Naples is chaotic, loud, visually overwhelming, and quite possibly the most exciting cruise port in the Mediterranean. The city itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the bay is dominated by the brooding cone of Vesuvius, and within an hour’s travel you have Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Ischia, and Sorrento. No other port in Italy : arguably no port in Europe : offers this density of world-class destinations within day-trip distance.
It would be dishonest not to mention that Naples requires a little street awareness. The city has a strong tradition of opportunistic theft : Vespas and motorbikes snatching bags from pedestrians, pickpockets in crowded markets, unofficial taxi drivers overcharging tourists. None of this should put you off; millions of cruise passengers visit Naples every year without incident. But keeping your bag across your body, being aware in crowded areas, and using only official taxis are sensible precautions.
This guide covers transport to Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Amalfi Coast, Capri ferry options, and what to see in Naples itself, including where to eat the pizza that started it all.
Port Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Port Type | Dock |
| Distance to Town | Cruise terminal is 1 km from Naples city centre; 30 km to Pompeii |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Language | Italian (less English spoken than Rome; basic Italian phrases useful) |
| Best Known For | The jumping-off point for Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri, plus legendary Neapolitan pizza in the city itself. |
- Cruise Terminal , Stazione Marittima, Naples
- Naples City Centre , Piazza Garibaldi u0026 Spaccanapoli
- Pompeii , Ancient ruins, 30 km south
- Amalfi , Clifftop town, Amalfi Coast
Naples : Dock Port (Stazione Marittima) · View larger map
Getting From the Port to Town
Walking: The Best Option
Free- Walk time: 15–20 min walk from terminal to city centre
- The Stazione Marittima terminal is about 1 kilometre from the historic centre : a walkable distance along the Lungomare seafront promenade. The walk is pleasant in cooler months. Be aware of your surroundings on this route and keep bags close to your body; Naples has a higher rate of opportunistic theft than most Italian cities, particularly around the port area.
Local Bus
€1.10 city bus or Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii (~€2.80)- For Pompeii, the Circumvesuviana commuter train from Napoli Porta Nolana or Napoli Centrale is the most economical option : about €2.80 each way and 35–40 minutes to the Pompeii Scavi Villa Misteri stop. The station is about 20 minutes walk or a short taxi from the cruise terminal. City buses (EAV/ANM) cover Naples for €1.10 but can be very crowded.
Taxi
€15–€20 to city centre or train station; €50–€70 to Amalfi; €25–€30 to Pompeii- Licensed taxis in Naples have fixed-rate fares for tourist destinations, including the port : look for the official fare list posted in every licensed cab. Agree the fare before you get in or insist on the meter. Unofficial touts at the port gates will quote high prices; always use white licensed taxis or a pre-booked transfer. For Amalfi, private transfers are significantly easier than self-navigating the notoriously narrow coast road.
Top Excursions
Discover the Magic of the Amalfi and Sorrento Coast by Vespan
Discover the Soul of the Amalfi and Sorrento Coast on Two Wheels!nn*** IMPORTANT: The tour includes an experienced driver so you can enjoy every moment without worries. If you'd prefer to ride the Vespa yourself and have driving experience, please send me a message before booking to check availabili
Book This ExcursionPrivate Amalfi Coast Tour: Scenic Positano, Amalfi u0026 Ravello
This experience is truly special, offering the chance to admire the breathtaking beauty of the entire Amalfi Coast with stops at its most iconic destinations.nnThroughout the day, we will visit Ravello, Amalfi, and Positano, spending ample time in each to fully appreciate their charm. You'll discove
Book This ExcursionThe Godfather of the Amalfi Coast
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Book This ExcursionAmalfi Ravello Positano Tour
Our services are high quality, as we offer our clients the best from the best. Efficiency – our team is always at your disposal and all your requests will get an answer as soon as you ask! Experience – with more than 15 years in the Tourism , we know how important each of our clients is and our expe
Book This ExcursionMore Experiences in Naples
Amalfi Coast Experience with our English – speaking drivers
This tour stands out because it offers a completely personalized and stress-free experience. With a local private driver, you can explore Positano, Amalfi and Ravello at your own pace, stopping at the most picturesque spots for photos, Shopping, Ice Cream and Lunch, without rushing and without queue
Enjoy the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii – Tour with our Local Driver
Our local drivers and guides will be able to have a great attitude (especially empaths and great listeners), knowledge of the local culture, energy and dedication to travelers during this private tour. They will be honored to share with you some special anecdotes about the places to visit and the an
Ischia island private excursion on Gozzo Fratelli Aprea 7,5m
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Private Transfer from Naples to Positano
Transfer to Positano with Smooth Travel is a luxurious and comfortable experience that sets the standard for excellence in customer service.nThe transfer is provided in a private, air-conditioned vehicle, driven by an experienced and professional driver who will be there to meet you upon arrival at
Popular excursions in Naples sell out fast : especially in peak summer months. Compare tours and prices before you sail.
