Naples One Day Itinerary – Tried and Tested for Day Trips and Cruise Excursions

This comprehensive guide will show you the perfect way to spend a day in Naples Italy and see many of the city’s top sights. Based on our experience visiting Naples and helping other people explore the city, our Naples one day itinerary shows you how to make the most of your time.

Exploring Naples in Just a Day, Based on Real Experience

Maybe you’re visiting Naples as part of a wider trip to Campania, have an open day on your cruise itinerary or are coming from somewhere else in Italy like Rome or Florence for a day trip.

Whatever the reason for your visit, our tried and tested one day Naples itinerary will help you make the most of this unique city with limited time. By following our guide, you’ll discover Napoli’s layered history, world famous foods and unparalleled coastal views.

Our Naples one day itinerary includes:

• Arriving in Naples
• Starting your day with views of Mount Vesuvius and more
• Discovering the hidden side of Naples
• Indulging in an authentic taste of Naples
• Exploring one of the world’s greatest archeological collections
• Learning about San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples
• Soaking up some of Naples’ famous street atmosphere in the historic center
• Signing off your day with some real Neapolitan pizza
• Extra: Staying in Naples

This page includes tips and suggestions based on our personal experiences, helping you to discover the best of Naples Italy in a relatively short space of time. As such, we do not recommend entering most sites (unless specifically noted), as you won’t have time to enjoy them all fully, but of course, you can tailor this Naples itinerary to your travel style and interests.

Safety in Naples

Many visitors to Naples come with a preconception that the city can be unsafe. In our experience, this is not the case, and statistically, Napoli is safer than other famous Italian cities including Rome and Florence.

Of course, like any metropolis, Naples is not crime free, but by following common sense and standard urban precautions such as watching your belongings closely you’ll largely reduce the chances of anything bad happening. For more information about safety in the city, check out our full guide.

What to Wear and Bring for Your Day in Naples

Another important thing to remember, is that you will need to be wearing comfortable footwear for your one day in Naples. Many of the city’s side streets feature cobblestones and other uneven surfaces that look nice in photos but can be hazardous to visitors if you’re not paying full attention.

Be sure also to cover your shoulders and knees if you plan to visit any churches during your time in Naples as this is a devout, traditional city, where Catholic customs are followed.

If you have visited Naples previously or are planning on spending more than a day in the city and region, read our pages all about what to do in Naples and exploring beyond in Campania.

The starting point of this itinerary is Piazza Municipio, one of the city’s largest squares and the best location to begin exploring Naples. Here’s how to get to Piazza Municipio easily:

From Naples Cruise Port

Unlike many ports in Italy, cruise ships generally dock in Naples within walking distance of the historic center of the city, without tenders or a lot of travel time needed. Once you’re off your ship, walk through Naples Cruise Terminal (stopping at one of the bars for refreshments if needed), past the crowds of taxi drivers and tour operators offering rides and experiences and follow the signs for the metro station under Piazza Municipio.

Follow the large ramp under the main road (noting the exposed remains of the ancient Greek and Roman harbour either side of the walkway), and then once in the metro station concourse, follow the signs up to Piazza Muncipio.

From Naples Ferry Port (Molo Beverello)

If you’re coming to Naples for the day from one of the nearby islands of Capri, Ischia or Procida, or from further away such as Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast or Salerno, you’ll arrive in the city at Molo Beverello port.

From here, exit the arrival terminal and turn right, walking for around 200m. Cross the road at the traffic lights, and walk just a few steps further directly ahead to arrive at Piazza Municipio.

From Napoli Centrale Train Station

Arriving at Naples’ train station, the quickest way to get to Piazza Municipio is by using the city’s metro system. Follow the signs within the station for the metro, grabbing a ticket en-route from one of the self-service machines, and getting on the next train on metro line 1. The journey to Piazza Municipio takes around 5 minutes, with trains running every 15-20 minutes during daytime hours.

