Lots of indoor activities to your rescue if the weather is not your friend. Here's what to do in Naples when it rains: our tips!
Who hasn't booked a holiday well in advance, perhaps to save money or to reserve a safe place during peak tourist periods. Booking in advance has many advantages but also many disadvantages, one of which is the unknown 'weather conditions'. It can happen to anyone to book a trip perhaps taking advantage of a bridge or simply a weekend not caring about the weather conditions, but once you get there you realise that rain could spoil the plans made up to that moment.
Naples is defined by many as the city of sun and sea, with favourable weather conditions for most of the year, but... hear hear, hear, it rains in Naples too! Obviously bad weather should not discourage you because Naples offers plenty of activities that can be done indoors, away from water and humidity, allowing you to cope with bad weather. So what to do in Naples when it rains? Don't worry, put your umbrella away and follow us: here are lots of useful tips and activities to do in the rain.
What to do in Naples when it rains
What to do in Naples when it rains
Naples is the city of the sun, the sea, long walks on the beach and relaxing on the rocks, but it is also much more because as in any other city in the world, it rains in Naples too, you have to resign yourself to it and accept it. So what to do in Naples when it rains? And we'll tell you, instead of despairing believing you've wasted a holiday let's roll up our sleeves and explore Naples when it rains.
Naples has a historic centre that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, demonstrating the immense artistic and cultural heritage that lies hidden in the alleyways of this city, thanks to its art, history and architecture. Its history tells of a Naples that was the capital of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, dominated by the Bourbons and the nerve centre of one of the greatest kingdoms known to history.
What can you visit to fully enjoy your holiday even when the weather is bad? EVERYTHING! The historical centre with its churches from San Domencio Maggiore to the Church of Gesù Nuovo. The MANN Museum, the Real Bosco di Capodimonte Museum and, of course, the hidden Naples of the underground: Napoli Sotterranea. Let's start our journey!
If you want to make the most of your time in Naples without getting in the way, be sure to purchase your Naples Pass, the only pass that guarantees you so many services all at once. What does the Naples Pass include? It comes in different versions depending on the length of your stay and gives you access to over 100 attractions, unlimited public transportation rides, skip the line, schedule flexibility, all included in one ticket.
Buy your Naples Pass❯
10. Capodimonte Museum and Real Bosco di Capodimonte
Naples was the capital of the great Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, under the control of the Spanish Bourbon monarchy. The kingdom that was ruled the south and Sicily until the establishment of the Unification of Italy. During the monarchy, the Bourbons made the city of Naples great by giving history monuments and palaces that have entered the firmament of great historical works, one of which is the Real Bosco di Capodimonte with its namesake palace built within it.
The palace houses works of ancient, contemporary art, the royal apartments and the porcelain collection, not to mention its beautiful armory. Commissioned by Charles of Bourbon, the palace, which was used as a museum, was created to house the Farnese Collection, a Neapolitan gallery that houses works ranging from the 1200s to the 1700s. Works by Caravaggio, Botticelli, Andy Warhol and other Baroque masterpieces can be seen. A visit to the museum is a great idea if you don't know what to do in Naples when it rains, and in case it stops you can juggle the narrow streets of the immense Capodimonte forest, which is perfect for relaxing, breathing clean air and playing sports.
The Capodimonte Museum is open daily except Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with guaranteed last admission at 6:30 p.m. For more info.
9. Visit to the Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory.
If you are in the Capodimonte area and plan to visit or have already visited the Capodimonte Museum and Real Bosco, don't go away because nearby is the Capodimonte Astronomical Observatory (OACN). Founded in 1819 today it sees a team of more than 70 employees including students, researchers and astronomers.
Through the Observatory, doors open to infinity and beyond, astronomers will take you on a tour of the planetarium where planets, stars and galaxies can be observed. There are 4 rounds of access: 7 p.m.; 7:40 p.m.; 8:20 p.m.; 9 p.m. and the ticket cost is 10€ for two people.
