Being the center of southern Italy, Naples impresses with its beauty and the outlines of Mount Vesuvius on the horizon. It is here that the tourist will find delicious pizza and aromatic Limoncello liqueur. And, despite the fact that in the past few years the city has been characterized by a decrease in living standards, dirty streets and increased crime, it still attracts with its ancient architecture, a lot of attractions and, of course, the presence of fashion boutiques. The landscape of the Gulf of Naples delights and encourages fashionistas to shop. And where to go in search of a successful purchase, we will tell below.
A short tour, or what to bring from Naples as a gift
There is hardly any other place in the world where you can spend money as quickly and with such pleasure as here. And even if the shopping trip was not part of your plans, few can refrain from shopping.
The "heavyweights" of world fashion Armani, Louis Vuitton, Ferragamo, Prada, Versace await on Calabritto street. Other attractive luxury boutiques with bright signs that are written on Mariano Rubinacci, Hermes, Bulgari, Frette, are located on Gaetano Filanji and Via dei Millet.
The longest counter in the city is Via Toledo (3 km). In fact, this is an ordinary shopping street for ordinary people. If you wish, you can visit Via Chiaia - a place with mass-market stores with an emphasis on youth clothing at very affordable prices.
But the most attractive location for shopaholics in Naples is outlets, where discounts start at 30%, and at the peak of the sales season they reach 90%. The largest of them, Vulcano Buono, La Reggia Designer and Centro Commerciale Campania, are located in the suburbs, so they will have to be reached by car or public transport.
In addition to high-quality fashionable clothes, shopaholics recommend bringing ceramics, handmade dolls, Ischie thermal cosmetics, as well as the Pulcinella figurine, a symbol of the city and one of the characters in the comedy masks, from Naples (Italy).
Good, but not cheap, are considered cameos onyx, coral and shells. But the popular Limoncello liqueur can be bought for only 10 euros.
On a Sunday afternoon, be sure to check out the antique market on the picturesque Caracciolo Street. Despite the complete confusion and anarchy, the place is considered the best in the entire southern part of Italy.
Fashionable streets
Walking around the city will be a real pleasure for aesthetes, because every street of Naples is a cultural value. Many tourists recommend a must visit:
- Via Calabritto. This is true Italy, where an incredible number of antique shops are concentrated.
- Via Chiaia, considered to be the perfect place for budget shopping.
- La Pignasecca is a true gourmet paradise.
- Via Roma - the longest street of Naples;
- Centra Antico - it is from here that the miniature figures describing the birth of Christ originate. But getting here through the navigator is not so simple: in fact, the street is just the area around the church.
Outlet
Welcome to Naples, whose outlets drive crazy tourists from all over the world. Specialists in shopping tours recommend that you visit the 3 centers located in the suburbs without fail.
1. La Reggia Designer Outlet. Located 30 km from Naples in the historical part of Caserta on the coast of Costiera Amalfitana. To get to the place, you need to move towards the traffic flow to Rome (highway 1). Also, a branded outlet bus departs daily from Piazza Mubicipio, which will take everyone to their destination. The only thing you need to know about La Reggia Designer, there are more than 130 retail outlets, including shops, playgrounds, restaurants, coffee houses and bars.
2. Centro Commerciale Campania. For many tourists, shopping in Naples starts from this place. To get to the “Centro Commercial Campania”, you need to go in the direction of Caserta, and then get off the motorway and head towards Caserta Sud - Marcianise. The outlet works every day from 9 am to 10 pm. There are more than 180 stores and, according to the administration, they are not going to stop at this figure. It is impossible not to note the presence on the territory of the Naples outlet of Centro Commerciale Campania of an incredible number of cinemas, supermarkets, playgrounds, restaurants, fitness centers, cosmetics boutiques and many other places that are pleasant to the heart of a shopaholic, where money is spent with pleasure.
3. Vulcano Buono. The town of Nola is popular not only among locals, but among the many guests of Italy. You can get to the outlet of Naples by personal car or company bus, which begins its journey from the city center. Compared to previous ones, Vulcano Bono has a different work schedule. On Mondays, it opens at noon, and on other days at 10 in the morning. Vulcano Buono is more than 200 stores of perfumes, electronic goods, interior items, home appliances and, of course, clothing for the whole family.
When there is no time to go to the suburbs, you can visit the outlets of Naples, located inside the city. Of the large and popular among locals, Outlet Camomilla Fineserie and Outlet Vesto can be noted. The latter is located near the airport and offers a wide range of products from brands such as: Nike, Benetton, Motivi, Promos and others. The first will allow you to combine pleasant shopping with interesting excursions. In addition, the outlet offers its visitors to purchase products of their own brands at a lower price.
The main shopping center of the city
The street called Via San Carlo is the most famous place in the city, because it is here that the famous "Umberto I" is located. Among the many reasons for visiting the mall, three main ones can be distinguished:
- The building has historical significance, as it helped to block several streets, which at the end of the 19th century were notorious.
- Well-developed infrastructure with a huge number of boutiques, bars, coffee houses and restaurants.
- Beautiful architecture. "Umberto I" was built opposite the opera house, has the appearance of an octagonal cross, and the ceiling height reaches 56 meters. Many often admit that sometimes they just don’t care what kind of sales are held here, they come to admire the beauty of the shopping center.
Souvenirs from Naples
In addition to visiting Naples stores in search of designer clothes, shopping gurus are advised to purchase the following original gifts:
- a tie of one of the most famous brands in the world, Marinella;
- the cameo jewelry will become an incredibly beautiful and touching gift for a person dear to you;
- Naples is valued for its quality leather processing, so do not forget to buy leather products of any texture, shape and purpose;
- souvenir (magnet, plate, watch) in the form of miniature Margarita pizza.
Naples Markets
What shopping without visiting the main Italian attraction - the flea market, which are two in the city?
- Fiera Antiquaira Napoletana on Via Caracciol. An unprepared tourist outlet will be shocked: complete anarchy, noise, chaotic traffic and disorder. But, despite this, the place was recognized as the best antique market in Southern Italy.
- Mostra Mercato Constantinopoli on Via Constantinopoli. Unfortunately, the work schedule indicated on the official website does not always coincide, so the information must be clarified on the spot. On the streets of Naples antique shops there is always an unpredictable situation, as sellers display their goods directly on the sidewalk. In cloudy weather, traveling to Mostra Mercato Constantinopoli does not make sense - it simply will not open.
And 3 more tips in the end
When shopping in Naples, remember that:
- the most profitable purchases can be made during the sales period - from July 2 to the end of September and within 60 days after the first Saturday of January;
- when purchasing goods worth more than 155 euros or more at one outlet, when leaving the country, you can return up to 15% of the amount through the Tax-Free Shopping cash desk;
- If the guide suggests visiting the "factory" store during the tour, do not agree. The prices here are too high and you can easily run into a fake.
In any case, once in this amazing colorful city, visit outlets, shopping centers and even flea markets in order to bring as many gifts as you can from this sunny Italy to remember this amazing journey.