For a complete guide to Napoli Centrale station and using the city’s public transport network, take a look at our dedicated guides here:

If You’re Driving to Naples

We do not recommend trying to drive to Piazza Municipio because the traffic in this part of the city is always heavy. This is possibly the busiest, most chaotic part of Napoli to drive in, and parking is extremely difficult to come by. If you’re in the city with a vehicle, I recommend parking at Parcheggio Stazione di Napoli Centrale P4 – Corso Meridionale, close to Napoli Centrale train station, and using the metro to get to Piazza Municipio as detailed above.

In all cases you can also take a taxi to our start point, but consider that traffic in Naples can be heavy at most times of the day, and Piazza Municipio is right in the beating heart of the city center so it may take some time to arrive by car.

Once at Piazza Municipio, head southwest and walk along Via Vittorio Emanuele III until you reach Piazza Trieste e Trento and Gran Caffè Gambrinus (we’ll be coming back here).

This route will take you past some of some Naples’ most iconic landmarks, including:

• The imposing Castel Nuovo, located overlooking the port area, a medieval castle built in the 1200s that served as a royal residence for Naples’ rulers until 1815.
• The world-famous San Carlo theater, one of the world’s oldest working opera houses.
• The historic Galleria Umberto I shopping arcade with it’s impressive 56m steel and glass dome.

From Gran Caffè Gambrinus, bear left and walk past the entrance of Naples’ Royal Palace which dates back to the 17th century (referred to locally as Palazzo Reale). You’re now in Piazza del Plebiscito, one of Naples’s main highlights – take a moment here to appreciate the satisfyingly symmetrical architecture of this square, with the massive Basilica Reale Pontificia San Francesco di Paola positioned directly opposite the Royal Palace.

Continue straight and you’ll find a small, elongated green space, which (on clear days) provides some of the best views of Mount Vesuvius in Naples. Head to the end of this green space and find the statue of the Roman emperor Augustus looking out to sea.

Soak in the views of the bay and then retrace your steps to Gran Caffè Gambrinus. This cafe has been here since 1860 so is a piece of Naples’ history and an essential stop for anyone visiting Naples. Pause here for a coffee, a fresh pastry (I recommend a Sfogliatella, a traditional Neapolitan shell-shaped pastry filled with ricotta and candied fruit) and a bathroom break if needed, keeping your energy and comfort levels up for the next part of our itinerary.

Our day in Naples continues next to one of my favourite sites in the whole city; the Bourbon Gallery. I love this site because it showcases the city’s rich history, providing visitors with a truly special experience and reveals a hidden side of Naples.

This underground museum combines a submerged warren of ancient Greek and Roman cisterns, along with a near-500m tunnel constructed in the 18th century for the last Bourbon King of Naples to connect the Royal palace and guards’ barracks (and to act as an escape route in the event of trouble).

During World War II, these underground spaces were connected and repurposed as bomb shelters, before then being used as an impound yard and garbage storage location until relatively recently. Now this incredible hidden space has been uncovered and turned into a museum showcasing Naples’ varied and fascinating history.

Be sure to check out the unique gift shop/flea market at the end of your visit, where you’ll find items discovered during the clearance of the tunnels.

These everyday objects once belonged to Neapolitans and were discarded either in a rush during the Allied air raids, or purposely – either way, one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure!

Once you’ve exited the Bourbon Gallery with a souvenir in hand, let’s head to lunch. From here you have two options:

Head Into the Chiaia Neighbourhood

This is one of Naples’ wealthiest areas, where you’ll find a number of higher-end restaurants, bistros and bars. My favourite here is Coco Loco, a bistro offering refined Italian dishes with an emphasis on seafood.

Go Local in the Spanish Quarter

Walk along Via Chiaia and then turn on to Via Giovanni Nicotera to enter the Spanish Quarter (Quartiere Spagnolo), one of our top neighbourhoods in the city center. Here you will find Naples at its most Neapolitan – narrow streets, scooters zig-zagging everywhere and family run, hole in the wall businesses.

