podtour
The Square of Kings
Between the San Carlo Theatre and the Royal Palace, Naples brings together kings, coffee and pizza. Discover the stories behind its grand square.
Naples audio tours and self-guided walks
Naples never tells its stories quietly.
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Walk through Naples, story by story
Between the Vicaria, Forcella and the old centre, the city mixes centuries and conversations. Follow its streets through Spanish connections, trades and lives that spill beyond the postcard.
Start with “The Square of Kings”. You start at the entrance to the Galleria Umberto I, whose glass dome stands where a tangle of alleys once stood, alleys that cholera exposed. Opposite is the Teatro di San Carlo: it was built for Charles of Bourbon in seven months, and its builder's story doesn't end in applause.
Then there’s “The Historic Centre, Layer by Layer”. You start with the most recent layer: Santa Chiara on the August afternoon in 1943 when it lost its roof, and what turned up underneath when it was rebuilt. The bell tower opposite served twice as a fortress, and from a balcony of the palace next door Benedetto Croce could almost reach out and touch it, in the very rooms where Charles V once dined.
For another side of the city, try “Masaniello and Market Square”. You start under the clock arch of Sant'Eligio, with some little stone heads that legend gave names to and a historian took them back. The square you're standing in was born of a fire at a fireworks display.
Keep exploring with “Naples: Saints, Skulls and Mysteries”. You start in front of a façade of diamond-pointed stones covered in marks that some read as masons' signatures and others as music. In Piazza San Domenico, a prince who composed and a night in 1590 that the viceroy preferred to shelve; next door, the palace that collapsed three centuries later and that many saw as a punishment.
Choose by neighbourhood or by the stories that interest you: each route shows its distance, stops and approximate duration before you set off. The audio is written for walking, with a clear distinction between documented events and local legend. Download it in the app, put on your headphones and pause whenever something catches your eye. English and Spanish are included.
Start for free
The Square of Kings
The monumental heart of Naples, told from the street: the theatre built in seven months, the café a prefect shut down, the queen's pizza and its suspicious letter, the square Murat wanted for himself and a vote cast in front of everyone.
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Naples, before you go
Walk Naples with attention and an appetite. Narrow streets, slopes and the sea change the pace; leave room to look and to step aside for a moment.
Before visiting Naples
How many days do I need in Naples?
Our Naples guide has suggestions for one, two and three days. Start with one area rather than trying to fit every walk into a day; leave room for travel between neighbourhoods and any indoor visits.
Can I explore Naples on foot?
Terrain: the waterfront is gentler; inland, slopes and stairs appear, including in the Spanish Quarter. Surfaces: stone, uneven joints and sometimes narrow pavements. Look where you step when moving aside.
Which Naples route is free?
“The Square of Kings” is the free route: 11 stops over 1.27 km, with an approximate duration of 48 minutes. You can see its map and stops on the route page.
When is a good time to visit Naples?
Spring and autumn suit walking without the strongest heat; in summer, use cooler parts of the day for open stretches. September brings devotion and activity around San Gennaro. December enlivens the nativity-scene tradition and draws visitors to San Gregorio Armeno.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
