Things to do in Naples, Italy [2024]: Explore the city's best!

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Things to do in Naples, Italy [2024]: Explore the city's best!
On the hunt for things to do in Naples? Look no further. From free activities, cheap places to visit and the best landmarks and museums in town. This article will guide you through the stunning city of Naples, Italy.
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Naples is the capital of the Campania region in the south of Italy. The city is widely renowned for its delicious cuisine, especially the traditional Neapolitan pizza that draws thousands of visitors to the best pizza places in town.

But there’s much more than just good pizza in this lively southern Italian city. Naples has beautiful architecture, impressive landmarks, and stunning views over the bay and Vesuvius. Not to mention a rich history you can discover at the museums and underground tours. 

naples city view
Image Courtesy: Victor Malyushev on Unsplash

A Summary of Things to do in Naples, Italy

If you don't have a lot of time, here's the rundown of all the things you should add to your travel itinerary when you visit Naples, Italy.

Freebie attractions

  • Stroll Along Via S. Gregorio Armeno
  • Climb Up to the Vomero
  • Walk Blindfolded in Piazza del Plebiscito
  • Visit Castel dell’Ovo
  • Walk Along the Lungomare di Napoli
  • Go Window Shopping in Galleria Umberto I
  • Visit Naples Cathedral

Affordable places to visit

  • Eat Delicious Pizza at the Best Restaurants in Town
  • Enjoy Sunset at Castel Sant’Elmo 
  • Discover the Maschio Angioino
  • Sample Traditional Pastries 

Best tours and museums

  • Naples Underground
  • National Archaeological Museum
  • Cappella Museo Sansevero
  • Capodimonte Museum

Visit these nearby cities

  • Visit Pompei
  • Visit Herculaneum
  • Hike the Vesuvius
  • Discover the Caserta Royal Palace 
  • Sail to Ischia Island

Freebie attractions

If you’re on a budget, there is no shortage of things to do in Naples that are entirely free. From simply wandering around the most charming areas in the city to visiting free-entry landmarks, the city is full of opportunities. 

Stroll Along Via S. Gregorio Armeno

The liveliest street in Naples, Via S. Gregorio Armeno, is a must-see. 

The long and narrow street is lined with shops selling souvenirs and traditional objects like the typical cornicello, a good luck charm shaped like a small horn. Walking along this picturesque street is one of the best free things to do here.

Along the street, you will also see many examples of presepe (the Nativity Scene). The street is also known as La Via dei Presepi (The street of Nativity Scenes). Despite being a typical Christmas thing, the nativity scenes are on display on Via S. Gregorio Armeno all year round.

Climb Up to the Vomero

The Vomero is a hilltop neighborhood offering stunning views of the city and the bay, with the Vesuvius standing tall in the background. 

Make your way to the top of the hill from the historical center of Naples. Here, you can walk along charming alleys and climb stairways that offer gorgeous views over the bay. An alternative to walking up is to take the funicular, which costs the same amount as a regular metro ride. 

The neighborhood of Vomero is home to the lovely park Villa Floridiana. In Vomeror you’ll also find the National Ceramic Museum, the scenic spot Belvedere San Martino, and Castel Sant’Elmo.

Vomero hilltop in Naples
Image Courtesy: Francesco Baerhard on Unsplash

Walk Blindfolded in Piazza del Plebiscito

The most important square in Naples is Piazza del Plebiscito, not far from the seaside promenade. The square’s main feature is the church of San Francesco di Paola, with twin colonnades extending on both sides and forming a semicircle.

The square is tied to an old tradition that Queen Margherita would follow. Every month, she would promise to spare the life of a prisoner if he could walk blindfolded from the main door of the Royal Palace, opposite the church, in a straight line, passing in between the two statues in front of the church.

No prisoner ever managed to do so, and soon people started a rumor. The belief was that the queen had performed a curse to prevent anyone from attaining this feat. When you visit the square, try it out yourself. Apparently, it’s impossible to walk in a straight line.

Piazza del Plebiscito in Naples
Image Courtesy: Vytenis Malisauskas on Unsplash

Visit Castel dell’Ovo

A fortress and former royal residence, Castel dell’Ovo is one of the must-see landmarks. And, even better, the entrance is free.

The castle is located on the small island of Megaride, now connected to the mainland by a bridge.

Its curious name, Castle of the Egg, is connected to an old legend. The poet Virgil was considered a sorcerer and supposedly hid a magical egg in the castle's foundations. Legend has it that, if the egg broke, the castle would have been destroyed. Followed by the castle’s ruin, catastrophic events would befall the city of Naples.

Luckily, Castel dell'Ovo is still standing and open for you to visit. Wander around the areas of the 12th-century castle and enjoy the lovely view of Naples from the top terrace.

Castel dell'O in Naples
Image Courtesy: Brad Weaver on Unsplash

Walk Along the Lungomare di Napoli

Near Castel dell’Ovo, you can enjoy a pleasant promenade along the Lungomare and admire the view of the Gulf of Naples and the Vesuvius on the opposite shore.

