General Info

THE CITY

Naples is the largest city in the South of Italy. Until 1860, it was the third city in Europe, a magnificent capital of the vast Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, ruled by the powerful dynasty of the Bourbons. For centuries, the city was the cultural capital of the peninsula and the symbol of technological development.

Today, the splendor of Naples is visible at every turn. The whole Naples is a big downtown with magnificent temples, theaters, historic palaces, covered with beautiful paintings, antique statues and carvings. Under cobblestones are hidden lower levels of the city, remains of buildings, squares, streets and old catacombs.

HOW TO REACH NAPLES

Situated in the South of Italy, Naples is easy to reach thanks to several national and international direct connections. Naples International Airport is located 7 km from the city center and connects to more than 90 national and international destinations: the main European hubs can be reached in less than 3 hours. In addition, the high-speed train network guarantees short connections with the principal Italian cities i.e. Rome 1 hour, Milan 4 hours. Florence in 2 hours 30 minutes.

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TRAVELLING AROUND NAPLES

While the city centre of Naples is best explored on foot, the city centre is served by an underground metro system, which also connects the main train station Napoli Centrale at Piazza Garibaldi to the city centre and neighborhoods beyond the centre. The metro system, also known as Metro dell’arte, not only provides functionality but is itself an attraction of the city, featuring several stations specially designed by contemporary artists and architects. Trams, public buses and taxi ranks are also widely available. Tickets for public transport can be purchased at metro and train stations, as well as at several coffee bars and tabaccheria (tobacconists) around the city.

If you choose to use public transport a few times during your visit, we would recommend purchasing an Abbonamento 7 Giorni priced at €12.50. The ticket is valid for seven days and can be used within the white section of this map on all modes of transport (metro, bus, funicular and tram).

For the adventurous, electric scooters can be easily hired by the minute via the Helbiz app.

MEETING VENUE

(https://www.terminalnapoli.it)

The meeting is being held at Stazione Marittima Congress Centre which is located in the city centre, in front of Palazzo San Giacomo, on the other side of the wide Municipio Square. It was built during Fascism, between 1933 and 1936. From there, in 1964, the Pietà by Michelangelo left for New York on Cristoforo Colombo ship. Today, Naples Stazione Marittima is divided in two wings, each one being 182 meters long. The external decorations are twelve medallions in Trani stone: among these, eight depict several geographical places (Eastern Africa, Rome, Athens, Cairo, Rio De Janeiro, Calcutta and Naples, of course). The others represent air and sea navigation, a steamboat and a Roman ship.

There are four bronze metopes depicting Castore and Polluce and the richness of maritime trade, besides the classic bronze horses. It offers modern and efficient infrastructures being among the most important in Naples; these spaces were restored and reorganized by respecting the original architecture to create the Congress Centre and the mall. It is located in the area overlooking Municipio square.

USEFUL INFORMATION

DOCUMENTS AND VISA INFORMATION

For citizens of European Union countries, a current valid ID is sufficient. For citizens outside EU, a passport is obligatory. Depending on the nationality of the delegates, the duration and the reason for their stay in Italy, it may be necessary for them to obtain a VISA before leaving. In this case, they should apply to the Italian consulate in their country.

WEATHER

Naples has warm temperatures and a pleasant Mediterranean climate. The average temperatures goes from 3° to 15° degrees in Winter/Autumn and from 12° up to 30° degrees in Spring/Summer. May is usually rather warm.

LOCAL CURRENCY

The currency is Euro (€).

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS

Most shops, hotels and restaurants in Naples accept major credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, etc.). Not all taxis accept payment by banker’s card, so it is recommended to check in advance.

TOURIST TAX

The Naples Municipality collects a visitor tax that applies to paying accommodation. The tax varies from € 1.50 to € 5.00 per person/day.

WHAT IS THE LOCAL TIME IN NAPLES?

Naples is in GMT + 1 time zone.

WHAT IS THE ELECTRICITY SUPPLY STANDARD IN NAPLES?

The electricity network follows the European standard of a tension of 230 V, with a frequency of 50 Hz.

WORKING TIME

Shops are open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 8pm (on average); they are closed on Sunday and public holidays, except for the shopping districts. Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday; automatic cash distributors function 24/24. Most restaurants open from 1pm to 4pm, and from 8pm until 11pm.

GETTING AROUND NAPLES

There are different types of tickets for busses and metro lines.

