Planning a trip to Naples? I’ve got all the information you need about the best things to do in Naples (even if you just have one day on a cruise!).
With beautiful Mediterranean views and Mount Vesuvius on the horizon, we really enjoyed our cruise port day in Naples last October.
Many of Naples’ top landmarks, such as the stunning basilica, Castel Nuovo, and the Royal Palace of Naples are located within a compact area of the city. This makes it really easy to see a lot of sights in a short amount of time.
Ready to see the top attractions in Naples? Lace up your shoes and let’s go!
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Quick Picks: Top Naples Tours
- Capri, Anacapri and Blue Grotto Tour (Small group tour with 5-star rating!)
- Naples Food Tour (Taste delicious Naples foods on this top-rated tour!)
- Pizza Making Class + Drinks (Best Seller — Yummy and so much fun!)
- Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius Day Tour (Best seller!)
- Positano and Amalfi Boat Tour (Includes time for swimming and snorkeling!)
Best Things to do in Naples Italy in a day
We visited Naples as one of the cruise ports on our most recent Mediterranean cruise. This amazing cruise started off in Rome (ok, Civitavecchia).
It visited many wonderful ports including Malta, Barcelona (where we spent nearly the whole day exploring La Rambla), Toulon (where we took a day trip to Marseille), and ended up in Monaco on the French Riviera.
Of all those ports, Naples was definitely the easiest to explore on foot from the cruise terminal. We saw nearly all of the Naples attractions on this list in just a day!
1. Sample delicious Neapolitan specialties
Sure, Naples’ best-known contribution to the culinary arts is as the birthplace of pizza. You’ll want to sample pizza in its ‘hometown’, but don’t stop there! If you do, you’ll miss out on many other mouth-watering Neapolitan specialties.
Of course, pasta is another Italian favorite. A simple spaghetti paired with a hearty ragù can be sublime when you’re eating foods made with fresh local ingredients.
You’ll find plenty of fresh seafood in the restaurants of Naples, fresh out of the waters of the Mediterranean.
And don’t forget dessert! Naples’ specialty is sfogliatelle, a shell-shaped pastry with incredibly thin layers, resembling leaves. These crunchy pastries typically come filled with ricotta.
Take a Naples food tour
One great way to spend a day in Naples is to sample the best of Neapolitan cuisine on this walking food tour. A great food tour will bring you to off-the-beaten path hidden gems.
Savor tasty treats such as pasta, Crocchè (potato croquettes), zucchini flowers, meatballs, and of course, pizza! Pizza is a favorite all across Italy, and a staple of food tours in Rome too!
In between delicious food tastings, you’ll see some of Naples’ top landmarks and learn about Naples’ history from your knowledgeable guide. On this private food tour of Naples, your guide will customize your tour based on your interests.
(Now, I can’t guarantee that you’ll walk off all of the calories consumed on the tour, but it still makes for a delightful way to explore Naples! Be sure to carry some money in Italy to tip your tour guide!)
Take a cooking class in Naples
Prefer a more hands-on experience in Naples? Why not take this pizza-making class and learn how to make authentic Neapolitan pizza in the city that invented it?
Try your hand at making an authentic ‘pizza napolitana’. Learn all the techniques of what makes a great slice with help from a ‘pizzaiolo’ (pizza chef).
Best of all, you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor and eat your delicious creation. Buon appetito!
2. Admire the Cloister of Santa Chiara
The Cloister of Santa Chiara (Chiostro di Santa Chiara) is part of the Monumental Complex of Santa Chiara (Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara). This Gothic-style religious complex dates back to the 1300s and contains a church, monastery, and museum.
The church contains some royal tombs and magnificent works of art.
In the museum, you’ll find information on the history of the church as well as a collection of baroque Nativity scenes.
However, the real star of the show is the Cloister of the Clarisses. It’s certainly one of the best things to see in Naples Italy in one day!
The octagonal columns and benches of the cloister gardens shine with colorful majolica tiles with floral designs. This is an unexpected delight to find in a religious complex. The cloister is undeniably one of the best things to see in Naples.
Tickets are pretty reasonably priced (currently 6 Euros). I’d say that’s a pretty good value for a serene interlude in the beautiful Cloister gardens!
Watch this video to see the beautiful majolica-tiled cloister gardens:
3. Visit the Naples National Archaeological Museum
If you’re a fan of history and archaeology, then you’ll want to visit one of Italy’s most popular museums, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli.
A former 17th century palace makes an impressive setting for this archaeological museum. I love that Naples has made such good use of their incredible architecture, repurposing and restoring these beautiful buildings so that we can continue to enjoy them!
