10 ESSENTIAL PLACES TO VISIT IN NAPLES

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This list of the best places to visit in Naples It will help you not to miss anything from one of the most authentic and charming Italian cities that you can visit in Italy.
Known for being the most important city in the south of the country and always with the menacing Vesuvius behind it, you can spend a full day or two, which will allow you to know its most popular neighborhoods, visit its main points of interest and above all, try The best pizzas in the world.
In addition to discovering all these points of interest, the true charm of the city is its chaotic atmosphere and a little decadent surrounding it, in which old buildings predominate with clothes hanging from the balconies, lifelong stores with fresh produce and Quality and Neapolitans chatting vigorously in the streets.
Although not long ago it was known as dangerous because of the presence of the Neapolitan mafia, nowadays it is a safe city where you can move with total tranquility, always with common sense, through the most touristy neighborhoods, day and night .
If you have more time to visit the city, nearby you have several wonders to see in Italy such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, Mount Vesuvius or the beautiful Amalfi Coast.

Based on the time we spent in this city during our trip to Naples and Pompeii in 4 days we have made this list of 10 essential places to see in Naples. We start!

1. Spaccanapoli

Walking around Spaccanapoli (via San Biagio dei Librai), one of the three main streets of the old town, is one of the Top things to do in Naples.
With origins that go back more than 3000 years ago, when it separated the northern part of the south, the Spaccanapoli street gives its name to the whole neighborhood of the historic center, a place that surprises with many things, among them, that runs online straight, unlike the tangle of labyrinthine streets that surround it. In addition, as you get to know it, you will see how this narrow street, in which its buildings have the romantic decay typical of the historic center of Naples, is one of the places to visit in Naples more essential
During the walk through Spaccanapoli, in addition to dodging more than one scooter, you can enjoy shops with fresh and traditional products, old churches and palaces, restaurants of homemade food and above all, life on the street and the Neapolitan balconies .
Among its most important places are the Cathedral, the Basilica of Santa Clara, the Piazza del Gesú, the Piazza de Santo Domingo Mayor and the Via San Gregorio Armeno, known for its Christmas markets and the shops that sell Bethlehem figurines inspired by Famous characters of the world, throughout the year.
Another of the streets that you cannot miss in Spaccanapoli is Via Tribunali, in which its 20 churches and beautiful old buildings with decadent facades stand out.
An interesting way to know the history of the city and the curiosities of this neighborhood is to book this free tour of Naples Free! or this private tour, both with a guide in Spanish.

Spaccanapoli, one of the places to visit in Naples

2. Naples Cathedral

The Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción or San Gennaro is the most important religious building to see in Naples. Built where before there was a temple dedicated to the god Apollo and inaugurated in 1314, this huge building of different architectural styles such as Gothic, Baroque and Neogothic, has inside a large number of works of incalculable value as the oldest baptistery in the West and Several chapels
Among its most precious jewels is the Baroque-style treasure chapel, where more than 50 silver figures are stored, including that of San Gennaro, patron of Naples, in addition to some of his relics such as blood.
Visiting hours: every day from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Free entrance.

Cathedral, one of the places to see in Naples

3. Other churches to visit in Naples

As we have commented, Naples is a city that has a multitude of churches and the Neapolitans have a strong religious feeling, only comparable to their passion for football and their demigod Maradona.
Between the most beautiful churches to visit in Naples they find each other:

Basilica of Santa Clara: This 14th-century Gothic church, built on Roman baths, impresses with its cloister with walls decorated in pastel colors and tiles, which will leave you speechless. It is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Sundays until 2:30 p.m.).
Chapel of San Severo: In this church full of esoteric and mysterious symbols it is worth entering even if only to see the sculpture of the Veiled Christ, located among the best in the history of art. It can be visited from Wednesday to Monday from 9am to 7pm.
Basilica of Santo Domingo Mayor: This Gothic building, built between 1283 and 1324, hides behind a sober exterior, a spectacle of light and color thanks to its interior decoration in which sculptures and paintings predominate. It is open every day from 10am to 6pm.

Basilica of Santa Clara, one of the places to see in Naples

4. Plebiscite Square

The Plaza del Plebiscito is one of the most elegant squares to see in Naples and also one of the largest in Italy. Located at the end of Via Toledo, this square has some of the most famous buildings in Naples such as the Basilica of San Francisco de Paula and the Royal Palace of Naples.
The basilica impresses at first sight for its neoclassical style with a richly decorated circular plan and covered by a dome held on 34 Corinthian columns, reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome.
After visiting the church, you can enter the huge Royal Palace, built in 1600, to see the throne room, the old theater and the royal apartments decorated with period furniture.
Near this square there are two other emblematic buildings to visit in Naples such as the San Carlo Theater, a World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful in Europe, and the Umberto I Gallery, covered by an iron and glass structure and with floors of marble, reminiscent of the Víctor Manuel II Gallery in Milan.
A good way to get to know this area furthest from the center and other points of interest in the city is to book the tourist bus that has comments recorded in Spanish.
Visiting hours Basilica: from Monday to Saturday from 6: 45h to 12h and from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sundays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Visiting hours Royal Palace: from Thursday to Tuesday from 9am to 8pm.

