One day in Naples Itinerary | A smart guide to Naples, Italy by locals
Make yourself comfortable, as this is the ultimate one day in Naples Itinerary. A compelling guide through the narrow alleys of one of the most beautiful cities in Southern Italy. Naples has been a long-held secret, mainly enjoyed by locals, but now the secret is out, and Naples is rising as one of the best cities to visit in Italy. A city forged by history, legends and fascinating myths, starting from the Greeks’ influence on Southern Italy and the time of the polis.
Through this complete Naples Itinerary in one day, we will uncover some of the best places to explore in the city in such small time. The most important city in southern Italy is filled with masterpieces and unique traditions. In recent years, you may have noticed that Naples is attracting tourists to the city, mainly due to word of mouth about its beauty.
You might be landing in Naples for a few hours and planning to return. The city has always been the midpoint for travellers to reach the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Mount Vesuvius or Rome.
Things to know before visiting Naples, Italy
Naples is the third-largest Italian city in terms of population and has been overshadowed by more tourist-friendly Italian cities, such as Florence, Rome, Milan, and Venice, for ages.
The legacy of the ancient past of this city, with its many different conquerors, is still evident in the city’s habits, language, and architecture. Naples has been known as Greek Neapolis, a new city, and later became a Roman City, with many connections thanks to its position in the Mediterranean.
Then the gems of this strip of land have been in the hands of the French Crown, the Danish Dynasty, and the Spanish Conqueror, and have left a significant mark on the memories and traditions.
How to spend one day in Naples
We have wrapped an easy and enjoyable trip to the city in a full Naples One Day walking itinerary. This guide will help you to find detailed information about the streets and main landmarks, with a map to follow step by step.
Naples is full of amazing sights, picturesque markets, and affordable street food. Naples is an underrated treasure you can’t skip. Although this city has been off the tourist radar for ages due to reasonable concerns, we are proud to say that our hometown is safe and happy to welcome foreigners to spend a little time there.
With our little tour in Naples, you will enjoy the most attractive Metro in the World, the Maschio Angioino, the masterpiece of Cristo Velato, and the view from Castel Sant’Elmo. Naples at night is unique; enjoy the streets filled with locals and peaceful chaos, spend the evening around the small bars of Chiaia, stroll along the promenade of Via Partenope, and savour fresh seafood at Borgo dei Marinari.
After travelling worldwide for years, we are happy to say that Naples is one of the fascinating cities. The cutest streets are peculiar and beautiful. We bet that you can’t compare it with other cities in Europe.
From Naples you can enjoy many day trips, visiting the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum or Hiking Mount Vesuvius. The Amalfi Coast is just one hour away from Naples and is easier to reach from here compared to Rome.
When is the best time to visit Naples, Italy
Italy is always associated with good food, traditions and summer holidays. However, in the entire range of destinations in Italy, Naples is a location worth visiting all year round. A winter break in Naples is a must-do for hidden gems scouts. If you want to enjoy mild climate weather, typical of Southern Italy, Naples is the perfect destination for you during winter.
The sunny days during winter, especially around Christmas, give this destination a significant advantage over others. Despite all the good words that we can give to Naples in winter, this city is best to visit during the spring break. This period will be crowded, which is why we suggest visiting Naples in the wintertime if you want to avoid the tourist crowd.
One day in Naples Itinerary
Naples in one day | Morning Itinerary
- Arrive at the Main Train Station “Piazza Garibaldi”
- Breakfast at “Attanasio”
- Take the metro and get out at Toledo
- Stroll around the shopping area of Via Roma and Via Toledo
- Visit the Galleria Umberto Iº
- Coffee Break at Caffe’ Gambrinus
- Admire the Majestic Theatre San Carlo
- Take a selfie at Piazza del Plebiscito
- Visit the Royal Palace of Naples
- Go underground in Naples
One day in Naples: Afternoon itinerary
Naples in the afternoon changes its face and becomes even more romantic. That’s why we’ve planned a typical lunchtime experience with local street food for you. Nothing is better than a stroll along the seaside in Partenope after lunch, enjoying the landscape and the gorgeous Architectural gems.
This is your afternoon itinerary:
- Lunchtime with a fried fish “Cuoppo”
- Walk on the seaside of Naples
- Seat for an aperitif on the seaside at Borgo Marinari
- Enjoy a visit at Castel dell’ Ovo
What to do in Naples Italy for one day – Morning
The morning Naples one day itinerary will start slowly, as the Italian way to begin a new day. Naples is an amazing city, and it seems that the Sun never dies. The southern Capital of Italy is called the “City of Sun”, and is famous for the song “O’ Sole Mio”.
Depending on the way you are travelling to Naples, you will arrive at the main train station in the city, “Piazza Garibaldi”. Just outside of the station there is one of the most popular “pasticceria”, the Italian Bakery. Sip a nice coffee, with the traditional Italian roster way, and eat a typical Neapolitan product.
Those suggested by us are the classic “Babà”, a “Sfogliatella” that will be “Riccia or “Frolla”. The fine patisserie “sfogliatella” you can easily realise by the strange shape of the shell, originally from the Region, filled with tasty cream.
