Castel dell'Ovo
Naples, Italy
Naples waterfront
i
Photo: Dr.Conati, Public domain, Wikimedia CommonsFit in nearby today
The essentials in 10 seconds
- Entry
- Free, open 24 hours
- Hours
- Open 24 hours
- Time on site
i
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes. - 1 h
- With kids
- Fine with kids
- Length
- ≈ 3 km from Castel dell'Ovo to Mergellina
- Highlights
- Vesuvius and Capri views, sunset, swimming
- Traffic
- Via Caracciolo is pedestrianised
- Time needed
- About an hour one way
- Location
- Santa Lucia – Chiaia – Mergellina
Key facts
c. 3 kmpromenade from the castle to Mergellina
Sourcei
City map2012Via Caracciolo closed to cars
Sourcei
Italian WikipediaVilla Comunalethe historic park along the seafront
Sourcei
Italian WikipediaAquariumin the park, one of Europe's oldest marine stations
Sourcei
Italian WikipediaMergellinathe harbour for boats to the islands
Sourcei
Italian WikipediaAbout the Naples waterfront
Neapolitans simply call it the lungomare, 'by the sea'. It's a run of streets along the bay: Via Partenope by Castel dell'Ovo, lined with hotels and restaurants; Via Caracciolo alongside the Villa Comunale park; and the square by Mergellina harbour. The whole walk is about three kilometres on a flat path by the water.
Since 2012 Via Caracciolo has been closed to cars, making the waterfront one of the city's great public spaces. By day people run and cycle here, in summer they swim straight off the big rocks along the shore, and in the evening families, couples and friends stroll beside the sea. At weekends it's crowded and lively, Naples at its most Neapolitan.
The view of the bay
The view is the main reason to come. To the east the twin peaks of Vesuvius rise over the water, the Sorrento peninsula lies opposite, and on clear days Capri sits on the horizon. To the west the green hill of Posillipo slopes down to the sea in villas and gardens, with the houses of Chiaia behind you.
The finest time is sunset, when the sun drops behind Posillipo, the water turns pink and Vesuvius catches the last light. Plenty of Neapolitans come down for it with a coffee or a gelato.
What to see on the waterfront
- Castel dell'Ovo — the old castle where the walk begins.
- Via Partenope — hotels and restaurants facing the sea.
- Immacolatella fountain — an old marble fountain by the water.
- Villa Comunale — a park of pines, statues and an aquarium.
- Mergellina — the harbour, pizzerias and boats to the islands.
- Vesuvius and Capri views — best at sunset.
The Villa Comunale and the aquarium
Along Via Caracciolo runs the Villa Comunale, an 18th-century city park of avenues, pines, palms, fountains and statues. It's shady and cool in summer, with playgrounds and small weekend markets.
In the middle stands the Zoological Station with its aquarium, one of Europe's oldest marine research institutes. Its small rooms hold creatures of the Bay of Naples, including octopuses, starfish, fish and jellyfish. Children love it, and adults enjoy seeing what lives in the water just off the promenade.
How to get to the waterfront
Step-by-step directions are below; the map shows where you arrive.
Where are you starting from?
We’ll draw it on the map on foot and by taxi; metro and buses open in your maps app. Your location isn’t stored.
More tips
- From Castel dell'Ovo, the promenade starts right by the castle.
- From the Royal Palace, 10 minutes down to the sea through Santa Lucia.
- Metro line 2 to Mergellina at the far end.
- Buses run along the Riviera di Chiaia, parallel to the seafront.
Mergellina and pizza
At the end of the walk is Mergellina harbour, full of yachts and fishing boats. Hydrofoils leave here for Ischia, Procida and Capri, and along the quay are drink kiosks and famous Neapolitan pizzerias baking pizza in wood-fired ovens in a couple of minutes.
Above Mergellina the Posillipo hill begins, with small viewpoints offering an even wider panorama of the bay. If you still have energy, walk or take the funicular up and come back into town after dark.
Before you go
Ready: 0 of 5Tick off what's ready — your ticks are saved in this browser.
You are ready for the visit
Views of Naples: compare and choose
Viewpoints and seafront spots in Naples rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.
| Mount Vesuvius | 49 | 3 h | Paid, timed ticket | 17.0 km |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Castel dell'Ovo | 46 | 45 min | Free | 31 min walk |
| Naples Waterfrontyou are here | 42 | 1 h | Free | — |
| Castel Nuovo | 42 | 1 h | Courtyard free, museum paid | 41 min walk |
| Museo di Capodimonte | 32 | 2 h | Museum paid, park free | 4.4 km |
An evening by the sea
The Royal Palace, Castel dell'Ovo and the walk along the seafront to Mergellina at sunset.
- Royal Palace of Naples1 h 30 min · Square free, palace paid
- 15 min walk from the previous stopCastel dell'Ovo45 min · Free
- 31 min walk from the previous stopNaples Waterfrontyou are here1 h · Free
3 places · about 4 h 1 min with walks · 46 min on foot in total
Nearby and on the way
How to do it right
- Free, open around the clock.
- Best at sunset.
- Pizza in Mergellina.
- Metro back from Mergellina.
Questions
Where is the waterfront in Naples?
Along the bay from Castel dell'Ovo via Via Partenope and Via Caracciolo to Mergellina harbour.
How long is the Naples lungomare walk?
About three kilometres, roughly an hour one way.
Can you swim on the Naples waterfront?
In summer Neapolitans swim off the rocks along Via Caracciolo; there are no proper beaches here.
When is the best time for the waterfront?
Late afternoon and sunset, when the sun sets behind Posillipo.
What's near the Naples waterfront?
Castel dell'Ovo, the Villa Comunale park and aquarium, and Mergellina harbour.
Have you been? Was it worth your time?
1 — no, 5 — absolutely
Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.
Sources and fact-check
- Italian Wikipedia: Via Francesco Caracciolo and Villa Comunale (Napoli)
- City of Naples official site, comune.napoli.it
Top YesGo picks: Naples
Pompeii
Naples, Italy
Mount Vesuvius
Naples, Italy
Herculaneum
Naples, Italy
Castel Nuovo
Naples, Italy
Cappella Sansevero
Naples, Italy
National Archaeological Museum of Naples
Naples, Italy
Museo di Capodimonte
Naples, Italy