The most populated city in southern Italy, yet nothing like the northern cities such as Milan, Florence or even Rome. In this article we’ll tell you the best things to do in Naples.
As soon as you arrive, the chaos is evident. Heavy traffic in the center, buildings in poor condition that look like they might collapse any moment, people wandering everywhere, street markets more similar to Morocco than to Italy itself.
But what looks “ugly” at first sight slowly transforms into a bohemian and very picturesque atmosphere.
Is it worth visiting Naples?
Many people leave this city feeling disappointed. They describe it as dirty, unsafe, and disorganized. However, our perception was different. All that chaos and disorder gave us the impression of a bohemian city, something unlike the rest of Italy.
You need to walk through the historic center, its narrow alleys, and its street markets to see the true Neapolitan vibe. As we wandered, we constantly stopped to take photos of graffiti, altars dedicated to patron saints, street food stalls, and vendors. Despite the shocking first impression, we loved the city. We planned to stay two days and ended up staying four.
Let’s now discover the main attractions to see in Naples.
📷 Check out this free tour of Old Naples and book your spot.
1) Piazza Garibaldi and the historic center
Our accommodation was right on Piazza Garibaldi, one of the busiest areas with street vendors and the gateway to the historic center. Next to it is the main train and bus station.
We started exploring by entering one of the side streets of the historic center heading towards the seafront. As we walked through its narrow streets, we came across street vendors and a morning crowd.
The stalls had no logical order — fish sellers mixed with hardware, vegetable stalls next to clothes and shoes. Truly a colorful scene and one of the main attractions to see in Naples.
📷 Book here the Naples food market tour, a walk through the Pignasecca market to taste local specialties.
You’ll also notice the altars dedicated to saints and patrons, with three or four in every 100 meters of the alleys.
Walking through the historic center means weaving between old buildings, bohemian areas, scooters and people. One exception is Spaccanapoli, the area where Piazza del Gesù Nuovo and its church are located.
This is a pedestrian cobblestoned area, full of bars to stop for a drink. You could say it’s the most “modern” part of the historic center.
If you’re a football fan and want to see the legacy left by Maradona in the city, head to Piazza del Nilo, more precisely Bar Nilo, which has an altar dedicated to Maradona inside. Of course, we took a photo there. Be aware that if you take a picture, you’re expected to buy a coffee — almost mandatory, as the sign next to the altar said (a clever commercial move to monetize the shrine).
🔝 If you want to know more about what Maradona represents for Neapolitans, we wrote an article about the cult of Maradona in Naples.
Underground tunnels of Piazza San Gaetano
In the heart of Naples’ historic center, beneath Piazza San Gaetano, lies a series of tunnels with remnants of past civilizations, including Roman ruins over 2,000 years old and air raid shelters from the First World War.
You can explore these tunnels on a guided tour, the best way to immerse yourself in the history of the place.
2) Seafront Promenade
Among the places to see in Naples, the seafront promenade is a must. From the historic center, once you reach the shoreline, the landscape begins to change.
Right by the historic center, the seafront is mainly the large Port of Naples, where ship traffic is constant. At the same time, the appearance of the buildings along the coast changes too, from old, poorly maintained ones to modern office buildings.
We walked along the coast, from where we could see in the distance the imposing Vesuvius.
3) Castel Nuovo, one of Naples’ main attractions
One of the main attractions in Naples is located on the seafront. Castel Nuovo is a castle built in the 13th century that has witnessed invasions and even papal abdications (Pope Celestine V abdicated here in 1294).
You can enter by paying €6, and inside you’ll find the Civic Museum of Naples, along with event halls and art exhibitions. Beyond what you see inside, the castle offers beautiful views of both the port and Vesuvius.
4) Royal Palace and Piazza del Plebiscito
A bit further along the seafront, you’ll find the Royal Palace and Piazza del Plebiscito. This is a great area to eat, and we stopped to enjoy a delicious pizza at one of the nearby restaurants.
The square covers about 25,000 m² and is surrounded by the Royal Palace, the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, the Palazzo Salerno, and the Prefecture Palace. It’s a popular meeting point for locals, hosting events and concerts.
5) Via Toledo
From one corner of the square begins Via Toledo, Naples’ pedestrian shopping street. Here we didn’t see street stalls anymore, but instead the classic fashion brand stores. Along the way you’ll also find the Galleria Umberto I (any resemblance to Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele is not a coincidence).
6) Diego Armando Maradona Stadium (formerly San Paolo)
What was still pending for me, at least—since I’m a football fan—was to see from the outside the San Paolo Stadium (now renamed Diego Maradona), where the number ten left his mark on the green field. We took the train and after five stops we arrived.
After Maradona’s passing, a sort of altar was set up outside where Neapolitans leave flowers and signs.
7) Visiting Pompeii
One of the must-do day trips from Naples is to explore the ruins of Pompeii, a 1st-century city buried under the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
🔝 Check out this article on how to get to and visit Pompeii.
📷 Check out this excursion from Naples to Pompeii with a guide and book your spot.
8) Visiting the Amalfi Coast
Lastly, it’s worth dedicating at least one day to enjoy a trip along the Amalfi Coast scenery, with its colorful houses hanging on the cliffs overlooking the turquoise sea, and visiting its main towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.
The two best options to visit the Amalfi Coast from Naples are either by joining a day tour, or renting a car from Naples.
Practical tips for your trip to Naples
– How to get from Rome to Naples?
We took the regional train which took about 3.5 hours. There is a faster train option that takes just one hour, though it is more expensive.
– Where to stay in Naples?
The area near Piazza Garibaldi is one of the best for staying in Naples. In general, hotels in Naples have good prices and are much cheaper than staying in Rome or Milan. Our recommendations are:
- Palazzo Firenze: a four-star hotel with all the necessary comforts. Elegant and spacious rooms, continental breakfast, and a restaurant to try Neapolitan dishes.
- Royal Art H. Duomo: set in a restored historic palace, close to the central train station and the old town. Clean, modern rooms.
- Hotel Colombo: very friendly staff, a simple yet comfortable hotel where you can feel they truly care about their guests. Excellent value for money.
🏨 Want to look for other options? Find the best accommodation in Naples here.
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