By Karim Hammam
Naples, Italy's third-largest city, has shed its long-standing association with mafia and petty crime to emerge as a glamorous destination, complete with €1 Aperol spritzes and a thriving art scene.
Fashion and Investment Drive Revival
High-fashion brands including Vivienne Westwood, Dolce & Gabbana, Zara and Andersson Bell shot campaigns on Naples' streets in 2023, signalling a shift in global perception. The city will host sailing's Louis Vuitton America's Cup in 2027, the first time the event has been held in Italy, following World Series warm-up events in 2012 and 2013 that drew more than 500,000 spectators. Déborah Mimouni, manager at the historic Grand Hotel Parker's, said the catamaran races against the backdrop of Mount Vesuvius broadcast a fresh vision of sophistication and marine excellence.
Historic Hotels and Waterfront Dining
The fashionable Chiaia neighbourhood now features smart shops, galleries and the Michelin Guide restaurant Persika, where Swedish chef Joar Torch adds a Nordic twist to Italian classics. The natural wine bar Puteca has also become a local favourite. Along the rejuvenated marina, a multi-million euro programme is improving the promenade near Castel dell'Ovo, where locals run and cycle before dining at upscale waterside restaurants such as La Scialuppa and Zi Teresa. The Grand Hotel Vesuvio, a 19th-century landmark, continues to host A-list guests with a rooftop overlooking the Gulf of Naples.
Art Scene and Metro Creativity
Contemporary design fair Edit Napoli returns this October at La Santissima, a former military hospital turned cultural hub in the Spanish Quarter. The waterfront hotel Romeo Napoli, designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange, houses a private collection including Andy Warhol's depiction of Vesuvius alongside works by Mario Schifano and other Neapolitan artists. The city's metro system doubles as an art gallery, with 250 Stazioni dell'Arte commissions by over 80 artists across 16 stations; the most striking is the huge blue mosaic Crater de Luz (Cone of Light) by Óscar Tusquets Blanca at Toledo station.
Local Photographers Capture Authentic Charm
Photographers Ciro Pipoli and Pasquale Monda have gained large online followings portraying Naples' visual appeal, from fashion campaigns to everyday life on Posillipo beaches and the main Spaccanapoli street. Monda notes the city's strong aesthetic never feels staged, offering a contrast between historic heritage and new creative energy.
Nightlife and Safety in Spanish Quarter
Visitors report feeling safe wandering the Spanish Quarter, home to the €1 Aperol spritzes, though 12-year-old moped drivers zoom through alleys adorned with Diego Maradona murals. At Piazza Monteoliveto, university students and young locals sip natural wines at Vino Franco, a bar frequented by pop star Dua Lipa. Nights end with martinis at the retro Bar Viper on Via Santa Chiara, steps from the renowned €6 pizzas at Pizzeria Antonio Sorbillo.
Travel Information
Return Ryanair flights from London Stansted start at £33, while easyJet offers routes from London Gatwick, London Luton, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh from £16.99; flight time is around three hours. Accommodation options include Grand Hotel Parker's from €399 per night for a double, ROMEO Napoli from €511, Grand Hotel Vesuvio from €507, and Hotel Piazza Bellini from €114.
