What to wear in Spaccanapoli
Shoes are the only thing that really matters
The basalt is stone polished by centuries of foot traffic: beautiful to look at, uneven to walk on, and slippery when wet. Sprains and slips are the most common issues I see visitors have, almost always due to smooth soles or flip-flops. You need closed, comfortable shoes with a sole that grips; even a low heel doesn’t work on basalt. The rest of the practical notes are in Is Spaccanapoli safe.
Churches have one rule
Covered shoulders and knees. This applies to Gesù Nuovo, Santa Chiara, San Domenico Maggiore, and all the others. In summer, the simplest solution is a light shirt or a scarf in your bag, to put on over your T-shirt when you enter and take off as soon as you leave. If you arrive in a tank top and shorts, you risk being turned away from the very things you came to see, listed in what to see.
Summer and winter
In summer, the problem isn’t the heat in general—it’s that the decumanus is narrow and has no shade: at midday, the sun hits directly, and there’s nowhere to take cover. Bring a hat, water, and take the walk in the morning. In winter, walking is fine, but when it rains, the basalt becomes slippery, and the side streets on the slope require attention: layers and a waterproof jacket are better than an umbrella, which is cumbersome in crowds. The full calendar is in when to go.
What’s worth having with you
Not much. A bottle of water in summer, something to cover your shoulders for churches, your phone in your pocket instead of in your hand. Large backpacks and cameras around your neck, in the narrow sections, bother you and others: the road is what it is, and scooters pass through anyway. The same rules apply to children, with a few extra precautions: they’re in Spaccanapoli with children.
Wear your bag crossbody and keep it in front, and your backpack on your chest when the street narrows. It’s not a Naples-specific precaution—it’s what you do in any crowded city centre, and it leaves your hands free for the basalt.
Frequently asked questions
What shoes should you wear to walk in Naples?
Closed, comfortable shoes with a grippy sole. The basalt is uneven and slippery when wet; heels and flip-flops are the most common cause of sprains.
Do you need special clothing for churches?
Covered shoulders and knees. In summer, just keep a light shirt or scarf in your bag to wear when you enter.
How should I dress for a guided tour of the historic centre?
Like you would for a two- or three-hour city walk: comfortable shoes, layers, water in summer. The durations of the different formats are in all tours.