The museum’s main collections include artifacts from Greek and Roman antiquity including stunning works of classical statuary, mosaics, frescoes, and coins. You’ll also find an extensive Egyptian collection (the second largest in Italy).
This museum also exhibits objects from the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, cities destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius nearly 2,000 years ago.
Save some time and purchase your tickets to the Naples National Archaeological Museum online. The museum is open daily (except Tuesdays and major holidays).
4. See the imposing fortress of Castel Nuovo
If you’re visiting Naples from a cruise ship (like we did), the first thing you’re going to see is the magnificent Castel Nuovo (New Castle). You may hear locals refer to it as Maschio Angioino (the Angevin Keep).
Castel Nuovo dates back to the 13th century and was the royal seat for kings of Naples, Aragon, and Spain for centuries. This massive medieval fortress has five round towers that look quite imposing, with their dark stone and crenellations. It’s one of the most impressive Naples landmarks.
The main entrance of Castel Nuovo features a Renaissance triumphal arch of white marble nestled between two of the watchtowers. It’s actually a rather unique double arch, with two arches stacked on top of each other.
The arch was added to the castle in the mid-15th century to honor the triumphal entry of Alfonso V of Aragon into Naples. (He later became King Alfonso I of Naples and Sicily.) Take some time to appreciate the detailed carvings of the sculptures and frescoes.
Castel Nuovo contains the Capella Palatina, or Palatine Chapel. The chapel features beautiful frescoes and art from top painters of the time, including Giotto.
There is a small entry fee for Castel Nuovo. (Note, if you just want to see the inside of a castle, entrance to Castel dell’Ovo is free. We’ll be talking about Castel Dell’Ovo later — stay tuned.)
5. Enjoy a performance at the San Carlo Theater
The Teatro di San Carlo, or San Carlo Theater, is an opulent 18th century opera house. It holds the honor of being the oldest continuously operating opera house in Europe. That’s saying a lot, given that it suffered a major fire in 1816 as well as the wars that ravaged Italy.
The classical exterior features stately columns and frescoes. Pride of place at the top of the façade belongs to a trio of statues.
Prepare to be dazzled by the interior of the San Carlo Theater. The horseshoe-shaped theater is resplendent in luxurious shades of red and gold, centered on a lavish royal box.
Don’t forget to look up at the ceiling. You won’t want to miss the incredible painting Apollo introducing the greatest poets in the world to Minerva by artists Antonio, Giuseppe and Giovanni Cammarano.
Take a tour of the Teatro di San Carlo, with guided tours offered in English and Italian. For a truly special experience, theater aficionados can attend a performance of the opera or ballet!
6. Stroll through the dazzling shopping arcade of Galleria Umberto I
Directly across from the Teatro di San Carlo, you’ll find a stunning building: the Galleria Umberto I. This public shopping gallery is one of the most incredible pieces of architecture in Naples!
Under the direction of King Umberto I, this gorgeous shopping arcade was built at the end of the 19th century to provide a safe place for citizens to stroll and shop. (The neighborhood at the time was not the best).
Many of the galleria’s architectural elements are based on the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan, and these two gallerias are some of the most popular and beautiful Italian shopping arcades.
When you enter the Galleria Umberto I, your gaze will immediately rise upward into the light and airy space of the galleria. The roof’s iconic dome and arched ceiling are made of glass with supporting metal ribs. The dome’s height measures a whopping 184 feet tall.
Be sure to look down, as the floors of the Galleria are also a work of art. Directly under the dome is a mosaic compass rose, surrounded by intricate mosaic representations of the signs of the zodiac.
Nowadays the galleria is not quite the fantastic shopping experience it once was, but it is definitely still one of the top Naples tourist attractions.
7. View the stunning Church of San Ferdinando
Next, we passed by a small church, the Chiesa di San Ferdinando. I’m never one to pass up the opportunity to pop into a church and check out the art and architecture, so we took off our caps for respect and entered the Church of San Fernandino.
And, boy, were we glad that we did! This unassuming little church – not even on the radar as a top sight in Naples – was gorgeous on the inside. The ornately carved altar vied for attention with the statues, gilding, and paintings decorating the church.
My favorite thing about this church is the dome above the altar. As we entered the church, bright morning sunshine flooded through the windows in the dome and shone down upon the altar.
Be sure to look upwards to see the incredible works of art inside the dome. The frescoes of the dome tell the story of Saint Francis Xavier and other Jesuits.
This church is a shining example of what I love about visiting Europe. There is just so much incredible art, architecture, and history everywhere. You never know what Italian hidden gems you might stumble across!
