Things to do in Naples

A city of vibrant streets and frayed beauty, Naples has a great cultural and artistic wealth which attracts visitors from all over the planet. Edgy and frenetic, rich in history and tattered architectural gems, this is a city that will surprise you at every corner. The noisy city centre is a riot of intoxicating colours, ancient streets, swarms of mopeds, peaceful sanctuaries and hidden treasures. ‘See Naples and die,’ declared Goethe, revealing how hard he had fallen for the capital of Campania. With so many different things to do, iconic attractions to visit – plus one of the tastiest regional cuisines in Italy – we are sure it will steal your heart, too.

Top six things to do in Naples

1. Visit Pompeii and Herculaneum

Just a short hop from the city centre, you’ll find the archaeological site of Pompeii, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. Once an important outpost of ancient Rome, Pompeii was well preserved by layers of ash and cinders under which it lay buried following the catastrophic eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Today, Pompeii attracts over 3 million visitors a year and it’s a definite must-see on your trip to Naples. Follow the flagstone streets of the town to see a civilisation frozen in time. Don’t miss a visit to the Villa dei Misteri with its cryptic frescoes, incredibly vivid and captivating after almost 2,000 years. As you explore, you’ll discover Roman baths, an amphitheatre, temples and shops that’ll transport you back in time. Not far from Pompeii, you should fit in a visit to the excavations of Herculaneum, a town with a similar history to Pompeii but much smaller and with lower footfall. Join a guided tour of the Herculaneum archaeological park to visit all the highlights of this little jewel suspended in time.

2. Stroll along Spaccanapoli

If you look at an aerial photo of Naples city centre, you can’t miss the dead straight street that cuts the city in two. This is Spaccanapoli – literally ‘split Naples’ – the historic street that connects the Quartieri Spagnoli to the Forcella district, dividing the north from the south of the old city. There’s no better way to get a real feel for the authentic Neapolitan atmosphere than walking through the seven streets that join up to make this one long thoroughfare, getting lost among ancient buildings, churches and urban folklore. Follow Spaccanapoli west to east to tick off some of the most famous attractions of the city. There’s the wonderful Complex of Santa Chiara with its majolica cloister, then you’ll find yourself in Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, with its striking obelisk. Turn left into Via San Gregorio Armeno, the famous and crowded ‘Christmas Alley’, where artisan nativity figures, religious or otherwise, take centre stage. For a quick refuel, Neapolitan style, stop by the Scaturchio bakery where you can eat the best ever ‘sfogliatella’ – a crisp, shell-shaped pastry stuffed with citrussy ricotta – a Neapolitan staple.

3. Admire the sculpture of the Veiled Christ

Another headline attraction within easy reach of Spaccanapoli is the San Severo Chapel, a solemn baroque museum which houses the sculpture of the Veiled Christ. This marble masterpiece was created in 1753 by Giuseppe Sanmartino and is famous worldwide for its extraordinary, ethereal beauty. It seems to break the laws of physics to see marble that has been coaxed into a gossamer veil draped over the pained body of Christ. The almost translucent appearance of the veil is testament to the skill of the artist who sculpted it. Capturing the serene expression and the marks on the body showing Jesus’ martyrdom make this a spellbinding work. Despite this sculpture’s huge religious value, it is housed inside a Masonic temple full of secretive symbols and other unusual works, including the renowned Anatomical Machines. This is entirely in keeping with the city’s rich history of contradictions, and somehow enhances the sculpture’s appeal.

4. Explore Underground Naples

If you love touring the city above ground, wait until you see what lies beneath. Naples boasts a dense network of underground tunnels, aqueducts and cisterns built over the centuries and used since ancient times for various purposes. When you tour underground Naplesm you’ll peel away layers and layers of history – from classical relics to shelters used during WWII – retracing 2400 years of the city’s past. Among the many intriguing sites to explore, the most spectacular are the Galleria Borbonica, which was built in the 19th century as a royal escape route direct to the sea, the Graeco-Roman aqueduct and the Hellenistic hypogea, which are ancient tombs full of brightly coloured sarcophagi.

5. Soak up the street life in Piazza del Plebiscito

A true symbol of the city and a buzzing hub of activity, Piazza del Plebiscito can be easily reached by public transport. When you get off the metro at the dazzling Toledo underground station, note the famous mosaic decorations and be sure to check out the evocative Galleria del Mare – the Tunnel of the Sea. Back out in the piazza, the undisputed star of the show is the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, whose semi-circular colonnade frames the whole area. If you dare, try closing your eyes and crossing the 170 metres between the Royal Palace and the two horse statues in front of the basilica. Legend has it that walking across in a straight line is impossible because of a curse put on the piazza by Queen Margherita. Will you be able to break it? After all that tramping through the city, pop to the northern corner of the piazza to enjoy a coffee at the Gran Caffè Gambrinus, a stalwart of the Neapolitan café scene, great for a treat in sumptuous surroundings. If you’re feeling generous, you can pay a coffee forward by asking for a ‘caffè sospeso’ – a hanging coffee, left suspended as a gift for those who, unfortunately, cannot afford it.

6. Try Italy’s best pizza

It would be rude not to. Back in 2017, the art of the Neapolitan pizza chef was recognized by UNESCO as part of the intangible heritage of humanity. But it has been recognised by locals and visitors for far longer than that, as pizza was a Neapolitan invention served up hot and fragrant since the 18th century. As simple as it is savoury, the pizza you find in Naples has a thin base, moist toppings and a billowy crust. With so many historic pizzerias to choose from, you can’t go far wrong. For no-frills simplicity, you can’t beat Antica Pizzeria da Michele, which opened in 1870. Stepping into the Starita pizzeria might feel familiar if you have seen the movie L’Oro di Napoli with Sofia Loren – some scenes were filmed here. Sorbillo is another crowd pleaser whose popularity has allowed it to expand into other Italian cities as well as the US and Japan. If you prefer to munch a great pizza on the go, try the unmissable pizza portafoglio and popular pizza fritta – folded and fried pizza, respectively – available from several street food outlets called ‘friggitorie’ dotted around the old town.