11 Best Things To Do In Naples, Italy

Are you wondering what are the best things to do in Naples, Italy? On Italy’s western coast, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea is the sizable city of Naples. With a population of 975,000 and a larger metropolitan population of more than 3.1 million, this enormous metropolis ranks third in terms of population in Italy behind Milan and Rome.

Since the Neolithic era, people have lived in Naples and the surrounding area, and there has been continuous human activity there from the time of the ancient Greeks to the Roman Empire and beyond.

Read more: Beautiful Places To Visit In Italy For The First Time

Here are the best things to do in Naples:

1. Ovo Castle

If you’re in Naples’ Santa Lucia neighborhood, one of the best things to do is explore Ovo Castle, which was formerly a part of the tiny island known as Megaride.

As you approach Naples’ port, which is now connected to the mainland and reachable by a road and footpath, you can see this magnificent sea-bound castle.

The Castel dell’Ovo, the oldest surviving fortification in Naples, was built in the early 6th century BC, and some kind of defensive structure has stood there ever since. The castle is a fantastic building to explore and is open to the public. Stroll through the corridors and arches and gaze out toward the Mediterranean Sea.

While it’s a lovely location to explore for about 30 minutes, it can get busy during certain hours. Visit early in the morning and avoid weekends if you want to visit during a more sedate time.

A number of art exhibits and displays about the castle’s history are also available.

2. Castel Nuovo

One of the first sights that people arriving by cruise ship will see is the Castel Nuovo, which stands out as a prominent element in Naples’ skyline. It has been there for almost 800 years in Naples! It has had such a fascinating history over that time that it’s amazing to learn about when you’re in the city.

The castle is one of the most important historical sites in Naples and is conveniently close to the well-known Piazza del Plebiscito.

For a small fee, take a tour of the castle and marvel at the lovely towers, the painted ceiling of the Baron’s Hall, the central courtyard, and the castle ramparts for breathtaking views of Naples and the harbor.

Now, if you have the time, I recommend taking the guided tour so you can see the castle’s underground chambers and its rooftop vistas. If you want to learn more about Naples’ past, this is undoubtedly among the best things to do in Naples because it is so fascinating.

3. Piazza del Plebiscito

The Piazza del Plebiscito, which is without a doubt Naples’ central square and where the Royal Palace and the Basilica Royal are located, is a truly wonderful place to visit.

Apart from the aforementioned structures, this large open area is home to a number of significant structures and statues, including the Palazzo Salerno, the Prefecture Palace, and a statue honoring Charles III of Spain.

The Basilica Royal’s semicircular colonnades sprawl out and beautifully enclose the square. The square is strikingly similar to that of Vatican City.

Make sure to visit the beautiful historical structures that are located here and use this location as the starting point for your tour of Naples. For instance, you could visit San Francesco di Paola and its impressive Roman basilica, which is unmistakable. You’ll notice that it resembles the Pantheon so much if you’ve been to Rome.

4. Royal Palace of Naples

This magnificent Royal Palace is the center of attention in Plebiscito Square and is located across from the Basilica Reale. This building’s front facade has a symmetrical pattern of black framing, brown render, and numerous windows to give it an official and imposing appearance.

Additionally, 12 intricate statues of previous Kings of Naples, ranging from Roger of Sicily to Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor, are located at the base of the palace.

A stunning collection of preserved rooms filled with elaborate decorations can be found inside this opulent building. The throne room and the state theater are both incredible, as are the initial hallway and staircase.

Your visit to this magnificent historic building must include a tour of the interior and its rooms.

5. Catacombs of San Gennaro

Ever wanted to explore a mysterious underground environment with a ton of intricate details and passageways? This is precisely what the San Gennaro Catacombs in the northern region of Naples offer. The entrance to this otherworldly location is close to the Basilica dell’Incoronata.

Once underground, you will discover a maze of tunnels and lanes that are dotted with ancient graves and crypts. The lower floor, which is divided into two levels and is dimly lit to maintain the eerie underground atmosphere, contains an astounding 3000+ burials.

