In Naples, flavours explode at every meal and, from street food to the most refined restaurants, tradition is always the protagonist. Every traveller, from the moment he lands in this city, already knows that he will have to face a challenge: to taste as many typical dishes as possible! What are they? Let's go in order. Let's start immediately with the queen of all Neapolitan dishes: pizza. In Naples, pizza is thin, wide and with a high rim: this version is the classic one, typical of historic pizzerias and those that want to stick to tradition. However, cooking is art and experimentation and it will, in fact, be possible to find different or gourmet versions that are just as tasty. Street food is also a taste experience not to be missed: pizzette a portafoglio (i.e., folded in four), crocchè and frittatine di pasta (i.e., small fried timbales made with pasta seasoned in different ways) are the stars of street food along with fried pizza, filled with salami, ricotta, pepper and cicoli. Among the first courses, you must try the famous Neapolitan ragù, easily found in restaurants, osterias or characteristic trattorias dedicated entirely to this dish; alternatively, you can opt for the genovese, a pasta dish seasoned with onions and red meat cooked together until it almost becomes a cream. You cannot miss spaghetti or scialatielli with seafood, accompanied by fried fish or a soutè of mussels. Main courses include pork chops, stuffed with garlic, parsley and pine nuts according to tradition and, in summer, you can't say no to aubergine parmigiana, strictly in its fried version. Moving on to desserts, riccia or frolla are not only the two versions of the famous sfogliatella, but represent a difficult dilemma to solve, so we recommend both options! The baba to be eaten plain or with cream, but always soaked in rum, will give you a unique flavour, as will the ever-present caprese and the pastiera napoletana (a pastry tart filled with cream, ricotta and wheat) a cake that, although typical of the Easter holidays, can be found all year round in many pastry shops in the city. And finally, coffee. Where to enjoy it? In Naples you can be sure of a coffee in almost any bar, although every Neapolitan has his or her own favourite. Definitely a must is the Gambrinus café, a real institution dating back to the second half of the 19th century where you can enjoy a good coffee in a Belle Epoque atmosphere.

In Naples at any time of the year there is an air of festivity, but there are some events on the calendar that should not be missed. Let's see which ones: during the Christmas festivities, the city is swarming with illuminations, markets and crib exhibitions, the latter located not only in the San Gregorio Armeno area but also in the many churches that set up their rooms for the occasion. In spring, between April and May, video game and comic book lovers gather at Comicon, a great event where they can meet illustrators, gamers, youtubers and industry professionals, in an exuberant and fun atmosphere in which many participate in costume, dressing up as their favourite characters. During the month of May, culture takes centre stage with the 'Maggio dei Monumenti' (May of Monuments), a series of guided tours, exhibitions, and city itineraries spread throughout the month and focusing on a specific historical-artistic theme that changes every year. On 16 July, the Festa della Madonna del Carmine is celebrated in Piazza Mercato, an event of great folklore that ends with an evocative firework display simulating the burning of the Campanile, in memory of the 16th-century Battle of Goletta between the Turks and Christians, who prevailed. In September, on the other hand, there is the unfailing ceremony dedicated to San Gennaro, which takes place in the city cathedral and is followed by the entire population of Naples and elsewhere, who fervently await the melting of the Saint's blood, welcoming the event with processions and music in an atmosphere of great devotion. These are some of the most important city events, but there is never a shortage of new events, exhibitions, concerts and happenings in Naples, and discovering and participating in them will always be a pleasant surprise.