Naples in two days – a perfect itinerary to enjoy the city

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Visit Naples in two days with our carefully crafted itinerary! We have visited Naples a few times already and concluded that two days in Naples is enough to see all the main sights of the city and taste its delicious gastronomy. As well as possible embark on a day trip (or two) to nearby towns, such as the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii.

We were in Naples last time in June 2023 – and for a special reason. The napoletani are crazy about football. And the last time the team of Napoli won the Italian League title was in 1989, with Diego Maradona. By the way, be ready to see and hear about Maradona everywhere. He is a God in Naples. In June 2023 Naples won the title again and we went there to see the street parties. It was amazing!

Located in the South of Italy along the Bay of Naples, this vibrant city offers a perfect blend of history, culture and stunning landscapes. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential attractions, delightful day trips and ideal accommodations for a memorable two-day visit to Naples.

Is Naples expensive

Naples is not an expensive city, particularly if you compare to Milan or other European capitals, such as London or Paris. You can have a meal for €10 and drink a good bottle of wine for €30 (or less than €10 in the supermarket). Transport in Naples is also not expensive, with a day ticket for about €4.5 or a single use for €1.10.

In terms of accommodation, however, it can be more expensive, starting from $35 for a private room.

In general, we are looking at spending about €100 a day.

Where to stay in Naples (Monday Feelings top picks!)

There are plenty of accommodation in Naples, for every taste and pocket.

If you want to be near the liveliness of the Centro Storico (historical centre), we recommend you to stay at the Just Sleep Hotel or at the B&B Napoli Ruck&Maul (we love Italian B&Bs and if you haven’t stayed in one yet, you should definitely try!).

Both places are charming and offer great cost-benefit. They serve daily breakfast and are located just a few metres away from Naples’ top tourist attractions. They also offer free wifi, but you should always be wary of connecting to a shared connection while abroad – check out this guide on how to use a VPN to use public wifi safely.

For those wanting a more relaxing option, the Chiaia neighbourhood is perfect. The most affordable accommodation in Chiaia are usually apartments. You can check prices and availability for your trip in here.

For more places to stay in Naples, check this link!

How to get to Naples

Naples is a very well-connect city. You can get there via many way, either by car, bus, train or flying.

By flights

The main – and only – airport in Naples is the International Napoli-Capodichino Airport (NAP). It is a mid-sized airport with only one terminal, quite easy to get around. You can currently fly to 131 destinations with 48 airlines. Naples airport is just 4 miles (6km) away from the city and is well-connected as well, making an easy way to get to Naples.

Flying from the US to Naples directly:

Currently, there are no directly from the US to Naples, but three routes will begin this year.

• From April 2024, fly from Newark Liberty International in New Jersey operated by United Airlines. Flight time: 8:45; Distance: 4429 miles (7130km) on a daily basis for about $1580 approx. (or as low as $460)
• From May 2024, fly from John F Kennedy International, New York operated by Delta Airlines. Flight time is 9:05; distance is 4414 miles (7105km) on a daily basis for about $1910 approx. (or as low as $1750)
• From June 2024, fly from Philadelphia International Airport, Pennsylvania operated by American Airlines. Flight time is 10:10; distance is 4508 miles (7255km) on a daily basis for about $740 approx.

From non-direct, you can fly from:

• New York – as low as $550 operated by ITA Airways and Turkish Airlines
• Nashville – as low as $580 operated by KLM, Iberia, Lufthansa and Air Canada
• Washington DC – as low as $650 operated by Air Canada and Lufthansa
• Los Angeles – as low as $700 operated by KLM, Delta, Air France, ITA Airways and Turkish Airlines
• Ontario – as low as $1015 operated by Iberia and KLM

Search your flight with Skyscanner. They will give you the best price and route!

Flying from the UK to Naples directly:

With the increase in low-cost airlines over the years, it has become cheaper to fly to Naples. Ryanair, easyJet and TUI Airways connect Naples to many UK cities, alongside many others. Find the best prices here.

By train

Italy is really well-connected with trains. It makes your travel in Italy much easier and pleasant. The main train station in Naples is Napoli Centrali, in front of the historical Piazza Garibaldi. You can actually go on many of your day trips from here, such as Pompeii, Sorrento and other major cities in Italy.

