Top Rated Attractions in Naples

The Bourbon Tunnel was originally built under the city of Naples as a way to connect the Naples military barracks to the Royal Palace. The tunnel also provided the citizens of the city shelter during the bombings which took place during World War II. Today, these tunnels with their accumulated debris have been turned into a gallery where the public can see interesting displays of vintage cars and motorbikes, old shelter spots and much more.

Buried under layers of ash and rock for over 1500 years, the archaeological remains of Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Villa Oplontis at Torre Annunziata serve as windows into the past. The Roman town of Pompeii was buried alongside the summer retreat of Herculaneum and numerous lavish villas when Vesuvius erupted on the 24th of August, 79 CE. Excavations began full-swing in the mid-18th Century, although the site was discovered several years before in the 16th Century. Frozen in time, these well-preserved vestiges of a once-prosperous civilization are a vivid reflection of the day-to-day lives of its people. While the remnants of Pompeii and Herculaneum present a more generalized picture of Roman society, the Villa Oplontis depicts the opulent lifestyle enjoyed by the rich. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata, the baths, temples, burial sites, theaters and homes of Pompeii offer an invaluable insight into the history of the Roman Civilization.

The Orto Botanico was created by Giuseppe Bonaparte, the king of Naples and brother of Napoleon, during the brief French domination at the start of the 19th century. The scientific park has reconstructions of various environmental habitats and greenhouses in which different micro-climates are recreated. The monumental, Neo-Classical glass-house displays interesting herbariums and a specialized library. Today, the Botanical Garden is annexed to the Faculty of Science of the University Studi Federico II and visits are available by reservation only. Entry is free.

Commissioned by King Charles of Bourbon, one of Europe's oldest working theaters was built in 1737. It wasn't long before its magnificent architecture and exquisite blue, gold and silver decor, complemented by a program with wider public appeal, attracted praise from both home and abroad. Completely destroyed by a fire in 1816, Ferdinand IV of Bourbon ordered the theater to be rebuilt just six days later. The results were an improved quality of the acoustic and an extended stage.

Once a quiet fishing village, today, this pleasant walk along the seashore is one of the city's liveliest districts, filled with luxury hotels and exclusive restaurants. A stroll along Via Nazario Sauro, Via Partenope and Via Caracciolo takes you to the moorings with a backdrop of local fishing boats and vendors selling freshly landed fish. Crystal-clear water flows from the Leone fountain, and in the beautiful Piazza Sannazzaro, the Sirena fountain is a reminder of the mythical siren Partenope, whose tomb, according to local legend, marks the site on which Naples was founded.

Museo Madre occupies three floors of Palace Donnaregina. It is known to be the oldest museum of contemporary arts in the historic center of the city of Naples. The museum houses temporary and permanent exhibitions of contemporary arts. They also organize several activities and events, details of these can be found on their official website.