Naples is a city to be experienced in every detail: in the beauty of Piazza Plebiscito, in every slice of pizza, in a “cuoppo”, in underground Naples. It is one of those cities with so many facets that a lifetime is not enough to know it, but a moment is enough to fall in love with it. In 3 days it is impossible to see everything , but with some tricks and optimizing the times you can be able to see at least the musts !
Here are our tips and the recommended itinerary to visit Naples in 3 days .
First time in Naples
Let yourself be guided: for a first approach to the city we recommend a walking tour of the historic center, to identify the landmarks and learn about stories and anecdotes
Day 1
- Distance traveled : 3.2 km
- Places visited : Spaccanapoli, Sansevero Chapel Museum and Veiled Christ (€ 8.00), Cathedral and Treasury of San Gennaro (€ 8.00), Via San Gregorio Armeno, Toledo Station and Spanish Quarters, Via Chiaia
- Where to eat: Lunch at Gino and Toto Sorbillo (Get directions), Dinner at Antica Pizzeria Brandi (Get directions)
1 – Spaccanapoli
Start this journey to Naples from Spaccanapoli, the soul of the city . Here you can immerse yourself in the daily life of the Neapolitans, stroll through the shops and shops and visit some of the most famous attractions. The area is easily accessible thanks to the L1 metro, Dante and Duomo stops.
The name of the entire district derives from the road that literally cuts the city in half , for about 2 km. Enjoy a walk along Via dei Tribunali, framed by ancient palaces and elegant buildings, until you reach the first stop of the day, the San Severo Chapel.
Start the day with a sfogliatella: in Spaccanapoli there are some of the most famous pastry shops in the city. Stop at the Giovanni Scaturchio pastry shop and take one of the best sfogliatelle in Naples!
2 – Museo Cappella Sansevero and Cristo Velato
Photo by David Sivyer. After a walk through the streets of the historic center, stop and visit the Sansevero Chapel Museum, one of the main attractions of the city (Wed-Mon 09: 00-19: 00, closed Tue; full admission € 8.00, reduced € 5, 00). It is located right in the heart of Spaccanapoli, reachable on foot from every point of the neighborhood.
This attraction is among the most visited in the city because it houses the famous Veiled Christ, the work of Giuseppe Sanmartino. It is considered one of the great Italian masterpieces and the attention to detail is really impressive, it seems that the statue is covered with a real fabric.
Photo by David Sivyer. But the ” Anatomical Machines “, also known as “Anatomical Studies”, are also not to be missed in the museum . These are the skeletons of a man and a woman with the arteriovenous system almost perfectly intact, one of the most enigmatic presences of the complex!
SEE ALSO : Visit to the Sansevero Chapel: timetables, prices and advice
Optimize time and visit: to not get lost in the streets of Spaccanapoli and optimize the times of the morning, we recommend the combined tour Spaccanapoli + Cristo Velato, where a local guide in less than 3 hours will take you for a walk through the center and then guide you inside the San Severo complex.
3 – Cathedral and Treasury of San Gennaro
Photo by ErwinMeier. After your visit to the San Severo Chapel Museum, reach another of the truly unmissable attractions in the city, namely the Cathedral of Naples, dedicated to the Patron Saint San Gennaro (every day 8: 30-12: 30 and 14: 30-19: 00; full admission € 8.00, reduced € 5.00). From the San Severo Chapel it is less than 10 minutes on foot following via dei Tribunali.
The Cathedral of Naples, whose full name is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is a riot of beauty, also thanks to the large frescoes and works of art preserved. But the main attraction is the Treasure of San Gennaro , which is a collection of relics and objects that belonged to the Saint. In the city the Patron Saint is celebrated on September 19th and, if you are here in this period, you certainly cannot miss the mystical “liquefaction of the blood of San Gennaro”!
Stop for lunch at an institution : a few steps from the Duomo and Via San Gregorio Armeno is the local Gino and Toto Sorbillo, a real institution in the city when it comes to pizza! From the classic ones to fried pizza, this is a must. Get directions
4 – Via San Gregorio Armeno
Photo by Raffaella from Napoli. The afternoon continues in one of the most famous streets of Naples : Via San Gregorio Armeno, just 5 minutes walk from the cathedral and one of the two entrances crosses via dei Tribunali.
Via San Gregorio Armeno is known as the neighborhood of the cribs . Exactly, and this is precisely the place where the shops that create the famous nativity figurines are located, from the classic ones to those that represent the public figures of the moment. We could say that here is Christmas all year round. Enjoy a walk among the stalls and shop windows, from where you can also see the masters at work, and buy a statuette to insert in the nativity scene next Christmas, it will be a nice memory of your trip to Naples!