Along Longomare di Napoli, you’ll find many restaurants and bars. You can enjoy a tasty pizza or delicious seafood while drinking in a gorgeous seaside view.

Go Window Shopping in Galleria Umberto I

Whether or not you plan to shop till you drop, a visit to Galleria Umberto I should still be on your list of things to do.

The shopping gallery, similar to Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, is a stunning space. Featuring a glass dome, decorated entrance arches, and beautiful mosaics on the floor, the gallery is an architectural marvel.

Aside from shops, you’ll also find restaurants and cafes where you can stop for a break from all the sightseeing. 

Ceiling at Galleria Umberto I
Image Courtesy: Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash

Visit Naples Cathedral

The most important church in Naples is the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. The cathedral is most commonly referred to as the Naples Cathedral. In Italian this translates to, “Duomo di Napoli”. 

And you may also hear of it being referred to as the Cathedral of Saint Januarius, in honor of the patron saint of Naples, San Gennaro. 

The neo-gothic cathedral in the historical center of Naples dates back to the 13th century. The most prominent feature is the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro with its stunning frescoes. 

The church also houses artworks by important Italian artists like Luca Giordano and Pietro Bracci. The entrance to the cathedral is free. 

Affordable places to visit

While not everything is for free, you can enjoy Naples on a budget by visiting some incredibly affordable landmarks. Plus, this is the best city in Italy to enjoy delicious cheap food. 

Here are some things you can do and see for less than €6.  

Eat Delicious Pizza at the Best Restaurants in Town

No visit to Naples would be complete without eating at least one pizza, ideally more. The city has countless pizza places, but a few are so famous that they always have a long queue. 

Aide from the divine taste, the greatest thing about pizza in Naples is that it’s really affordable. You can easily get a Margherita for just 5 or 6 euros. 

If you’re up for the wait, check out these pizza joints:

  • L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
  • Gino e Toto Sorbillo
  • Pizzeria Brandi

Though these are the most popular spots, it’s hard to find bad pizza in Naples, so feel free to experiment. 

pizza at restaurant in naples
Image Courtesy: Aurélien Lemasson-Théobald on Unsplash

Enjoy Sunset at Castel Sant’Elmo 

If you’re looking for the best place in town to enjoy the sunset, you must pay a visit to Castel Sant’Elmo. At the top of the Vomero, the castle was a fortified residence during the era of Charles of Anjou but was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1456.

The fortress was rebuilt in its original shape in the 16th century and served as a military outpost until the late 20th century. Nowadays, Castel Sant’Elmo is one of the most impressive tourist attractions in Naples, offering stunning views over the city. The best time to visit is right before sunset.

The ticket is €5 from Wednesday to Monday until 4 PM. On Tuesday and from Wednesday to Monday after 4 PM it is only €2.5.

Discover the Maschio Angioino

Castel Nuovo, also known as the Maschio Angioino, is a medieval castle dating to the 13th century. The castle once served as the royal seat for the kings of Naples, Aragon, and Spain.

The imposing structure and central location of the Maschio Angioino make it an unmissable landmark in Naples. Inside, you can visit the Armoury Hall and the Saint Barbara Chapel with beautiful frescoes. There’s also the Civic Museum, housing an impressive collection of sculptures and paintings. 

The entry ticket is just €6.

 Maschio Angioino in naples
Image Courtesy: Ronni Kurtz on Unsplash

Sample Traditional Pastries 

Naples may be famous for the pizza, but the traditional desserts are also amazing and cheap! 

A must-try in Naples is the sfogliatella, a crunchy pastry filled with orange-flavored ricotta cheese.

Other delicious desserts worth sampling are the baba and pastiera. Baba is a fluffy, rum soaked yeast cake. Pastiera, is a typical Easter cake made with shortcrust pastry and filled with ricotta and candied fruit. 

A tasting of indulgent pastries has to be added to your list of things to do in Naples!

Pastry shop in Naples
Image Courtesy: Cenk Batuhan Özaltun on Unsplash

Best Tours and Museums

If you’re looking to add a few more cultural visits to your itinerary, you must pick one or two of these amazing things to do in Naples. 

Naples Underground

If you want to see a different and fascinating side of Naples, you must join a Naples Underground tour. Several meters below the streets of the historical center of Naples, you can discover traces of over two millennia of history. 

The tour will take you through the ruins of a Greek-Roman aqueduct and a Roman Theater, remains of ancient houses, and air raid shelters from the Second World War. 

The tour requires prior booking, so make sure to plan accordingly. 

naples underground
Image Courtesy: Jordan Grider on Unsplash

National Archaeological Museum

If you’re up for visiting some museums in Naples, the National Archaeological Museum should be on your list. 

The museum houses a large collection of relics, including many items discovered during the excavations of Pompei and Herculaneum. In the museum, you can also learn more about the Vesuvius eruption and how the two cities got destroyed. 

An entrance ticket to the museum costs €15. You can easily book your tickets online, so you don’t have to stand in a line at the ticket office. 

Cappella Museo Sansevero

The small museum in the Sansevero Chapel is famous for housing one of the most impressive sculptures ever created, the Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino. The impressive feature of the marble sculpture is the veil covering the Christ that looks so realistic many had thought it had been created by alchemy. 

