Don’t have your phone out, avoid wearing nice jewelry, and make sure your wallet is somewhere secure.  

View the Art in the Metro Stations 

Metro stations that are decked out in stunning works of art are becoming very popular around Europe. In Naples, metro lines 1 and 6 are home to various panoramic, underground art exhibits.

The stations feature unique modern art completely covering the walls of the metro stops. Across the two lines, there are over 180 different works of art for you to discover, and more are coming soon.

Checking out the art exhibits in the metro stations is a great first stop on your Naples itinerary to see a more modern and artistic side of such an old city like Naples.

The most popular stations are Toledo, Garibaldi, and Museo.

Spaccanapoli Road

Spaccanapoli Road is the main and most important street in all of Naples. It is located in Naples‘ historic core and packed with historically significant buildings. The street is also very narrow and divides the city into two parts.

The street is lined with street vendors, bars, restaurants, shops, and churches. The two main churches you will find are the Church of Gesu Nuovo and Santa Chiara.

It is a great place to see the daily life of the city and immerse yourself in the essence of Central Naples. It is also the best place to find Neapolitan pizza, gelato shops, pastry shops, and more!

Piazza del Gesu Nuovo 

As you walk along the Spaccanapoli Road, you may stumble upon the Piazza del Gesu Nuovo. If you don’t want to walk this whole road, you should head straight to the Piazza del Gesu.

This piazza is one of Naples’s main squares right in the historic center of the city. It is home to the Church of Gesu Nuovo, the gothic church of Santa Chiara, and the Immaculate Virgin spire. 

Admire Piazza del Plebiscito

Piazza del Plebiscito is another square that is located in central Naples. This square is breathtaking! It is home to the Royal Palace of Naples, Palazzo Salerno, the Prefecture Palace, and the Church of San Francisco di Paola.

This piazza also has several statues made out of stone, that are magnificently crafted. Walking around this piazza to take in and admire the stunning architecture is fantastic.

What’s interesting about this piazza is that it is also used for concerts! Maroon 5, Elton John, and Bruce Springsteen have all performed here.  

Hike to the top of Castel Sant’Elmo

Castel Sant’Elmo is an old fortress located on a mountain high above the city of Naples. The walk to the top is quite difficult, but the views are very worth it.

You can also stop at various points along the way to look at the city, stretching in all directions.

Eat Pizza

Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and you cannot go here without having at least one! Hundreds of restaurants serve pizza in Naples that will amaze you.

The pizza here is traditional and made with delicious local ingredients. I thought the pizza in Naples was extraordinarily authentic and delicious, and it was the best I’ve ever had. If you wish to replicate the traditional pizza at home, don’t miss the chance of taking a make your own pizza class here in Naples

Two great pizza places are: L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele and Gino Sorbillo. 

For those who wish to try more of the local cuisine, I suggest taking this street food tour that will take you to different places in the city to try original Neapolitan dishes.

Day 2: Beyond the Walls

Day two is for exploring one or more of the surrounding cities. Naples is located very close to various stunning Italian cities, and it would be a shame not to see them. Depending on the mode of transportation you choose – bus, car, boat – you have two options.

You can either make these quick day trips from Naples, that last a few hours or spend the whole day in a neighboring city. It is entirely up to you!

If you feel like you want to see more of Naples, you can make the trip quick by taking a boat to get back to Naples to explore more of the city later in the day. 

Day Trips from Naples

Sorrento 

The closest city to Naples lies along the Amalfi Coast in Sorrento. Sorrento is a stunning coastal town that is built on top of cliffs along the seafront.

A ferry ride here takes around 35 minutes and coast €11 one way. There are a plethora of things to do in Sorrento that make it the perfect quick afternoon or day trip from Naples.

Activities range from exploring a lemon grove to shopping to walking around the charming streets.

