As you know, we love Italy, and since we found a plane ticket to Naples at an unbeatable price, we went for it without thinking too much. What a great idea, because it was an immediate change of scenery. Stick around and we’ll tell you all about it!
Naples is the third largest city in Italy, behind Rome and Milan, located in the south of Italy, the atmosphere and ambiance have absolutely nothing to do with the northern cities.
We were pleasantly surprised by the beauty of the buildings, the Mediterraneanatmosphere, the café terraces that never run out, the underground city, and the things to do in Naples. There’s a permanent vacation feeling!
Below, we’ve put together our itinerary and tips for visiting Naples on foot in 1 day . We’ve also grouped all our good addresses on our map to make your visit to Naples easier.
Is Naples worth it?
First, a little background! Naples is located in the south, on the west coast of Italy, only 2.5 hours from Rome, and is an ideal destination to extend the summer (before or after)!
The bay of Naples is home to the famous islands of Capri (it’s finiiii, don’t thank us for having the song in your head for the day), Procida and Ischia which offer very nice walks (including by boat).
In the vicinity, 30 minutes away, there are also the famous archaeological sites of Pompeii, andHerculaneum, less known, which is really worth a visit and the natural site of the volcano Vesuvius.
As you can see, the region is incredible, and Naples makes a great base for wandering around, and above all, there’s a lot to see on site!
If you’re more used to northern cities, Naples will surprise you. Indeed, at first sight, it’s a mess, the city is noisy, with a bit of garbage, people don’t drive in the right way… You might feel like running away.
Hold on tight, because the historic center, with its pedestrian streets, Mediterranean atmosphere, scooters parked everywhere, and laundry drying on balconies, will guarantee you an immediate change of scenery. It is in this part that we walked, so it is especially of it that we are going to speak to you!
A few safety tips:
- As in most capitals, a backpack is safer than a shoulder bag . As you probably know, I had my bag stolen this way in Vietnam in Ho Chi Min during our world tour, because I wasn’t vigilant enough. This advice also applies to cell phones.
- Be equally vigilant on public transport, which can also apply to the Paris metro. Make sure you always have an eye on your bag, and always close it securely.
When is the best time to visit Naples?
It’s always difficult for us to answer this question, honestly, we’d almost like to say all the time depending on your preferences and your equipment, there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes 😉
Naples is located in the south of Italy, on the shores of the Mediterranean, so the weather will always be better than in France!
In summer, temperatures remain bearable, although they can rise to 40°C, and, as everywhere else in Italy, it’s crowded. Note that it can rain in November and December. Obviously, the best seasons are, in our opinion, spring and autumn. We were in t-shirts in October!
Visit Naples in 1 day on foot
Morning: walking tour of the historic center [carte]
Naples is an interesting city to visit, but we recommend that you take a day to explore the surrounding area ( islands and archaeological sites).
We recommend a morning stroll through the Centro Scorico (historic center) and then to the south of the Spanish Quarter, to the Piazza del Publicito, from where you will have a view of the Bay of Naples.
Then, in the afternoon, you can explore the underground passages, and at the end of the day, we recommend dinner in the Spanish Quarter. This is where the narrow streets are the narrowest, with scooters parked everywhere, and where you’ll also see frescoes by Diego (the REAL local star).
Our itinerary in the historical center
Come on, let’s take you along, the circuit we followed is about 4 km long. It can be completed in just over an hour, but of course we advise you to take your time. We advise you to visit at least the interior of the Sanservero chapel, with its famous veiled Christ, so allow 2 hours 30 minutes!
Centro Scorico“, in Italian, is the historic district of Naples, crossed by the main street Spaccanapoli. Here, you’ll feel the weight of the centuries, with Roman and Greek influences everywhere. The district boasts numerous palaces and churches listed asUNESCO World Heritage sites. We advise you to open your eyes and enjoy!
The letters correspond to the locations on our map!
- 1. Startfrom the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption of Naples (A), is better known as Duomo San Gennaro, which is one of the fifty protectors of the city, especially against the eruptions of Vesuvius, which explains the importance of this church for the Neapolitans.
