Naples, Italy. This isn’t the Disneyland version of Italy that you find in most of the tourist hotspots. It’s gritty, chaotic, and “real”. If you’ve ever been to Hanoi, Vietnam, it’s a very similar feel. Small, winding alleyways, constant honking of horns, and scooters zipping around traffic. Alive.
Naples is a city often overlooked by tourists or used as a launching point for Amalfi or Pompeii. Naples should be more than just a quick stop to eat some of the world’s best pizza. It’s one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited urban areas, and there are endless things to keep one occupied. During my husband and I’s month-long stay in Naples, we barely made a dent in that list.
Below are some of the best things to do in Naples. Hopefully, you’ll come to love the city as much as we did!
Best Things To Do In Naples: Museums
Chiesa di Sant’Aspreno ai Crociferi – Jago Museum
Piazzetta Crociferi, 4, 80137 Napoli NA, Italy
Born in the late 80s, Jago is considered the modern-day Michelangelo, putting a modern twist on classical-style sculptures.
This was by far our favorite museum in Naples and one that may be overlooked as it’s slightly outside the center of Naples, in this historic Rione Sanità neighborhood.
Inspired by and dedicated to the neighborhood’s regeneration, Jago chose the 17th-century Baroque Church of Sant’Aspreno ai Crociferei as his new workshop. Spending much of the pandemic creating the space, the museum officially opened in mid-2023 to the public.
Entrance to the Jago Museum also comes with access to San Severo fuori le mura (San Severo outside the walls), where Jago’s famous Veiled Son, inspired by the Veiled Christ of Giuseppe Sammartino, resides.
San Severo fuori le mura is located close to two of Naples’s catacombs, the Catacombs of San Gennaro and the Catacombs of San Gaudioso. While they aren’t specifically called out in this article or as large as the ones in Rome, they are worth a visit.
A ticket (purchased within the past 12 months) from the Jago Museum will give you a discount at both of the Catacombs. A discount to the Catacombs is also available through the Artecard.
Check out this guided tour if you’re interested in experiencing the museum to the fullest.
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN)
Piazza Museo, 18/19, 80135 Napoli NA, Italy
This is one of Italy’s most famous and visited museums, but for good reason. No wonder it’s also one of the best things to do in Naples. The Neoclassical building houses a large collection of Greek and Roman antiquities and is considered one of the world’s most important collections of ancient art, It also houses the third most important Egyptian collection in the world.
While your time in Naples surely will include a trip to Pompeii, we recommend a visit to the MANN after so you have better context around artifacts and where they were before removal. Click here to purchase tickets for the best tour of the Museo Archeologico.
Make sure you don’t miss the “secret cabinet” containing exhibits of an erotic nature recovered from Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Leave the kids behind for this one!
Tickets are valid for 48 hours after purchase, so you have time to dive deep if wanted.
Palazzo Reale di Napoli
Piazza del Plebiscito, 1, 80132 Napoli NA, Italy
Located in the center of the city, in Piazza del Plebiscito, this Palace was built in 1600 to host King Philip III of Spain on an official visit to Naples…that never happened.
It then became one of the House of Bourbon residences for nearly a century. After a fire in 1837, the Palace was restored and modernized.
The Palace combines Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical styles with 1200 rooms over five floors. The grand entrance, with its marble double staircase, is the Palace’s highlight; visitors also have access to the Royal Apartment, Theater, and the gardens overlooking the Gulf of Naples.
The Royal Palace also contains the National Library, and with its two million volumes, it is one of Italy’s most important. The Library only recently reopened to the public without reservation, so ensure you double-check the times before you go.
The San Carlo Theater was once part of the palace, with a private entrance that led to the royal box, but is now the Opera House of Naples. It is possible to visit the theater without attending a show by booking a tour through the box office. These tours fill up quickly and don’t operate on performance days.
Click here to find the best prices for Palazzo Reale di Napoli tours.
While in the Piazza del Plebiscito, stop by the Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola, a Pantheon-style church filled with sculptures and paintings, one of Naples’ best things to do.
