Car rental Naples

Our rental office at Naples Airport is just off the A56, which bypasses the city along its western and northern edges. There’s also easy access to the main E45 highway (autostrada), on which you can head north to Rome and south to the ‘toe’ of Italy, Reggio Calabria.

Roads in Naples can be very busy during peak times, and parking is limited. Naples’ Historic Centre is one large traffic restricted zone, or ZTL (Zona a Traffico Limitato). Access to the ZTL is reserved for residents with a permit. When renting a car in the city, it’s best to use one of the parking lots near the centre. Once parked, you can take the metro and bus into the heart of Naples.

Outside the city centre, driving is easier. Behind the wheel is the best way to explore the Amalfi Coast – its many winding roads offer truly bucket list driving and views. The SS145 branches off the E45 to the south, near Pompeii, and runs west to Sorrento, where the SS163 doubles back along the coastline towards Positano and Ravello.

Before getting behind the wheel try to understand the rules of the road. Driving in Italy is on the right-hand side. The speed limit is 130km/h (80mph) on main highways, 110km/h (68mph) on non-major highways outside towns and cities and 50km/h (30mph) in built-up areas. The autostrada are toll roads (cash only) – indicated by green road signs. Speak to our staff when you arrive or throughout your journey if you have any questions regarding these roads.

Naples boasts phenomenal cultural wealth. Here you'll find royal palaces, castles and Caravaggio masterpieces, as well as ancient ruins and artefacts from the days of Ancient Rome and the buried city of Pompeii.

Explore the city’s historic heart

Start your exploration in the wide-open spaces of the Piazza del Plebiscito and watch the city go by over an espresso and the local favourite dessert, rum baba. From here, dive into the Centro Storico (Historic Centre), a labyrinth of cobbled alleyways centred on Spaccanapoli. This narrow and mainly pedestrianized street is great to wander along as it’s crammed with fascinating artisan shops, buzzing cafés, churches and crumbling Renaissancebuildings.

North from the historic centre is the remarkable National Archaeological Museum of Naples, which houses one of the world’s finest collections of ancient exhibits – all Greek and Roman mosaics, sculptures and gems.

A short walk away is the Duomo, a 13^th-century Gothic cathedral dedicated to the city’s patron saint, San Gennaro. Plan your journey to witness the thrice-yearly miracle of the blood, where a vial of blood from the beheaded saint supposedly liquefies in front of the waiting crowd.

Enjoy the finest Italian food

Naples is one of Italy's culinary heavyweights, best known as the birthplace of pizza. Spaccanapoli is home to the city’s finest pizzerias and, according to locals, the world’s best pizza is served at Di Matteo. But there’s more to it than margherita – try the rustic street food and superb pasta. From a flavoursome spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams) to rich ragù (meat and tomato sauce).

Discover ancient Roman cities

With car rental you can explore the surrounding area. Only a short drive south of the city lie Pompeii and Herculaneum, the ancient Roman cities destroyed in 79 AD. Wander among the ruins for a fascinating insight into life two millennia ago. Afterwards, walk off the pizza and pasta with a hike up Mount Vesuvius, the still-active volcano responsible for the destruction of these ancient cities.

Drive on the world’s most romantic road

The spellbinding Amalfi Coast is less than an hour’s drive from Naples. Start your road trip at the stunning clifftop town of Sorrento and its maze of narrow streets. From Sorrento, the road hugs the coastline as it zig-zags through a series of tight hairpin bends to reach lovely Positano with its chic boutiques and cafés – at the heart of the Amalfi Coast.

Rent a car from Naples Airport to explore this fascinating city and the best of this part of southern Italy.