Tour operator
Galleria Borbonica
Guided tours of a 19th-century Bourbon tunnel beneath Monte di Dio, used as a wartime shelter and later as a dump for cars, scooters and statues.
Open-top hop-on hop-off bus service in Naples with a historical line and a panoramic line along the coast, on a single 24-hour ticket.
Good to know
City Sightseeing Napoli runs the red open-top hop-on hop-off buses that are a familiar sight around the centre of Naples. The service is designed for visitors who want an overview of a large, hilly city without working out the local bus network, and it is particularly useful for reaching the outer viewpoints and districts that are tiring to walk to.
There are two lines. Line A is the historical route, linking monuments of the centre, while Line B is the panoramic route, designed for views over the city and the bay. One ticket covers both lines and is valid for 24 hours, and you can get on and off at all stops on both routes as often as you like within that time.
The panoramic line is the stronger reason to take the bus, because Naples is built on hills around a wide bay and its best views are spread out along the coast and the heights; an open top deck makes the most of them on a clear day. The historical line is handy for connecting the monumental areas when your feet are tired, though the narrow lanes of the historic centre itself can only be explored on foot.
Traffic in Naples can be heavy, so allow plenty of time and do not rely on the bus for fixed appointments. On hot days, the upper deck gets very sunny, so bring a hat, sunscreen and water; in winter, a warm layer is welcome. Check the current timetable, frequency, ticket options and stop list on the official website before you set out, as they can change with the seasons.
It suits first-time visitors, families with young children, older travellers and anyone with limited time who wants to see a lot quickly. A sensible plan is to ride a full loop of each line first to get your bearings, then use the remaining hours of the ticket to hop off at the places that caught your eye. It also pairs well with a walking tour or food tour of the historic centre, which covers the areas the buses cannot reach, and with the funiculars, which are the quickest way up to the Vomero. Stops are listed on the official website, and the Naples office can answer questions by phone or email, including where best to start if you are arriving by ferry or train.
Line A, a historical route, and Line B, a panoramic route.
24 hours, on both lines.
Yes, at all stops on both lines as often as you like within 24 hours.
Line B, the panoramic route.
Yes, it is an easy way to see a lot with young children.
By phone on +39 081 551 7279 or by email at [email protected].
Stops for both lines are listed on the official website.
It can be; allow plenty of time.
Café
Grand historic café founded in 1860 opposite the Royal Palace, with neoclassical and Liberty-style rooms, pastries, gelato and classic Neapolitan coffee.
Hotel
Historic five-star hotel on the Via Partenope seafront, welcoming guests since 1882, with 160 rooms and a ninth-floor restaurant overlooking the bay.
Restaurant
Historic pizzeria run by the Condurro family, serving only marinara and margherita in a plain dining room on Via Cesare Sersale since 1930.
Bar
Discreet cocktail bar near the seafront founded by Alex Frezza, styled like a 1920s jazz lounge and ranked among Europe's 50 best bars.