I like to describe Naples as chaos incarnate. It has a life of its own, that seems to head in every direction at once, but then comes together into a sort of untouchable harmony that energizes your soul. And because I would love to know more about the city, I collected together my favorite quotes about Naples.
Located on the cusp on the Amalfi Coast, in the shadow of Mt. Vesuvius, Naples has inspired writers and artists for centuries.
To recognize this unique city, here are the best quotes about Naples:
Rome is stately and impressive; Florence is all beauty and enchantment; Genoa is picturesque; Venice is a dream city; but Naples is simply — fascinating.
– Lilian Whiting
Naples is curiously chaotic and, if I’m honest, a bit dilapidated. It certainly has a ‘lived-in’ look. It’s alive, it’s vibrant, it’s a little bit dirty, it’s busy, and I loved it. I felt like this was how Rome would probably have been 2,000 years ago. There’s a real bustle, and it’s down and dirty.
– Paul Hollywood
I won’t say another word about the beauties of the city and its situation, which have been described and praised often. As they say here, “Vedi Napoli e poi muori! — See Naples and die!” One can’t blame the Neapolitan for never wanting to leave his city, nor its poets singing its praises in lofty hyperboles: it would be wonderful even if a few more Vesuviuses were to rise in the neighbourhood.
– Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Here we are at last. The Italian proverb says “See Naples and die” but I say, see Naples and live; for there seems a great deal worth living for.”
― Arthur John Strutt
Naples is the flower of paradise. The last adventure of my life.
-Alexandre Dumas, as quoted in “Naples and Paris, the true capitals” by Marco Cesario
I have a concept of Naples that is not so much of a city, per se, but rather an ingredient of the human spirit that I detect in everyone, Neapolitan or not.
-Luciano De Crescenzo
I exist only because inside of me and above all else I am only and above all a Neapolitan. Naples exists inside of me, and always will. Fortunately for me there is this treasure that I have inside of me and, when I need it, then I pull it out.
– Sophia Loren
“…the city of Naples was like this: wonderful from a distance, but when seen close up, it was fragmentary, indefinable, and coarse…”
― Franco Di Mare, The Paradise of the Devils
Naples sitteth by the sea, keystone of an arch of azure.
-Martin Farquhar Tupper
Are there any other quotes about Naples that you love?
If you enjoy quotes, here are the best quotes about Rome and quotes about Venice as well.
A Napoli ognuno vive in una inebriata dimenticanza di sé. Accade lo stesso anche per me. Mi riconosco appena e mi sembra di essere del tutto un altro uomo. Ieri pensavo: “O eri folle prima, o lo sei adesso”.
(Johann Wolfgang Goethe)
After just returning from a weekend in Naples I enjoyed reading your post.
I’m so glad! I hope you had a great time there.
My wife and I are honeymooning in Italy and I came across your site, so glad I did! We’re debating–we have 3 nights in Rome, 4 nights in Florence, and 4 nights in Naples area. These quotes are great–would love your perspective. Would it be better to have a home base in Naples or in Sorrento?
An even more suitable one:
“He who doesn’t love Naples, has yet to learn how to love life”.
Anthony Bourdain said something like “Naples is Italy on Steroids “..
LOVE this! He is not wrong.