• One Way: € 1,00
• One Hour and half Ticket: €1,50
• Daily Ticket: € 3,50 (It allows to take all busses and metros)
• Daily Integrated Ticket: € 4,50 (It allows to Take all public means)

They can be purchased at Tabacchi (tobacco shops) or newstands.You must validate your ticket as soon as you enter the bus or train station when using it for the first time. Having a ticket which has not been validated is the same as not having a ticket at all. Yellow validation machines are not always obvious – you may have to look for them. Inspectors regularly stake out the connections between stations to make sure that travelers have valid tickets. Having an unvalidated ticket will cause a spot fine of 100 €.

Useful transit hubs are Piazza Garibaldi for trains and buses and Aereoporto Capodichino, the main airport for Naples. Most bus and trolley lines go to the main Garibaldi/Napoli Centrale railroad station, and many go past Piazza Plebiscito (Castel Nuovo, Royal Palace, Opera House).

The Metro is currently being extended to better serve the historic area.
At present, two metro lines depart from Piazza Garibaldi (under the Central Station). The line 1 (trains every 8 minutes) goes to University, Toledo, Piazza Dante, the National Archeological Museum, and then up the Vomero Hill, while the line 2 (trains every 12 minutes) goes from Garibaldi train station westward to Pozzuoli, through Chiaia, Mergellina and Fuorigrotta (San Paolo Stadium).

Another transport option is the funicular lines, there are three lines running from historic center to the Vomero Hill, and one line running from Mergellina to Posillipo hill. A funicular is basically two special rail cars, each attached to opposite ends of a long cable, use for climbing and descending hills. As one goes up hill, the other goes down, and they cross in the middle. Three of these lines run from the hilltop Vomero neighborhood to various parts of downtown; the fourth runs from the bottom to the top of Posillipo. The funiculars can be a time-saver. For example, take the funicular from near the Royal Palace (up Via Toledo about one block) to Vomero, then walk a couple blocks to the other funicular station and go downhill to the Metro stop — easy access to the Phlegrean Fields, Mostra d’Oltremare, Pozzuoli, or even downtown Naples.

You can reach Capri, Ischia and other islands by boat from the Molo Beverello Maritime Station at the foot of P.za Municipio. Tickets can be purchased on a walk-up basis. Multiple companies and boats depart each day about every 30 minutes, subject to seasonal availability.

Positano, Sorrento and Ravello can be easily reached by car/taxi, it takes around 1 hour from Naples.
You can download the App Gira Napoli, for IOS and Android to see the lines, stops, waiting times, etc.

TAXIS

You can use one of the following numbers to call a taxi:

• Radiotaxi Napoli: +39 081 5707070
• Radiotaxi Napoli: +39 081 5564444
• Radio Partenope: +39 081 5560202

Flat rates:

• Naples Airport —> Naples: € 25
• Naples Airport —> Congress Venue: € 25
• Naples Airport —> Naples Central Train Station: € 25
• Congress Venue —> Via Partenope: € 10

IS IT SAFE TO TRAVEL IN NAPLES?

Although Naples sometimes gets a bad rap as a dangerous city, it is a safe place to visit as long as you keep some safety considerations in mind. Naples, like any big city, has safe and unsafe areas. On the whole, it’s a lively, dynamic place to visit in Italy.

Safety tips:

• Do not wear expensive jewelry
• Be mindful of your bag and your personal belongings in crowded areas
• If walking with a backpack, wear both straps so that it cannot be easily snatched
• If wearing a handbag, keep it securely tucked under your shoulder
• Do not walk alone at night, particularly in areas such as Museo or around Garibaldi square (Central Station)
• Be careful when walking down the narrow passageways and dimly lit alleys
• Do not carry a lot of cash and try to minimize the amount of valuables that you carry with you

Common scams:

• Taxi scams: Taxi drivers may overcharge you, so be sure you take an official city cab—these are white, and will run a meter. Transportation is generally safe, but locals note that you may encounter traffic and aggressive drivers.
• Incorrect change scam: Pay attention to your change when purchasing something with cash. Someone may try to slip you the incorrect amount, counting on the fact that you are not familiar with the currency.
• Charm scam: If someone approaches you with a gift—a bracelet, a flower, or another charm—firmly refuse and walk away. The gift is not free. If you accept the gift, the scammer will demand payment and become aggressive.

These scams are common throughout the country, so keep them in mind whether you’re enjoying Naples or exploring all the things to see in Rome!