Naples Cruise Port: Getting Ashore, Getting Into Town and What to Do in a Day

Cruise ships in Naples use the Stazione Marittima, a terminal run by Terminal Napoli s.p.a., with Herculaneum, Pompeii and the city’s castle and museums all within reach of a day ashore. The port handled 1,306,151 cruise passengers in 2016, so plan the hours ashore around opening times and last entries.

At a glance

• Terminal: Stazione Marittima
• Managed by: Terminal Napoli s.p.a.
• Gangways: 7 mobile gangways
• Check-in desks: 12 computerised desks
• Cruise passengers in 2016: 1,306,151

Where do cruise ships dock in Naples?

Cruise ships call at the Stazione Marittima. The terminal has 7 mobile gangways, 12 computerised check-in desks and an arrivals and departures hall, so passengers walk off the ship through the terminal.

Terminal Napoli s.p.a. is made up of Costa Crociere, MSC, Royal Caribbean and Alilauro SpA. In 2016 the port recorded 1,306,151 cruise passengers.

How do you get from the cruise port up to Naples?

Anyone going into town by car or taxi in summer should check the traffic-restricted zones (ZTL) before setting out. In via Ferdinando Russo, vehicles are banned from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. every day from July 1 to August 31. From April 1 to June 30 and in September, the same hours apply on holidays and the days before holidays.

Between via Alfano and piazzetta Marechiaro in via Marechiaro, transit is banned all day, every day, from May 16 to September 27.

On a ship day in summer, ask the driver whether the route crosses one of these streets.

What can you do in Naples on a cruise stop?

Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino)

Castel Nuovo, also called the Maschio Angioino, is a castle, museum and picture gallery in the city. It makes an easy first stop for a stay limited to the city.

Sansevero Chapel

The Sansevero Chapel, also known as S. Maria della Pietà, is at Via Francesco De Sanctis 19/21. Pair it with other sights in the old center on foot.

National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN)

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is at Piazza Museo 18/19.

Herculaneum

Herculaneum is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Pompeii and Oplontis. Legend says Hercules founded it, and the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. buried it. The park holds the Archaeological Area, the Theater, the Villa of the Papyri, the Antiquarium and the Boat Pavilion. It is open every day except December 25.

From March 16 to October 14 the hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with last entry at 6:00 p.m. From October 15 to March 15 they are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with last entry at 3:30 p.m. and visitors out by 4:40 p.m. In winter, reach the gate before mid-afternoon. Entry is free every first Sunday of the month and on April 25, June 2 and November 4. No reservation is needed, and the ticket is collected on site. Campania Artecard holders, including the LITE version, must go to the ticket office to activate the card.

Pompeii

Pompeii covers 66 hectares, and about 50 have been excavated. That is a lot of ground for a single call, so pick a section and stay with it. The Pompeii ticket covers the ancient city, the Villa of the Mysteries, the Villa of Diomedes and Villa Regina in Boscoreale with its Antiquarium. The Pompeii Plus ticket adds Oplontis, Villa Arianna, Villa San Marco, the Archaeological Museum of Stabiae and Boscoreale. The Pompeii Artebus shuttle links all the sites of the Grande Pompei park.

Vesuvius, Piazzale di Quota 1000

The Piazzale di Quota 1000 in Ercolano has 4 parking areas on its right side for organizing visitor groups. From the square, the view takes in the northern slope of Monte Somma, including the Cognoli di Sant’Anastasia and Punta Nasone. Punta Nasone, at 3,714 feet (1,132 meters), is the highest peak of the ancient volcano.

The ticket office and trail access close automatically on days when the regional Civil Protection Authority issues a weather alert, starting at orange level. On the narrow points and ramps, the uphill group has priority over the downhill group.

When is Naples busiest with cruise ships?

The patron saint festivals grew from 12 festivals with 26,000 participants to 22 festivals with 50,000 participants last year. This year there are 26 festivals, so streets near a festival can be crowded on a ship day.

In winter, the Herculaneum last entry of 3:30 p.m. sets the day’s schedule. Head to the ruins first and keep the city sights for the afternoon.