Take the metro, which has been named one of the most beautiful in the World and get out at Via Toledo. This is the main shopping way, with well-known brands. From here, you can visit the city’s main sights.
Visit the Galleria Umberto I°
The Old Gallery in the city centre of Naples is named after an old King of Italy and is a must-see on your Naples one-day tour. A majesty example of Architecture is similar to the Galleria Vittoria in Milan. We have visited the northern city; check out our one-day itinerary for Milan.
Pass by the San Carlo theatre
The Teatro San Carlo is one of the oldest theatres in Europe and the World, still in operation. It still performs Opera, Ballets and Theatre performances on the stage. Teatro San Carlo is definitely the most beautiful building in the centre of Naples. The San Carlo Theatre is close to the Royal Palace of Naples and Piazza Plebiscito.
Piazza del Plebiscito | The main square of Naples
Piazza Plebiscito is one of the biggest squares in the world. Most significant events in the city take place here, from concerts to marathons. It’s a central node if you want to go from the historic part of Naples to the seaside, but also connect to Chiaia district, one of the trendiest ones. Every Neapolitan is proud of this square, and it is the first thing they will show you once you arrive in Naples for one day.
Visit Naples Royal Palace in one day in Naples
The Reign of Naples was one of the most powerful in Italy in the past century. This old Royal Palace set one step from the city centre and another to the sea, has been the home of many dynasties, from French to Spanish, Swedish and Italian. But, inside the walls of the Royal Palace of Naples, there are worthless treasures.
Discover this hidden gem of Naples that needs to be on your list of places to visit in Naples in one day. Book your tour on Get your guide.
A visit to Naples underground is unmissable
The underground of the city is a treasure to discover. A proper Naples itinerary in one day will be nothing without a planned visit to the city underground. There are many suggested excursions to the treasures left by Romans, Greeks, and other populations that passed through Naples in its underground tunnels.
Naples Italy in one day, Afternoon itinerary
After a stomach-filling lunchtime on the side of the streets of Naples, in typical Italian style, you are ready to explore deeper into the city. The Cuoppo, which we suggested for your lunch, is a typical cone-shaped dish filled with fried seafood. Squids, baby squids, shrimp, and seabass are the main ingredients in the portions. After this heavy lunch, you need a walk around.
The seaside of Naples is one of the most romantic places in Europe, especially in the evening. From here, you can admire one of the most beautiful castles in the city, Castel dell’Ovo. The entire building is on a peninsula, with three sides on the sea. This area is called “Borgo dei Marinari”, translated as “The Sailor’s borough”. Borgo dei Marinari is the perfect spot for an aperitif with a stunning view of Vesuvius.
Naples at night | From Sunset to evening
Naples at night is even more magical. We suggest you stroll around the Chiaia Area. Here you’ll find the trendiest clubs in the city for a fun night in Naples. Most cocktail bars open after sunset, and locals love to meet up after a day at work. During the weekend, this area is full of young people and not only. Get a drink in a small bar, and be ready for a culinary adventure.
Naples is a world-renowned birthplace of Pizza, so why not go and eat the original pizza in Naples? We’ve compiled a comprehensive list of the best pizzerias in Naples, Italy.
We know that your one day in Naples was too short, so we planned an amazing end of the day. Visit Piazza Bellini and drink a beer for 1 euro at one of the local bars, like the people of Naples. The local beer here is Peroni, and you can get it for a reasonable price. Piazza Bellini is a trendy square in the heart of Naples’ historic centre, just two steps away from Piazza Dante. It is also a historic place with an open-air Roman ruins museum located in the middle of the square, which is free to visit.
Is Naples safe for tourists?
Naples has always been associated with violent images and organized crime. The recent Tv Series about Naples Mafia hasn’t helped so much to rise up the reputation of a beautiful city on the seaside.
Until a few years ago, neither Italian tourists want to visit Naples because of its bad reputation. Naples wasn’t the ideal bucket list destination in Italy.
But things have changed in a good way. Today Naples is associated with traditional products, for pizza, the amazing Christmas alleys, the Old historic Centre, the beautiful landscape with the Vesuvius on the scenario. Naples is the closest city to the Amalfi Coast, where you can get an escape in history by visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Statistically, Naples is today just as safe as any other large metropolis in Europe. For many, the city is safer than the major US cities.
Where to stay in Naples
Naples has seen an insane expansion of accommodation in the last five years. Air BnB apartments are now filling old empty buildings. The city centre seems like a big Airbnb, which is impressive. To be honest, we are locals and never needed accommodations in Naples. But as inhabitants of Naples, we know where is the best location to stay in Naples to explore the city.
Below are some suggestions from us, the location you have to look for is around the Main Train Station. Piazza Garibaldi and the alleys around are full of hotels and accommodations. It is not the city’s best area in terms of cleanness and safest but is central and near the transport facilities. It will be great for one day in Naples without spending a fortune but pretending just the basics.
The new accommodation area of Piazza Dante is ideal for comfort and safety; it is near the city’s major sights at the right price.