8. Catacombs of San Gennaro
What to do in Naples when it rains: Catacombs of San Gennaro
Also in the Capodimonte area are the famous Catacombs of San Gennaro. The entrance to the catacombs is located next to the Basilica of the Crowned Mother of Good Counsel and Queen of the Catholic Church, built taking St. Peter's Basilica in Rome as an example, which is precisely why it is called the "Little St. Peter's" ,also worth a visit.
The catacombs tell the story of a thousand-year-old Naples living underground and are arranged on two levels characterized by very large spaces. There are over 100 steps to climb to get down into the catacombs and the temperature is constantly about 15 degrees so remember to bring a jacket or sweater with you if you visit them during hot weather. During the winter time when it's cold and you don't know what to do in Naples when it rains give yourself an underground experience at the catacombs. The catacombs of San Gennaro have won the title of best experience in the world.
It is possible to visit the catacombs every day except Wednesdays from 10:00 am until 5:00 pm with guided tours in both Italian and English.The entrance fee is 11€ but there are many discounts and concessions.
There is an impression of transcendence as liberation from earthly weight: matter was and will become dust
7. Naples Underground
What to do in Naples when it rains: Naples Underground
Napoli Sotterranea is one of the city's main attractions and a great idea for coping with bad weather when it rains. Not sure what to do in Naples when it rains? Visit Napoli Sotterranea! Beneath the city that sees the daily stroll of citizens and thousands of tourists there is another Naples, hidden, hidden from prying eyes. Underground Naples is made up of a dense network of streets, alleys, tunnels that intertwine to form a veritable underground city extending below the historic centre
Over the years, the Naples Underground has been used for various purposes, initially to extract tuff, a material that allowed the construction of most of the buildings that make up the city, later it was used as an aqueduct and finally as a bomb shelter during World War II.
A visit to Napoli Sotterranea is suitable for everyone, it is accessed from the main entrance on the surface which is located at Piazza San Gaetano 88, walking along Via dei Tribunali is very easy
6. Bourbon Gallery
Bourbon Gallery
In the complex network that makes up Naples Underground there are some rooms that make up the present Galleria Borbonica. The Galleria is named Borbonica because it was commissioned by Ferdinand ll of Bourbon in 1853, the idea entrusted to the architect Enrico Alvino was to have a tunnel that would run underground from the Royal Palace to Piazza Vittoria, beyond the Pizzofalcone Hill, so as to create a hidden escape channel for the royal family.
During World War II, the Bourbon Gallery was used as an air raid shelter and later as a judicial depot, to this day remains of cars and mopeds from the 1970s can be seen. Today the Gallery can be visited in its entirety, the entrance is pedestrian and accessed through the Morelli Parking lot located in Vico del Grottone, about 100 meters from Piazza del Plebiscito, the cost of the ticket is 10€ for adults. Children up to 10 years old do not pay. Over 10 years old there is a reduced rate of 5€.
5. The treasure of San Gennaro
Next to the Naples Cathedral on Via Duomo is the entrance to the Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro. A museum of over 700 square meters that preserves one of humanity's most priceless treasures. The Treasure of St. Gennaro consists of a Mitra, the classic headdress with which St. Gennaro is always depicted, made in 1713 by goldsmith Treglia, is composed of 3694 precious stones including 3328 diamonds, 168 rubies and198 emeralds, weighing a total of 18 kilograms.
Added to the treasure is a necklace made in 1679 but completed over the years with various additions until its completion in 1929. The original necklace made by goldsmith Michele Dato was adorned with additional valuables and gifts from popes, kings, sovereigns, and nobles, among them we find Charles III of Bourbon, Maria Amalia of Saxony, Maria Carolina of Habsburg, Francis I of Austria, Joseph Bonaparte, Maria Christina of Savoy, and Victor Emmanuel II of Savoy. The last gift was a ring given in 1929 by Maria Jose, the last queen of Italy.