If you’re looking for street food, wander the streets for a few minutes and you’re bound to find something tasty. It’s hard to go wrong here, but look for the spots filled with locals and you won’t be disappointed.

You can also stop at one of the restaurants serving local pasta dishes, seafood, or pizza. If you won’t have time for a dinner later in the day, this is the time to taste the famous Neapolitan pizza. Our full guide to pizza in Naples here will give you some tips and suggestions for finding a great slice.

This section of the itinerary will take 2.5-3 hours, so if you have limited time in Naples or need to allow time to get back to your cruise ship, you can skip this part and jump ahead to part 5 below.

If you opted to have lunch in Chiaia and don’t mind a long-ish walk (45-60 minutes depending on your pace), navigate to Via Toledo via Via Chiaia and continue north, passing Piazza Dante, until you arrive at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN).

If you are feeling tired or pressed for time, don’t forget that Uber operates in Naples and is reliable.

If you opted for lunch in the Spanish Quarter, walk to Toledo metro station. From here you can opt to take the train to the Museo stop, or walk 20-30 minutes to the museum.

On arrival at the MANN, I recommend (after checking your bag) heading straight upstairs.

In the upper galleries of The National Archaeological Museum in Naples you’ll find Roman artefacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum and beyond.

Take your time to explore these galleries, which are often less busy than the downstairs rooms of the museum and provide a nice break from the crowds.

Work your way down to the ground level – after coming down the monumental staircase, bear right and follow the signs for the cafe. Here you can rest your feet and ponder everything you’ve seen (so far) over a coffee or spritz.

Once recharged, follow the galleries on this side of the museum where you’ll find stunning ancient statuary, intricate mosaics and much more. Most of the items in this section were discovered at Herculaneum, Pompeii or the immediate areas surrounding Naples.

You’ll re-enter the main atrium, close to where you entered the museum. Head straight and enter the Farnese Galleries.

So-called because many of the pieces here were unearthed by the Farnese, a powerful and influential family who undertook many excavations at sites such as the Baths of Caracalla in Rome during the 16th century.

Within these rooms you’ll find some of the best examples of ancient Roman and Greek statuary. Two prime examples include the colossal statue of Hercules and the Farnese Bull (both from the Baths of Caracalla in Rome), both conveniently in the same gallery.

Once you have explored the Farnese collection, depending on how you are doing for time (and energy), head to the other galleries that interest you before exiting the museum. For a more in-depth guide to visiting the Naples Archeological Museum, take a look at our page here.

If you have followed the timings in this itinerary, it should be around 5PM by this point but we have one more major sightseeing stop before aperitivo and dinner…

When leaving the museum, turn left and walk up the main road of Piazza Cavour before turning down Via Duomo to reach the cathedral of Naples, the Duomo – about a 15 minute walk.

Head up the steps and go inside (it’s free to enter) before taking a seat in one of the central pews and admire one of the most beautiful churches in the city. It is dedicated to San Gennaro, the most important saint in Naples who is also thought of as the city’s protector.

At critical times he is called on to help save Naples, most notably during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631 when the lava miraculously stopped, and is an extremely popular figure in Naples.

San Gennaro is said to have been born in the Campanian countryside in the town of Benevento in the 3rd century, before Christianity was legal in the Roman empire. He was helping other Christians escape persecution when he was himself caught and sentenced to death.

A woman named Eusebia supposedly saved some of his blood from where his body had been discarded, which is the origin of the distinctly Neapolitan Miracle of the Blood. This religious ceremony happens three times a year, early May (when San Gennaro’s body was finally laid to rest in the catacombs), September 19 (the date he was martyred) and December 16 (when he saved Naples from the eruption of Vesuvius).

On these three days the special ampoules that hold San Gennaro’s blood are brought out and tested for liquification. If the blood goes from solid to liquid it is held that a miracle has taken place which is good luck for Naples and its people. Check out this detailed guide to learn more about San Gennaro.

