dual purpose: to evangelise the people and create a street lighting network for the darkest alleys. 

Vesuvius is the best-known volcano globally and the most dangerous, given the high population density living at its foot. The Neapolitan people fear and worship this huge sleeping giant, making it the city's symbol. 

Its eruption in 79 AD is perhaps the most famous of all known explosions globally and the first written record of a volcanic eruption. We could say that volcanology was born at the foot of Vesuvius. Its last explosion took place in 1944, after which the volcano entered its resting phase, although it has always remained active. 

Linked to the Vesuvius catastrophe of 79 AD, not far from Naples, are the famous excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum, where you can step back in time to 2000 years ago. 

And it is Vesuvius itself that towers over the Gulf of Naples. Naples here is located almost at the centre. It is a position that has allowed it to play a leading role in many events throughout history. 

The gulf is beautiful and known throughout the world. Its uniqueness results from a mix of artistic, historical and natural beauty, accompanied by a mild and sunny climate. The Gaiola Natural Park at Posillipo alone gives us an idea without moving away from the city. 

But here in the Gulf of Naples, there are many must-see attractions. These include its three islands, among the most beautiful in Italy: 

- Capri: the most glamorous island in the Mediterranean and one of the most visited in the world;

- Ischia: also known as the Green Island because of its rich vegetation, is one of the most popular for spa lovers;

- Procida: romantic and colourful, it is the smallest of the three but not the least beautiful. 

The Sorrentine Peninsula has the same holiday appeal, a popular destination for tourists worldwide, who divide their time exploring its two stretches of coastline: the Sorrento Coast and the Amalfi Coast. 

Also in the Gulf of Naples is the Phlegraean Peninsula, famous for its thermal baths and the volcanic territory of Campi Flegrei. Here we find Baia, a large lagoon with a protected marine area and an important site for the phenomenon of bradyseism. 

Monte di Procida is at the far end of the Gulf, formed from yellow tuff rocks. But the Phlegraean area is also famous for its fish specialities. Here, the Neapolitans often go for long fish and seafood feasts. 

Another important Naples tradition that exported worldwide is Presepe, a representation of the Nativity of Jesus, revisited in a 16th-century key. 

Via San Gregorio Armeno is the emblem of this artistic tradition: full of nativity shops open all year round. In addition to the classic shepherd statuettes, master artisans also enjoy displaying figures of famous people pop-culture characters. 

Naples is then famous throughout the world for its Neapolitan music. They inevitably spread during the period of great Italian emigration. 

One of the first promoters of the overseas success of Neapolitan songs was Renato Carosone with his Tu vuò fa l'Americano (1956). In the 1990s, O' Sole Mio was brought to the fore by tenor Luciano Pavarotti. 

Naples has an important theatrical tradition known throughout the world. A genuinely authentic representation of folkloristic attitudes. Indeed, some say there is something dramatic behind every Neapolitan. Attitudes almost seem to be on the stage. 

It all began with the mask of Punchinello, for whom a theatre was built specifically for comedies in dialect, the San Carlino. 

However, in the 20th century, Neapolitan theatre saw its most extraordinary splendour. Among its exponents, we cannot mention the De Filippo brothers, the symbol of Neapolitan theatre. Eduardo De Filippo is considered one of the fathers of Neorealism. 

And what about Totò, the king of laughter, born Antonio De Curtis. He straddled both theatre and cinema: in his 40-year career, he brought 50 operas to the stage and starred in 97 films. Self-taught and a lover of improvisation, he is considered one of the best-loved comic actors of all time. 

Since he arrived in the team and city, Maradona has been a God for Naples. The 1983/84 championship had just ended, and the then 24 years old Diego, who was playing for Barcelona, during a telephone interview declared, "I would like to play in Naples". He did not say the Italian championship, which was among the best in the world. Still, he pointed to the Neapolitan club that finished the season in mid-table that year.

Not to mention those famous five days in April 1990: a string of five consecutive victories, overtaking Milan in the standings and Maradona raising the Italian Champions Cup. A triumph that Neapolitan fans still remember as an epic moment.

Diego Maradona marked an era for Naples: wrenching the city out of victimhood and pedantic mentality. Maradona's legend still lives on in the streets of the town. Many Neapolitan children have his name. After his death, the San Paolo Stadium in Naples changed its name to Stadio Maradona.

Many tourists in Naples flock to the Duomo on 19 September and the faithful to find out if San Gennaro has performed a miracle this year. But what is the gift of San Gennaro?

They beheaded San Gennaro for his Christian faith. According to legend, a woman collected his blood in an ampoule and kept it venerated as a relic. The blood solidified but not completely. So, the miracle is that the blood liquefies or does not liquefy every year. If the blood has melted, the blessing has done!

The Art Metro is one of the most beautiful and appreciated things in the city. The stations on line 1 (and some stops on metro 6) make up a veritable free museum—stations designed by great architects and full of installations with works by world artists.

There are currently 15 stations with around 200 works of art. One of the most beautiful is Toledo station, recognised as the most beautiful metro station in Europe. The structure features mosaic surfaces depicting scenes of Neapolitan life: the sea, Vesuvius, San Gennaro...