Vomero

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Vomero is a hilltop district in Naples, Italy. It covers about 2 square kilometers and is home to around 48,000 people. The area is famous for Piazza Vanvitelli, the ancient Petraio stairs that link to old city neighborhoods, the historic Rione Antignano, Floridiana Park and Villa Floridiana, Castel Sant’Elmo, three funicular lines to downtown, and a busy pedestrian zone. From Vomero you can look out over Naples, Mount Vesuvius, the Bay of Naples and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Where it sits and what it’s like
- Vomero sits above central Naples and borders Arenella, Soccavo, Fuorigrotta, Chiaia, Montecalvario and Avvocata. Many streets are named after notable Neapolitan artists, architects or musicians. Locals are called Vomeresi.
- The hill’s name has ancient roots: it began as Bomòs in Greek, became Vomero by the 16th century, and has long been tied to agriculture. It earned nicknames like “Broccoli Hill” for its farmed landscape.

Getting around Vomero
- Petraio: the oldest route up the hill is a network of pedestrian stairs and paths from the old city.
- Funiculars: three lines—Chiaia, Montesanto and Central Funicular—link Vomero with the city below.
- Metro: since 1980, Naples Metro Line 1 serves Vomero at Quattro Giornate and Piazza Vanvitelli stations.
- ZTL: a pedestrian-friendly Limited Traffic Zone started in 1994 and expanded in 2008 to better connect upper and lower Vomero and nearby areas.
- Escalators: three outdoor escalators help people move up and down the steep streets.
- Getting there by car and bus: Vomero is accessible via the Tangenziale di Napoli (A56) and several streets, with many bus lines linking it to the rest of the city.

A bit of history
- Vomero grew from rural hamlets around Antignano into a populated hillside as Naples expanded upward for defense and space. The construction of Castel Sant’Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino helped anchor the area.
- The neighborhood officially formed in the late 19th century, with a rectilinear street plan and villas built in popular styles of the time. The opening of the Chiaia and Montesanto funiculars in the late 1800s and the Central Funicular in 1928 spurred more growth.
- Vomero played a notable role in Naples’ history during World War II, including events of the Four Days of Naples in 1943.

Culture, landmarks and life today
- Notable sites include Villa Floridiana, the Certosa di San Martino, Castel Sant’Elmo, and the San Martino complex. The area also houses historic villas and churches, plus modern amenities, shops and schools.
- Vomero has connections to early Italian cinema, with film studios that helped shape Naples’ screen industry in the early 20th century.
- The district cherishes memory sites from World War II and the city’s resistance, with plaques and monuments around Sannazaro High School, Piazza Quattro Giornate and surrounding streets.
- Sports and recreation continue to be important: the area hosts a tennis club, a prominent stadium nearby for local sports, and is close to venues used by local teams.
- The highest point in Vomero is near the Certosa di San Martino, at about 251 meters above sea level.

Today’s Vomero blends elegant homes, green spaces, historic stairs and a lively shopping and dining scene. It remains a well-loved, upper-middle-class part of Naples with a distinctive history and panoramic views of the city and coast.