Prebiscito Square

5. Castles to see in Naples

Other of the Top things to do in Naples It is to climb at sunset to the top of the Castel dell'Ovo to see the sunset over the city and the bay, with the Vesuvius in the background.
This fortified citadel and built in 1128 on the islet of Megaride, has also been used as a prison and royal residence and inside it are the Salvatore church, galleries, large rooms, although the highlights are the terraces with panoramic views.
In addition to the views from this castle we recommend you go up to the Castle of Sant'Elmo with a perspective of the city from a higher height or approach by subway to the Mergellina stop (line 2) and then take the Mergellina funicular to go up to the Church of San Antonio de Posilipo, which has one of the best viewpoints in the city next door.
Another of the castles to visit in Naples is the New Castle, a medieval Renaissance-style fortress built between 1279 and 1282. Although the interior is restored and there are very few elements of the fourteenth century such as the Palatine Capella, it is worth approaching this castle to see its five towers joined by a great wall and protected by a moat.
A great option to take the best photos of the city and upload to its best viewpoints is to book this free tour with a guide in Spanish.
Visiting hours Castillo del Huevo: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm (Sundays closed at 1 pm).
Visiting hours Castillo Nuevo: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Sundays closes at 1 p.m.).

Egg Castle, one of the places to visit in Naples

Our recommended hotel in Naples
Our recommended accommodation in the city is the UNA Hotel Napoli, located in one of the most central areas of Naples and better connected, just in front of the Napoli Centrale train station. In addition to its unique facilities, breakfast on its terrace, with magnificent views of the city, will be one of the great memories you will take with you on the trip.

6. Pizza places in Naples

One of the Top things to do in Naples It's eating one or several pizzas, especially their delicious Neapolitan pizza. This pizza is so famous that in some pizzerias in the city only the two most emblematic Neapolitan varieties are served: margarita with tomato, mozzarella and basil, and seafood with tomato, oregano and garlic.
The most famous pizzeria of the city is L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, in which Julia Roberts ate a delicious pizza in the movie "Eat, pray and love"And how could it be otherwise, we went to try them and we have to say that in addition to long lines forming and we must wait outside your turn, we were a bit disappointed and we found better pizzas in other places with less fame.
Another of the busiest and best known is Gino Sorbillo, the king of pizza, located in Via dei Tribunal. In addition to these two, we recommend that you try some of the famous and some of the least known, but equal or better, as The News, Napoli in Bocca, Sorbillo Pizza, Trianon, Starita or Say Matteo.

Eating pizza, one of the best things to do in Naples

7. National Archaeological Museum of Naples

The National Archaeological Museum, located in a beautiful palace of 1585 and considered one of the most important of its theme in Europe, is another of the most essential places to see in Naples.
On the 4 floors of this museum you can see valuable collections such as Farnese's, composed of important pieces of palaces and buildings of Rome, and the remains rescued from under the ashes that covered the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum.
To complete the visit you can approach the section dedicated to Ancient Egypt and above all, enter the spectacular Hall of the Sundial, reminiscent of the Cinquecento Hall of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
Visiting hours: Wednesday to Monday from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

National Archaeological Museum of Naples

8. Naples Underground

Going down to the labyrinth of tunnels and galleries of the Underground Naples will allow you to take a trip along its 2400 years of history, where you will find the archaeological remains that have become another of the essentials to visit in Naples, dating back from the ancient Greeks to our times with the World War II shelters.
There are two options to explore the Underground Naples: a guided tour in Spanish from Piazza San Gaetano, 68, about two hours, or get off from the San Lorenzo Maggiore church, a tour that lasts an hour and can be done without a guide.
If you choose the first option, after descending more than 100 steps and 40 meters deep, you will know a small part of one of the largest networks of tunnels and underground rooms in Europe. These tours are done by the Naples Cultural Association and you can check the schedules on their official website. Keep in mind that the route passes through very narrow corridors and is not recommended, if you suffer from claustrophobia.
Another easier option is to go down two meters deep from the San Lorenzo Maggiore church to find remains of Greco-Roman origin such as the old city market and buildings from the 4th century BC.
Church visiting hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Naples Underground, another place to see in Naples

Recommended travel cards
Remember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.

9. Spanish Quarter

Another of the things to do in Naples It is walking through the Quartieri Spagnoli or the neighborhood of the Spaniards, which owes its name to the times when the city belonged to the Spanish Empire and its troops were housed. The main and commercial street of the neighborhood is Vía Toledo, a street full of old churches, palaces, shops of international brands and a metro stop that looks like a museum. East famous neighborhood to see in Naples It is composed of a maze of narrow streets where you can find the most authentic essence of the city and although for a long time it has had the reputation of problematic, claiming that the presence of the mafia and its businesses is felt, we have to say that we walk around the neighborhood without problems and without feeling insecure at any time.

Spanish Quarter

10. Pompeii

Once the list of places to visit in Naples In one or two days, we advise you to do some of the best tours and excursions in Naples such as the visit to Herculaneum and Pompeii, the two best preserved cities of the Ancient Roman Empire.
To go from Naples to Pompeii you can take the Circumvesuviana commuter train from Piazza Garibaldi, which will take you to the Pompei Scavi stop in about 30 minutes. Before arriving in Pompeii you can stop at Herculaneum, much smaller than Pompeii but better preserved.
Do not forget that a good way not to miss anything about this fantastic archaeological site is to complete this list of places to see in Pompeii.
To avoid queues at the entrance of these sites, especially in high season and weekends, it is advisable to book this quick ticket to Pompeii and this one from Herculaneum in advance and if you prefer to know better the history of Pompeii and all the key points of the It can be very interesting to book this 2-hour tour for small groups led by an archaeologist in Spanish.
A more comfortable alternative is to book this excursion to Pompeii by bus with a guide in Spanish, with which you will know better the curiosities and history at the hands of an expert and in which they will also pick you up directly at your hotel.
You can complete the visit to Pompeii by taking a bus that will take you to the base of the Vesuvius volcano and climb on foot to the crater to enjoy fantastic views. A more comfortable option is to book this offer to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, which includes all tickets, guide in Spanish, food and hotel pick-up.
If you have more time we recommend you to know the beautiful Amalfi Coast by train, ferry or with any of these recommended guided tours in Spanish: