Discover Naples in One to Two Days

Where To Stay

When spending time in Naples, I recommend the following areas: Plebiscito and Chaia.  Both of these areas are convenient to the most popular attractions as well as convenient train access.

Chiaia is Naples' upscale neighborhood, known for designer shopping, elegant cafes, and a beautiful seaside promenade. It offers a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere perfect for travelers who enjoy refined experiences.

Top-rated hotels in the central Plebiscito neighborhood of Naples include the luxury Grand Hotel Vesuvio nearby on the waterfront, and cozy options like Relais Piazza del Plebiscito. This prime location provides immediate access to Palazzo Reale and the San Carlo Theater. 

What To Do

Hop on Hop off bus: You can get two routes with one ticket,  €26 https://www.city-sightseeing.it/hop-on-hop-off-city-naples/

The following links offer "free" walking tours. These are tip based, or pay what you want tours (typical tip €10-20 or more if you wish, in cash).  They are a great way to get to know the location you are visiting as you always get a real local.  Naples is a very lively, high energy and culture rich city.  Having a local present it to you properly would make all the difference.  

Tour sites: 

https://www.guruwalk.com/ 

http://www.freewalkingtournapoli.com/ 

https://www.napolithatsamore.org/our-tours/ 

Low cost tours

Veiled Christ inside San Severo Chapel: (Cristo velato) is a world-renowned marble sculpture completed in 1753 by the Neapolitan artist Giuseppe Sanmartino. It is widely considered one of the most remarkable artistic achievements in history due to the "transparent" quality of the marble shroud that covers the figure of the deceased Jesus. Tickets: Online reservations are mandatory and often sell out weeks in advance. Standard tickets are approximately €12.https://www.museosansevero.it/en/the-chapel-and-the-veiled-christ/the-veiled-christ 

Museum and Chapel of San Gennaro Treasure: Located inside Naples Cathedral, houses a priceless collection of over 700 years of donated religious art, gold, silver, and jewels, including the stunning Mitra Gemmata (3,964 precious stones) and the saint's blood ampoules. It is considered one of the world's most valuable treasures, rivaling the British Crown Jewels. Tickets: €14 https://tesorosangennaro.it/en/book-online/

Reggia di Caserta (1/2 day tour): The largest former royal residence in the world, over 2 million m3 in volume covering an area of 47,000 m2 and a floorspace of 138,000 square metres distributed across five floors. Tickets: €18 (plus €1 for online processing) https://reggiadicaserta.cultura.gov.it/en/  Can be reached by train (€5 each way) from Central Station to directly in front of the palace entrance Via San Gergorio Armeno Spaccanapoli, 

Royal Palace of Naples: Inside this grand and austere building lies a network of porticoes, courtyards, and gardens leading to spaces once occupied by the royal court and various service functions of the palace. Today, these have been replaced by a museum and other cultural institutions, such as the National Library and the Teatro di San Carlo. Tickets: €17 https://palazzorealedinapoli.org/en/ 

Underground Naples (Napoli Sotterranea) is a 2,400-year-old network of tunnels, cisterns, and caves 40 meters below the city, offering guided tours of ancient Greek/Roman aqueducts and WWII bomb shelters. Located in the historic center, key sites include the official Napoli Sotterranea (Piazza San Gaetano), Neapolis Sotterrata (San Lorenzo Maggiore), and the Catacombs of San Gennaro. Tickets: €15 (at the gate) https://www.napolisotterranea.org/en/ (Skip the queue tickets available online)

National Archeological Museum: The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is an important Italian archaeological museum. Its collection includes works from Greek, Roman and Renaissance times, and especially Roman artifacts from the nearby Pompeii, Stabiae and Herculaneum sites. Tickets: starting at €20 https://museo-archeologico.tickets-naples.com 

Ischia: A day tour to Ischia from Naples typically lasts 8–9 hours, featuring a 1-hour hydrofoil ride from Molo Beverello, scenic island drives, and visits to highlights like the Castello Aragonese, Sant'Angelo, and Forio. Options include private taxi tours with lunches, guided group excursions, or independent exploration, often combined with thermal parks like Negombo or Poseidon.  Note: It is best to use a structured tour vs trying to navigate on your own.

Check these links for some tour options: 

www.getyourguide.com 

www.viator.com 

www.tripadvisor.com

Piazza del Plebiscito (free): One of the largest squares in both the region of Campania and the whole of Italy. It is located in Naples’ central San Ferdinando district, about halfway between the historic center of Naples and its waterfront. Via Toledo, one of the city’s main shopping streets, leads directly to the square; locals and visitors stroll the length of this busy thoroughfare (which some Neapolitans still refer to by its former name of Via Roma) to take in its shops, cafes, and historic buildings on their way to the Piazza del Plebiscito.

Things to see while at the Piazza:

• The Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale): The magnificent Palazzo Reale di Napoli lines an entire side of the square.  See the details above.

• The Basilica di San Francesco di Paola: A prominent church located to the west in Piazza del Plebiscito, the main square of Naples, Italy. The construction started in 1816 and ended in 1846. No tickets are required for general entry, although guided tours or audio guides are available through third-party platforms.

• The square is bookended by two identical buildings, Palazzo della Prefettura and Palazzo Salerno (on the side nearest the waterfront). 

• Gran Caffè Gambrinus, one of the oldest and most famous coffee houses in Naples, is just off the square. Stop here for an authentic Neapolitan espresso and a delicious sfogliatella.

See you in Italy,

Alessandra