Things to Do Without an Excursion
Naples is one of the easiest Mediterranean cruise cities to explore on foot: the ship docks at the Stazione Marittima in the heart of the city, and the UNESCO-listed historic centre is a 15-minute walk up the hill. Spaccanapoli : the long, dead-straight street that cuts the old town in half : is the spine of everything, and the streets around it are dense with churches, street food stalls, and ordinary Neapolitan life.
If you have a full day, Pompeii is genuinely easy to do independently: the Circumvesuviana commuter train leaves from Napoli Porta Nolana (10-minute walk from the port) and takes around 35–40 minutes to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri station. If your time is shorter, stick to the historic centre : the National Archaeological Museum, Spaccanapoli, and a pizza from one of the legendary local pizzerias will fill a half-day perfectly.
- Spaccanapoli. The arrow-straight street that has divided Naples since Roman times is free to walk and endlessly lively : lined with shrines, workshops, street-food carts, and the city’s best people-watching. Allow at least an hour to wander its full length and the narrow lanes branching off it.
- National Archaeological Museum (MANN). The finest collection of Greco-Roman antiquities in the world, including the Farnese Hercules, the Alexander Mosaic from Pompeii, and an entire floor of finds from Herculaneum. Entry is €22 (free first Sunday of the month); a 20-minute walk from the port or a short ride on Metro Line 1 to Museo stop.
- Gesù Nuovo & Piazza del Gesù. The 16th-century Jesuit church at the western end of Spaccanapoli has a dramatic diamond-rusticated façade unlike anything else in Naples and an interior dripping in coloured marble and frescoes. Entry is free, and the piazza itself is a natural gathering point.
- San Gregorio Armeno. The narrow lane running off Spaccanapoli is Naples’ famous Christmas street, lined year-round with workshops selling hand-crafted nativity scene figurines, including satirical effigies of politicians and celebrities. Free to walk and browse; a centuries-old Neapolitan tradition.
- Napoli Sotterranea. Forty metres below Piazza San Gaetano lies a labyrinth of Greek aqueducts, Roman cisterns, and WWII air-raid shelters carved from volcanic tufa over 2,400 years. Guided tours run in English roughly every two hours; entry is €15. Book ahead in summer as tours sell out.
- Pizza at Pizzeria Sorbillo. Sorbillo’s packed, no-frills pizzeria on Via dei Tribunali 32 is widely regarded as one of the best in a city that takes the subject extremely seriously. A classic Margherita or Marinara costs around €5–€7; arrive at opening (noon) or expect a queue, and pay cash.
- Pompeii by Circumvesuviana Train. Take the Circumvesuviana from Napoli Porta Nolana on the Sorrento line to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri : about 35–40 minutes, tickets around €3.20 each way. Site entry is €18; allow at least three hours inside and build in time to return well before all-aboard.
- Castel dell’Ovo (Free). Naples’ oldest castle sits on a small islet right on the waterfront, a 15-minute walk from the cruise terminal along the Via Caracciolo promenade. Entry to the castle courtyard and battlements is free; the views across the bay to Vesuvius are outstanding.
Pompeii (pompeiisites.org) requires a timed-entry ticket : €18 in peak season and popular time slots sell out well in advance. Book before you leave home. Allocate at least 3 hours on site; the excavations are vast and a rush around the perimeter misses most of the best houses. A guidebook or audio guide makes an enormous difference to understanding what you are seeing.
