Five areas to choose from
Where you stay depends on your plans. The Rione Sanità puts you next to the Ipogeo dei Cristallini. The historic centre puts you among churches and lanes. Toledo and the Quartieri Spagnoli sit between the old town and the sea. Chiaia and the seafront are calmer. The station area suits an early train or an airport bus.
Pick the area first, then the room. If your main goal is a guided visit, start with the Ipogeo dei Cristallini tickets and book your slot first, then pick the area that fits the day.
Areas compared
What each one is good for.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Sanità and Materdei | The Ipogeo, the Fontanelle Cemetery and the catacombs on foot | How close a place is depends on its exact address |
| Historic centre | Churches, Naples Underground at Piazza San Gaetano, evenings out | Lively in the evening |
| Toledo and Quartieri Spagnoli | Between the old town and the sea; Line 1 at Toledo | The Spanish Quarter underground route starts at Vico S. Anna di Palazzo |
| Chiaia and seafront | Walks along Via Partenope, Castel dell'Ovo, a calmer base | A taxi or metro ride to the Sanità |
| Piazza Garibaldi and the station | Early trains, Alibus, Line 2 to Cavour | A transport hub more than a place to linger |
For most first visits focused on the underground sites, the Sanità or the historic centre works best, because the metro and your feet cover almost everything. If you want a quieter evening, choose Chiaia and take the metro in the morning.
Sanità and Materdei
The neighbourhood of the Ipogeo.
The Sanità lies at the foot of Capodimonte. Staying here means you can walk to the Ipogeo dei Cristallini, the Basilica Santa Maria della Sanità and the entrance to the Catacombe di San Gaudioso. The Fontanelle Cemetery is about 10 minutes on foot from Materdei station. Materdei is on Line 1, and the nearby Museo station is on Line 1 as well.
It is a living residential neighbourhood, so expect everyday life in the streets. Keep your valuables in sight, as you would in any busy part of a city. For what to see, read our Rione Sanità guide.
Our pick: a half-day trip from Naples
Whichever district you choose, Herculaneum is an easy half-day trip from Naples by the Circumvesuviana train.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Tours near the places you may stay
Underground visits, catacombs and walks in Naples, with live prices and availability.
Historic centre and Toledo
Lanes, churches and Line 1.
The old town around Piazza San Gaetano and Spaccanapoli is where you find San Lorenzo Maggiore and the Naples Underground entrance. Via Toledo is served by Line 1, and several old-town stops lie on Lines 1 and 2. The Quartieri Spagnoli run beside Toledo. The underground route there starts at Vico S. Anna di Palazzo, not in the Sanità, so do not mix the two. Our historic centre guide shows the main sights.
Chiaia, the seafront and Piazza Garibaldi
Quiet by the sea, practical by the station.
Chiaia and Via Partenope run along the water, with Castel dell'Ovo nearby. Allow time to ride into the old town and the Sanità. Piazza Garibaldi is where trains arrive and where Alibus and metro Line 2 meet. Costs of a taxi differ by destination, so do not assume the same fare from every area.
If you plan to stay on the island instead, see where to stay on Capri.
City tax and rental codes
Two practical points.
Naples charges a city tax (imposta di soggiorno) per person and night. The amount depends on the type of accommodation, so ask your host or the property how much applies to your stay.
Tourist rentals and many other lodgings carry a national identification code, the CIN. A code is a registration, not a star rating and not a quality score. Look for it on the listing and do not treat it as a review.
Where to stay in Naples: frequently asked questions
Which area is best for the Ipogeo dei Cristallini?
The Sanità and Materdei put you closest. Distance still depends on the exact address, so check a map before you book a room.
Is the historic centre a good base?
Yes for churches, lanes and Naples Underground. It is lively in the evening.
Where is it quietest?
Chiaia and the seafront are calmer than the old town. You ride the metro or take a taxi to reach the Sanità.
Do I need a car?
No. The metro covers most of what you want, and the old town has restricted traffic zones. A car is useful only for day trips.
Can children visit the Ipogeo?
Children under 8 cannot enter. Children from 8 to 12 enter free of charge.
Is there a city tax?
Yes, Naples charges a city tax per person and night. The rate depends on the accommodation type, so ask your host.