Car Hire Naples

Naples is a vibrant city made up of many different neighbourhoods. These vary from the traditional, tight and winding streets in the busy historical centre, to quieter roads up in the hilltop enclave of Vomero.

The famous Spaccanapoli is a two-kilometre long, straight street that cuts right through the historical centre and the 16^th-century Spanish Quarters. Along here, many of the finest cathedrals and palaces from different eras are visible. These include the 14^th-century Santa Chiara religious complex, the Renaissance style Santi Filippo e Giacomo cathedral and Palazzo Marigliano.

To drive down this street and around some of the historical centre in your hire car, you need to apply for a permit however. The area is mostly a traffic limited zone (ZTL), so parking up and walking around these streets is often easier. There are many car parks throughout the centre and along the seafront, with on-street parking available too.

Be prepared for many narrow, cobbled streets busy with small cars and scooters in other central neighbourhoods. Venture down to the Chiaia district for some designer shopping and wider roads along the shoreline, where the royal garden is now open to the public. Bordering this is the old fisherman’s quarter of Santa Lucia, which connects to the Borgo Marinari with its cluster of old houses. Or you can stick to the Marina road as you go past the 13^th-century Castel Nuovo fortress.

Remember to drive on the right when you hire a car in Naples, and stick to the local speed limits. Within the city and urban areas this is usually 50km/h unless signed otherwise, while on rural roads in less built-up areas it can increase to 90km/h. On motorways the limit is typically 130km/h, but on two-lane and non-major motorways it could be restricted to 110km/h. Always check the local signs for the route that you are on.

There are so many things to see and do in and around Naples it can be hard to know where to begin. Whether you want to head straight to the beach or uncover its ancient past, these highlights cover all bases.

Explore the city’s historic heart

Naples is home to a wealth of historical treasures. Piazza Dante is a great starting point, as this large open square is lined by impressive examples of the neo-classical and Baroque architecture found across the city. In the centre is a huge statue of the poet Dante Alighieri, while the churches of San Michele Arcangelo and Santa Maria di Caravaggio flank two sides. Visit on an evening when the square really comes to life, with families dining and enjoying the atmosphere.

Head over to the Spaccanapoli, which runs right through the centre of the city’s historical heart and the Spanish Quarter. Down this narrow road surrounded by tall buildings and their overhanging balconies on both sides, you’ll come across many of Naples’ most renowned highlights and popular landmarks.

The 14^th-century Monastery of Santa Chiara is a large religious complex that mixes the original Gothic style with Baroque touches, when it was decorated years later. Naples Cathedral is another unmissable stop, housing 4^th-century mosaics and Western Europe’s oldest baptistery. Plus, there are numerous enchanting palaces along the route, including the Renaissance era Palazzo Marigliano.

Drive along the Amalfi Coast and visit Pompeii

Just nine kilometres away from Naples is the awe-inspiring Mount Versuvius. With a hire car, you can drive along the colourful Amalfi Coast to the foot of the most famous active volcano in the world. Vesuvius towers over the city from behind, having last erupted in 1944 – but it is best remembered for destroying the Roman town of Pompeii nearly 2,000 years ago. There’s a car park at an altitude of 1,000 metres before the start of the trail to the top, which climbs another 200 metres. You’ll be able to take in some incredible vistas of Naples.

Once you’ve been up the volcano (or got as close as you dare), visit the eerie ruins of Pompeii. Much of the town was preserved under the volcanic ash, so today you can walk through its ancient streets at the archaeological site. Look out for the Roman Forum, public baths and the columns, which are still standing.

Continue further south and drive along the 50 km of the spectacular Amalfi Coast, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. With deep blue seas on one side, and mountains, scenic landscapes and villages on the other, it’s a truly picturesque part of the world. Stop for a boat tour out to sea, or get lost in the charming towns that line the coast.

Go underground

There’s another side to Naples that you won’t see from the surface. Underground caverns below the city, running about 40 metres deep, can be accessed when you book onto a guided tour. Their intriguing history dates back to the Ancient Greeks and the construction of the city’s walls, takes in the forming of a Roman aqueduct network, and they were even used as shelters during World War Two.

Down here you can find many fascinating sites, including the city of Neapolis, the remains of a Roman theatre, the Greek-Roman aqueduct and a labyrinth of tunnels. Each part of history that helped form this massive network can be discovered, as you literally see a different side to Naples.

Explore a captivating city and the thrilling landscape around it with car hire in Naples, and  make sure you see all that the beauty of southern Italy has to offer.