Although the top level is larger, it is no less interesting and has numerous intricate frescoes and pieces of art. A catacomb tour with a guide will give you a unique experience and a thorough understanding of Naples’ past.

6. Fontanelle Cemetery

Visitors to Naples should definitely pay a visit to the Fontanelle Cemetery because it is a singular location in the world. The peculiarity of this Cemetery lies not in what you see but rather in all the tales, anecdotes, and oddities that surround it; all of which you cannot find anywhere else in writing.

A former ossuary, the Fontanelle Cemetery spans more than 3000 square meters. and has an unknown number of human remains in it.

It is situated in Sanità, one of Naples’ most historically and culturally significant neighborhoods.

The cemetery is famous for hosting the “anime pezzentelle” ritual, in which a Neapolitan adopted and took care of a particular skull belonging to an abandoned soul (known as a capuzzella) in exchange for protection.

7. Visit Various Churches

Naples has the most churches per capita in the world, a fact that not everyone is aware of. Because of this, it has been known as the “city of 500 domes” since 700. The churches in Naples can blend diverse and pluralist architectural styles and traditions, immersing the visitor in both a profoundly mystical and Christian experience as well as in an early Christian or gothic, baroque, or neoclassical setting.

Naples cathedral

One of the most significant churches in the city, the Cathedral was constructed under the Anjou in 1200 on the foundation of the ancient temple dedicated to the god Apollo.

Three different architectural styles—the 13th-century pure Gothic, the 17th-century Baroque, and the 19th-century neo-Gothic—converged to create the Naples Cathedral (viewable by the imposing white marble facade).

The main draw is the crypt of St. Gennaro, the city’s patron saint, where we can see the saint’s skull and the ampoule containing his blood, which was the subject of the purported liquefaction “miracle.”

Don’t forget to stop by the exquisitely decorated San Gennaro chapel, which has an altar with exquisite decorations and two vessels holding the saint’s blood.

San Paolo Maggiore basilica

This magnificent basilica, which dates back to the eighth century, was nearly completely rebuilt at the end of the 16th century. Massimo Stanzione and Paolo de Matteis’ paintings and Nicola Tammaro’s eye-catching geometric floor are featured in its enormous, gold-stuccoed interior. The lavish sacristy, decorated with brilliant frescoes by baroque master Francesco Solimena, deserves top honors.

Francesco Grimaldi created the double staircase that adorns the basilica’s main facade, which was built in 1603. The two columns that flank the entrance are much older; they were salvaged from the nearby Roman temple dedicated to Castor and Pollux.

Basilica of Saint Mary of Healthcare

On the site of the San Gaudioso catacombs, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, also known as the Basilica of Saint Mary of Healthcare, was built in 1600. Due to the presence of the statue of the Holy Spanish Dominican Vincenzo Ferreri, also known as “O Munacone,” it is also known as San Vincenzo Sanctuary Church despite being dedicated to Santa Maria.

The church is notable for its grand staircase leading to the apse where Michelangelo Naccherino’s sculpture of the “Madonna della Sanità” is situated. Below the presbytery, the entrance to the early Christian basilica opens. The church contains numerous examples of the mannerism, classicist, and baroque currents. Numerous pieces by Luca Giordano and Andrea Vaccaro are included.

Basilica of the Crowned Mother of Good Counsel and Queen of the Catholic Church

The Basilica of Madre del Buon Consiglio, also known as the Basilica of the Crowned Mother of Good Counsel and Queen of the Catholic Church, is situated in the Capodimonte neighborhood and was constructed on the exterior (including the dome) and interior plans of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. It is sometimes referred to as “The Little Saint Peter.”

The facade, the dome, the colors, the marble, and the structure of the aisles are all named after the “small St. Peter,” making the similarities with the Roman basilica more obvious both inside and out.

