Why Naples, Italy is the best place for backpackers to have pizza

Is there a better place in the world to eat pizza?

Anyone going to Naples, Italy on holiday is going to eat a lot of pizza. For backpackers there is nowhere better in the world to enjoy 12” slices than southern Italy. Neapolitans takes pizza incredibly seriously. In 2004, the Italian Ministry for Agriculture issued regulations explaining how a real Neapolitan pizza (pizza verace napoletana), should be made.

Neapolitan Pizza is the perfect combination of a thin baked crusts, fresh ingredients and moist oils. Complemented with a local beer, wine or a glass of sparkling water, you can’t get much better than a pizza night in Italy.

Super cheap and delicious, you can eat pizza everyday as a backpacker in Naples. Thin, crispy and piping hot, a wood-fired margherita is the city’s gift to the world.

What makes pizza in Naples so special?

In Naples, the pizza dough is freshly prepared and stretched out immediately after the order is placed. You can expect your pizza to be crisp outside with a soft pillow inside, and light enough to be consumed without ever having to lie down. Pizzerias who make a traditional pizza “Verace” are members of the Pizza Napoletana Association.

Golden rules of "Verace pizza"

- The pizza can only be baked in a wood-fired oven

- i pizzaioli (the pizza makers) can only make pizza by rolling it with their fingers.

- The pizza must not exceed 35 centimetres in diameter or be more than one-third of a centimetre thick at the centre

- The pizzaiolo (pizza maker) must be experienced, the “Verace” dough stretching technique requires 2-3 years of intensive training before you can call yourself a pizzaiolo

How to spot an authentic Neapolitan pizzeria

Backpackers in Naples should pay close attention to the signs outside pizzerias and the three types of pizza available:

1) Pizza napoletana marinara (San Marzano tomatoes, garlic, oregano and olive oil)

2) Pizza napoletana margherita

3) Pizza napolotena margheirta DOC (buffalo mozzarella)

Some of the best pizza can be found in cheap places with huge queues full of locals. Most places don’t accept bookings, but don’t let that put you off! The queues usually disperse very quickly. For excellent thin crusts and the freshest ingredients you’lll have plenty of pizzerias to choose from in Naples. Here are some of the most famous:

1) L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

If locals are queuing up in a city where you can buy pizza about every ten yards, then this place must be pretty special. ‘Da Michele’ featured in the Eat Pray Love movie (starring Julia Roberts) and has legendary status within the city. The family run pizzeria has been serving outrageously good pizza since 1870.

It’s a small pizzeria with no frills and family style tables. The menus are single-page and you only have two choices: Margherita or Pizza Marinara that cost about five euros. The rest they say is history.

2) L’Antica Pizzeria e Friggitoria di Matteo

Always bustling with locals, ‘di Matteo’ was originally founded in Salvatore Di Matteo in 1936. Back then it served poor local children “scugnizzi pizzaioli”, who spent more time eating pizza than going to school! Nowadays it’s run by Raffaele Marigliano, who once famously served President Bill Clinton in 1994. Their menu is simple and you can order a Margherita or "Bufalina DOC" for about five euros, and wash it down with a cold bottle of Peroni.

3) Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo

Popular with students from the University of Naples, this classic pizzeria dates back to 1935 and gets huge queues at peak times. Like all good pizzerias in the city, Gino Sorbillo is frequented by locals, tourists and students throughout the week. Super cheap you can eat here twice a day and come away with change from ten euros if you have water instead of beer.

Where to stay in Naples after eating pizza?

After a long day eating pizza you’ll want somewhere cosy and affordable to relax. Naples has plenty of budget hostels available throughout the year. Some of the best include Hostel Mancini, Art Hostel and YHA Ostello Di NAPOLI. Find out more here if you fancy going on a pizza pilgrimage in beautiful Naples. The 'home of pizza' is one of the world's most fascinating cities, a UNESCO-listed collection of ancient ruins and architectural treasures.

*Julia Roberts photo credit - allmoviephoto.com