Added to it are chalices, gold brooches, collections of silverware, and a cloak embellished in gold with the symbol of the Bourbons. The treasure is priceless to Neapolitans and calculating its economic value is madness, just think that the Mitra alone could be worth about 7 million euros, this is the value calculated by some expert gemologists. The cross of emeralds, 26 carats each, donated by Napoleon Bonaparte, could be worth over 20 million euros. Calculating everything in detail would be a pharaonic feat, but to give a clear idea of its value: the treasure of San Gennaro is worth significantly more than all the crown jewels of England.
The treasure can be visited daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission 5 p.m.) and the ticket price is €12. If you still don't know what to do in Naples when it rains, visit the Duomo and the Treasure of San Gennaro.
4. Visit to the Royal Palace of Naples
The Royal Palace of Naples, located in Piazza del Plebiscito, is the centerpiece of the city of Naples, the former home of the Bourbon family and the nerve center of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It is a must to do; you cannot come to Naples and not visit the Royal Palace.
Its interior is as it has always been, with its huge rooms, royal apartments, ballroom, throne room, magnificent court theater and works of art adorning every room. It is accessed by the grand marble staircases that lead to the upper floor opening up to the large inner courtyard.
It is worth taking a look at the inner courtyard, the romantic garden surrounding the palace and the unique prehensile garden, a large garden on a terrace overlooking the sea, a romantic and special encounter between sea and land, nature meets man and creates something magical.
The Royal Palace can be accessed every day, except Wednesdays which are closed days, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., for the price of 11€, but for the prehensile gardens you have to pay an additional 2€ outside the ticket price.
With the Naples Pass, however, you will have access to all museums and major attractions in Naples, guaranteed in a single ticket.Don't miss out and purchase your Naples Pass.
Buy your Naples Pass❯
3. City of Science
What to do in Naples when it rains: Città della Scienza
One of the most fun activities to do in Naples when it rains is to visit Città della Scienza or City of Science, located in the Bagnoli neighborhood, just a stone's throw from the sea and Nisida Island. City of Science is a giant educational and recreational hub made to entertain and educate suitable for both children and adults.
Inside the City of Science there is the beautiful planetarium, the insect exhibit, the body pavilion to discover the human body, and many other activities to enjoy. For more info on ticket costs and opening times of the various pavilions.
2. What to do in Naples when it rains: eat a pizza
2. What to do in Naples when it rains: eat a pizza
Pizza, a world-famous Neapolitan excellence attracts tourists from all over, filling locales and streets with tourists ready to challenge each other in trying and finding the best pizza square in Naples.Even we couldn't do it because pizza is unique and no matter how much it changes from pizzeria to pizzeria, it always remains a treat for the palate and stomach.
One of the things to do in Naples in rainy weather is to go to a nice indoor pizzeria and enjoy a good Neapolitan pizza. Where to go? Anywhere, you're spoiled for choice, from Sorbillo to Starita in Materdei, Donna Sofia in the Tribunali, the Decumani, Michele's famous pizza, Capuano to Vesi. In short, if you are in Naples and have a craving for pizza, bet on your stomach and try them all, you decide the winner! Enjoy.
1. National Archaeological Museum of Naples - MANN
What to do in Naples when it rains: National Archaeological Museum of Naples
If you don't know what to do in Naples when it rains give yourself a unique experience and visit the MANN - Naples National Archaeological Museum. It is one of the largest and most important archaeological museums in the world for its vast collection of classical Greco-Roman art. It possesses artworks, artifacts, sculptures, works made entirely by hand, exudes history in every room and welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world every year.
The museum is located near Piazza Cavour near the exit of the subway stop "Museo," which is also a real museum in that it houses a number of works of art right inside, as if to prepare the visitor for what awaits him or her.
The museum is open daily, including on holidays except Tuesdays, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The single ticket price is 22€ but with the Naples Pass you can take advantage of a promotion that grants you access to many museums while saving money, without standing in lines and without stress.