- 2. Then don’t miss Via San Gregorio Armeno (B) for its boutiques and stores filled with Christmas decorations. Nativity scenes, santons, garlands, handmade baubles… at any time of year. It’s part and parcel of the city of Naples, where religion is omnipresent.
- 3. Basilica Santa Chiara (C) is the largest Gothic church in Naples. It was built in the fourteenth century and has a rich interior decoration, with frescoes and mosaics. The site is worth a visit for its beautiful garden in the center, especially its cloister which is beautiful and quiet which is something rare in Naples (ticket price 6,00€, count 1h of visit) .
- 4. Chapelle Sansevero (D) with its breathtaking statues and especially the famous veiled Christ, which is impressively realistic. The paintings on the walls are magnificent. There is only one room with everything in it, but there is a lot to see. (price 10€ for 30 minutes of visit, visit to be privileged)
- 5. Castel Nuovo (E), you can’t miss it, the exterior is impressive and well preserved. We’d advise you not to visit the interior if you don’t have the time, as we’d read rather mixed reviews, because as with other historic sites, there are few explanatory panels and the site isn’t very well maintained.
- 6. Galleria Umberto I (F), you will feel like you have been teleported to Milan, this beautiful and majestic shopping gallery is one of the main attractions of Naples.
- 7. Piazza del Pleblicito (G), is a huge rectangular square located in the historic center of Naples that houses some of the most emblematic buildings of the city including the Royal Palacebuilt by Ferdinand IV in the 18th century, as well as the basilica San Francesco di Paola and the equestrian status of Carlo III of Borbon. Above all, from here you’ll have a superb view of the Bay of Naples!
If you’d like to learn more about the city’s history and Neapolitan culture, and gain a deeper understanding of its architecture , we recommend booking a guided tour with a local guide!
➡️ Book your combined guided tour of the historic center and the famous veiled Christ at the Sansevero Chapel. For 2h30, your guide will tell you all about the history and architecture of Naples. The city will hold no secrets for you!
➡️Vousopt for a guided tour of the city combined with a tasting of the best Neapolitan dishes and drinks, pizza, ice cream, limoncello… A bit of culture mixed with excellent cuisine, the perfect combo. The tastings will double as a meal!
➡️En bus: if you prefer, you can opt to visit the city by hop-on, hop-off bus .
The system is simple: you can get off to visit a monument that interests you and then get on the next bus to continue your visit. There are two lines, A and B, serving 23 stops! Line B is the most interesting, as it runs along the coast. To reserve your tickets, click here.
You can reserve your tickets by selecting the day of your visit (French audio guide included).
Afternoon: Exploring the secret city
We were surprised to learn that a real underground city exists in Naples, with almost 80km of tunnels and galleries stretching beneath the city, and good news, it’s possible to visit part of the site.
Before a little history, the Greeks (yes, of course) were responsible for the first tunnels, which were used to extract tuff to reinforce the city walls.
Later, the Romans enlarged these underground galleries to collect rainwater and supply the city’s houses with water. Following an epidemic caused by contaminated water, the tunnels were abandoned and then used as a refuge for the inhabitants during the Second World War. In short, a unique place full of history, a must-see!
Don’t forget to cover up well even in summer, it’s between 10 and 15 degrees all year round!
Evening: Naples’ mythical district
The Spanish Quarter (Quartieri Spagnoli), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in the north of Naples, a stone’s throw from the historic center.
It’s in this colorful, lively district that you’ll find the typical atmosphere of Naples: houses of just a few floors form very narrow streets, with washing on every balcony, Vespas on every corner… and the good thing is, it’s a shady district in summer.
Here, the star is Diego Maradona, the famous soccer player who is omnipresent in Naples. Here, he’s on every wall, and there’s even a café dedicated to him.
We recommend taking a stroll to admire the beautiful frescoes painted on the walls, then sitting down at a café terrace (for example, at Don Café Street Art Coffee) to feel 100% Neapolitan!
Practical information (hotel, transportation, restaurants…)
Where to sleep in Naples?
Don’t hesitate accommodation in Naples If you’re looking for a place to stay close to the historic center, we advise you to read the comments carefully, as Naples is one of the noisiest cities we’ve visited!
