Things to do in Naples
Naples, a city that enchants with its unique charm, boasts the largest historic centre in all of Europe, recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Naples
Famous for its folklore and ancient traditions, Naples is a stunning coastal city that boasts an extraordinary historical, cultural and artistic heritage. Its historic centre, considered Europe’s largest, was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and hidden throughout its streets are ancient churches, museums and theatres. From the Lungomare Caracciolo to Via San Gregorio Armeno and the famous Piazza del Plebiscito, Naples is a city with truly so much to offer and a place that really knows how to captivate its visitors.
The city is home to museums housing an remarkably ancient archaeological collection, thousand-year-old churches and a culinary tradition celebrated worldwide. Not far from Naples you’ll find enchanting islands such as Capri, Ischia, Procida, ancient cities like Pompeii and Herculaneum, and enchanting places such as the Amalfi Coast and the Sorrento Peninsula.
Don’t miss a visit to Naples Underground, an underground area that tells the story of the Parthenopean city: from Roman times when the city’s aqueduct was located here, to the Second World War when Neapolitans used the underground as air-raid shelters.
Naples is an ideal destination throughout the year, however the best months to visit the city are April, May, September and October when the weather is good and there are fewer tourists. During these months, the days are sunny, but the city isn’t overly crowded with visitors and you can find more affordable prices for both hotels and flights.
Winter in Naples is never too cold, but there’s a higher chance of heavy rainfall. Additionally, during this low season, days are short and the sun shines for only a few hours a day.
However, during the winter season, the weeks between mid-December and early January are ideal for visiting the Christmas markets and the famous San Gregorio Armeno, also known as the “Street of Nativity Scenes”, which during the festive season is adorned with decorations, nativity scenes and Christmas stalls.
The summer season is characterised by many daylight hours; however, during these peak season months it can get very hot and the main tourist attractions are often crowded. The summer months are also considered a high season, so if you want to visit Naples during this period, we recommend booking well in advance to ensure you find the accommodation that best suits you.
Along the Campania coast, overlooking a wide bay, lies Naples, a city that captivates not only for its numerous attractions, but also for its folklore and ancient traditions. Thanks to its history, its fragrances and its colours, visiting Naples will truly be an incredible experience.
Piazza del Plebiscito, situated in the heart of the historic centre between the Lungomare and Via Toledo, is one of Naples’ most iconic symbols and is currently used as a venue for events and festivals. Important buildings overlook the square, such as the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, the Royal Palace, the Prefecture Palace and the Salerno Palace.
Cappella Sansevero dates from the late sixteenth century and houses one of the most mysterious and simultaneously fascinating works of Italian art: the Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino. In addition to this masterpiece, the Chapel preserves the 10 Statues of Virtue, and two Anatomical Machines are housed in the underground Cavea.
Castel dell’Ovo is, along with Maschio Angioino, one of Naples’ most unmistakable emblems.
Located on the islet of Megaride, the Castle originally served defensive and military purposes before becoming a hermitage for monks. Entry to Castel dell’Ovo is currently free, and a visit offers magnificent views over the Bay and the city of Naples.
The Naples Cathedral was built in the thirteenth century following an architectural project that incorporated two buildings previously erected in this area: the Basilica of Santa Restituta and the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte. The Cathedral currently features a neo-Gothic façade and a three-nave layout with a Latin cross and side chapels. Among the chapels present, the most famous is certainly the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, where every year, on three specific dates, the ritual of the liquefaction of the Saint’s blood takes place.
A must-see visit to fully understand the history of the Parthenopean city is Naples Underground. The city’s underground, in fact, tells much of Naples’ history since ancient times when the Greeks quarried it to extract tuff to build the city walls. Later, in Roman times, these excavations were used to collect rainwater and create a proper aqueduct system. During the Second World War Neapolitans decided to create air-raid shelters here to protect themselves from Second World War bombing.
Also not to be forgotten is the culinary tradition that characterises the city: the excellent Parthenopean cuisine, now famous worldwide, knows how to win over every palate.
Discover Napoli through the eyes of expert guides who will take you on a tour of the city's hidden treasures. Participating in a guided visit or a free tour will allow you to capture the true essence of Napoli.
