From Naples to Amalfi: The most beautiful trips around

Galleria Umberto I is one of those places where you walk in by accident – and you don’t want to leave. The elegant historic passageway with its glass dome and mosaic floor feels like another world in the middle of vibrant Naples. The light is different here, the noise of the city seems to have died down, and you just want to slow down and look around.

As well as cafes and shops, there’s the quaint Mondadori Bookstore | MA – unassuming but surprisingly spacious and full of atmosphere. The perfect place if you feel like getting lost among the shelves for a while and discovering something you weren’t looking for. I definitely recommend a visit – even if it’s just for ten minutes.

And a little interesting fact: the gallery was built at the end of the 19th century as part of the urban reconstruction project after the cholera epidemic. Its architecture was inspired by the famous Vittorio Emanuele II Gallery in Milan – and if you look up at the majestic dome, you’ll understand why.

The Piazza del Plebiscito is one of the most important and imposing squares in Naples, which will immediately impress you with its size and historical significance. Surrounded by monumental buildings that tell the story of the city’s history, this square offers not only a breathtaking atmosphere but also a wealth of cultural heritage.

On one side of the square is the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale), once the seat of the Bourbon family who ruled the Kingdom of Naples in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, this palace is open as a museum, where you can walk through rooms that remember royal times and admire its fascinating architecture. The palace also houses the National Library, and next door is the Teatro San Carlo, the oldest opera house in the world, where you can experience the beauty of the art of opera.

On the opposite side of the square, the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola rises majestically, a neoclassical building that immediately captures your attention with its monumental dome. Its appearance is reminiscent of the famous Pantheon in Rome. Surrounding the basilica are equestrian statues whose arrangement recalls the design of Vatican Square. These statues were erected to commemorate the Bourbon family’s return to power after the fall of Napoleon. The Basilica and its surroundings are also a great place to relax and enjoy the view of the entire square.

Piazza del Plebiscito is where history meets modern life in Naples. Don’t miss a stroll through this square, which is not only the cultural but also the spiritual centre of the city.

Spiaggia della Gaiola is a small, quiet beach in the Posillipo district of Naples, located in the Parco Sommerso di Gaiola marine protected area. It is known for its clear waters, underwater life and the remains of ancient villas under the surface. As it is located in a nature reserve, free advance booking via the official website is required. There are two time windows each day and the capacity is limited to 200 people, so the place is never crowded.

The beach is ideal for snorkelling and relaxing, but there are no services, so bring everything you need with you. Access is only on foot, the closest parking is on Via Tito Lucrezio Caro. Access is only possible with ID and visitors must respect the rules of nature conservation. Thanks to its unobtrusiveness and limited capacity, the Gaiola remains one of Naples’ best-preserved secrets.