Naples: Dangerous Or Not?

[Jennykenny]

Going on a tour group to Sorrento soon, and on a free day I thought I would go off on my own by ferry or hydrofoil to Naples and get the train back to Sorrento, during the day.
Any thoughts, tips, things to see/do/avoid?
Is Naples really as scary as most people seem to think?
Having been to Cuba and New York on my own, can't imagine it is so dangerous??

[Buenchico]

Naples doesn't currently get any specific advice offered about it on the FCO website
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/safety-and-security
suggesting that it's probably no more dangerous than many other cities.

I certainly wouldn't have any concerns about going there. See here
http://www.angloitalianfollowus.com/dispelling-the-unsafe-myth-of-naples
and here
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/italy/11046620/London-is-far-more-dangerous-than-Naples-says-city-official.html

See also the 'Stay Safe' section on the wonderful Wikitravel (which is worth reading in far more detail as well):
http://wikitravel.org/en/Naples

[ladybirder]

We were told to avoid it at all costs when staying in Sorrento 20 years ago. Don't know if it's any different now. Capri is a lovely day out or a train to Rome.

[Old_Geezer]

"They" say, "See Naples and Die", so that doesn't sound too safe.

[Buenchico]

Just a PS to my post:
If you're looking for the train times between Naples and Sorrento, you won't find them on the TrenItalia website. That's because the line forms part of the Circumvesuviana train service, which is operated by Sitabus.

Timetable here:
http://www.sitabus.it/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/circumvesuviana_Napoli-Sorrento_al19082015.pdf

[Meg]

Been there a couple of times on a cruise ship and it really is an awful place. Seen men urinating in the gutter and a lady having a poo in a bin!! Haven't looked at Chris's links, which I am sure are excellent. I would suggest Pompei(sp). Not been to Cuba but New York is a sanctuary compared to Naples. Doing a half world cruise soon, first port of call is Naples!!

[mightymouse]

Meg's answer seems a bit unfair and exagerrated. Naples has good and bad areas, like any European city. You will be perfectly safe, with sensible precautions, which apply to any European cities.

[EDDIE51]

Naples is often regarded as the 'pickpocket' capital of the world.
Italy in general has a poor reputation for pickpockets but Naples is the worst.
Remember the government and police do not govern Italy, the Mafia does!

[ummmm]

Really?

[Jennykenny]

Thanks to all, and has always Buenchico has the best info.
Shall definitely make a visit.
The tour I'm on includes Capri and Pompeii, but only a fleeting guided trip to Naples. Thought I would use one of the 'free' days to go back and see more of it by myself.

[jno]

not very, in my opinion, but keep purses and wallets well out of sight, as you would do in most big cities. Make sure you see the archaeological museum and the Galleria Umberto (they'll probably be on your guided tour).

[mikey4444]

Naples is a wonderful city, but I would warn against going there alone, s it would be too easy to wander into the "wrong" area. When I visited a few years ago, I found the guided tour to be well worth while.

[naomi24]

I wouldn't wander around Naples alone.

[piggynose]

i was in naples about 5 yrs ago, and loved it, and wondered off the main drag all the time, and never felt in any danger. only drawback was that bloody long tunnel. People seen using the street as a toilet, that happens all the time in the spanish costas thanx to drunken brits!!

[CrapAtCryptics]

As things to do hasnt been covered in any detail check this - 843 things to browse through - watch out for bag / purse snatchers.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g2467724-Activities-Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

[Hopkirk]

Take a tour bus to the Amalfi coast, though be prepared for a pretty hairy journey. The road winds in and out of a very steep coastline.

[dannyk13]

Information for OG.
http://www.funtrivia.com/askft/Question71362.html

[mikey4444]

I did this in 2010, and it was easily the best day out that I had, after Pompeii of course.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g194718-d3317935-Reviews-Funivia_del_Monte_Faito-Castellammare_Di_Stabia_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html

The view from the top are ruddy marvelous, and its like a different world up there...almost Alpine.

Forget the official Thomsoms tours....this one is easy-peasy to do independently.

Get the train around to Castellammare Di Stabia and the Cable Car takes off from the end of the platform. A very cheap trip as well....go to the ancient train car, in front of the train station in the car park and get your combined train-cable car-and lunch ticket. It was only 17 Euros in 2010 !

[whiskeryron]

// Avatar Image
Old_Geezer
"They" say, "See Naples and Die", so that doesn't sound too safe.//
I always thought it referred to a Welshman '' See Naples & Dai''