Naples · Go deeper
Where to live
Naples reads in three layers: the dense, ancient historic centre down in the belly of the city, the hill of Vomero rising above it for air and views, and the elegant seafront curving along the bay. Centre, hill, and bay might as well be three cities.
The historic centre
Centro Storico
mid, atmosphericThe ancient, intense heart of Naples, laid out on the original Greek grid and stacked with churches, street shrines, pizzerias, and two thousand years of life packed into narrow streets. It's loud, vivid, and unlike anywhere else in Italy. The trade is that it's dense and noisy, and condition varies sharply building to building, so the exact street matters.
Best for: those who want to live inside the living history, noise and all
Learn more about the historic heart
Naples is one of the oldest cities in Europe. Greek settlers founded it as Parthenope in the ninth century BC and re-founded it as Neapolis, the ‘new city’, around 470 BC, and the straight streets of the centre still follow that Greek grid. The three long east–west ‘decumani’ the Greeks drew are the same streets people walk today; the middle one runs so straight and narrow that Neapolitans call it Spaccanapoli, meaning ‘Naples-splitter’, because it cleaves the old town in a dead line.
Layer by layer, Greek gave way to Roman, then Byzantine, Norman, Angevin, Aragonese, Spanish and Bourbon, each leaving churches, palaces, and catacombs stacked on top of the last, which is why the Historic Centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It holds the Duomo and the blood of San Gennaro, the city’s patron, and the Sansevero Chapel with its astonishing marble Veiled Christ. Few places on earth have been lived in this continuously, or wear their history this openly.
Quartieri Spagnoli
lower, vibrantA tight grid of narrow alleys climbing off Via Toledo, hung with laundry and full of street life, tiny trattorias, and Maradona murals. It's the most affordable central area and bursting with character, drawing younger residents and those who want to be in the thick of it. It's crowded and gritty, and some stretches are ones to know before choosing a street.
Best for: budget-conscious residents who want energy and to live in the real Naples
The hill
Vomero
mid to premiumAn affluent hilltop district above the centre, reached by funicular, with sweeping views over the bay to Vesuvius. Vomero is calmer, greener, and more orderly than the centre below: leafy streets, good shops, and upscale evenings around Castel Sant'Elmo. The trade is that you're above the action and pay for the air and the views.
Best for: families and professionals who want calm, views, and a break from the intensity below
The seafront
Chiaia
most expensiveNaples' most elegant address, running along the pedestrianised Lungomare seafront: smart boutiques, refined cafés, and bay views. It's the polished, upscale face of the city, favoured by families and anyone wanting calm and quality by the water. The trade is simple: it's the priciest place to live in Naples.
Best for: those who want elegance, the seafront, and quiet by the bay
Posillipo
premium, quietThe green headland beyond Chiaia, climbing above the water into villas and gardens with some of the best views in the city. Posillipo is exclusive, calm, and residential, a retreat from the density below. The trade is practical: it's spread out and away from the centre, so it suits those happy with a car or a longer commute.
Best for: affluent families wanting space, greenery, and a view over the bay
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