Naples Cruise Port Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Are you ready to visit the picturesque Naples Cruise Port in Italy? Then you’ve come to the right place!
On the west coast of Italy sits Naples, a city famed for its creation of the Margherita pizza, as well as its locality to some of Italy’s most iconic attractions, including the lost city of Pompei and the striking Amalfi Coast.
Overlooked by the majestic Mount Vesuvius, Naples houses one of the largest Old Towns in Europe, made-up of narrow cobbled streets and 500 churches.
With so much on offer, it’s no wonder that Naples Cruise Port is one of the busiest in Europe, handling 1.4 million cruise passengers in 2019 alone.
Where is Naples Cruise Port Located?
Conveniently located in the heart of the bustling city of Naples, the cruise terminal is a mere 10-minute walk from the city center, in the bay of Naples.
The main port in which the cruise port can be found is called the Port of Naples or ‘Porto di Napoli’ in Italian.
The main port of Naples houses cargo and container ships as well as has a dedicated passenger cruise terminal with 10 mooring places.
The Naples cruise terminal can be found to the west of the harbor and is made up of three piers.
The largest pier (known as Stazione Maritima) houses a handful of eateries and even a shopping center.
How to Get to Naples City Center from the Cruise Port
There are a number of ways to reach Naples city center from your cruise ship.
Naples Cruise Port is only a 10-minute walk from the city center. The walk from the cruise terminal is straightforward, taking you down a path beside the road which will lead you right into the city.
Alternatively, shuttle buses are available between the cruise ship and the city center. These come and go at regular intervals.
Another option is to take a taxi. There is a taxi rank just outside the cruise terminal, and it is ideal to use if you want to venture slightly further afield.
Finally, there is an underground station close to the cruise terminal known as Municipio Station.
Reaching this station is a mere 10-minute walk from your cruise ship. It’s located to the north of Piazza Municipio, a large square next to Castel Nuovo, a grand medieval castle.
Are There Free Shuttles From Naples Cruise Port?
There are shuttle buses between the cruise port and the city center, which are organized by the port.
However, their price depends on your cruise liner. Some liners offer this service for free whilst others charge for it.
Can You Walk into Naples from Your Cruise Ship?
Yes! It takes a mere 10 minutes to reach Naples from the cruise terminal.
To give you an idea of just how close Naples’ key attractions are to the cruise port, Castel Nuovo is just a 10-minute walk from Naples Cruise Port, and Piazza del Plebiscito, the most beautiful square within the city, is a 12-minute walk from your cruise ship.
Are there Taxis Available from Naples Cruise Port?
Yes! There is a taxi rank just outside the cruise ship terminal, which is filled with ample taxis.
Best Shore Excursions from the Naples Cruise Port
There’s a vast range of shore excursions that you can enjoy from Naples Cruise Port. I have outlined some of my favorites below.
1. Piazza del Plebiscito
In the heart of Naples city, you will find Piazza del Plebiscito, a majestic square surrounded by elaborate buildings which are exceptional examples of neo-classical architecture, including the Royal Palace of Naples.
The Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola, a striking basilica, takes center stage here, characterized by Greek-style columns. In front of it are two equestrian statues.
The square can be marveled at independently. Alternatively, there are a number of tours of Naples available, which include visits to this fantastic square.
This full-day tour of Naples includes a walking tour through the city center, visiting Piazza del Plebiscito as part of the itinerary.
2. Wander around the Historic Center of Naples
Covering an expansive area of 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres), Naples’ historic old town is one of the largest in Europe.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Naples is home to an abundance of historical sites, churches, squares, charming narrow streets, and a wealth of cafes, restaurants, and shops.
It also houses some incredible monuments, such as Castel Nuovo (an ancient castle) and the Royal Palace of Naples.
The good news is that the Historic Center of Naples is right beside the cruise port and is within walking distance from your cruise ship.
3. Visit the Ruins of Pompeii
Just south of Naples on Italy’s coastline, below Mount Vesuvius, sits the ancient town of Pompeii. Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world.
A violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius covered the Roman city of Pompeii with 4 to 6 m (13 to 20 ft) of volcanic ash.
This ash actually preserved the city and, as a result, offers visitors a one-of-a-kind snapshot of ancient Roman life.
One of the best ways to visit and learn about Pompeii is via a guided tour. This small group tour of Pompeii with an archaeologist has excellent online reviews.
Pompeii is a 40-minute taxi ride from Naples Cruise Port.
Alternatively, you can journey to Pompeii via train. Trains run between the main station in Naples, Napoli Centrale, and Pompei Scavi Villa Dei Misteri 7 times per day. The journey takes roughly 30 minutes.
The easiest way to reach Napoli Centrale from Naples Cruise Port is to take the metro from Municipio station.
⭐️ Book your Pompeii Small Group tour with an Archaeologist from Naples here!
4. Visit Capri Island
Capri is a beautiful island in the bay of Naples, just south of Naples city. It’s an incredibly scenic island, its coastline made up of rugged cliffs and secluded caves, including the famous Blue Grotto cave, which is illuminated by cracks in the cave walls.
One of the best ways to explore Capri Island is via boat tour. This full-day boat tour from Naples takes you to the Blue Grotto, amongst other excellent sights on the island.
Alternatively, you can take a public ferry from Naples straight to the Isle of Capri. There are a number of ferries operating on this route which make multiple trips to and from the island each day.
If you’d like to visit both Pompeii and Capri for your day in Naples, then this full-day tour which combines both destinations may be what you’re looking for.
