What to do in Vomero

Vomero is a Neapolitan neighborhood located on a hilltop overlooking downtown Naples. If you're looking for a more laid-back Italian experience, the neighborhood offers a less crowded feel than the rest of Naples, but still has many places to eat, drink, or explore. To get to Vomero, use either one of the three funiculars or take Metro line 1 to Quattro Giornate or Vanvitelli station. Once there, you will find it easy to walk to any part of the neighborhood.

Castel Sant'Elmo

This star-shaped fortification dominates the hillside of Vomero, especially when viewed from below. Buildings have existed on the site since at least 1275, with the current castle design being incorporated in the mid-1500s. Today you can tour the castle, including the battlements with their unencumbered view over the city of Naples. Exploring the castle will take about an hour, for a fee. The castle is free to the public on the first Sunday of every month, much like other public museums in the Naples region.

Certosa e Museo di San Martino

Located just below the hill from Castel Sant'Elmo, if you continue walking down the same street you will come to the Certosa e Museo di San Martino. Originally founded as a monastery in 1325, the property was turned into a museum in 1866. The museum contains several breathtaking chapels containing famous paintings and frescoes. There is also a large cloister and gardens with unobstructed views over Naples.

Parco della Floridiana

The park of Floridiana is located on the edge of the Vomero hill and offers a green, open space with plenty of trees away from the bustle of the neighborhood. The main feature is a large white villa built in the 1810s. Today it houses a small museum of local ceramics, the Museo Duca di Martina. You can grab a bite at Cafe Floral, walk down the stairs in front of the villa to look at the fountain with turtles, and admire the view of the Bay of Naples with Capri and Mount Vesuvius in the background. There are also several open grass spots to sit down, read, or have a picnic.

Eating and Drinking in Vomero

Vomero has plenty of cafes, bars, pizzerias, and trattorias to explore and enjoy. As in most of Naples, the restaurants are predominantly Italian, but there are some spots offering other cuisines. Wander down Via Alessandro Scarlatti or Via Luca Giordano and take a seat at one of the outdoor cafes for some great people-watching. Or, if you're looking for authentic pizza, a personal favorite is Sandropizettata. If it isn't crowded, you will have a delicious, freshly baked pizza in front of you 5 minutes after you order. There are plenty of local coffee bars to have an espresso, but if you want more of a specialty coffee, stop at Ventimetriquadri. Vomero definitely offers a wider variety of places to eat, drink, and experience the Italian lifestyle.