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Outdoor in Naples

For everyone · 2 hours

Naples hidden stairs walk: the Petraio from Vomero downhill

Two hours on foot, downhill, from the Vomero to the centre, by way of the Petraio: the pedestrian stairway that winds down between houses, vegetable gardens and terraces, and that most tourists don’t even know exists. You go up by funicular, included in the ticket, and come down at an easy pace, with the bay, Capri and Vesuvius in front of you at several points. Groups of up to fifteen, with a local guide.

4.9(339 reviews on Viator) Vomero
Naples hidden stairs walk: the Petraio from Vomero downhill
Photo: Voello, CC BY-SA 4.0 · credits

Duration

2 hours

Group

up to 15

Languages

English, Spanish, French, Italian

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Days

every day

Start

Vomero

What you’ll do

You meet in the Vomero, the well-to-do neighbourhood on the hill: elegant buildings, wide streets, a different Naples from the one in the lanes below. The funicular is included in the ticket and covers the uphill part. From here you look down on the city and the guide explains what you’re seeing, from the port to Vesuvius.

Then you join the Petraio and start down: steps, bends, glimpses of the sea between buildings, washing hung out to dry. This is the photogenic part of the walk, and the guide points out the spots to stop. As you descend, the houses and the people change, from grand apartment blocks to working-class streets.

You reach the Quartieri Spagnoli (the Spanish Quarter), with their grid of lanes and stairs where the city feels most itself, and finish in the centre, out on the street, with the rest of the day ahead of you. The stories along the way are about the city and the people who live in it, not just the monuments, and that’s what sets it apart from a classic tour.

Who it’s for

For anyone who loves walking and taking photos, and who wants to see Naples from an angle you don’t get from the lanes. The descent is long and all steps: bad knees and pushchairs won’t enjoy it. Good for couples, friends and solo travellers; with fifteen people at most, it’s easy to stay together.

Local tip

Shoes with good grip and a bottle of water: there’s a lot of descending. The best light over the bay is in the morning or late afternoon. Before you start, it’s worth going up to Castel Sant’Elmo or the Certosa di San Martino, both in the Vomero with the same view; afterwards, the Quartieri Spagnoli and Via Toledo are right there.

What’s included

Funicular + local guide.

Price, availability and details come straight from Viator and are kept up to date. If you book through us, we get a small commission; it costs you nothing extra.

Frequently asked questions

How much walking is there and how long is it?

The tour lasts about two hours, almost all on foot and downhill, from the Vomero to the centre via the Petraio, a pedestrian stairway. You go up by funicular, included in the ticket. You need comfortable shoes and legs in decent shape.

What languages is it available in?

Italian, English, Spanish and French; you choose the language when booking. Groups are up to fifteen people, with a local guide who stays with you the whole way and shares stories and curiosities about the neighbourhoods you pass through.

What’s included and how do I cancel?

The local guide and the funicular are included. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start, with a full refund. Available start times are shown when you book, depending on the date you choose.

Read before you go

from€19,50Free cancellation up to 24 hours before
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