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

People walking against the sun light in the streets of Naples
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Naples is a beautiful city located in the South of Italy on the Bay of Naples. It is a city that often gets ignored or overlooked by travellers, however, Naples is well worth a visit. There is quite a bit that you can accomplish in Naples in two days! This is the perfect amount of time to get a taste of the city and discover the best it has to offer.

An overview of Naples with a large mountain in the background

The city of Naples dates back to Roman times and is known for being the birthplace of pizza, being full of stunning colourful architecture, and home to many religious sites. Both Naples and the nearby villages are worth a visit while you are in the area.

With just two days in Naples, you will have enough time to see all the main sights of the city, taste the legendary pizza, and embark on a day trip (or two) to a town on the Amalfi Coast.

Aerial view of the city of Naples with many colourful houses

Day 1: Discover Naples

The first day of your two days in Naples is for explore the city and all the main attractions. Be prepared to walk a lot and take a lot of photos.

Explore Spaccanapoli Road

Spaccanapoli Road is located in the historic core 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 road is the perfect place to walk around to get an authentic Naples 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.

Piazza del Gesu Nuovo

A monument in the square of Naples

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.

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.

Admire Piazza del Plebiscito

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. Moreover, it also has various status that’s are crafted from stone.

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.

Eat Pizza

A overhead shot of a margherita 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.

There are many other nice activities to do in Naples as well, such as underground tour or the Catacombs of San Genaro!

Day 2: 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.

Many signs with different letters spelt Naples

Day trip to Positano

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

Day trip to Capri

Capri is an island that has natural beauty beyond compare. This village is only accessible by boat. Therefore, if you want to go on a short afternoon trip to have more time to spend in Naples, this isn’t the best option for you.

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

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.

Explore the waterfront

a boat moored near rocks with a large mountain in the background

Naples has a beautiful waterfront 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.

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

People walking against the sun light in the streets of Naples
Naples Centro Storico

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. Chiaia is Naples’s trendiest area and there are great bars and restaurants in the surrounding. 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!


*This Naples in 2 days itinerary was originally writen in August 2019 and updated in July 2022*

about the author
Samantha Keren portrait
This Naples in Two days itinerary was written by Samantha Karen, the founder of travel blog Sam Sees World. She is a millennial traveller on a mission to seek the new and unknown so she can document her experiences and inspire others to explore this wondrous world. Her objective is to provide valuable information on the best things to do, see, eat, and experience while travelling and getting some good Instagram photos along the way. You can follow Sam’s adventures around the world on her Instagram or Pinterest Pages.

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