One of the best coffees in Naples : after walking down the street, stop at Caffe Ciorfito, where you can drink one of the best coffees in Naples (Get directions). If, on the other hand, you want to enjoy another sfogliatella, stop by Sfogliate e Sfogliatelle, located right between the shops in via San Gregorio Armeno (Get directions).
5 – Toledo Station and Spanish Quarters
Photo by Andrea favia. After the walk in via dei Presepi, you reach what is considered the most beautiful station in Europe: we are talking about the Toledo station. Take via Benedetto Croce first and then take via Toledo, one of the most famous in the city (15 min). The Toledo station is made marvelous by Robert Wilson’s installation Relative Light and creates plays of light in shades of blue and blue , making the station look like a starry sky.
After taking a souvenir photo, also very instagrammable, discover the famous Spanish Quarters, a cross-section of the most beautiful and authentic Naples ! Enjoy a stroll through the streets, admiring the numerous works of street art and murals. We advise you to stay here as long as there is enough light, better to avoid them in the evening.
Admire the street dedicated to Maradona: with the death of Maradona in 2020, the city immediately paid tribute to him. And in the Spanish Quarters, a few steps from Toledo station, you can walk a street full of murals and paintings dedicated to Maradona. Unmissable even if you are not a fan of football. Get directions
6 – Via Chiaia
Photo of Baku. After Spaccanapoli and the Quartieri Spagnoli, it is time to discover the elegance and luxury of Naples too : then reach the wonderful Via Chiaia. From the Quartieri Spagnoli, you can easily reach it on foot in about 10 minutes following Vico Lungo Trinita degli Spagnoli.
Via Chiaia, together with Via dei Mille, is the luxury shopping street in Naples. Here you will also find some of the historic places of the city: at the beginning of the street stop for a coffee at the Gambribus caffe, while along the road you can find the famous Brandi pizzeria, where in 1889 the pizza Margherita , symbol of the city, was born. And it is here that we advise you to stop for dinner.
Finally, via Chiaia is one of the nightlife centers of Naples . Here there are so many places present, suitable for all needs. After dinner stop here, the choice is wide: for live music stop at the 3-storey disco bar S’Move Light Bar, for an evening in company with a glass of wine, reach the 66 Fusion Bar, for excellent cockail and music finally choose the Barril Garden Bar.
Besidesa few steps away is Piazza Plebiscito , to which we will dedicate more time on the second day, but which you can already admire in the late afternoon / evening.
Reach one of the hidden places of Naples : along via Chiaia is the Palazzo Mannajuolo with its wonderful staircase, which represents one of the most photographed “secret” glimpses of Naples. The palace is open until 6pm, so you will have plenty of time to go inside and take a photo!
Day 2
- Distance covered : 3.9 km
- Places visited : National Archaeological Museum (€ 15.00) or Underground Naples (€ 10.00), Monumental Complex of Santa Chiara (€ 6.00), San Carlo Theater (€ 9.00) or Maschio Angioino (€ 6, 00), Piazza del Plebiscito, Lungomare Santa Lucia and Fontana del Gigante, Borgo Marinai and Castel dell’Ovo
- Where to eat: Lunch at Antica Pizza Fritta da Zia Esterina Sorbillo (Get directions), Dinner at Zi Teresa Restaurant (Get directions)
1 – Archaeological Museum or Underground Naples
Photo by Simon Burchell. The second day is already time for choices. The 2 alternatives are the National Archaeological Museum or the Underground Naples Tour.
Option A – Archaeological Museum : a real institution in the city (Wed-Mon 9: 00-19: 30, closed Tue; full admission € 15.00, students € 5.00, reduced € 2.00), located in the Spaccanapoli area, metro line L1, Museo stop. It is divided into three different sections: the Fernese collection, the section dedicated to Pompeii and Herculaneum, and the Egyptian section. You can admire over 3,000 works and artifacts from ancient history to the modern age, passing from Greeks, Romans and Etruscans.
Photo by Armando Mancini. Option B – Underground Naples: every day 10: 00-18: 00 (single entrance € 10.00), the official entrance is located in Piazza San Gaetano, near the Duomo. It can only be visited by booking the guided tour on the official website. You will go to the discovery of the Neapolitan subsoil, among tunnels, cisterns and passages. Watch out, the visit lasts a good 2 hours, so it is not recommended for those who suffer from claustrophobia or do not feel comfortable in narrow and poorly lit places.
Organize your visits in the best possible way: both visits take at least 2 hours, so most of the morning. For the museum, we recommend that you consult the downloadable map in advance to better orient yourself and first choose the collections not to be missed. For the Underground Naples, book as soon as possible to guarantee yourself a place at the most convenient time, wear comfortable shoes and bring a sweatshirt even in summer, the humidity is high and the temperatures low.
