Mergellina

If you're taking a ferry from Naples to Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, or the islands in the Bay of Naples, your departure dock will likely be the Mergellina marina. It's not the main port for cruise ships but is where many small hydrofoils and other smaller boats depart. The waterfront is lined with gelato shops, bars, and hotels, all offering views of the Castel dell’Ovo and Mt. Vesuvius.

This is also a popular stretch of coastline for the evening passeggiata (stroll), either along the pedestrian Lungomare promenade or up Via Mergellina to Via Posillipo, where there are sweeping views of the city and the Bay of Naples. Otherwise, hop on the funicular from Mergellina to the top of the Posillipo Hill, a tony residential neighborhood with some of the best views in the city. To visit Mergellina, join a hop-on-hop-off bus tour or private driving tour of Naples’s city center, or take time to explore either before or after catching a ferry at the Mergellina marina.