SSC Napoli’s stadium opened in 1959 after the club’s previous stadium was destroyed during the war. It was initially called Stadio del Sole (Stadium of the Sun) and had 87,000 seats. After it was renamed Stadio San Paolo, the stadium hosted the 1968 and 1980 European Football Championships and the 1990 World Cup. After a thorough renovation in 2019, the stadium has 54.726 seats.

The most memorable game in the stadium’s history was the semi-final between Italy and Argentina during the 1990 World Cup. Maradona called on the Napoli fans to support him and Argentina. During the match, they responded with a large banner: ‘Maradona, you are in our hearts but Italy in our blood. Argentina won after penalty kicks; Maradona took the decisive penalty kick.

How to reach Stadio Diego Armando Maradona?

The stadium is located in the Fuorigrotta district, seven kilometers from the center, and can be easily reached by train, metro, and bus.

With the Metro

The easiest way to get to the stadium is by metro line 2. From the Central Station (Piazza Garibaldi), get on line 2 in the direction of Pozzuoli.

Then you travel along until the stop Campi Flegrei. From here, it is another 600 meters to the stadium.

Trenitalia (the transport company) will deploy additional metro trains before and after the match.

For €1.60 you can buy a ticket that allows you to travel for 90 minutes. For less than €5, you can also choose a day ticket.

Map of the stadium

The sides of the stadium are:

• Tribuna Posilipo. This is the main stand where the dug-outs are located. These are the most expensive seats, where the president and the big sponsors have their place. The press tribune is also located here. On the left-hand side, there is the Tribuna Nsida, which is used as a family stand. On the right-hand side, you can find the away section, the Settore Ospiti.
• The long stand opposite the main stand. The atmosphere here is excellent and not as passionate as in either Curva.
• Curva A. The side behind the goal is on the right side of the stadium. On the Curva A are the most fanatic fans; these are the younger fan groups of Napoli. Here, people sing at the top of their lungs for ninety minutes. It is expected you sing along fanatically. A good voice is not required, but knowing the lyrics is, of course, required. There are also exuberant fireworks.
• Curva B. The seats behind the goal area on the left. Here you’ll find the older part of the fan scene, mainly occupied with flags and banners and less with singing. If you’re a tourist and want to bivouac between the fans, the Curva B is the best option, like the atmosphere is more friendly. Although both fan groups have their own identity, there is no competition between the two Curva’s.

Ristorante Pizzeria Bernadette

This little restaurant at Piazza Gabriele D’Annunzio offers a great view of the stadium. This restaurant is located less than 200 meters from the entrance of the Curva B. Many fans come here for a pizza, squid, or spaghetti with mussels and lemon before the game. Also, after the match, many visitors come for a beer to avoid the first full metros. Opening hours are from 10.00 to 15.30 and from 18.00 to 23.30.

Sinclair Scottish Pub

If you’re tired of Italian beer, this popular Scottish pub (on Via Guido Menzinger, near Medaglie d’ Oro metro station) is the place to go. All meals are freshly prepared, with the sandwiches a particular favorite. There’s also a wide selection of international beers on tap. The many television screens show Italian, English, and Scottish football. The broadcasts of the live Napoli games attract about 300 fanatically attending fans, which makes for a great atmosphere.

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

We already said it; you can’t leave Naples without having eaten a pizza. And where better to do that than at this iconic pizzeria in the heart of the city, which has been around since 1870. The scene in which Julia Roberts eats a pizza in the film ‘Eat Pray Love’ was shot in this pizzeria. Due to its popularity, you’ll have to take a number before you can sit down. Only two kinds of pizza are served: the Margherita and the Marinara. Both, however, are of phenomenal quality. The pizzeria is open daily from 11.00 to 23.00 and is located on the Via Cesare Sersale 1, just 500 meters from the Piazza del Mercato and the port.

The logo of SSC Napoli

Napoli’s current logo has been around since 2006 but has never seen significant changes. It is a light blue circle with a dark blue border, and in the middle, the white letter N. With the last update, some shades and light effects were added to make it a bit more modern. However, the letter N has been in the logo in the same form since 1927.

The mascot of the club is a donkey. This was still a prancing horse in the early years, which appeared on the first logo in 1926. But when in 1927 the club only managed to get 1 point from 18 games, the team was mocking’ i ciuciarelli’ (the donkeys). The fans subsequently adopted it as a nickname.’ I ciuciarelli’ is now also a nickname for the fans of Napoli.

Pompeii and the Vesuvius

Pompeii was a Roman city of 20,000 inhabitants buried under volcanic ash during an eruption of the volcano Vesuvius in the 1^e century AD. In the 16th^e century, the city was discovered, and over the centuries, uncovered street by street. This makes Pompeii the best-preserved antiquity town and perhaps the most important tourist attraction in Italy. With the Vesuvius in the background, you wander past ancient temples, thermal baths, the bakery, the great theatre, and the brothel with erotic paintings on the walls.

As Pompeii is only 22 kilometers from Naples, you can easily visit the city on your own. From Garibaldi central station, take the Circumvesuviana train towards Sorrento. After 40 minutes, you get off at the station ‘Pompeii Scavi – Villa Dei Misteri. ‘ This station is opposite the entrance to the archaeological park. Trains run 2 to 3 times an hour, and one-way tickets cost €6. The price to visit Pompeii is €21, and for €9 extra, you can rent an audio guide. The archaeological city is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 09.00 to 19.00.

For the Vesuvius, you take the same train, but you get off at the station ‘Ercolano Scavi.’ It is highly recommended to book online in advance.

Of course, it is also possible to book a day trip to Pompeii and the Vesuvius at a tourist office. You will be picked up at the hotel and pay about €50 for a guided trip.

Quartieri Spagnoli

This authentic district houses a little square in the Via Emanuele de Deo that became world news when Diego Maradona died. It was the place where thousands of fans spontaneously came to commemorate their hero.

It was initially the square of the supporter’s group Teste Matte. In 1990 they commissioned a local artist to paint a portrait of their hero. Over the years, the gigantic mural has become the centerpiece of a spontaneously created ‘Maradona museum.’ The Argentine’s career in Neapolitan service has been depicted through flags, scarves, drawings, and photographs. After his death in November 2020, the square became a memorial.

Castel Sant’Elmo

The old fortress of Sant’Elmo towers high above the city and offers a phenomenal view of Naples and its surroundings. From here, you can see the entire Bay of Naples, the Tyrrhenian Sea, Mount Vesuvius, and the surrounding area of the Campania region. With 414 steps, it is a tough climb to the top, but fortunately, you can also take the cable train. Just below the castle is the impressive monastery Certosa di San Martino. Here you can wander through long corridors, the church, and a beautiful garden. You reach the fortress by metro line 1 to station Vanvitelli, then you walk a slight uphill. The entrance is €5.

Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN)

The National Archaeological Museum is one of the most important museums of its kind in the world. It owes its world fame to a unique collection of objects from ancient times. If you cannot visit Pompeii, you can see many finds here, such as frescoes and mosaics. Through computer animations, photos, and film footage, it is shown how the city’s destruction was done. You will also find casts of people who tried to bring their belongings to safety before the erupting volcano.

The museum is open from 09.00 to 19.30 (closed on Tuesdays), and tickets cost €15. Two adults pay €26 (family ticket). The museum is easily reached by metro line 1 (stop ‘Museo’).