Itineraries for Your Trip to Naples
2 Days in Naples for First Timers
My first time in Naples was overwhelming—it’s a place that immediately assaults your senses. But once I settled into the chaos, I came to love Naples for what it is: a city of in-your-face realness and boundless generosity. In Naples, you’re likely to get a dinner invitation from a stranger on the street, and if you ask a local for directions, they’ll likely walk you to your destination.
With two days in Naples, you have time to eat a few pizzas, visit the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum, and soak up local history and culture. Keep reading for an idea of how to spend your time in this spirited city.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a walk through Spaccanapoli and a pizza.
Expect mild weather year-round, but come prepared for sudden rain showers with a rain jacket.
On your first morning in Naples, dive right in with a walk around the city center or one of the livelier neighborhoods, like the Spanish Quarter. A visit to this part of the city first thing in the morning may wake you up better than even a Neapolitan espresso can. Wander narrow, winding alleyways strung with drying laundry and visit workshops of local craftspeople to get a sense of authentic Neapolitan life.
By the afternoon, you’ll be ready for a break from the din of the city streets, which is why it’s the perfect time to head underground. Take a 10-minute walk from the Spanish Quarter down by Via dei Tribunali toward the Naples Underground, where you can take a tour through a complex network of subterranean tunnels, learning about air-raid shelters, Roman caves, aqueducts, and more.
Naples is considered the birthplace of pizza, which means there’s no better place in Italy (or the entire planet) to try a pie. A fun way to experience Neapolitan pizza culture is with a pizza-making workshop with a local chef, where you’ll learn how to make the city’s most famous dish from scratch.
On your second day in Naples, trade the modern world for the ancient one with a visit to the ruins of Herculaneum or Pompeii. You can combine both on one trip or choose which you’d rather see—Pompeii is the larger and better-preserved site. Herculaneum offers fewer crowds and is closer to the city, giving you time to visit the ruins and then return to Naples to shop in one of its gorgeous gallerias.
The Capodimonte Museum is in a grand palace set on a hill above the city and offers a fascinating glimpse at Naples’ past. The closest train station is Piazza Cavour, and from there, it’s a 25-minute walk up the hill to Capodimonte. If you have time, explore Capodimonte Park before you head into the museum, where you can admire paintings from artists like Caravaggio and Raphael.
After a day rich in cultural discovery, a good meal is in order. Luckily, in Naples, a good meal is never far away. Take a guided night food tour to learn about local cuisine and how it has shaped Naples’ culture. Along the way, sample regional specialties like fried pizza, local cheeses, wine, and gelato—show up hungry!
