Portici, a small seaside town in the province of Naples rich in history and things to see. A city that can be easily visited in one day, or two if you also opt for attractions outside the city. At one time, the population density of Portici was among the highest in the world. In this article, I will take you on a discovery of its beauties and leave you some useful links at the end, ready? Iamme ià.
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What to see in Portici: Train Station
It was October 3, 1839, when the first Italian railway line was inaugurated. We are talking specifically about the Naples – Portici line. The Portici – Ercolano station is the symbol of this historical milestone and has a unique peculiarity. From this station, while waiting for the train, you stand with your back to the tracks. The reason? The beautiful sea-view landscape that can be admired from the station itself.
Port of Granatello
The beating heart of the city of Portici, both for its nightlife and for reaching one of the beaches. The Port is located near the Portici – Ercolano station. In summer, the Port of Granatello becomes a place of recreation for citizens and tourists. Here you will also find many evening spots, including restaurants and clubs, to spend the night. A few steps from the port, you will find one of the city's main beaches: Le Mortelle.
From the Port of Granatello, it is also possible to enjoy one of the most beautiful skylines in the city. From the end of it, in fact, you can catch a glimpse of the entire port with Mount Vesuvius as its backdrop.
Portici beaches: the mortelle
The most popular of the city's beaches, characterized—like the others—by its dark volcanic sand. If you spend the day here, you might consider having a post-beach aperitivo at one of the spots in the port.
Pit Stop at Essenza
A few steps from the main beach of Portici, you will find Essenza: a restaurant and cocktail bar with a beautiful sea-view terrace. A perfect place to have a drink with friends during one of the most beautiful moments of the day: sunset.
Aperitif on a Boat at Sunset
Looking for something more intimate for a special occasion to celebrate with a select few? This sunset boat tour is perfect. Lasting about 2-3 hours, it includes drinks and aperitif while enjoying Portici from the sea. What else? The boat has a maximum capacity of 12 people. Click on "check availability" (blue icon) to secure your sea-view spot. Or receive a 10 euro discount per person by booking on WhatsApp by clicking the button below.
What to see in Portici: Pietrarsa Museum
The Pietrarsa Museum is linked to the railway history of Portici. In this museum, in fact, carriages and locomotives from Italian history are on display. A piece of history in the city of Portici that is well worth a visit. The vintage locomotives are incredibly charming, and there are many different types. Step onto the carriages to experience, as a passenger, the rail journeys of the past.
What to see in Portici: the Reggia
The most important architectural complex in the city, together with its botanical garden. The Palace of Portici is a historic residence built by Charles III of Bourbon for the summer. It was actually built earlier (1738) than the more imposing Royal Palace of Caserta (1752). Today, it is possible to visit the Palace and its artworks.
Botanical Garden
Once at the Palace, I recommend visiting the botanical garden. A 20,000 m² botanical garden managed by the Faculty of Agriculture of the University Federico II. It is located right in front of the main entrance to the Palace.
What to see in Portici: Parco a Mare
A true "waterfront park" that makes Portici a tourist city and makes you feel like you are elsewhere. Every time I go, it truly feels like I’ve returned to Australia. This beautiful project is thanks to Mayor Enzo Cuomo, who put his heart and soul into bringing it to life.
- Volleyball courts
- Beach football pitches
- Basketball hoops
- Equipped areas for children
- Beaches with facilities
These are the many services you can find on the Portici waterfront, which has taken the name Parco a mare. It’s a marvel to see so many young people coming here to have fun as the sun goes down. A place to relax with a walk, play sports, or watch the sunset.
What to see near Portici: excavations of Herculaneum
A 19-minute walk from the Portici – Ercolano station lies one of the most important sites in Italy. I am talking about the Herculaneum Ruins, which require a visit of about 2 hours. It was 79 AD when Herculaneum was razed to the ground by the eruption of Vesuvius. To this day, it preserves "almost still intact" works of incredible beauty. If you are a history and art enthusiast, this is the right place to take a real dip into the past.
What to see near Portici: trekking on Vesuvius
Another excursion not to be missed once you are at Portici beach. One of the ways to reach the Vesuvius National Park is from the city of Ercolano. Climbing Vesuvius and admiring its fumaroles inside the cone is a unique experience.
From Vesuvius, you also have a beautiful view of both Naples and the Sorrento coast. Once you are here, I recommend taking a tour with a guide to fully understand the history of the giant of Naples.
Portici - Capri: A Day in Paradise
From Portici, there is also the possibility of reaching the island of Capri from the Port of Granatello. A very convenient service that allows you to avoid boarding from Naples and save time. The service is daily, but you can also ask to postpone your return. Simply go to the physical ticket office to request a return for the following day.
This way you can spend an entire day there including the night, which I suggest you do. In fact, I'll take this opportunity to leave you a beautiful article I wrote about Capri in 1 day. Take a look at it as I think it could be useful for you.
Where to stay in Portici
For accommodation in Portici I leave you with a couple of links:
Useful Links
As promised, I will start by leaving you a few links that may be useful for your tour of Portici:
- Ticket for the Pietrarsa Museum
- Ticket for the Reggia di Portici
- Visit (without guide) to the Herculaneum excavations
- Entrance (without guide) to Vesuvius National Park (with return transport)
I also leave you with:
- Ticket for the tour with archaeologist of the Herculaneum excavations (duration 2 hours)
- 3-hour guided tour of Vesuvius National Park (including transport from Herculaneum)
What to see in Portici: conclusions
I hope you enjoyed this article and that it provides inspiration for your stay in Portici. A city of many surprises that is worth visiting for at least a day. It can be perfect to combine as a day trip from Naples. See you on the next trip and remember: those who travel live twice!
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Hi, I really like the photos of Portici you used and I was wondering if it would be possible to reuse them on my site. I'm advertising my guesthouse and I'm creating a section that talks a bit about Portici. Let me know if you agree, I can also mention your site and your article maybe. Thank you and have a nice evening!
Hi Vincenzo, thank you very much and sorry for the late reply, of course you can, just put a backlink