Definitely not amore.
A travel influencer has stirred debate online after offering a harsh take on the streets of Naples, Italy.
Marek Pukas, 28, posted a 13-second clip to social media, capturing scenes of trash-strewn sidewalks and overflowing planters, along with the caption: “Most disappointing city in Italy?”
A tourist was surprised by what he encountered in this well-known European city.
Pukas, who previously praised Italy for its “beauty, charm, and attention to detail,” said Naples stood out — but not in a good way.
“I’ve traveled all over this country, but I’ve never seen streets with so much trash,” he told What’s The Jam.
“It was messy, chaotic, and, honestly, difficult to enjoy,” he said.
The influencer was on a June road trip with friends, making stops in Bari, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Positano, and Sorrento before reaching the historic food capital.
“I was really looking forward to it — Naples is the birthplace of pizza, after all,” he explained.
Marek Pukas, 28, posted a 13-second video criticizing Naples, Italy.
“When we arrived, it was pretty chaotic,” Pukas recalled. “Italy can be chaotic, sure — but this city felt completely out of control.”
The situation felt so unsettling that the group decided to leave after just two hours, citing safety concerns.
“We were already a bit on edge,” he added. “The parking area had several cars with smashed windshields, which definitely made us think twice.”
The influencer was on a June road trip with friends, making stops in Bari, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Positano, and Sorrento before reaching Naples.
“But we still decided to explore a little — and that’s when things really went downhill,” he said.
Pukas admitted they may have ended up in the wrong part of town, but the experience didn’t reflect the Italy he was familiar with.
“I’m not exactly sure which part of the city we were in, but it didn’t feel like the Italy I knew,” he explained.
“It was dirty — trash everywhere — and there were people selling just about anything at makeshift street markets.”
Instead, the group chose to return to their accommodation in Pompei.
“All the cities we visited before were beautiful, but that one just didn’t measure up,” Pukas said.