8. Tour the Royal Palace of Naples
You can’t miss the Royal Palace of Naples, or Palazzo Reale di Napoli. This stunning 17th century palace anchors the eastern edge of the Piazza del Plebiscito.
It’s a palace, a museum, and one of Naples’ top tourist attractions, all rolled into one. Main collections feature incredible tapestries, furnishings, statuary, paintings, and clocks.
Tour the palace to see the ornate apartments complete with period furnishings. Be sure to see the Historic Apartment, the Throne Room, and the Staircase of Honor (said to be the most beautiful staircase in Europe).
Marvel at the elaborate multicolored designs in the marble floors and columns. Admire the statuary and beautiful paintings decorating every square inch of the rooms (even the ceilings!).
Pro tip: The courtyards and main Gardens of the Royal Palace (Giardini di Palazzo Reale) are free to visit. Why not take a moment wander through the courtyards and admire the gardens. The gardens contain a rather modern statue of horses.
(Note that to access the roof garden, you’ll need a museum ticket plus a separate roof garden ticket.)
My favorite thing about the Royal Palace of Naples is the western façade (the one facing the plaza). Take a look at the statues — they represent the prominent rulers of Naples, arranged in chronological order.
9. Wander the Piazza del Plebiscito
The Piazza del Plebiscito is an impressively large pedestrian-only plaza. It spans an area of 23,000 square meters and is the largest piazza in Naples.
(Did you know the historic center of Naples is honored as a UNESCO World Heritage site?)
We visited the Piazza del Plebiscito in the late morning, and it was surprisingly empty. With the large expanse of stone pavers, it felt larger than some of the famous piazzas in Rome that we had just seen.
Flanked by the Royal Palace to the east and the Basilica to the west, this is prime Neapolitan real estate indeed.
The Piazza del Plebiscito contains two large statues close to the Basilica. As you approach the basilica, the statue to the left is the equestrian statue of Ferdinando I, and the statue to your right is the equestrian statue of Carlo III.
10. Marvel at the San Francesco di Paola Basilica
On the western side of the Piazza del Plebiscito, you’ll find the San Francesco di Paolo Basilica (In the original Italian, Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco da Paola – quite a mouthful!)
This beautiful basilica is one of the top landmarks in Naples.
The façade of the Basilica is done in the Neoclassical style, featuring clean lines and an array of columns supporting the portico.
As you enter the basilica, you’ll be awed by the space. The large two-tiered church is circular, with a monochromatic white color scheme. Light floods the airy nave from the skylight at the top of the dome, which is 53 meters high.
Be sure to look upward to see the three-dimensional geometric patterns decorating the dome. During our visit, netting hung under the dome – I guess that means that chunks have fallen down over time. Yikes!
Thirty-four columns ring the circular nave, along with many intricate statues.
Don’t forget to take a look into the side chapels. The one on the right has a skylight in its (smaller) dome. The three-dimensional geometric patterns here are flowers inside of nested hexagons. Such amazing craftsmanship!
The basilica should certainly be at the top of your list of things to see, even if you only have one day in Naples.
11. Relax in the Molosiglio Gardens
Now we’re going to head south towards the harbor to see our next set of Naples landmarks. Just across the road from the Royal Palace you’ll find the Molosiglio Gardens.
The Giardini del Molosiglio is a community garden tucked into a corner overlooking the harbor. Take a stroll along the leafy paths, see the fountains, or find a bench and rest your feet for a bit.
From the southern end of the gardens, you can see the masts of the sailboats in the Molosiglio marina. (There is even a sailing school nearby.)
A little sliver protrudes beyond the main section of the park like a finger pointing southeast. Near the end of that ‘finger’ stands a statue of Emperor Augustus, recognized as the founder of the Roman empire.
As you head from the park towards Castel Dell’Ovo, be sure took towards the east to see Mount Vesuvius in the distance.
12. See the Statue of Umberto I
Enjoy a lovely waterfront stroll along Via Nazario Sauro. On your right, you’ll see a roundabout featuring the Statua di Umberto I.
You’ll remember that Umberto I was the Italian King under whose decree the incredible Galleria Umberto I was built.
He was also the king who entered Italy into the Triple Alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary. His actions as Italy’s king led to an era of turmoil which led to his assassination in the year 1900.
Even his statue looks quite stern, with his military apparel and drooping bushy moustache.
Look out towards the sea and you’ll notice a rocky shoal just offshore, harboring a tiny fleet of quaint picture-perfect fishing boats. In this photo, if you look squint, you just might be able to see a cruise ship on the horizon.