We normally use the website Trenitalia to book our tickets.

By bus

Just adjacent to the main train station, you will find the bus station of Naples. We actually arrived in Naples by bus from Palermo, in Sicily and found no issues with the journey. We used flix bus.

By car

Indeed, travelling in Italy by car is our favorite option. It gives you flexibility to go wherever you want, whenever you want, without relying on public transport.

Note that there is no Uber or any other digital ride-hailing services. So if you are not staying in central Naples, relying on public transport will be a nightmare. We stayed in Acerra, just outside Naples, and there were no trains after 7pm. It was a bit of an issue for us. To find the best deals on car rental, have a look here.

However, mind you that most of the Italian cities, you won’t be able to drive in the historical city centres. And that is the case with Naples. Just organise your trip in a way that you won’t be paying a daily rent for your car and have it parked the whole day. If you need a tailored itinerary for your trip, please get in touch with us via email to find out more about our service. We will be delighted to make your trip even better!

You might also be interested in reading:

• Must visit towns in Tuscany
• Things to do in Lucca in one day
• 2 days in Bologna

Day 1 – Naples city center

The first day of your two days in Naples is for explore the city center. Just get ready to walk and take a lot of photos.

We start the day at the famous Via Toledo and visit the Quartieri Spagnoli. From here, you have the option to climb the Castel Sant’Elmo and then, take the metro, taxi or walk the famous Via Toledo to Piazza del Gesù Novo. Then we go to Spaccanapoli, the heart of the city’s historic center, and discover the Napoli sotterranea (the underground Naples). From there, we walked to the Duomo di Napoli and down to L’Antica Pizzaria Da Michelle to enjoy the most famous pizza place in Naples.

Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish district)

The Quartieri Spagnoli is known for its narrow streets, colorful buildings and lively atmosphere. A very authentic place, with a lot of personality and history. You don’t want to miss the Maradona Mural graffiti.

Before the Spanish neighborhood, we will go through the Via Toledo, one of the main shopping streets in Naples, with many cafes, bars and places to buy souvenirs.

Hike to the top of Castel Sant’Elmo

If you are a fan of seeing a city from a bird’s eye view this hike is for you. It takes quite some time to make it to the top, but the views are amazing and 100% worth it. The panoramic views of the colourful houses from above cannot be beaten.

Piazza del Gesù Nuovo

Along Spaccanapoli Road you will find the famous Piazza del Gesu Nuovo. This is a historic piazza in Naples that is home to various important buildings and monuments. Some of which are the Church of Gesu Nuovo, the gothic church of Santa Chiara and the Immaculate Virgin spire.

Explore Spaccanapoli Road

Spaccanapoli Road is located in the historic city centre of Naples and is the main street of the city. This road is very narrow and actually cuts the city into two parts. The whole street is lined with historical buildings, shops, restaurants, churches and more. Spaccanapoli street is the perfect place to walk around to get an authentic experience by walking and interacting with locals.

Tip: be careful on this street. It is highly frequented with pick pocketers, so avoid wearing fancy jewellery and make sure your phone and wallet are someplace safe. Have you got your travel insurance already? Check this one out.

The underground tour

Napoli sotterranea tour will take you to see Naples’ development from its beginnings, through 2,400 years of history, until the present day, in the heart of the historic center.

The tour includes a visit to the Greek-Roman Aqueduct, the remains of the Roman Theater and the Summa Cavea, a new fragment of the Roman theater just brought back to life. Check availability here.

Duomo di Napoli

Naples main Cathedral, or The Cattedrale di San Gennaro, is in the historic center. It has Gothic and Baroque features and is totally worth checking it out.

Eat THE Pizza

As mentioned, pizza was invented in Naples, therefore, they are the masters of the pizza craft. Whether you are a pizza fan or not, you must have at least one fresh, authentic pizza during your time in Naples.

If you are familiar with the book – or the film – Eat, Pray and Love, then you must eat your pizza at the L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele. there is where the scene of the film took place. Just mind that they only have basically two flavours, with or without cheese. I know, I was also shocked, but it really suprised me. After all, they are doing the best pizzas since 1906!

