Visiting Naples in Italy? Discover Top Things to Do

Naples is an amazing area of Italy that perfectly captures everything the country is famous for. But when it comes to things to do in Naples, it can be difficult to narrow down your options.

In this article, we’ll cover the best things to do in Naples Italy to help inspire you for your trip.

Things to Do in Naples Italy

1. Explore the Past

Unsurprisingly, Naples is rich in history, and there’s loads to explore if you know where to look. Some highlights include:

• Naples Cathedral
• Castel dell’Ovo
• Catacombs of San Gennaro

These buildings are hundreds of years old and are some great examples of medieval architecture. Plus, they make for some great walking trips around the city.

2. Enjoy Art and Culture

If old buildings aren’t really your thing, how about old art? The National Archaeological Museum includes collections from ancient Rome and Greece, along with Renaissance artifacts. Alternatively, you can check out more modern offerings with street art in Spaccanapoli, or take in some plays and music shows at the Teatro di San Carlo.

3. Eat Local Food

Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so why not go old-school and have a proper Neapolitan? There’s also the Mercato di Porta Nolana to explore – a bustling fresh food market that you can eat your way around. Make sure you try some local street food too, such as fried pizza and sfogliatella (a sweet pastry).

4. Explore Nearby Places

Naples is located in the Gulf of Naples, which is home to some equally amazing places. Some highlights include:

The Amalfi Coast, famous for its lemons (and great views)
Mount Vesuvius – the famous volcano that you can hike up
Historic ruins – Naples is home to Pompeii and Herculaneum, which is arguably the better of the two.

5. Enjoy the Coast

Unsurprisingly, the Bay of Naples has a lot of coastline. One of the top things to do in Naples Italy is visit the beaches and enjoy the warm water. Depending on where you go, too, the beaches have black sand!

Naples waterfront itself is a great place to enjoy a casual walk in the sun. Alternatively, you can take in some amazing sea views from the Castel dell’Ovo, which is on a peninsula.

Finally, you can take an island adventure trip around Capri, Ischia and Procida. There are plenty of tourist-focused packages you can book to visit the islands.

6. Live like a Local

Sometimes, being a tourist can be more enjoyable if you try to live like a local for a day. Luckily, this is quite easy in Naples. If you’re into people watching, the Piazza del Plebiscito is a great place to do this, with an espresso in hand of course.

If you’re more into bustling streets, check out both Spaccanapoli and Quartieri Spagnoli. They’re great neighborhoods to explore if you want a taste of the real Naples.

7. Find Hidden Gems

Some of the more unusual things to do in Naples Italy involve finding the less tourist-focused spots. For example, there’s the Veiled Christ at Sansevero Chapel. It’s a marble statue carved from a single piece of stone that must be seen to be believed.

There’s also the Napoli Sotterranea, a series of underground tunnels that hold some of the city’s deepest secrets. It’s fairly easy to find guided tours that’ll take you around the tunnels.

Finally, there’s the Santa Chiara Cloister, a religious complex famous for its beautiful tiles and sculptures. It has a museum on-site, but just exploring the buildings is good enough.

Tips for Your Trip

As you can see, there’s loads to do in Naples. So, on that note, how many days is enough in Naples Italy?

A minimum of 3 days is probably best for a trip to the city. There’s a lot you can do, and anything less than 3 days will mean rushing experiences or missing things out entirely. That said, 3 days will still be fairly busy, so consider going for longer if you want to truly experience the highlights.

But that also begs the question, is Naples an expensive city to visit?

Compared to other areas of Italy, Naples is surprisingly affordable. This is partly because it’s a poorer area despite its large amount of tourism. Provided you don’t mind some aspects of your trip being a bit rough around the edges, you’ll find your money will go a long way.

A good way to keep your budget down is to use public transport, as you won’t need a car when you’re in the city itself. Buses and trains are both efficient and affordable, and it’s also easy enough to walk between some tourist spots.