Fast Facts

American Express -- Every Tours travel agency on Piazza del Municipio 5 (tel. 081-5518564; bus: no. R2 or R3 to Piazza del Municipio) handles American Express business. It is open Monday through Friday from 9:30am to 1pm and 3:30 to 7pm, Saturday 9:30am to 1pm.

Banks -- Most banks are located in the city center and near the major hotels, and have ATMs outside their doors. BNL (Banca Nazionale del Lavoro; tel. 081-7991111) offers the PLUS network you'll likely need for your ATM card. Its several locations in Naples include Via Toledo 126 and Piazza dei Martiri 23.

Currency Exchange -- Among the numerous choices in town, the most convenient exchange places are the ones at the airport and around the Stazione Centrale on Piazza Garibaldi (Metro: Piazza Garibaldi). There are four cambios on Corso Umberto at nos. 44, 92, 212, and 292 (bus: no. R2 to Corso Umberto). Thomas Cook is on Piazza del Municipio (bus: no. R2 or R3 to Piazza del Municipio).

Doctors -- Guardia Medica Specialistica (tel. 081-431111) is on call 24 hours a day. Consulates maintain a list of English-speaking doctors.

Emergencies -- Call tel. 113 or 112 for the police. For an ambulance, call tel. 118; for the fire department call tel. 115; for first aid (pronto soccorso), call tel. 081-7520696.

Hospital -- Ospedale Fatebenefratelli, the central hospital, is at Via Manzoni 220 (tel. 081-7697220).

Internet Access -- The three locations of Internet Point (tel. 081-4976090 or 081-19568227) are conveniently located and offer ADSL connection at 1€ ($1.40/70p) for 30 minutes: They are Vico Tre Re a Toledo 59/a (off Via Toledo to the left coming from Piazza Trieste e Trento, across from the Banco di Napoli); Via Montecalvario 9 (also off Via Toledo to the left, a few streets farther up); and Via Francesco Sav Correra 245 (3 blocks north and then left from Piazza Dante).

Laundry/Dry Cleaning -- Self-service laundromats are rare in Naples; your best bet is a tintoria (dry cleaner's) or a lavanderia (dry cleaner's and laundry service). A few good and central addresses are Lavanderia Tintoria at Via San Tommaso d'Aquino 43 (tel. 081-5511895), Lavanderia Helvetia (Via San Mattia 1; tel. 081-415635), and the lavanderia at Salita Sant'Anna di Palazzo 4 (tel. 081-407222).

Mail -- The Central Post Office (Ufficio Postale) is at Piazza Matteotti (tel. 081-5511456; bus: no. R3 to Piazza Matteotti).

Maps -- You can buy a good map with a stradario (street directory) of Naples at any newspaper stand in town (most carry the reliable Pianta Generale by N. Vincitorio); if you prefer something smaller, buy the excellent, foldable, credit card-size Mini-City sold at museum shops in town (try the shop at Palazzo Reale).

Newspapers & Magazines -- Foreign newspapers and magazines are sold at train station kiosks and near the American Consulate. Do not miss QuiNapoli, the dashing free monthly (bilingual Italian/English) prepared by the city tourist office, which lists all the latest events as well as opening hours of monuments and museums. (It's also online at www.inaples.it.)

Pharmacies -- There are several pharmacies open weekday nights and taking turns on weekend nights. A good one is located in the Stazione Centrale (Piazza Garibaldi 11; tel. 081-5548894; Metro: Piazza Garibaldi).

Police -- Call tel. 113 for emergencies or tel. 112.

Safety -- Pickpocketing and car thefts are fairly common throughout Naples. In dark alleys and outside the city center, getting mugged is possible, particularly at night. Steer clear of the area behind the Stazione Centrale at dark, when it gets particularly seedy. The poorest suburbs in the outskirts of Naples to the east and southeast are where crime rates tend to be highest, but these are removed from the major tourist areas.

Smoking -- Thanks to a 2005 law, smoking is not allowed in public areas, including cafes and restaurants. It remains very common, however, and you will find that separate smoking areas are often available.

Toilets -- Public bathrooms are basically nonexistent outside museums and major attractions. Your best bet is to use those in bars and cafes; they are reserved for clients, though, so you'll have to buy at least a coffee or a glass of mineral water.

Weather -- Watch the news or check out http://meteo.tiscali.it.