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Naples Itineraries

Centro Storico "Standard Tour"

The following is a tried-and-true route through the historic center; you can reverse the order, skip steps, etc. as your schedule allows.  See the Naples sights page for details on the various stops.
  • Take Montesanto metro: walk through Pignasecca Market to Via Toledo
  • At Via Toledo, sample Gelateria della Scimmia, then head north, turning right onto Spaccanapoli
    • Possible detour: instead of heading straight north, you could go south to Caffe Gambrinus, Galleria Umberto, the Royal Palace, and/or the San Carlo opera house.
    • Possible stops: Gesu Nuovo, Santa Chiara, San Severo, and Scaturcchio...also a second chance for Gelateria della Scimmia.  Piazza Bellini, a slight detour off Spaccanapoli, is also a nice spot to stop and relax.
  • Walk up Christmas Alley; check out the Limone limoncello factory
    • Possible stops: Underground Tour, various other churches
  • Head back to Spaccanapoli, and walk to Pizzeria da Michele/Gelateria Polo Nord.
  • Wander back to the Piazza Cavour metro to head home
    • Possible stops: Duomo, Archeological Museum
  • For a longer walk:
    • Instead of going to Montesanto metro, get off on the Piazza Amadeo metro: walk through Santa Lucia district (and/or along the water) to Piazza Plebescito and Galleria Umberto; then walk north on Via Toleo to get to the Centro Storico.
    • More stops/detours: Castel d'Ovo...or head up funicular to Vomero for Castel Sant'Elmo and/or Certosa San Martimo

Best of Naples

The most famous sites in Naples--best for people staying just a short time

Naples for Foodies

Best sites for people who love to eat

  • Check out Naples restaurants - pizzerias, seafood pasta, etc.
  • Get sfogliatelle at Attanasio's, baba at Scaturchio, and coffee at Caffe Mexico (see to eat page for more)
  • Mozzerella di Buffala at Vanulo Creamery
  • Gelato at various gelaterie
  • Go to a fish/produce market
  • Check out a food festival (see Events page for listings/resources)

Naples for Nature Lovers

Itinerary for people who love the outdoors

Naples for History Buffs

Naples is a treasure trove of ancient, medieval, renaissance, and modern history
  • Pompeii and Herculaneum
  • Naples Underground Tour
  • Archaeological Museum
  • Castles and Palaces (Castel del'Ovo, Castel Nuovo, Castel Saint Elmo, Royal Palace at Caserta, Royal Palace at Plebescito, Castello Arogonese on Ischia, Castello Arogonese in Baia)
  • Pozzuoli Amphitheater & Rione Terra
  • Cumae Greek Sybil Ruins
  • Paestum Greek Temple Ruins

La Vita Bella

For those who want to chill and take it easy
  • Passegiatta along the Lungomare from Mergellina to Piazza Plebescito
  • Chill on the beach (e.g. along Amalfi Coast: try Atrani near Amalfi, or Fornillo near Positano)
  • Lounge about in Capri
  • Go to a spa on Ischia
  • Cafes and restaurants
  • Peoplewatching (e.g. in Piazzas, such as Plebescito)

Naples for Party Animals

Want to party all night long?  Here are some of the hotspots:
  • Mergellina/Via Chiaia - nearly every night, this area becomes inundaded with young people looking for a good time
  • Via Napoli in Pozzuoli - a string of bars for every style, close to downtown Pozzuoli; especiailly popular in the summer
  • Capri - especially in the summer, this enchanted island becomes party central; you may run into celebrities at Number 2...also recommended by partyearth.com (a nice resource to party spots) is The Underground in Anacapri.

Naples for Cheapskates

Don't have much money?  Here are some free (or close to free) fun things to do in Naples:
  • Centro Storico Walk - (see above) many of the churches and other sites are free; plus, the neigihborhood itself is the draw
  • Metro & funicular - for a mere €1.10, you can easily get to Vomero for a stunning view of the city
  • Da Michele Pizzeria - at only €3-4 a pizza, you can have a slice of heaven without breaking the bank
  • Pozzuoli Tempio di Serapide - has no charge to see, plus you can walk around the Pozzuoli port area and check out the fish market

Naples for Art Lovers

Naples has a number of art works tucked away in odd places...
  • Churches downtown (such as Pio Monte della Misericordia which has Caravaggio's "Seven Acts of Mercy" and Capella San Severo with its amazing sculptures)
  • MADRE
  • Line 1 Subway stations
  • Royal Palace at Piazza Plebescito
  • Capodimonte Museum (not the most thrilling collection, but has a wonderful Caravaggio)
  • Caserta Royal Palace

The Grand Tour

In the 17th through 19th Centuries, young British aristocrats toured Europe following what was called the "Grand Tour," much of which was in the Naples region.  The tour focused on art and history, including the many connections the region has to ancient literature.  You can re-trace their steps, both for the fun of it, and perhaps because you love ancient mythology and literature yourself:
  • Lago Averno (inspiration for Virgil and Dante)
  • Miseno (site of the ancient Roman fleet)
  • Pompeii
  • Herculaneum
  • Vesuvius (it was more exciting for the Grand Tour people because it was erupting for most of the 18th century...)
  • Paestum
  • Capri Blue Grotto
  • Have a caffee at Caffee Gambrius (Piazza Plebescito)
  • For a Grand Tour ambiance, check out the nicest hotels on the Lungomarea and Posillipo (such as Grand Hotel Parker's or Vesuvio), and the San Carlo opera house...or Sant'Agnello near Sorrento