13. Admire the Fountain of the Giant
Continue southwards following the waterfront, and you can’t miss the Fontana del Gigante. The Fountain of the Giant is an enormous 17th century fountain featuring three arches.
The central arch houses the fountain and is the largest, with the two smaller side arches containing male figures representing river gods. The fountain is embellished with crests, heraldic symbols and caryatid statues.
The fountain was originally located next to the Royal Palace and a giant ancient statue (and that’s how it got its name). Want to see the giant statue? Check out the Naples Archaeological Museum.
You may also hear this fountain referred to as Fontana dell’Immacolatella, since one of its temporary locations was the Palace of the Immacolatella. This fountain has moved around quite a bit over the years!
14. Explore Ovo Castle
Ovo Castle, or Castel dell’Ovo, is an historic seaside fortress and the oldest of Naples’ forts.
‘Ovo’ means ‘egg’, which is certainly an odd name for a castle. It hearkens back to a legend involving Virgil, the Roman poet with a reputation as a soothsayer.
As the story goes, Virgil placed a magical egg in the foundation of the fortress to strengthen the fortress. If the egg had broken, the fort would have been destroyed and all manner of disasters would have befallen the city of Naples.
The first castle on this site dates from the 12th century, but the fortress as you see it today is an iteration from the 15th century.
As you walk towards the castle entrance, you’ll pass through the Borgo Marinari. Today bars and cafés line the harbor, which is also the site of an ancient harbor believed to date back a whopping 2500 years.
Castel dell’Ovo is plainer and sturdier looking than Castel Nuovo. The steep walls are topped by cannons to defend the city.
You can explore Ovo Castle for free, and I definitely recommend taking some time to walk through the castle.
The views alone are worth it! See panoramic vistas of the sea and the harbor, the city of Naples, and even get a selfie with Mount Vesuvius.
Castell dell’Ovo is also a spectacular location to watch a sunset in Naples!
15. Stroll through the Naples City Park gardens
The Villa Comunale di Napoli is the city park of Naples (sounds much fancier in Italian, doesn’t it?). This huge waterfront park is a great place to relax.
Be on the lookout for the park’s ornate fountains (the Fontana di Santa Lucia, the Fontana della Tazza di Porfido, and the Fontana del ratto di Europa).
The Acquario di Napoli sites in the center of the park. This aquarium and marine research center contains displays of local marine life. A small museum called DaDoM (Museo Darwin Dohrn) focuses on biodiversity and evolution.
As you head further west through the park, you’ll see the impressive statue of Italian general Armando Diaz. Just across the street from here is the Rotundo Diaz (a great place to get some photos of Naples) and the tiny Mappatella Beach.
Wander through the lovely French-style gardens, enjoy the classical statuary, or just sit for a bit and do some people-watching. Hanging out in this community park will definitely give you a glimpse into the daily life of the people of Naples!
16. View the Monument to the Neapolitan Martyrs
From the park, head northeast back towards the historic center of Naples. Look for the giant monument to the Neapolitan Martyrs (not surprisingly, located in Martyrs Square – really more of a triangle than a square).
The Monumento ai Martiri Νapoletani features a giant column topped by a winged figure, Virtue of the Martyrs. Four lions surround the base of the column, representing fallen Neapolitans from different uprisings in the city (1799, 1820, 1848, and 1860).
Naples had quite a turbulent history!
Today this square is a busy zone, with high-end shops. Follow the Via Santa Caterina north from the piazza and you can’t miss the Chiesa Francescana di Santa Caterina a Chiaia (the Church of Saint Catherine) to your left.
17. Shop along Via Chiaia
We just stumbled across the Via Chiaia – we hadn’t known it even existed! Via Chiaia is a narrow pedestrian boulevard packed with shops, cafés, and more.
Via Chiaia has that quintessential Italian feel to it!
Tall colorful buildings with classical architectural elements and wrought iron balconies line the street. Vendors sell their wares from kiosks or tables laden with merchandise.
There are plenty of other things to see in Via Chiaia, too! The Teatro Sannazaro performing arts theater sits right next to a movie theater and a church. Not to mention the myriad hotels and B&Bs along this road.
My favorite feature: The Ponte di Chiaia, or Chiaia Bridge. Although it looks like an arch from street level, it actually is a bridge connecting the San Carlo area of Naples to the hill of Pizzofalcone.
The underside of the arch is beautifully decorated with nested geometric patterns, similar to the patterns in the domes of the basilica. The Ponte di Chaia was built in 1836 and was recently restored.
And, if you’re visiting Naples at night, you’ll want to see the beautiful illumination of the arch.