Museo Cappella Sansevero
Via Francesco de Sanctis, 19/21, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy
Another popular tourist destination in Naples, this Baroque chapel is a piece of art in itself. It’s definitely one of the more artsy things to do in Naples. However, the main draw is the stunning, realistic sculptures, with the Veiled Christ being the most well-known.
The crypt also houses “Anatomical Machines”, glass cases with skeletons of a man and woman with their artery and vein systems exposed. They have become a bit of a legend themselves.
Museo Cappella Sansevero is extremely popular and has a maximum capacity that is reached most days. Reservations can be made in advance and do sell out quickly. If you can’t grab a ticket beforehand, they do have a one-in, one-out admission policy, so it’s best to arrive well before opening to queue. Otherwise, it’s better to book this tour.
The chapel is small but is art-dense, so we recommend renting the audio guide (~45 minutes) so you don’t miss anything. No photos are permitted in the chapel, but they provide hi-res images online that you can download for personal use.
Gallerie d’Italia
Via Toledo, 177, 80134 Napoli NA, Italy
In the former headquarters of the Banco di Napoli, exhibits in the new HQ of the Gallerie d’Italia span from ancient to modern. The highlight is the Martyrdom of Saint Ursula, Caravaggio’s final painting (1610).
Keep an eye on the event schedule and temporary exhibits hosted in the ground floor space. The gallery is also home to Luminist, a fine-dining restaurant, and Anthill, a cocktail and tapas bar by award-winning Giuseppe Iannotti. You can book tours of the Galleri here and avoid the hassle of doing so in person.
Pio Monte della Misericordia
Via dei Tribunali, 253, 80139 Napoli NA, Italy
This 17th-century, octagonal chapel contains another Caravaggio, Le sette opere di Misericordia (The Seven Acts of Mercy, 1606). It is considered by many to be the most important painting in Naples and inspired contemporary artworks that are also on display in the chapel. The same tour from before will help you experience his work to the fullest.
Above the chapel is a historic apartment now used as a gallery containing artwork and furniture by the greatest masters of the 17th-century Neapolitan school and a newer, contemporary art section.
Complesso Monumentale Donnaregina – Museo Diocesano Napoli
Largo Donnaregina, 80138 Napoli NA, Italy
This complex houses the 14th-century church of Donnaregina Vecchia and the 17th-century church of Donnaregina Nuova and is known for its more than 300 religious works of art, which are not my favorite style of art. So why do I recommend this museum? Simply for the beauty of the buildings.
The newer Donnaregina Nuova is opulent and decorated with marble and frescos. Visitors have access to the museum area upstairs and can get a birds-eye view of the chapel from above.
The medieval Donnaregina Vecchia is accessed through a small cloister behind the Donnaregina Nuova. Upstairs, in the choir area of this smaller church, is a beautiful gilded wooden ceiling and significant 14th-century frescoes–the largest one preserved in the city of Naples. It’s definitely one of the more beautiful things to do in Naples.
Certosa di San Martino
Largo S. Martino, 5, 80129 Napoli NA, Italy
Formerly a monastery, Certosa di San Martino is now a museum perched on top of the Vomero hill and one of the most visible landmarks in the city. The complex contains a beautiful chapel, a cemetery (with skull and bone-adorned railings!), cloisters, and a museum area. There are also nice gardens to stroll through while admiring the views.
It’s a grueling climb up the hill to the museum, so we recommend taking the funicular or Metro; however, the walk DOWN the hill is quite enjoyable as you look out over the Gulf of Naples and the city sprawling beneath you. It’s definitely one of the toughest things to do in Naples.
If you’re up for it, book this 3-day tour and visit this place, amongst others.
Castel Sant’Elmo
Via Tito Angelini, 20/A, 80129 Napoli NA, Italy
A medieval fortress adjacent to Certosa di San Martino on Vomero Hill. While we didn’t find the fortress itself particularly interesting, it was worth it just for the views! You can visit it by booking your tour using this link.
Galleria Borbonica
Via Domenico Morelli, 61 c, 80121 Napoli NA, Italy
Once you are tired of traditional museums and art, or if you are looking for a reprieve from the weather, Galleria Borbonica is the place to go and one of the best things to do in Naples.