5. National Archaeological Museum
Perched on Piazza Museo Square is the National Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli in Italian).
The museum is impressive to look at, originally built in 1585 as cavalry barracks before eventually being converted into both a museum and palace in the 19th century.
The National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums in the world, housing one of the largest collections of Roman artifacts.
Pieces from Pompeii and Herculaneum can be found in this impressive building.
The museum is located deep within Naples City and is either a 30-minute walk from the cruise terminal or a 20-minute taxi ride
⭐️ Check Ticket Prices and Availability of the National Archaeological Museum here!
6. Amalfi Coast
At the southern tip of Italy’s Sorrentine Peninsula, you can find the Amalfi Coast, a 50-kilometer (31-mile) stretch of picturesque coastline characterized by colorful cliff-side villages and secluded beaches.
The coastline is named after the town of Amalfi, the historical and political center of the area. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the coastline comprises a number of quaint fishing villages.
From Naples, it’s a 1.5-hour taxi drive south to the town of Amalfi.
You pass through Pompeii on your way, so if you are interested in seeing both attractions from Naples, it makes sense to combine them into one trip.
Another way to visit the Amalfi Coast is via a guided shore excursion. This guided tour from Naples takes you to three gorgeous seaside towns along the Amalfi Coast.
You can alternatively arrange a comfortable private transfer from Naples to Amalfi Coast, which allows you to explore the coastline at your own pace.
⭐️ Book your Semi-Private Amalfi Coast Shore Excursion Experience here!
7. Castel Nuovo
Perched on the edge of Naples city is a medieval castle that overlooks Naples Cruise Port.
Castel Nuovo, also called Maschio Angioino, was built in 1279 and is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city.
It can be found just in front of Piazza Municipio, a large square.
The castle has five round towers, which are connected by sturdy castle walls. The entrance is a beautiful marble triumphal arch.
The castle is open 7 days a week, and it costs €6 per entrance ticket.
The castle can be explored on a guided walking tour. You can choose between a private tour or a small group tour.
⭐️ Book this Private Tour to see the Castle Nuovo in Naples here!
8. Eat Pizza
Naples is known as the home of pizza; it’s the very city where the delicious Margherita pizza originated. If you love pizza, trying a traditional pizza in Naples really is a must!
One of the funniest and most hands-on ways to try the local pizza is to take part in a pizza-making class.
In one of these cooking classes, you will learn how to make traditional Margherita and, of course, get to sample your own wonderful creation.
If you are gluten-intolerant, there are gluten-free pizza classes also available.
Another great way to enjoy the local cuisine is to go on a food tour.
This Napoli food tour allows you to try pizza and a traditional dessert called sfogliatella.
Getting From Naples Airport to the Cruise Port
Naples International Airport is located just north of the city center. The easiest way to journey between Naples Cruise Port and the airport is via taxi.
A typical taxi ride will take around half an hour, however, do note that the traffic can get very congested when journeying through the city center and so it could take longer than this.
Another way to journey from the airport to the Naples port cruise terminal is via bus.
The Naples Alibus Airport shuttle bus journeys to Naples Molo Beverello Port which is where the cruise port is located.
Tickets cost €5 per person. Buses are available roughly every 20 minutes.
Places to Stay Near Naples Cruise Port
In the heart of the city is a charming B&B known as Ciao Bellini, near Naples National Archeological Museum. This accommodation has exceptional online reviews.
Another option is Santa Chiara Boutique Hotel, nestled within the Historic Center, within walking distance from the cruise port of Naples.
Slightly outside the city center is Gold Tower Lifestyle Hotel, just 2.1 km from Naples Central Train Station. This 4-star hotel features modern rooms and a fantastic city view.
Naples Quick Facts
✔️ Naples is the third-largest Italian city after Rome and Milan. It is also the capital of Campania, one of the regions of Italy.
✔️ Naples is known for its colorful culture and history, delicious pizza, and picturesque Mediterranean views.
✔️ In Naples, English is not the primary language spoken. Italian is. However, most people speak at least basic English.
✔️ The city also hosts many famous attractions, such as the Castel Nuovo, Naples Cathedral, and the Teatro di San Carlo opera house.
✔️ The city is accessible by plane, train, or boat from other major cities in Italy and around Europe.
✔️ The currency in Naples and the entirety of Italy is the Euro.
Best Time to Visit
Naples is a great city to visit at any time of year. However, in Western Europe, the weather is warmer and dryer in the summer.
During the summer months, the city can get pretty hot and crowded, so in order to have the best balance between comfortable weather and fewer crowds, visiting in spring (April and May) or fall (September and October) is recommended.
Cruise Liners that Visit Naples Cruise Port
There are a number of cruise liners that visit Naples Cruise Port, including:
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean
- Marella Cruises
- MSC Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
- Costa Cruises
- Celebrity Cruises
- Viking Ocean
- Cunard Cruises
Naples Cruise Port FAQS
How far is the cruise ship port to Naples?
How far is Naples cruise port from the train station?
Where does MSC dock in Naples?
Where does Cunard dock in Naples?
Can you walk from the cruise port in Naples?
How much is a taxi from Naples train station to the port?
Is Naples easy to walk around?
Final Thoughts on the Naples Cruise Port
Naples is a city that oozes character. Made up of charming cobblestone streets, which are lined with gorgeous monuments, there’s a plethora of sights to see in this iconic city.
In addition to that, there are some other incredible Italian destinations that can easily be visited on a day trip from Naples, such as the Amalfi Coast and the ancient city of Pompeii.
It’s easy to see why Naples is one of the most popular cruise ports in Europe!
