Guide of Naples Mergellina

Situated in the coastal area of Naples, Mergellina Port is in the neighbourhood known as Chiaia.

A brief history of Naples Merganlina

In the past, Chiaia was a little fishing village and port, separated from the city of Naples. When Naples expanded to the west under the Spaniards in the 17th century and then Bourbons, the Italian government incorporated Mergellina into the greater metropolitan area of Naples. Today the fishing port still functions and also provides private moorings along with ferry services to the islands in the bay of Naples and various destinations along the coast of Campania.

Things to do in Naples Merganlina

The area faces the Castel dell' Ovo, or Castle of the Egg, which is well worth a visit as it has a great story attached to it. The castle's name comes from a story about the Roman poet Virgil, who had a reputation for being a great sorcerer and predictor of the future in the Middle Ages. According to the legend, Virgil put a magical egg into the foundations of the castle to support the fortifications, and he predicted that if this egg cracked; then castle would also be destroyed and a series of disastrous events in Naples would follow! The castle is open to visitors every day apart from Fridays. The Naples National Archaeological Museum is also quite close to this area of the city and houses lots of fascinating ancient Roman remains, along with objects from Greek antiquity and the Renaissance. In particular, there are lots of Roman artefacts from nearby Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum. Ciro a Mergellina is the best place to have a meal in the neighbourhood; you can enjoy plenty of good seafood with a blissful view of the sea, Vesuvius in the distance and picturesque Posillipo hill in the background. Why not also take a short ferry trip from the port to the island of Procida, it is a superb little place, with every building, painted a different pastel shade, plus the views back over Naples are fabulous from here!

Beaches around Naples Merganlina

Mappatella is a little sandy beach close to the Lungomare Caracciolo. It is perfect for a dip in the morning before it gets too crowded. Around the bay a little bit further, you have ​​Le Rocce Verdi, which is good because it has access to swim in the sea as well as a swimming pool situated next to the sea.