It’s an ancient underground passage built using the city’s ancient aqueducts. It was constructed for military purposes in the 1800s to connect the Royal Palace to military barracks; however, two years after work began, the fall of the Bourbon dynasty caused construction to come to a halt.
Post-Bourbon dynasty, the tunnels were used as a military hospital and a bomb shelter during World War II. Then, they became a warehouse for impounded vehicles and dumping grounds from the 1940s until the 1960s. Today, the tunnels are filled with debris, artifacts, and vintage cars from its prior use.
There are four different tours available through the tunnels. Only the “standard route” is available for discounts with the ArteCard. Alternatively, check this guided tour here for more options.
Best Things To Do In Naples: Visit Neighborhoods
Naples has an unfairly bad reputation for being a dangerous city. Many visitor’s first, and possibly only, impression of the city is the area surrounding the main train station. Once you venture out of this part of town, you’ll find that Naples has many unique and beautiful areas to explore.
Below are our favorite neighborhoods in Naples and a few of the places we loved in each one. All of these neighborhoods are easily accessible by the Metro, but Naples is a compact city, and it’s easy to walk between each.
Centro Storico
A quick 15-minute walk from the central train station, this is where the majority of first-time visitors to Naples will stay. It’s the heart of the city, made up of narrow roadways that were laid over 3,000 years ago. This is where most of your sightseeing will take place and, we didn’t forget, some of Naple’s best pizza! No wonder it’s one of the best things to do in Naples.
Things to See/Do
Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore
Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo
Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara
Eats
L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele – considered the birthplace of pizza.
Gino e Toto Sorbillo – considered by others to be the birthplace of pizza
Pizzeria I Decumani – large selection of Neapolitan pizza
Franco Gallifuoco Pizzeria – just outside Napoli Centrale, a modern take on Neapolitan pizza
Januarius – nicer restaurant with great charcuterie and wine list
La Locanda Gesù Vecchio Civico 4 – Michelin-guide restaurant
Decumano 31 il cuoppo ed altro – the best Cuoppo Napoletano (cones filled with fried foods) we had in Naples
Cala la Pasta – fast-casual pasta restaurant
Lubrano Gaetano – butcher shop offering charcuterie boards and wine by the glass
Scaturchio – wide variety of Napolese pastries
Sfogliatelle Attanasio – pastry shop known for their Sfogliatelle – a must try when in Naples!
Drinks
Il Birraiuolo – craft beer bar
OAK Napoli Wine and Craft Beer – craft beer bar
Blind Pig – Hideout and Drinkery – craft beers, wines and cocktails. Great for aperitivo.
Archeobar – Negroneria Napoletana – neighborhood cocktail bar offering dozens of negroni variations
Libreria Berisio – book shop/cocktail bar
Carafa della Spina – beer bar specializing in German beers
Quartieri Spagnoli
Said to be Naples’ most authentic neighborhood and one of the coolest things to do in Naples. For many years, it was an area to avoid, but it has become one of the more visited neighborhoods in the city. The best way to explore is with no plan, just wandering up and down the narrow streets.
Things to See/Do
Galleria Umberto I – beautiful public shopping gallery
Pignasecca Market – outdoor food and goods market
Maradona Mural – a tribute to Naples most famous footballer
Toledo Metro Station – one of the many “art stations” in Naples. It’s said to be the most beautiful metro station in Europe
Eats
Pizzeria Da Attilio – known for its star-shaped, ricotta-stuffed pizzas
Gran Caffè Gambrinus – elegant, 19th-century coffee house known for its pastries. Expect to pay more to sit at a table.
Drinks
Apoteca Winebar – alleyway wine bar with good aperitivo
Na Beer – a craft beer bar worth checking out!
Chiaia
An upscale district along the waterfront, Chiaia has some of the city’s trendiest shops, bars, and restaurants.