Check the list below of the best hotels where to stay in Naples for one day.
- Renaissance Naples Hotel Mediterraneo
- Romeo hotel
- Grand Hotel Vesuvio
- Eurostars Hotel Excelsior
- Grand Hotel Santa Lucia
Day trips from Naples
As we had the chance to say on many occasions, Naples is the ideal location where to plan a proper tour of Southern Italy. Some of the most popular locations in Italy are located around Naples, or at least reachable easily. Naples is just 2 hours away by car and bus from Rome, and one hour by fast train.
Planning a week in Italy, and landing in Rome or Naples you can organize a quick escape. Many tourists are requesting us many times tips on how to plan better an escape to Italy affordable but unique. Below are some of our suggestions for some day trips from Naples.
Sorrento from Naples
From Naples, you can reach Sorrento in one hour by train. This is our suggested way to visit the city, due to the difficult ride to Sorrento. The high cliffs road of Napoli’s Bay are hard for a non-expert driver and the Italian way to drive is hard to understand as well.
If you want to explore Sorrento on a day trip from Naples, you can take the Vesuviana. Take it from the main train station of Napoli Piazza Garibaldi. This special train will take you on a ride in the inland of Naples, around the towns on the foot of the volcano, for a suggestive scenario.
There are two kinds of trains direct from Naples to Sorrento. One is regular and will stop at any station on the track, the second is direct and is signed with DD on the display. The price between the two doesn’t change, but you will spend less time on the train with the second.
Sorrento is an awesome city on the coast, with an amazing seaport and nice beaches. From here you can reach even the bay islands of Capri and Ischia. From Sorrento, you can also take the bus to every city of the Amalfi Coast for a suggestive itinerary.
Visit the ancient Romans Ruins of Pompeii
On your ride to Pompei in the Vesuviana, you will spot the stop at Pompei Scavi. This is the stop if you want to visit the Roman Ruins of Pompeii for a cultural day around Naples.
Pompeii is a 45 minutes train ride from Naples and the ticket price is around 3 euro each way. This is the case where we suggest booking a Tour guide from Naples to Pompeii that is worth the price.
From Naples to Capri by Ferry
The beautiful island of Capri is direct in front of the city of Naples. From the seaside of the city, many ferry rides depart every day. Capri is an expensive Island in Napoli’s Bay, so if you are on a budget, we suggest you avoid it in Summer, especially in August when the prices rise with the stars. For a full guide on how to reach Capri from Naples by Ferry. It will also help you with times and prices.
If you are on a budget and Capri seems too expensive for you, check out Ischia. This is the cheapest Island compared to Capri, but beautiful as well and really suggestive. For many Ischia is more real than the sister in the Bay and more natural and old fashioned.
Day excursions from Naples
Naples is rich inexperience. If you are planning to spend some time in the city, that will go from one day in Naples, to two days in Naples and over you will never be bored. In the list of day excursions from Naples you can note those:
- Vesuvio Hiking to 1000 metre looking into the Volcano
- Roman Ruins of Herculaneum
- History of Oplonti a hidden Historic gem near Naples
- The Solfatara of Pozzuoli, the underground activity of a volcano
- A swim in the blue sea of “La Gaiola”
- Visit Positano from Naples
- The Christmas Lights of Salerno
FAQ Naples in one day
Is one day in Naples enough?
Naples is a large city brimming with history and culture. One day is not enough to see all the beautiful sights it has to offer. If you only have 24 hours in Naples, focus on exploring the old town and taking a leisurely stroll along the seaside. During your visit, be sure to indulge in the local cuisine, tasting delicious street food as well as some of the best pizza and coffee in the world.
Is Naples worth a day trip?
Yes. Naples is worth a visit all year round. The high temperature, even in winter, will let you enjoy a few days in one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Enjoy the diversity compared to other Italian cities, eat the local food and plan a few days’ trips around Naples.
Can you see Naples and Pompeii in one day?
No. You should dedicate one day to Naples and another to Pompeii. The day to Pompeii can be split into two parts: a half-day at the site of the Roman ruins and another on your choice, between visiting the Roman ruins of Herculaneum or hiking Mount Vesuvius.
Is it safe to walk in Naples at night?
Yes. Naples is chaotic, and many travellers can have problems there. However, we always compare the city to a more organised Asian metropolis. At night, Naples is safe, lively, and many shops remain open until late.
Is Naples Expensive?
No. Naples is the most affordable city in Italy compared to other major cities. Far cheaper than Northern Italy and definitely half of the prices compared to Northern Europe. Everything, from food to accommodation, is relatively inexpensive.
great blog, we absolutely loved our time in Naples, we thought it would just be a place where we visited once, we definitely have unfinished business there, so much to see, the food is incredible, the people are crazy !.. fantastico ! we will 100% be back one day
Hello Guys, happy that you like our blog. Naples is our hometown and we are really proud when tourists and travellers spend good words about. You are more than welcome to come back to our crazy city. Let us know, maybe we are around. Not quiet often we are in town, but if it is your lucky day we can you show you around, with locals is much better.