Have you got two days to discover Naples? That’s enough to capture the unique energy of a city that leaves no one indifferent. Naples is Southern Italy in its purest form: a joyful chaos, a thousand years of history, a mouth-watering gastronomy and a volcano as a backdrop.
ere’s an itinerary for a busy weekend in Naples, with lively alleys, spectacular views and unforgettable pizza.
Day 1 – Dive into the Neapolitan soul
Morning: The historic center, the beating heart of Naples
Start your visit in the historic center (Centro Storico), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lose yourself in the lively alleyways of Spaccanapoli, the long artery that literally cuts the city in two.
Don’t miss :
- Via dei Tribunali: local ambience and legendary pizzerias
- San Severo chapel: with its incredible veiled Christ
- Duomo di San Gennaro: dedicated to the city’s patron saint
If you love ancient history, don’t miss Naples’ National Archaeological Museum. It houses one of the world’s richest collections of Greco-Roman artefacts, including many pieces from Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Noon: Mandatory pizza break
Head for Sorbillo or Di Matteo for a real Neapolitan pizza. Prices are affordable (around €5-6), and waiting is part of the ritual!
Afternoon: Underground Naples
Explore the fascinating underground network of the city of Naples, carved out of volcanic tuff. On the program: ancient galleries, cisterns, Greek remains and a buried Roman theater (1h30 visit). This dive beneath the Neapolitan streets will give you a better understanding of the city’s complex, millennia-old history, invisible on the surface.
Evening : Spanish quarters & panoramic view
Stroll through the Quartieri Spagnoli to feel the raw energy of Naples, then climb up to Castel Sant’Elmo or Certosa di San Martino for an unforgettable sunset over the bay.
Day 2 – Between sea, art and volcanoes
Morning: Stroll along the seafront
Stroll along the lungomare overlooking the sea and Castel dell’Ovo. Then explore Chiaia or climb up to Posillipo for a spectacular view. Parco Virgiliano is an excellent spot, often off the beaten track.
Noon: Seafood break
Take a seat at Antichi Sapori Partenopei, an authentic address popular with locals and travelers alike. You’ll enjoy generous, tasty traditional Neapolitan dishes in a warm atmosphere. The seafood is excellent, as is the local pasta. The service is attentive, without fuss, and the prices are very reasonable for the quality.
Afternoon: Pompeii or Vesuvius
Two ideas for excursions from Naples:
- Vesuvius: the volcano overlooking the Bay of Naples can be reached after an easy 30-minute hike to the crater.
- or Pompeii: by Circumvesuviana train – unique immersion in a city frozen by the eruption of 79 AD, a must-see site in Naples.
➡️ You can also visit the 2 sites in 1 day: see our article on visiting Vesuvius and Pompeii in 1 day.
Evening: Neapolitan nightcap
End your weekend with a drink in Piazza Bellini, a lively area popular with students and travelers alike.
Where can you book your tickets?
For your activity bookings, we advise you to use Get Your Guide, a well-known online platform that offers flexible cancellation conditions, with refunds possible up to 24 hours before the activity.
✅ Rates are equivalent to those on the official sites, with the added peace of mind of flexible booking.
Activities to be booked in advance :
- Guided underground tour (Napoli Sotterranea, a must-do +++)
- Admission to the ruins of Pompeii
- ⚠️ Excursion to Vesuvius (no ticket office on site, booking required before arrival)
Our map of good addresses in Naples
To help you find your way around, here’s a summary map of our discoveries in Naples, which you can save to your favorites or download for offline use.
How to do it?
Open the map on Google Maps, then click on thethree vertical dots in the top left-hand corner, or on the description. Then select “Add to my saved places” or “Save map”, depending on the version of your application.
Practical info
- Access: Direct flights from France. Airport 20 min from downtown by cab or Alibus.
- Transportation: Modern, convenient metro (lines 1 and 2). Many visits can be made on foot.
- Accommodation: we recommend the Hotel Garibaldi Rooms, ideally located right next to the main railway station and the airport shuttle bus stop in the heart of the historic center, so you can do everything on foot. We slept there for 3 nights in a quiet place.
- Budget: Very affordable. Pizza around €6, inexpensive tours.
In two days in Naples, you’ll have time to savor its unique atmosphere, a blend of chaotic beauty and authentic charm. A city that blends antiquity and modernity, spirituality and exuberance, sea and volcano. You can’t visit Naples, you have to feel it. And it often makes you want to come back.