Best Sorrento Tours from Naples

• 1 – Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi Day Tour – In this 8 hours day trip tour, you will be able to explore three famous towns near Naples. It includes pickup & drop-off and lunch.
• 2 – Sorrento and Pompeii Day Trip from Naples – In this small-group tour you will visit the beautiful city of Sorrento and the ancient ruins of Pompeii. It includes pickup & drop-off and free time to walk around Sorrento and Pompeii.

Capri

Capri is another beautiful city along the Amalfi Coast that is located on a remote island. It is a more high-end travel destination that is frequented by the rich and famous.

You can find various yachts, mansions, and high-end stores all around here. Despite the luxurious nature, it is still a stunning day trip from Naples that offers an entirely different vibe and atmosphere.

Best Capri Tours from Naples

• 1 – Gulf of Naples & Capri Sightseeing boat tour – This is a great opportunity if you are looking for a different experience. On this guided boat cruise to Capri, you will have a chance to see Naples and Mt Vesuvius from the sea, pass by grottos and caves along the way, and swim in crystal water near the Faraglioni Rocks, and of course, enjoy your visit to the island of Capri. The tour also includes pickup & drop-off.
• 2 – Capri and Blue Grotto day trip – Visit the island of Capri and be guided through the main highlights of the island, such as Monte Solaro, and Villa San Michele. Explore the beautiful Blue Grotto, a cave with turquoise blue waters, and enjoy the local cuisine. Pickups are available.
• 3 – Capri and Pompeii Tour – Start your day by visiting the ancient city of Pompeii where you will be led by your guide to the most impressive ruins and highlights of the archeological site. Back to Naples, you will take a 45-minutes trip by boat to the island of Capri, where you will be able to see its main landmarks and enjoy free time on the island.

Positano

Positano is by far the most famous city in Southern Italy. The beautiful buildings and the sea surrounding Positano have been exploding on social media in recent years, and tourism has intensified.

In the summer months, Positano is packed with visitors all lusting over the pastel buildings built into the mountainsides.

However, Positano is stunning, and there is no question as to why people flock to this city. This city is one of the more distant towns from Naples, but the visit is 100% worth it.

Best Capri Tours from Naples

• 1 – Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi Day Tour – In this 8 hours day trip tour, you will be able to explore three famous towns near Naples. It includes pickup & drop-off and lunch.
• 2 – Positano and Pompeii Day Trip from Naples -Visit the ruins of Pompeii and see the main highlights of this archeological site, leave Pompeii and take the panoramic road of the Sorrento coast on your way to the city of Positano and enjoy your free time to stroll around the city.

Pompeii 

Pompeii is an ancient Roman town and is the closest day trip city from Naples. This city is a history buff heaven. Pompeii is one of the most significant towns that show proof of Roman civilization.

Exploring the accident in the roman village is both an exciting and educating experience. Various tours will show you all the ruins and give you a lot of really great information about the city.

Pompeii is also fascinating to explore due to the famous Mount Vesuvius volcano that erupted in 79 A.D and buried the city under volcanic ash.

Learn how to get from Naples to Pompeii here.

Best Pompeii Tours from Naples

• 1 – Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius Tour – Take a tour from Naples to Pompeii, stroll around its streets, visit the main highlights and finish your trip by walking to the crater of Mt Vesuvius, where you will have a beautiful panoramic view of the Bay of Naples. Pickup & drop-off are available, the tour also includes lunch and one drink.
• 2 – Pompeii and Herculaneum Day Trip from Naples -On this tour, you will be able to visit the two main ruins around Naples: Pompeii and Herculaneum. Both were destroyed in the same year due to the eruption of Mt Vesuvius. Includes pickup & drop-off and lunch.

Explore the waterfront

After a long day of day trips and exploring the neighboring cities in the area, it is time to spend the last few hours in Naples.

The city is located along the water, and it has a lovely walkway that extends along the whole shoreline. A walk along the water is peaceful and showcases a stunning side of Naples.

There are also some waterfront restaurants along the way that offer beautiful views of the water and distant mountains. I highly suggest heading to one of these restaurants, getting a nice glass of Italian wine, and fresh pizza and just admiring your surroundings.