Day 2 – Bay of Naples

Today is a day to see the beautiful Bay of Naples and some cultural activities. We will start at the charming Chiaia region, one of the wealthiest districts in Naples, at the Villa Comunale. Then we walk to Castle Dell’Ovo and up to the Piazza del Plebiscito. After enjoying the bay and doing some shopping at Galleria Humberto I, we go for some cultural activities, such as art in the metro stations, the catacombs of San Genaro, the Museo Capodimonte and end the day at Piazza Bellini for an aperittivo.

Explore the waterfront – Chiaia

Chiaia is one of the wealthiest districts in Naples, the trendiest area and there are great bars and restaurants in the surrounding.

The beautiful waterfront was not-so-long-ago refurbished to have a lovely walkway. Spending some time walking along here after your adventures to other cites is the perfect way to end your time in Naples. You can sit on the rocks and look out at the water, or you can find a restaurant nearby to wine and dine at.

Visit Castel dell’Ovo

A historic seaside castle located on the picturesque Gulf of Naples. It’s a great place for a stroll and offers beautiful views of the city and sea.

Admire Piazza del Plebiscito

From the Piazza del Plebiscito you can admire the Royal Palace of Naples and the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, both framing the square.

Piazza del Plebiscito is a stunning square that is home to the Royal Palace of Naples, Palazzo Salerno, the Church of San Francisco di Paola, and the Prefecture Palace. Furthermore, it also has various statuses that are crafted from stone.

Royal Palace of Naples: If you are interested, consider visiting the Royal Palace to see history and art. It’s a stunning architectural gem with beautiful rooms and a glimpse into Naples’ real history.

Galleria Umberto I: It is a beautiful 19th century shopping arcade with a glass dome. Even if you don’t plan on shopping, it’s worth seeing its architecture.

View the Art in the Metro Stations

If you are a fan of art you should check out the various art installations within the Naples metro lines 1 and 6. These underground exhibits are open to anyone taking the metro and cover the walls and ceilings of select stops. There are over 180 different paintings and exhibits in the stations now and more on the way.

Catacombs of San Genero

Travel back in time and explore the Catacombs of San Gennaro to learn more about the patron saint of Naples. Discover what lies beneath street level as you see stunning frescoes and Byzantine paintings from the 9th to the 10th century AD, the large baptismal font commissioned by Bishop Paul II, who took refuge in the catacombs in the 8th century during iconoclastic struggles.

Museu Capodimonte

This museum houses an impressive art collection, including works by famous Italian artists. The beautiful park surrounding the museum is also worth exploring.

Piazza Bellini

Known for its lively atmosphere and numerous bars, perfect for an aperitif and people watching in this popular spot with locals and tourists alike.

Day trips from Naples

Due to Naples location along the Amalfi Coast there are plenty of day trips you can go on! Therefore, today you will explore some cities outside Naples.

Day trip to Sorrento

Sorrento is a stunning city located 35 minutes by ferry from Naples. In addition to its beauty, there are a plethora of things to do in Sorrento that will make this day trip very worth it.

Day trip to Positano (Amalfi Coast)

Positano is a magical Italian city. The picturesque houses, blue waters and cute streets are enough to sway anyone to visit. A day trip to Amalfi Coast is something you will not soon forget.

Day trip to Capri Island

Capri is an island that has natural beauty beyond compare. This village is only accessible by boat. That will make it difficult for a short visit, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go! You can check this tour availability.

Day trip to Pompeii

Pompeii is an ancient city that is full of city and excitement. If you love history and Roman times you will love this day trip. Also, it is quite close to Naples, therefore, if you want to go for a two hour adventure and return to Naples for further explorations this is a great option. Check out how to go to Pompeii here.

Note that, as many other activities in Italy, Pompeii has a free entrance on the first Sunday of every month. Just mind the crowd.

*If you are heading even further south on your Italian trip, don’t miss this things to do in Palermo, Sicily guide.

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*This Naples in 2 days itinerary was originally written by Sam Sees World in August 2019 and updated in March 2025

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