Best Restaurants in Naples
Caruso Roof Garden Restaurant
Caruso Roof Garden, top Restaurant of the Grand Hotel Vesuvio, is an elegant setting for fine Italian cuisine, with al fresco dining on an adjoining summer terrace overlooking the Gulf of Naples. Since June 21st 2024 Emanuele Petrosino is the Executive Chef. Reservations are mand
#387 of 4,072 Places to Eat in Naples
View on TripAdvisorVesuvio Roof Bar u0026 Restaurant
The Vesuvio Roof Bar u0026 Restaurant by u0022UNA cucinau0022 offers traditional Neapolitan and Mediterranean dishes. A wine list provides a selection of the best regional and other Italian wines to go with the chef’s specialties. Our restaurant serves different Neapolitan dishes every week,
#141 of 4,072 Places to Eat in Naples
View on TripAdvisorGeorge Restaurant
Perched on the sixth floor of the Grand Hotel Parker's, with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples, George Restaurant is Napoli's two-Michelin-starred gem. Chef Domenico Candela presents an exquisite culinary experience, combining traditional Campanian flavors with modern tech
#113 of 4,072 Places to Eat in Naples
View on TripAdvisorRatings & reviews powered by TripAdvisor
Getting Around
Naples has one of the higher rates of bag theft in Italy, particularly around the port area, the train station, and crowded markets like the Porta Nolana fish market. Keep your bag across your body (never hanging from one shoulder), do not wear expensive jewellery or watches visibly, and be especially vigilant around mopeds and motorbikes in traffic. These simple precautions significantly reduce risk.
Essential Travel Tips
Naples is the birthplace of pizza and Neapolitan pizza (thin soft base, simple toppings, wood-fired) bears almost no resemblance to what is sold elsewhere in the world. L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele on Via Cesare Sersale is the most famous : cash only, two options (Margherita or Marinara), expect a queue, absolutely worth it. A pizza costs around €5–€7. Sorbillo on Via dei Tribunali is also outstanding.
The Amalfi Coast road (SS163) is one of the most spectacular but also most traffic-prone roads in Europe. In peak summer, the 50 km journey from Naples to Amalfi town can take 2.5–3 hours by coach due to single-lane delays and tourist traffic. If you are planning an independent Amalfi visit, factor this in carefully against your ship's sailing time, or take an organised excursion where the timings are managed for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The most economical route is the Circumvesuviana commuter train from Napoli Porta Nolana (20 minutes walk from the cruise terminal) to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri station. Trains run roughly every 30 minutes and the journey takes 35–40 minutes. A taxi from the port costs €25–€30 one way.
Naples is safe for tourists who take basic precautions. Keep bags across your body, be alert in crowded areas and around the train station, use only white licensed taxis, and avoid displaying expensive electronics or jewellery. Millions of cruisers visit every year without incident. The historic centre (Spaccanapoli, Piazza del Gesù Nuovo) is busiest and most interesting but requires the most awareness.
Realistically, no : not both thoroughly. Pompeii alone requires at least 3 hours on site plus 1.5 hours of travel time from the port. The Amalfi Coast from Naples is similarly time-consuming due to traffic. Choose one as your main focus; trying to do both results in doing neither justice.
Hydrofoils and ferries to Capri depart from Molo Beverello, which is adjacent to the cruise terminal. Fast hydrofoils take about 50 minutes and cost roughly €22 each way. Capri is extremely busy in summer : go early and book return ferries at the time of arrival on the island.
The best traditional pizzerias are in the Spanish Quarter and around Via dei Tribunali, about 20 minutes walk from the terminal through the historic centre. L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele (Via Cesare Sersale, cash only) and Sorbillo (Via dei Tribunali) are the two most revered names. Both are busy at lunchtime but queues move faster than you might expect.
Ready to Explore Naples?
Naples rewards those who arrive prepared and curious : it is messy and magnificent in equal measure, and the access it gives to Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast makes it one of the most strategically valuable ports on any Mediterranean itinerary. Decide before you dock what your priority is, book tickets in advance, and stay alert in the city. You will have a brilliant day.