2 – Monumental Complex of Santa Chiara
Photo by IlSistemone. In the early afternoon, stop in Spaccanapoli for one of the most beautiful basilicas in all of Naples : the Monumental Complex of Santa Chiara (Mon-Sat 9: 30-17: 30, Sun 10: 00-14: 00; full admission € 6.00, reduced € 4.50). You can easily reach it on foot, with a walk of 10 min.
This complex consists of 4 monumental cloisters , decorated with wonderful yellow majolica, where scenes of ancient Neapolitan traditions are represented. In addition, Giotto also worked in this Basilica during his time in Naples and still today you can see some frescoes, hidden by some layers of stucco.
Taste the Neapolitan pastiera : in the street of the Santa Chiara complex there is the pastry shop “La Pastiera Napoletana”, where you can taste this famous Neapolitan dessert. Get directions
3 – Teatro San Carlo or Maschio Angioino
Photo by Udine2812. Another choice to make, as you will hardly be able to dedicate the right time to both attractions, unless you decide to limit yourself to a visit from the outside.
Option A – San Carlo Theater : it is the oldest opera house in the world to be still active today. Along the way, you can cross the wonderful Galleria Umberto I, an elegant gallery full of shops and clubs. The whole can be visited only by booking a guided tour (duration 30 min), where you can discover the behind the scenes, admire the numerous galleries and all its beauty.
Option B – Maschio Angioino: also known as Castel Nuovo (Mon-Sat 9: 00-19: 00; single entrance € 6.00), it is one of the symbols of Naples, located on the seafront not far from the Theater, and is a medieval and Renaissance castle wanted by Carlo I d’Angio in 1266. Today it is open to the public, for the visit, estimate about 2 hours. If you visit the San Carlo Theater, however, stop outside the castle to take a photo of it.
Organize visits : the theater can only be visited with a guided tour and the times vary according to the period. Generally, the last two tours are at 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM, so you’ll be able to arrive on time. Duration 30 min, full € 9.00, reduced € 7.00. Reservations on the official website. The Maschio Angioino can be visited until 19:00, but it takes a couple of hours.
4 – Piazza Plebiscito
After your visit to the San Carlo Theater, or to the Maschio Angioino, reach Piazza del Plebiscito, the most iconic square in Naples . You can easily reach it on foot in a few minutes.
Now a symbol of the city, this square is spread over about 25,000 square meters and is framed by some of the most important buildings in Naples : the Royal Palace and the Church of San Francesco di Paola, with its unmistakable colonnade that can be seen in many photos of the city .
Stop at the Gran Caffe Gambrinus : probably the most famous bar in Naples, located just behind Piazza del Plebiscito. It is one of the historic places in the city, stop here for a coffee and taste one of the many sweets on display. Get directions
5 – Lungomare Santa Lucia and Fontana del Gigante
Photo of Baku. From Piazza Plebiscito enjoy a walk along the wonderful seafront : by now it will be late afternoon, so you can surely admire a wonderful sunset. Walk until you reach the Giant’s Fountain, located 10 minutes from the square.
The Giant’s Fountain is one of the most beautiful fountains in Italy . It consists of three round arches and, above the arches, there are the coats of arms that symbolize the city. The fountain has a celebratory purpose and was ordered by Antonino Alvarez of Toledo, to then be designed and built by Pietro Bernini and Michelangelo Naccherino.
Visit it at sunset: we wanted to offer you the seafront and the Giant’s Fountain as the last stop before dinner because from here, if you find the right weather conditions, you can admire a splendid sunset!
6 – Borgo Marinai and Castel dell’Ovo
Finally, for dinner time, reach Borgo Marinai, one of the most beautiful places in Naples . It is a continuation of the seafront: from the Giant’s Fountain you can reach it in less than 5 minutes on foot.
In Borgo Marinai there is the Castel dell’Ovo, the castle that rises in the middle of the sea , one of the most photographed views of Naples. In this village you can stop for dinner and enjoy excellent fish dishes: just think that in the past, people like Toto and Sofia Loren have often stopped for dinner!
Enjoy a fish-based dinner : we recommend the Zi Teresa restaurant, one of the most famous in this area, open since 1890 and with a splendid view of the Castel dell’Ovo. For the evening, however, you can enjoy a walk along the seafront or stop in one of the clubs in the area.
Day 3
- Distance covered : 5.2 km
- Places visited : Bosco and Museo di Capodimonte (€ 10.00) or Catacombs of San Gennaro (priority entrance € 9.00), excursion to Pompeii (tour from Naples from € 59.00) or Galleria Borbonica (guided tour with ticket admission € 10.00), Rione Sanita and Palazzo dello Spagnolo (free), Spaccanapoli
- Where to eat: Lunch at Il Cuoppo (Get directions), Dinner at Trattoria Don Vincenzo (Get directions)
1 – Wood and Museum of Capodimonte or Catacombs of San Gennaro
Photo by Mentnafunangann. Last day in Naples, it’s time for choices again.