The free tours are a viable alternative to traditional guided tours. They work like this: participation is free and at the end of the visit you can leave a tip at your discretion. Below you will find our favourite free tour, otherwise you can see the full list by visiting this page.
Naples is an exceptional city with attractions and monuments to see that often require having several days at your disposal. However, the surrounding areas of the city have much to offer, so we suggest planning one or two-day excursions in the vicinity of the city.
Without having to travel far, if you love history and archaeology, you shouldn’t miss a visit to the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the two cities buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD, which house archaeological sites declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Less than 30km from Naples you’ll also find Caserta, where you can visit the beautiful Royal Palace of Caserta, also known as the Versailles of Italy.
Outdoor enthusiasts can plan a visit to the Vesuvius National Park, where a series of trails of varying length and difficulty allow you to explore and discover the area. If, instead, you’d like to spend a few hours relaxing in the sun, you might consider spending a day at one of the beautiful islands in the Bay: Capri, Ischia and Procida. All these islands are reachable by boat in about 45/60 minutes and are ideal for a day or a dream weekend. Finally, for those who want to admire stunning views and taste excellent food we recommend Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, where you’ll find small villages with colourful houses perched over the sea, little artisan shops and taverns serving excellent food.
Naples is well-connected to the rest of Italy and is easily accessible by air, train and car. The city has an international airport, Naples Capodichino, which is well-connected to major Italian and European cities. Many low-cost airlines operate flights to and from Naples airport, allowing you to reach the city at often very affordable prices. From the airport you can easily reach the city centre by bus or taxi.
Another option is to reach the city by train, as Naples has three railway stations. The Central Station is the main station with numerous trains including high-speed services, both from Trenitalia and Italo Treno, coming from major Italian cities. High-speed lines allow you to reach the Parthenopean city in an hour and a half from Rome, three hours from Florence and five hours from Milan. The other two stations in Naples are Naples Mergellina, located near the pier where boats depart for the islands in the Bay, and Naples Campi Flegrei.
For those arriving in Naples by car from northern Italy, you can reach the Parthenopean city via the A1, the Motorway of the Sun, Milan-Naples, while those arriving from the south can take the Salerno-Reggio Calabria (known as the A3) or the A16 from Avellino and Benevento, or the A14 – A16 from Bari.
Naples is also well-connected by ferries with the rest of Italy, and its port is the preferred departure point for reaching Campania’s islands such as Capri and Ischia.
Naples is a city that can offer various types of accommodation at different price ranges, from luxury hotels to hostels.
The best area to stay in Naples is certainly the historic centre, where you’ll find the main attractions to visit in the city. For those looking for more budget-friendly accommodation, we recommend considering the University area, which is also suitable for those who enjoy nightlife given the presence of numerous nightclubs, bars and venues.
Chiaia, on the other hand, is one of Naples’ most ideal neighbourhoods for those seeking accommodation in a peaceful area, away from the main tourist areas but characterised by the presence of boutiques of major brands and luxury accommodation. The Lungomare area, instead, is one of the city’s most romantic zones, where you’ll find luxury hotels with rooms offering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Naples.
To discover and fully appreciate the city of Naples, the best way is certainly to get around on foot, following an itinerary to discover the main points of interest. The historic centre is very large, but not overly sprawling, and the main attractions can be reached by taking a pleasant walk through the city streets.
Alternatively, Naples has two metro lines that allow you to reach different parts of the city and operate from 6:00 am to 11:00 pm. Line 1 of the metro, in particular, is known as the Metro of Art, because each station is characterised by works by great contemporary artists.
Finally, for those seeking greater convenience, you can take a taxi, which proves to be a more expensive means of transport and not always faster given the ever-high risk of getting stuck in city traffic. We don’t recommend driving around the city by car, as Naples’ traffic can be quite congested and difficult to manage, and parking is often hard to find.
Naples is the capital city of the Campania region and, by size, Italy's third-largest municipality after Rome and Milan. The city sits on the Gulf of Naples, which stretches from the Sorrentine Peninsula to the Phlegraean Fields.
Hotel 
Budget accommodations 
Apartments 
Family Hotel 
Luxury Hotel 
Resorts