While the Veiled Christ is the highlight of the visit, the stunning chapel houses many more sculptures and is in itself a masterpiece. 

You can visit the museum daily except Tuesdays for an entrance fee of €8. 

Capodimonte Museum

If you’re interested in painting, you have to check out the vast collection of the National Museum of Capodimonte.

Set in a stunning garden known as Real Bosco (Royal Woods), the Capodimonte Museum hosts paintings by Caravaggio, Van Dyck, Titian, and many others. 

The collection started in 1738 after King Charles VII of Naples and Sicily decided to build a grand palace on Capodimonte Hill to accommodate his court and house his art collection. The collection kept growing, and the palace became a museum in 1950. 

Aside from the impressive art collection, the palace itself, with the lush garden surrounding it, is worth the visit. 

You can admire the art collection every day except for Wednesdays. The entrance ticket is €12 and is available online.  

Visit these nearby cities

While there’s no shortage of things to do in Naples, there are quite a few places you could visit in the surroundings. 

Most of these places are less than one hour away from the center of Naples and very easy to reach with public transportation. 

Visit Pompei

If you have some extra time, you can’t miss the opportunity to visit one of the most important archaeological sites in the world. Pompei is less than one hour from Naples and is an absolute must. 

The ancient city of Pompeii was destroyed during the Mt Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD. The ashes and pyroclastic flow from the eruption froze the city in time and preserved it for centuries to come. 

Nowadays, you can walk along the ancient streets of Pompeii and see the remains of its houses. There are incredible frescoes, mosaics, and impressive casts recreating the bodies of the victims. 

pompei city
Image Courtesy: Iwona Castiello d'Antonio on Unsplash

Visit Herculaneum

A lesser visited site than Pompeii but not less impressive, Herculaneum is a smaller site and closer to Naples. It’s a quick and easy visit if you’re short on time.

Herculaneum suffered a similar fate to Pompeii, being destroyed during the Mt Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD. Despite being much closer to Vesuvius, Herculaneum was spared from the first eruption due to a wind that carried the volcanic ash over Pompeii. 

Most residents of Herculaneum managed to escape, but a few remained and were killed in a second eruption. Instantly incinerated by a wave of hot gas and ash. You’re able to see several skeletons of those who didn’t manage to flee the city. 

Hike Mount Vesuvius

Looking for a more adventurous activity to do while you’re in Naples? How about hiking to the top of the active volcano, Mt Vesuvius? 

The hike is entirely safe and an amazing experience worth trying. Although Mt Vesuvius is an active volcano, a possible eruption would give warning signs well ahead of time. So there’s no need to worry if you’re hiking. 

The Vesuvius National Park has many hiking trails you can explore on your own or with a guided tour. If you decide to go solo,  simply catch a train to Herculaneum (Ercolano Scavi) where you will find a shuttle bus that takes you to the park's entrance. 

Mount Vesuvius in Naples
 Image Courtesy: _M_V_ on Unsplash

Discover the Caserta Royal Palace 

The largest royal residence in the world by volume, the Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta) is a regal palace featuring a vast garden with fountains extending as far as the eye can see.

The royal palace was inspired by Versailles and designed in the 18th century by one of the greatest architects of the time, Luigi Vanvitelli. 

Explore the gorgeous painted halls of the palace, admire the Royal Apartments and see the Baroque art collection. If you have extra time, you won’t regret a wander around the stunning gardens. 

To avoid waiting in long queues, buy your tickets online in advance. The entry fee is €18 for adults. 

caserta royal palace in naples
Image Courtesy: Claudio Poggio on Unsplash

Sail around Ischia Island

If you’re visiting Naples anytime from spring to autumn and have extra time, pay a visit to the lovely Ischia Island. Just one hour by ferry from Naples, Ischia boasts amazingly clear waters, stunning beaches, and lovely seaside towns. 

You can visit the imposing Aragonese Castle while you’re there. Or simply wander around the lovely town of Sant’Angelo, and enjoy the delicious food that’s served all over the island. 

There are boat tours that will take you all around Ischia and tell you a bit of the history and cool facts about the island. 

ichia island naples
Image Courtesy: Ricardo Gomez Angel on Unsplash

Is Naples, Italy worth visiting?

Naples is one of the best cities to visit in Italy. With pleasant weather even during winter, impressive landmarks, and delicious food, Naples is worth visiting. 

Aside from the many activities in the city, there’s also a lot to discover around the city. Visit the archaeological sites of Pompei and Herculaneum. Hike Mt Vesuvius, and sail to Ischia Island for amazing beaches.

Naples is a fantastic spot if you’re backpacking your way through Europe. If you want to prolong your trip, why not add a few days on the Amalfi Coast to your itinerary? It’s so nearby!

Plan your trip to Naples with Pilot

Now that you know all about the best things to do in Naples, are you ready to create a travel itinerary? As exciting as planning a trip can be, it can also be a daunting task. This is especially true when you’re trying to keep tabs on all the incredible options a place like Naples has to offer!

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