Things to See /Do
Lungomare di Chiaia – 2.5km park along the bay
Museo Pignatelli – a museum with 19th-century furniture and art
Palazzo delle Arti Napoli – contemporary art museum
Palazzo Mannajuolo – one of the city’s finest examples of Italian art nouveau architecture
Eats
Prosciutteria Napoli TDV – the perfect place for meats, cheeses, and wine
George – fine dining, two-star Michelin restaurant
Veritas – fine dining, one-star Michelin restaurant
Pescheria Mattiucci – seafood restaurant
Drinks
Twins – Cocktail Wine Coffee – cocktail and wine bar
L’Antiquario – two-time World’s 50 Best Bars winner
Misture Cocktail Bar – cocktail bar
Soul Kafe – great aperitivo
Vomero
A calm, upper-class neighborhood on top of a hill overlooking the city and definitely one of the best things to do in Naples. A quick escape from the bustling intensity of the city below. Come at dusk to watch the sunset over the Gulf of Naples.
Things to See/Do
Mercato di Antignano – food and clothes market
Villa Floridiana Park – large park overlooking the Gulf of Naples
Eats
Fermo Pizza – pizza by the slice
Vomero Fried Food – known for their fried dishes
Archivio Storico – Cocktail Bar & Wonderfood – upscale restaurant with wine and cocktails
Drinks
Loop – Officina della Birra – brewpub
Hoppy Ending – a craft beer bar
Ventimetriquadri – Specialty Coffee – espresso bar
Nineteen 19 Cocktail Bar – cocktail bar
Rione Sanità
Just outside the city center, this neighborhood is going through a renaissance without forgetting its past. It was even named to Time Out’s “The 51 Coolest Neighbourhoods in the World” in 2022.
Things to See/Do
Orto Botanico di Napoli – botanical gardens
Palazzo dello Spagnolo & Palazzo Sanfelice – old palaces known for their architecture. Can only be viewed from the outside.
Catacombs of Saint Gennaro and Saint Gaudioso – underground paleo-Christian burial sites
Eats
Pizzeria Concettina ai Tre Santi – Michelin Guide Neapolitan pizza
Siamo Frittendo per te – Cuoppo Napoletano
Drinks
Antica Cantina Sepe – neighborhood bar, mostly spilling onto the sidewalks, where locals come to fill their plastic jugs with red wine from big tanks
The Florist Bar – coffee shop, cafe, and cocktail bar by the botanical gardens
Best Things To Do In Naples: Do Day Trips
Everyone knows about one of the best things to do in Naples: Pompei and the island of Capri, and while they are still on the don’t-miss list (though I could argue that Capri is over touristed, expensive, and crowded. I highly recommend a private boat tour if you do go.), here are some alternatives if you are looking at beating the crowds or getting a more authentic experience.
Ischia & Procida
Both of these islands in the Gulf of Naples are easily accessible from Naples and each other by ferries that run multiple times per day. Once on the islands, they are easily navigable by the local bus system or taxis. Each island could be visited as its own day trip, or even better, spend a night or two on each island to get to know them more in-depth. Click here to discover the best tour to visit both islands.
Ischia
The larger of the two islands, actually larger than Capri, Ischia is a popular destination for its natural thermal spas. These are not your typical spas that you may have visited in other parts of the world; they’re like amusement parks for adults.
We visited Giardini Poseidon on the west side of Ischia, but there are over 30 different thermal spas across the island. Poseidon is the largest, with over 20 pools ranging from freezing to hot, a wellness center, kids area, indoor pools, access to a private beach, and varying restaurants and bars (don’t miss the tucked away Grotta del vino!). You could easily spend all day here.
Many boat companies offer private or shared tours around the islands. We chose Alcione, a family-run business, and had an unforgettable 8 hours on board swimming, dancing, eating (so much eating!!), and drinking. La bella vita!
Procida
Under two square miles, this tiny island has mostly flown under the tourist radar, but in 2022, it was named Italy’s Capital of Culture. It may be best recognizable from The Talented Mr. Ripley. Filled with pastel-colored fishing villages, black sand beaches, and amazing sunsets, it’s the place to vacation like a local.
Caserta
Less than an hour by train from Naples, Caserta is best known for the Reggia di Caserta (Royal Palace) and the best pizza…in the world!
