Top 10 Things To Do In Naples, Italy | Travel Guide

Published On : 04 Sep 2024

The city of Napoli is one of the most scenic and beautiful places in Italy teeming with history, culture, art, mouthwatering cuisine, and striking landscape. A city steeped in history and culture, Naples is Italy’s treasure trove where you will find the world’s best pizza and iconic ruins like Pompeii. Here is my list of the top 10 things you absolutely must do when visiting this wonderful city.

1. Visit The National Archaeological Museum – You cannot leave Athens without visiting this magnificent museum that is home to some of the finest Greco-Roman artifacts in the world. Spend some quality hours exploring the interiors of the museum which is right in the middle of the city. There are breathtaking mosaics, statues, frescoes, and splendid relics from Pompeii and Herculaneum and many other parts of Italy. The Farnese Bull and Atlas Globe are maybe the best pieces that one cannot afford to overlook.

2. Sample Authentic Neapolitan Pizza – It is quite surprising to learn that the real Neapolitan pizza gets its recognition from UNESCO and enjoys World Heritage status. Tasting the real piece of a wood-fired crispy thin-crust pie is possible only in traditional pizza shops such as Da Michele or Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo. Just walk through the small narrow streets and get your appetite raised, then savor the best pizzas together with regional wines or beers.

3. Visit Mount Vesuvius – although the volcano erupted in 79 AD, there are still tours available to climb up its slopes, and there is even a train that takes you right up to the entrance of the ruins of the ancient city of Pompeii that was buried under up to 6 meters of ash and pumice. Visiting the area on foot provides an insight into the daily life of the Romans with the homes, bathhouses, temples, and theatres evident surrounded by today’s concrete jungle.

4. Visit Capodimonte Museum & Park – This is a huge palace that was built by the Bourbons and it currently has artistic art pieces such as porcelain, tapestries, and many other things. One must not overlook masterpieces of graphite art such as those of Andy Warhol, Raphael, Botticelli, and Caravaggio among others, in addition to princely apartments that are adorned with chandeliers, thrones, and antique furniture. The large area of 130 hectares is equipped with attractive gardens and interesting overlooks of the city.

5. Visit the Catacombs of San Gennaro Others refer to it as the catacombs of Naples they are paleo-Christian burial places with frescoes and carvings that date back to the 2nd century AD. Going down to the cold, dark, and humid catacombs which house numerous tombs is a very interesting way to explore a rather unwelcoming but still very important part of Naples history.

6. Visit the Duomo and Piazza del Plebiscito – this is the main city square of Naples, and the most majestic architectural masterpieces are concentrated here: the Royal Palace and the Church of San Francesco di Paola. Still more noteworthy is the beautiful cathedral of Naples, which is specially consecrated to St. Januarius, the patron saint of the city. It has a gothic architectural design on the outside but boasts elaborate gold-detailed chapels and beautiful paintings on the walls, a fascinating place of worship.

7. Wander Spaccanapoli & Historic Centers - Get lost in the dense network of the narrow pedestrianized streets and the open-air markets and Piazzas which define Naples’ heart and the straight street of Spaccanapoli passing through it. Buy morning coffee in an old cafe, walk through shops, look at Baroque fronts, and feel the spirit of the historical city.

8. Sorrento and the Amalfi Drive – It is impossible to visit Naples without a picturesque ride through this beautiful region peopled with vivid cliff-top towns, vast groves of lemons, and paint-washed views of the sea and the sky which could be a postcard in real life. Sorrento as a resort town, known for its frequent visitors, makes for a great base to explore.

9. Street Foods & Baked Goods – there is no dearth of food stalls, hawkers, and cafes dotting Naples’ streets that offer deliciously tempting foods. From the hot fried street pizza to the mouthwatering tagliatelle pastries originating from the city, it’s the best opportunity to try popular dishes. Oh yes and do not forget to buy some blocks of artisanal chocolate at Gay-Odin which originated from Naples in the year 1894.

10. Explore & Enjoy the Vibe – Naples is a city that has a pulse of its own and while some things are listed here, some simply cannot be captured in a list. It must include plenty of time to stroll through its historical lanes, engage in conversations with people, appreciate the sunlight on the piazzas, look for the most delicious gelato, and learn to enjoy the raw spirit of this remarkable Italian city. That is why Naples: ancient history combined with modern chaos, and only those who are willing to dedicate time to taste all its layers of culture enriched by flaws as well.

I trust this post on the Naples travel guide helps get you excited to discover this colorful southern Italian city. From historical archeological museums to tasty pizzas, ancient ruins, and charming historical neighborhoods, Naples gives a truly Italian feeling. You have not been to this peculiar city, right? Could you name the games you most enjoyed and activities you most liked? I would appreciate your suggestions for Naples in the comments section.