Posillipo spreads over a forested hillside, where zigzagging lanes travel down toward quiet beaches and coastal promenades. The neighborhood is home to some of Naples’ wealthiest residents and the city’s most luxurious villas. Enjoy the nonchalant atmosphere of Posillipo at its mouthwatering seafood restaurants and chic cocktail bars. Relax at picturesque parks and visit a collection of Roman-era relics. 

Get a snapshot of the neighborhood’s charm by sauntering down Via Posillipo, which meanders south along the coast from Mergellina Port. Gelato kiosks, pizzerias and trattorias occupy the ground floors of palace-style residences. Admire the Fontana del Sebeto fountain and Palazzo Donn’Anna, a 17th-century palace shrouded in legends of debauched royal parties. 

Via Posillipo continues into the heart of the Marechiaro district, where more waterfront drinking and dining options await. Look for Villa Roseberry, one of the official residences of Italy’s prime minister. An observation deck above Marechiaro Beach affords superb views of the sea and Mount Vesuvius. Spot the Sorrento peninsula and island of Capri from terraced Virgiliano Park, which has an amphitheater used for summertime events.

Pay to join a guided tour of Pausilypon Archaeological Park, a one-time Roman villa constructed by the knight Publio Vedio Pollio and later used by Emperor Augustus. An impressive tunneled entrance leads through a grotto to the remains of the villa and an open-air theater. More views extend from here across the bay to the islands of Ischia and Procida. 

Don’t miss the chance to explore ruins and spot colorful marine flora and fauna at Gaiola Underwater Park. Here, the vestiges of Roman villas are visible atop craggy rocks and submerged beneath the water’s surface. See the park’s natural and archaeological wonders on guided diving, snorkeling and glass-bottom boat excursions. 

Reach Posillipo by taking the train from central Naples to Mergellina station. Public buses stop at various intervals on Via Posillipo. A funicular train operates between the Mergellina waterfront and a hilltop area called Manzoni.