Option A – Bosco and Museo di Capodimonte : one of the most famous museums in Naples (Thu-Mar 8: 30-19: 30; full admission € 10.00, reduced € 2.00). To reach it, first take the metro to Piazza Cavour, then bus 168 or 178 to the Capodimonte stop.
The National Museum of Capodimonte is structured in 3 floors and houses important works from the Farnese Collection, with works by Raphael and Botticelli, up to Goya, Burri and the most recent works by Warhol. After the museum, enjoy a walk in the Capodimonte Wood, an old hunting reserve converted into a park.
Photo of Catacombs of Naples.Option B – Catacombs of San Gennaro (every day 10: 00-17: 00); buy priority entrance). It is one of the symbols of Christianity in Naples, where you can discover a thousand-year history and the close bond that exists between the city and its patron. They can only be visited with a guided tour, they depart every hour and have an average duration of about 1 hour.
And if you travel with children The whole morning at the museum can be a bit heavy for the little ones, as well as a visit to the Catacombs of San Gennaro. In this case, you can visit the wonderful Botanical Garden or the Zoo. You can dedicate the whole day to the latter. Get directions
2 – Pompei or Galleria Borbonica
Also in the early afternoon we recommend two alternatives, perhaps based on the choices made previously. One option is in fact the Bourbon Gallery, yet another underground experience. If you have already seen the catacombs and the Underground Naples, perhaps opt for the excursion to Pompeii. But watch out, it leaves at 13:30!
Option A – Excursion to Pompeii : it is one of the most important archaeological sites in the world, a city frozen in time under the lava flow of Vesuvius. The visit is suggestive, you will see the thermal baths, the forum, the streets and the incredible villas. The excursion starts at 13:30 and lasts 3 hours, includes round-trip transport with hotel or agreed pick-up. Info and prices here.
Photo by Underground Bourbon Cultural Association. Option B – Bourbon Gallery: and a long tunnel full of finds to be discovered. Times and prices vary according to the types of tours. 4 different tours are available: Standard Route, Via delle Memorie Route, Adventure Route and Speleo Light Route. You will visit tunnels, wells, cisterns, a small war museum, even sail on a raft! The Gallery can only be visited with a guided tour to be booked online.
Last evening in Spaccanapoli: spend the last evening here, in the heart of Naples. Choose one of the many traditional restaurants for the last dinner in town and then immerse yourself in the nightlife, among the many clubs present. For a quiet evening choose the Ba – Bar House (Get directions), for cocktails and live music the Shanti Art Musik Bar (Get directions), for craft beers and music the Keste (Get directions).
How much does a weekend in Naples cost ?
Naples is a destination within everyone’s reach . It is also easily accessible from all over Italy thanks to railway connections and numerous routes in the area (compare flights here).
Once you arrive, the historic center is the best area to stay, but the alternatives are so many. Throughout the city you can find numerous offers and accommodations at competitive prices. Furthermore, here you can move on foot and by public transport : if you plan to make several trips, we recommend that you take the day ticket (€ 3.50). Finally, if you travel low cost you can have lunch for very little : wallet pizza, cuoppo and other typical street food dishes have really cheap costs!
Let’s see in detail the costs of a weekend in Naples:
- Costs for eating : about € 40.00 per day per person (including breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Costs for museums and attractions : average price € 25.00 per day per person following the itinerary suggested by us
- Transport : average price € 3.50 per day per person
- Hotels, accommodation and b & b : from € 55.00 per room – see the offers
- Leisure : from € 25.00 per day per person (including snacks, coffee, aperitifs, drinks, …)
- Total cost of a weekend in Naples : from € 390.00 per person (flights and / or transfers excluded)
Before leaving: useful tips
- Do you prefer spring : the Neapolitan summer is really very hot, especially the month of August, also one of the busiest! If you can, you prefer spring, or anyway months like June and September – find out more;
- Where to sleep: the best neighborhood and the historic center. For families also San Ferdinando, Chiaia, Vomero and Posillipo, for young people Porto, San Ferdinando and via Toledo. To save Porto and via Toledo – map of the districts here;
- Get around on foot or by public transport : the historic center is perfect to visit on foot, while some attractions are located further away from the center. Excellent metro (day ticket € 3.50) – find out more here;
- Avoid the car : driving in Naples is not an experience for everyone due to traffic and the driving of other motorists, but above all it is not even necessary. You can move easily on foot or by subway;
- Consider a visit to the surroundings : Naples has many attractions to discover, but on the third day you could also consider an excursion to the surroundings. The best are the excursion to the Amalfi Coast or to Pompeii and Vesuvius;
- Enjoy Neapolitan cuisine : renowned all over the world, including pizza of various types and fish dishes, baba and sfogliattelle, cuoppo and many recipes – find out more here;