When it comes to calcio, no city eats, sleeps and breathes the game like Naples.

On every street, around every corner, Napoli and it’s deified stars are inextricably linked to the entire region.

If you are planning a short trip to see a game this season, we’ve got you covered.

Stay in… San Lorenzo

Naples is made up of 30 Quartieri, all with their own unique marks to discover. But if you need a base for a weekend trip then look no further than San Lorenzo.

The city’s 11th district is the heart of its historical centre, with ancient Roman remains and majestic churches dotted between the picturesque narrow alleys draped in Azzurri bunting. 

Close to Naples’ Central train station, it is a 15-minute walk from the main transport vein in and out of the city – the same place where bus shuttles from the airport will drop off passengers.

If you have a little more to spend, you might consider setting up camp by the Port. This was where Scott McTominay called home when he first arrived in the city, staying at Romeo Hotel on the waterfront.

Grab food at… Ciciotto dal 1942 

If it’s modern-day Napoli icons you are after a glimpse of, then head down to the coast for a bite to eat.

Cicciotto A Marechiaro Dal 1942 sits at the foot of the Posillipo neighbourhood, right by the coast with views out to Mount Vesuvius and the Amalfi Coast at the other end of the bay. 

Championed for its seafood and authentic atmosphere, it has long been a favourite for Napoli stars past and present, including head coach Antonio Conte. Movie royalty have also swung by, with Gary Oldman among those to have dined there. 

There’s a fresh fish counter displaying the catches available for lunch, while their healthy portions of pasta are not to be sniffed at.

And no lunch is complete without a rendition of traditional tunes from resident crooner, 85-year-old Giovanni.

Go and see… Murale Diego Armando Maradona

There is really only one place to visit to get a feel for what Napoli is all about. 

Diego Armando Maradona has shrines dedicated to him the city over after the Argentine forward secured deity status during his six-year stint in southern Italy. There are spaces in garages, shops, coffee bars, all paying homage to one of the greatest players of all time.

But it is the walls of via Emanuele de Deo in the Quartieri Spagnoli that tell the story of a man whose impact on the city cannot be overstated.

The area is descended upon by a deluge of visitors on a daily basis, but there is nowhere quite like it in any other city in Italy, and no man is thought more highly of anywhere in the world. 

Get the pre-match buzz at… Ristorante Pizzeria Bernadette

Football culture dictates that pre-match is for drinking, but in Naples there is good reason for grabbing something to eat, too.

In full view of the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, Pizzeria Bernadette gives its patrons a front-row seat to the hustle and bustle of match day. 

The pizza menu is simple and far from extensive, a sure sign of quality in these parts, while its outdoor seating allows customers to soak up the swell of fans and noise as kick-off draws closer.

Even inside, the proximity to the stadium is inescapable, with murals and shirts covering every inch of wall. 

The location makes it a firm favourite for the game’s pertinent figures, with football agents known to swap stories and information on game days within its sanctum. A real perk then if you get the table next to them… so long as you are fluent in Neapolitan.

Toast victory in… Chiaia

In Naples, locals need little invitation to celebrate and so you will be hard pushed to find a joint not teeming with supporters after another win.

For a truly authentic feel of what it is to enjoy a night out in the city though, head down to the Chiaia neighbourhood to discover row upon row of bars.

Revellers pour into the street to the point where pedestrian traffic can come to standstill, while the sheer volume of friends and acquaintances greeting each other gives it the feel of one large house party that has spilled over into the longest of front gardens.

Via Bisignano is among the busiest of the narrow alleys, with clubs and bars open until the small hours.