It contains a positive Baroque organ constructed in 1769 by Domenico Antonio Rossi and the Tamburini, the most renowned organist in Italy, manufactured in 1964. The entrance to the San Gennaro catacombs, which date to the second century AD, is located next to the basilica.

San Giovanni a Carbonara

San Giovanni a Carbonara, located on the streets of Via Carbonara (yes, it tastes as good as it sounds), may not look like much from the outside, but it is filled with fascinating things to see inside.

Once there, explore the King Ladislaus of Durazzo Tomb, the Cappella Caracciolo del Vico, and the amazing wall art.

Sanctuary Basilica of the Old Jesus of the Immaculate Conception of Don Placido

The Basilica Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception and Don Placido are additional names for Naples’ Basilica di Gesù Vecchio. It is given this name to set it apart from the Trinità Maggiore Church, also known as the Gesù Nuovo Church.

It was Naples’ first Jesuit church when it was constructed in 1554. Giovanni Tristano, who would go on to become the primary Jesuit architect of this era, was the designer. The initial framework of the nearby Jesuit college was also created by Tristano.

The church was renamed San Salvatore Church in 1767 after the Jesuit Order was expelled from it. Once again expelled in the early 19th century, the order returned ten years later.

The church has a Latin cross floor plan with a single nave. On each side, there are four chapels.

8. Palace of Capodimonte

Another magnificent residence owned by the Bourbon family is the Palace of Capodimonte, which also serves as home to the renowned Naples Museum of Art. They have a ton of amazing Neapolitan and Roman artifacts inside, as you can see.

One of Naples’ most popular museums is located in the park. You can stroll through centuries of Italian art history at the Capodimonte Museum. and beyond, from the 13th to the 20th centuries.

You can find masterpieces by painters from every Italian school of painting in the museum, which was formerly a Bourbon palace. These schools include Neapolitan, Tuscan, Venetian, Emilian, and Roman. Michelangelo, Raphael, Titian, Caravaggio, Bellini, and Botticelli are well-known artists.

The Capodimonte museum also houses foreign artwork by artists like Brueghel and other Flemish painters. Alessandro Farnese, also known as Pope Paul, amassed the “Collezione Farnese,” which can be broadly divided into two categories.

The “Galleria Napoletana,” the museum’s second collection, is made up of items gathered from churches and palaces in and near Naples. The Capodimonte museum also houses sculptures, a collection of weapons, palatially furnished rooms, and a wide variety of temporary exhibitions in addition to the paintings.

9. Visit Different Museums

Naples is one of the oldest cities in Europe and has a long artistic history. The city has an incredible wealth of art and culture, both outside in its streets and inside its many museums and galleries. Naples was first settled by the Greeks in 470 BC.

Visit these must-see museums to see classical sculptures, Pompeii artifacts, Baroque artwork, modern art, and more.

Naples National Archaeological Museum

The museum was formerly used as a military and cavalry barracks before being converted to a museum in a beautifully ornate structure built in the 1750s. It is north of the Harbor, but a Metro station is right next to the structure.

A large collection of Roman and Greek artifacts, as well as a number of pieces from Pompeii and Herculaneum, can be found inside.

This collection contains numerous marble statues representing scenes from classical mythology, lovely mosaics found in Pompeii, and a sizable number of artifacts from ancient Egypt, including mummified remains and death masks.

This museum is a must-see for anyone who enjoys learning about ancient history and archaeology.

Museo Cappella Sansevero

The Museo Cappella Sansevero dates back to the 15th century and is considered a jewel in the crown of Italy’s artistic heritage. It is home to a number of sculptures that depict scenes that are eerily realistic and are guaranteed to give any viewer goosebumps. The structure itself is a work of art, which serves as a fitting complement to the well-known pieces that are on display.

Because it is situated in the heart of Naples’ historic district, visiting it is an effortless addition to any excursion.

Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro

The artwork and donations that make up the Treasure of San Gennaro come from seven centuries of popes, kings, emperors, famous people, and common folk.