We recommend the Hotel Garibaldi Rooms, ideally located right next to the main railway station, and therefore the airport shuttle bus stop right in the historic center, so you can do everything on foot.
The room was nicely decorated and clean, with double-glazed windows. In short, an excellent address offering good value for money! We slept there for 3 nights in a quiet place.
To help you find what you’re looking for, we recommend that you use the Booking search engine to select your accommodation. By filtering the scores above 8/10, we’re rarely disappointed. We advise you to book as early as possible, as Naples and the surrounding area is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Italy.
Where to eat in Naples?
There are pizzerias on every street corner, so you’re bound to find what you’re looking for for just a few euros, and you’re sure to put on a few pounds during your stay!
Please note that the price of cutlery and drinks (even water) are not included in the price of the dish. Once you’re there, there’s no surprise: the amount is indicated at the bottom of the menu, usually €1 to €2 per person.
We love going to Italy, because we think it’s the country with the best food after France. Like the French, Italians have a wide range of delicious regional products and cook mainly with fresh produce.
- Gino e Toto Sorbillo: a real institution to eat an excellent pizza with fresh ingredients from 4€ + 1,5€, in short the perfect place in the historical center! We advise you to arrive early, as soon as it opens, if you are on the waiting list, there are many bars around to drink a Spritz while waiting! (historical center)
- Pizzeria 400 Gradi : small and unassuming, you can enjoy pizzas with gorgonzola-filled crusts and/or fried pizzas filled and folded on themselves, very greasy but delicious, we warned you not to start a diet before coming to Naples! (Spanish quarter)
- Antichi Sapori Partenopei: close to Piazza del Plebicito, yet away from the crowds, delicious traditional cuisine until the amazing and tasty dessert. We recommend the “rigatoni alla genovese”, a delight!
- Mennella Il Gelato: incredibly tasty ice creams in typical Italian flavors, stracciatella, tiramisu… (historic center)
How to get to Naples?
There is just one airport, Capodichino, located northeast of Naples. Tickets are more affordable than for Rome, as the destination is less popular but there is a lot to do. We recommend you compare prices on the Skyscanner website.
To give you an idea, we paid €55 return (in March) from Bordeaux with Easyjet.
How do I get to the city center from the airport?
The Alibus shuttle leaves every 20 minutes (from 6.30 a.m. to 11.30 p.m.). Tickets cost €5, and can be purchased directly on the shuttle or at the automatic ticket machines in front of it. Depending on traffic, the shuttle bus will take you to the Piazza Garibaldi central station terminal in just 15 minutes , and you can also take metro lines 1 and 2. The high-speed trains to Rome also leave from the central station.
What to do around Naples?
You’ll clearly be spoilt for choice: depending on what you want to do, you can either rent a car or take the train or bus:
- If you are in the mood for nature, you can explore one of the beautiful islands located in the Bay of Naples, Capri, Procida and/or Ischia
- Culture : don’t miss the unmissable archaeological sites of Ercolano and Pompeii, located 20 and 30 minutes respectively from Naples. As well as the Royal Palace of Caserta, north of Naples.
- If you’re in the mood for a climb: of course, Vesuvius awaits you, just 20 minutes from Naples.
- Looking for a wild coastline? Discover the Amalfi Coast.
To visit the Naples area, you can rent a car. To compare rental prices, we recommend the RentalCars website (approx. €40 per day).
To visit the Naples area, you can rent a car from the airport or from the city center. To compare rental prices, we recommend the RentalCars website (approx. €40 per day + insurance).
Driving is sporty in Naples, so we recommend renting your car from the airport to avoid the city center. And we advise you to be more careful than when driving in France – we’ve had no problems whatsoever!
The best activities
To visit the various points of interest in the incredible Naples area(boat tours, pizza tastings, day trips…) you can book your activities in advance via internet.
We advise you to take a look at the getyourguide website which offers various activities at unbeatable prices. It can also give you plenty of ideas for original activities to organize your stay.
Feel free to leave us a quick note or 5 stars below, to tell us if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, here or on Instagram, we’ll get back to you with great pleasure.
