Vomero Naples - View from Castel Sant'Elmo

Best Areas to Stay in Naples: for Families, Transport and First-Timers

9th April | Sarah

If you’re planning a trip to Naples, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is where to stay.

And honestly, this can completely shape your experience of the city.

Before our trip, I spent days comparing different areas of the city before deciding where to stay.

Naples is not like places such as Venice or Lake Como where most areas feel quite similar. It’s a city of very different neighbourhoods, and choosing the right one can be the difference between loving your trip or feeling overwhelmed.

We travelled as a family of six and after spending several days exploring different areas, this is what we found.

If you’re wondering where to stay in Naples for families, transport or your first visit, this guide breaks down the best areas based on our experience.

Still planning your trip? You can also read our full itinerary here:

👉 3 Days in Naples: Our Itinerary (with Pompeii and Sorrento + Real Costs)

Or our full transport guide here:

👉 How to Get Around Naples (Metro, Trains, Buses and Airport Transfers)

Quick note before we begin. This blog may contain affiliate links. This means we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them. It helps keep Build a Break running and allows us to keep sharing budget travel guides like this one.

Where we stayed (and why it worked so well)

We stayed in Chiaia, and for us this was the perfect base.

It felt safe, relaxed and much less chaotic than other parts of the city, but still really well connected.

We were less than a 2 minute walk from both:

Napoli Piazza Amedeo train station

The Parco Margherita funicular

This meant we could get to Napoli Garibaldi, Pompeii, Sorrento and the city centre really easily, without actually staying in the busiest areas.

There were also plenty of cafes, shops and places to eat nearby, which made it ideal travelling with kids.

We stayed in Amedeo Suites, which worked really well for space, location and overall feel. We’ll link it here if you want to take a look.

Best areas to stay in Naples

Chiaia (best for families and a calmer stay)

If you want a quieter, more relaxed base, this is where I’d recommend first.

It’s:

Cleaner and more residential

Close to the seafront

Well connected by train and funicular

Easy to get around without feeling overwhelmed

For us, this struck the perfect balance between location and comfort.

Accommodation options here tend to be apartments and boutique stays.

Alongside Amedeo Suites, a couple of other well-rated options in this area include Palazzo Alabardieri for a more hotel-style stay, and 50 Suite Guesthouse, just a 1 minute walk to Lungomare Caracciolo.

Most accommodation here is within walking distance of Piazza Amedeo and the seafront.

Vomero (best for views and a local feel)

Vomero sits above Naples and feels completely different to the city below.

It’s:

Much quieter

More spacious

Known for incredible views

You’ll need to use the funicular to get up and down, but it’s quick and easy, and part of the experience.

Alternatively, Metro Line 1 connects Vomero to the city centre and main transport links.

This is a great option if you want somewhere more relaxed, especially for longer stays.

In Vomero, you’ll find a mix of apartments and smaller hotels.

Hotel Cimarosa is a popular choice right by the funicular, and there are plenty of highly rated apartments in this area with balconies and views across the city.

Historic Centre (Centro Storico di Napoli)

This is where a lot of the main sights are.

It’s busy, lively and full of character.

You’ll be right in the middle of everything, within walking distance of places like Spaccanapoli, the Duomo and Via San Gregorio Armeno.

But it does come with noise, crowds and a more intense atmosphere.

If you like being in the heart of it, this is a great option. Just be prepared for the pace.

Accommodation here ranges from budget apartments to small guesthouses tucked into historic buildings. It’s a great location if you want everything on your doorstep.

In the historic centre, accommodation is more varied. Decumani Hotel de Charme is a well-known option in a great central location, while many visitors choose apartments tucked into the side streets around Spaccanapoli for easy access to everything.

Near Napoli Centrale (main station area)

This is one of the most popular areas people choose, mainly because:

It’s cheaper and more convenient for transport. If you’re planning trips to Pompeii or Sorrento, it can seem like the obvious choice. But like most cities, the area around the main station isn’t the nicest part of Naples.

It’s busier, rougher around the edges and less appealing overall. This is often where people base their opinion of Naples feeling “unsafe”.

That’s not to say you should avoid it completely, especially for short stays, but if you want a better overall experience of the city, I’d personally choose somewhere else.

You will find some of the cheapest hotels and apartments here, so it can work if you’re prioritising budget and transport above everything else.

UNAHOTELS Napoli is one of the better-rated options in the area and feels a bit more polished than some of the surrounding accommodation.

Other areas you might come across

You might also see these areas mentioned when researching where to stay in Naples:

Posillipo

This is one of the most scenic parts of Naples, with incredible sea views and a much quieter feel.

It’s more residential and a bit further out, so while it’s beautiful, it’s not the most practical base if you’re relying on public transport or visiting for a short trip.