A bishop’s headgear from 1713 by the goldsmith Matteo Treglia, one of the most priceless items in the world, is among the most intriguing items: 3.328 diamonds, 198 emeralds, 168 rubies, and 3694 precious stones weigh 18 kilograms. Emeralds stand for wisdom, rubies for St. Januarius’ blood, and diamonds, the hardest stone, for faith.

The itinerary for the museum also includes a stop at the recently restored Cappella del Tesoro’s three sacristies, which house priceless works of art by Luca Giordano, Massimo Stanzione, Giacomo Farelli, and Aniello Falcone that have never been seen by the general public.

Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri

A private museum dedicated to sculpture, Neapolitan paintings from the seventeenth century, and the preservation of more than 30,000 rare and antiquarian books are called Museo Civico Gaetano Filangieri.

It is situated in Via Duomo’s Palazzo Como. Numerous historical artifacts of various provenance are also included in the collection, including crib figures from the 18th and 19th centuries as well as majolica, porcelain, weapons, armor, paintings, and sculptures from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

10. Go for a Foodie Adventure

Connecting with the local culture, cuisine, and community is the best way to learn about a place. You must sample Naples’ pizza and coffee while you are there. The food markets are also accessible for exploring.

Pizza

If there is one thing that Italy is famous for more than anything else, it is its delicious, mouth-watering, fresh food. Locals in Naples will proudly claim that their hometown is the origin of the best pizza in the nation when asked where it comes from.

In honor of the Italian queen of the same name’s visit in 1889, resident Raffaele Esposito is frequently credited with inventing the first Pizza Margherita, even though street vendors in the area had been selling wood-oven-baked flatbreads with toppings long before that.

Food markets

Naples markets let you satisfy your shopping urge on a budget while finding everything from handmade arts and crafts to upscale clothing at deep discounts. You’ll discover a traditional, happy atmosphere of well-ordered chaos with warm, welcoming vendors and a ton of regional color and culture.

Fresh produce and prepared foods are sold at farmers’ markets, and locally made gifts and crafts are sold at arts and crafts markets. Naples has all of the shopping you could possibly want, whether it be for food, trinkets, electronics, or clothing.

Italian coffee

Naples gained notoriety in 2017 when UNESCO designated the Neapolitan pizza-making method as a World Heritage Site. Next up? a call for doing the same with its coffee! The superiority of their cuisine is taken seriously by the Neapolitans (and frequently for good reason!).

Strong and thick Neapolitan coffee is frequently served. Better yet, you can purchase it almost anywhere! You can visit a bar and place a coffee order.

11. Souvenir Shopping

Naples is a fantastic city to go shopping in! This seaside city has been home to traditional workshops and artisan craftsmen for centuries. Here, you can find one-of-a-kind treasures at bargain prices and observe how a variety of specialty items are still made using age-old methods that have been passed down through the generations.

Porcelain

For centuries, the production of local ceramics has been a well-known industry in Naples and the surrounding Campania region. The elegant porcelain from Capodimonte to the more rustic majolica from Vietri Sul Mare are just a few options available if you love handpainted majolica ceramics.

You can pick from classic patterns or more modern, minimalistic ones. Whatever your taste, you can find a special ceramic, porcelain, or terracotta object to serve as a reminder of Bella Napoli.

Via San Gregorio Armeno

Every day on this street feels like Christmas because of the countless stores selling nativity scenes; it’s no wonder Via S. Gregorio Armeno is regarded as the city’s most distinctive street. One of the most distinctive things to do in Naples is to take a leisurely stroll down its winding path, which is a must for anyone looking for souvenirs.

Christmas Alley

The nativity scene tradition in Naples dates back a thousand years. Families prepare Presepes with statues of the Holy Family, as well as the animals and residents of Bethlehem, to celebrate the Christmas season every year on December 8. And throughout the year, traditional Neapolitan Presepe artisans throng Via San Gregorio’s confined passageway. All the nativity figurines you need to make your own display are available here.