To the right of the main nave you can see the lavish Royal Chapel of San Gennaro with many gold and silver busts of Naples’ patron saints, and you can pay extra to see these up close along with more special pieces in the adjoining Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro.

The opposite chapel dates back far longer and is the remains of the original church that stood here, Santa Restituta, which has a completely different feel to it. I highly recommend taking the time to see the different parts of the cathedral as it helps tell the story of Naples through the centuries. For a detailed run down of how to visit Naples’ cathedral, including the roof terraces, take a look at this guide.

At this point the main sightseeing part of your one day in Naples is over, but we’ve not yet covered one quintessentially Neapolitan thing during our day… pizza!

Before dinner however, let’s take a breather and relax with aperitivo. Like anywhere in Italy, aperitivo is an integral part of the day, with locals treating it as an opportunity to unwind after work and get ready for dinner.

From Naples cathedral, make your way along Spaccanapoli, the iconic street that splits (the ‘spacca’ part of the name) the city, where you’ll find no end of places to grab a drink.

Stop wherever you fancy and order your favorite refreshment, sit back, and watch the world go by; there’s no better place to people-watch in Naples than Spaccanapoli.

Many bars will also offer takeaway, so if you still have energy after sightseeing, get your drink to go and head to Via San Gregorio Armeno. This street is known commonly in English as Christmas Alley, so-called because you’ll find the whole street packed with craftsmen and artisan shops offering presepi.

These little figurines are used to create traditional nativity scenes at Christmas and are a great souvenir to take home to remember your visit to Naples each festive season.

No day in Naples would be complete without pizza, and while super famous spots like l’Antica Pizzeria da Michele are great, we prefer to eat at lesser known pizzerias. The quality is still going to be very high, but you don’t have to deal with queues.

If you’ve followed this itinerary, head to Pizzeria Antonio Sorbillo, which is one of our favorite pizzerie in Naples. They have an excellent menu, including amazing gluten free pizza, and never disappoint, but if you can’t get a seat here there are other great pizza places close by too. Honestly, it’s hard to find bad pizza in Naples; this is the home of pizza after all.

If you had pizza already for lunch, or are not a pizza fan, go to Trattoria Enoteca Campagnola on Via dei Tribunali. This is our top non-pizza restaurants in Naples old town as it ticks all of the boxes; great value, incredible local menu and friendly staff – what more could you want?

If you’ve not followed our itinerary and are somewhere else in the city, take a look at our guide with more recommendations on where to eat in Naples here, our choices for the best pizza here, or ask the waiter at the bar you stopped at for aperitivo for their recommendation (locals know best).

After dinner, grab a gelato (if your stomach allows you to) make your way back to Napoli Centrale train station, the cruise terminal or ferry port, or your accommodation if you’re staying overnight in Naples.

Speaking of staying in Naples…

As you’ve likely realised, one day is not really enough time to see a city like Napoli and do it justice. With this in mind we suggest that you consider staying overnight in Naples if it is possible for you to do so.

Spending a night or two in Naples will give you freedom to see more of the city’s sites at your leisure, such as the famous Veiled Christ sculpture at the San Severo Chapel, the Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo and the Catacombs or San Gennaro. You’d also have the option of spending time at the beach (during summer visits), or exploring nearby locations such as Pompeii and Sorrento.

For ultimate convenience, be sure to stay in the historic center of the city. We will almost always base ourselves in, or close to, Piazza Dante. From this central square you reach almost anywhere in the city via public transport, and many of Napoli’s key landmarks are within walking distance. A favourite place to stay for us is La Gemma B&B, a cozy bed and breakfast right on the piazza.

For more recommendations about staying in Naples, take a look at this detailed guide which talks about the main areas of the city, who they are best suited to and what you can expect from accommodation in Naples:

This itinerary is designed to see as much as possible over one day in Naples, but it barely scratches the surface of this iconic southern Italian location. If you have more time here during your trip, be sure to check out our longer visit guides to explore this city and wider Campania region, including the Amalfi coast, Sorrento and more here.

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