Dating back to 1536, Via Toledo has evolved into one of the city’s main shopping street today. Stretching for over a kilometer from Piazza del Plebiscito to Piazza Dante, thereby connecting the city’s 2 most important public squares, this busy thoroughfare is not only a vibrant shopping area with all the big chain stores imaginable, but also home to several religious and civil monuments. It is therefore no surprise that the entire street is super-crowded with pedestrians and the occasional vespas jostling for space as they inch through the street. If you have a fear of crowds, avoid this street altogether and explore the historic centre along Via Tribunali instead.

Unlike Spaccanapoli or Via Tribunali or any of the streets in Quartieri Spagnoli, Via Toledo is wider. Because of this reason, it doesn't feel as crammed even though it is congested with people especially on weekends. There are also street artists in the evening performing their acts and creating a carnival atmosphere. You can find gelato places and fast food joints on this street, but most restaurants are located on the side streets.

Walking the Via Toledo was an experience, for sure, but a welcome one! Yes, it is crowded and noisy but it is also lined with stores and restaurants and sites to see. Our hotel was along this street so we walked it each day of our visit there. We shopped. We ate. And we enjoyed street music and performers. We stopped to see the historic entrances to palazzi now turned into apartments and car parks and such. We saw and read numerous historical plaques telling us who once lived there. We walked from Via Museo on one end down to the harbor, passing by the Gallerie d'Italie Napoli, Galleria Umberto I, Palazzo Reale, and Piazza del Plebescito. A nice introduction to Naples!