The Royal Palace was constructed in the 18th century as the main home for the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. It is the largest former royal residence in the world at 1,490,000 sq ft and over 1,200 rooms. Which, to most people’s surprise, is much bigger than Versailles! The palace also sits on a 3.3km park containing beautiful English gardens, a lake, complex fountains, and waterfalls.
You can choose to walk, hire a horse and buggy, or, as we did, rent an e-bike to cruise through the park. For the palace and the gardens, allow at least an hour each (more if you want to explore in-depth).
If you visit on the weekend, be sure to check out the Court Theater. Here’s the best tour to help you do that.
While both were closed during our visit (Poor planning on our part…we didn’t know about these until after!), Caserta is home to two of the Top Pizza in the World winners. 2023’s I Masanielli (tied with 10 Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria in the suburbs of Naples) and 2018’s Pepe in Grani.
Best Things To Do In Naples: Get An Artecard
The Artecard is a tourist pass that gives you access to more than 80 cultural sites across Naples and the Campania region. If you plan on visiting multiple sites during your time in Naples, this card can save you tremendous amounts of money. In all of our travels, a tourist card like this has never made sense financially or would force us to rush and see everything within a couple of days. The Artecard seemed too good to be true, but it’s not!
There are various versions of the cards that you can purchase; each one, and their benefits are listed below. If you are 18-25 years of age, there may also be a discounted version available. But let’s take a quick look at how beneficial purchasing this card can be.
Most visitors plan on visiting Pompeii, at least. A train ticket from Napoli Centrale to Pompeii is €3.30 each way, and entry into Pompeii is €22. At €28.60 it wouldn’t make sense to purchase the Campania 3-Day pass. However, if you added on the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN), also €22, you’ve more than covered the cost of the pass.
Earlier in this article, I mentioned that Naples was a pretty walkable city, so having public transportation included wasn’t a huge benefit in selecting our Artecard. And if you do take public transportation, with each ticket only costing a few Euros (and maxing out at €4.50/day), it’s not a huge cost savings.
Since we were in Naples for a month, purchasing the Campania 365 Gold Pass made sense. It gave us free access to 27 different sites, with reduced entry to dozens more. A 365 Gold Pass may make sense for even a week in Naples if you enjoy history and culture.
Or, the 365 Lite Pass is new this year and looks to even be a more economical option if you are short on time and want to visit the big hitters (34 to select from). It’s worth mapping out what you want to see and then comparing the costs to each available pass.
Naples 3 Day – €27
- Valid for 3 consecutive days after activation
- Enter 3 different sites of your choice in Naples
- Enter any additional sites at 50% off
- Unlimited travel by public transportation with Unicocampania
Campania 3 Day – €41
- Valid for 3 consecutive days after activation
- Enter 2 different sites of your choice in Naples and Campania
- Enter any additional sites at 50% off
- Unlimited travel by public transportation with Unicocampania
- Digital purchase only
Campania 7 Day – €43
- Valid for 7 consecutive days after activation
- Enter 5 different sites of your choice in Naples and Campania
- Enter any additional sites at 50% off
Campania 365 Gold Pass – €50
- Valid for 365 consecutive days after activation
- Visit for free, any site on the list, 2x a year
- Enter any additional site at a savings of up to 50% off
Campania 365 Lite – €26
- Valid for 365 consecutive days after activation
- Enter each site included in the pass 1x for free
*information accurate at time of publication, please double check prices and rules/regulations before purchasing. Also, check individual sites and museums for updated pricing vs what may be reflected on Artecard’s website.
Visiting other destinations in Italy? Check out our other guides:
- Best Pizza In Naples | 15 Must-Try Pizza Places In Naples
- Florence Italy Foodie Guide: The Best Things To Do In 1 Day
- The 17 Best Michelin Star Restaurants In Rome
- Best Sardinian Food
Jenny Loudis worked various jobs in the IT industry before packing it all up, literally, and taking off to explore the world. She and her husband are now full-time slomads, striving to fully experience each location that they visit. This, of course, includes discovering all the best craft beer, craft cocktails, and unique foods around the world!