18. Take a funicular to enjoy the best views in Naples
To enjoy the best views in Naples, you’ll have to go up to the top of Vomero Hill. The Belvedere San Martino is a lookout spot with phenomenal views of the city, the bay, and of course Mount Vesuvius!
If you’ve got the of energy, you can climb the steps to reach the lookout point. Or, for around a euro, take a funicular to ascend the hill.
And if you have a LOT of energy, you can hike Mount Vesuvius on a day trip from Naples.
(I love taking funiculars, since I hate hiking up steep hills. I can walk on level ground all day long, but climbing really wipes me out.)
Naples has four funiculars in the city center: Chiaia, Montesanto, Centrale, and Mergellina. We passed the Centrale station as we were walking along Via Toledo – it’s just across from the Galleria Umberto I.
19. See the Museum of San Martino
While you’re on the top of Vomero Hill, there are some great Naples attractions you won’t want to miss.
The Certosa e Museo di San Martino is a museum inside a monastery that dates from the 14th centuy. You can’t miss the baroque church with its incredible frescoes on the ceiling and the impressive altar made of marble.
Be sure to take your time to view the incredible works of art surrounded by the opulent gilded frames and decorations – every inch of the ceiling is ornately decorated.
Visit the garden and enjoy the views of Castel dell’Ovo and the harbor, with Mount Vesuvius in the distance.
The museum is open daily (except for Wednesdays).
You can see the monastery atop the hill all the way from your cruise ship!
20. Explore Castel Sant’Elmo
Castel Sant’Elmo is another incredible Naples fortress, this one dating from the 14th century.
You’ll find Castel Sant’Elmo atop Vomero Hill, so this unique star-shaped fortress has amazing views of Naples and the entire area.
Take the funicular up the hill to get here, or if you’re taking the stairs be sure to bring water and pace yourself!
The fortress is open to visitors every day for just a small entry fee. There is not too much to see in the fortress, although the building itself is impressive.
The real reason to visit is for the incredible 360-degree views of Naples and the sea. Naples may not be as picturesque as the Amalfi Coast, but this is still a phenomenal location to watch a sunset!
21. Check out the Fountain of Neptune
Last but not least! On our way back to the cruise ship, we stopped by the Fontana del Nettuno, or Fountain of Neptune.
This gorgeous fountain dates from 1600 and features carvings of lions, fish, and nymphs – presided over by Neptune with his trident.
This was one of the rare pictures we asked someone to take of the both of us – unfortunately Neptune’s trident got cut off.
The plaza containing the Fountain of Neptune is a popular meeting point for tours of Naples, as it is close to the cruise ship dock and Castel Nuovo. (It’s just a 3-minute walk to the Castle, and you can see it from here. So even *I* can’t get lost!)
Naples Travel Tips and FAQ
Naples or Napoli?
You may be wondering, ‘is Napoli the same as Naples?‘
You’ll see this city referred to in both ways. Napoli is the Italian name of the city, and Naples is the English version of the city name. (Don’t confuse it with the Naples in Florida!)
The name Napoli comes the city’s Greek name Neapolis, which means ‘New City’. Napoli, or Naples, is actually one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities.
On a similar note, Italians will call their country ‘Italia’, while English-speakers call it ‘Italy’.
How to get from the Naples airport to your hotel
Arriving to Naples by plane? The Naples airport is located several miles from the historic center of Naples. If you’re on a budget, you can take the airport shuttle bus.
Taking a taxi is a little more expensive, but also faster and more convenient than the bus. For the same price as the taxi (but with more perks), use Welcome Pickups as your airport transportation service.
Welcome Pickups is better than a taxi, since you’ll get an English-speaking driver who will monitor your flight for delays. Book your airport transfer in advance!
Final Thoughts:
There are certainly a lot of amazing things to see in Naples.
We like to be active on vacation, so we were able to check all but a few of these sights off of our list. But we still have a few great Naples attractions to see on our next visit. (And yes, we’ll be back!)
If you’re exploring more of Italy, you might enjoy travel planning with these great posts about Rome:
Planning a trip to Naples? Pin this for later so you don’t miss out on all these great things to do in Naples, Italy!
You might also enjoy these posts about my favorite Mediterranean cruise ports:
Lisa Garrett
Lisa Garrett is a professional travel advisor and the founder of Waves and Cobblestones and Travel to Lyon. She has sailed 50 cruises across 11 cruise lines and has extensive firsthand experience traveling throughout Europe, including France, Italy, Portugal, Belgium, and more.
A passionate traveler and former engineer, Lisa brings her experience in research, planning, and problem-solving to helping clients plan memorable European vacations and cruises.
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