What To See Naples In One Day

Naples is a big city and there’s so much to see and do in Naples that it seems impossible that you could possibly experience all of Naples in one day only. I have been to Naples recently and I certainly wished I had more time to explore.

If you only have a day in Naples, you will only be able to see a fraction of what this fun, lively Italian city has to offer. Some may tell you not to even bother visiting, but I won’t. I appreciate that not all of us have the same amount of holidays, and not all of us live close enough to plan a last-minute weekend.

This is why I have decided to create a Naples itinerary that will allow you to make the most of Naples in a day.

It’s the itinerary I used the last time I visited, and while it won’t walk you to each and every attraction in the city, it will help you get a good feel for it.

My Naples in one day itinerary includes lots of tips and information to help you get the most out of your short trip there. I will also include lunch recommendations, so that you don’t go hungry!

Naples tends to have a bad reputation among travelers. My post Is Naples Safe? sheds some light into the safety of the city, and debunks a lot of myths.

Naples Itinerary Overview

Are you wondering “is a day in Naples enough?” It most certainly isn’t! But don’t worry – with my itinerary, you will be able to see most of Naples in just one day, and leave the city satisfied that you got to know at least its most important attractions.

Here is a quick overview of what you will see if you follow this itinerary:

• Castel Nuovo
• Fountain of the Giant and Castel dell’Ovo
• Piazza del Plebiscito
• San Carlo Theater and Galleria Umberto I
• Napoli Sotterranea
• Lunch then Cappella Sansevero
• San Domenico Maggiore Church
• Street food tour of Naples or San Gennaro Catacombs

Visiting Naples Soon?

Whether yours is a last minute trip or you’ve been planning it for a long time, it’s best to book some popular attractions and tours in advance.

My go to companies for tickets and tours are GetYourGuide and Walks of Italy. They have a great range of activities on offer, a flexible cancellation policy and 24/7 support.

Let’s finally discover the best places to visit in Naples in a day.

What To See In Naples In One Day

Here’s the map I have created for you to follow this Naples in one day itinerary.

You can verify the walking distances or, if you click on the train icons, find the public transportation options to move from one attraction to the other. You can also click on the knife and fork icon to find restaurants along the way.

Castel Nuovo

Also known as Maschio Angioino, Castel Nuovo Castle is conveniently located in the heart of Naples, minutes away from the Municipio subway station so incredibly easy to reach.

The name Maschio Angioino translates into Angevine Keep. The Castle was indeed commissioned by King Charles I of Anjou, who found the old Norman castle (the Castel dell’Ovo, which you will also spot on this one day in Naples itinerary) to be unfit for his rule.

The castle was built between 1279 and 1282, but after the Spaniards – specifically Alfonso V of Aragon – conquered Naples in 1442 – the castle was completely renovated in Medieval Renaissance style.

The Castel Nuovo was the seat of power for the Kings of Naples, Aragon, and Spain all the way until 1815. It’s a gorgeous place to visit. Inside you will find the Civid Museum; you can spot the frescoes of the Palatine Chapel and the Roman Ruins of the city too.

If you go to the upper level, you can see a collection of artworks that were painted between the 17th and early 20th centuries.

The Maschio Angioino Castle is complete with five round fortified towers that ornate the marble triumphal archway entrance. You can to go the terrace from where you can admire impressive views of Naples and of Mount Vesuvius.

The Maschio Angioino is open from Monday to Saturday. You need to pay to visit the Civic Museum inside the castle and there is an additional fee if you also want to visit the terrace, the ruins, and the prisons (for which you will need a guide). I highly recommend you do! The guided tour takes about one hour.

Visits can be booked on the website Comune di Napoli – unfortunately the site is only in Italian, but it is quite self explanatory. I recommend opting for the earliest available time slot (8:30) for your visit.

Fountain of the Giant and Castel dell’Ovo

Next up is the 17th-century Fountain of the Giant which you’ll find Via Partenope, 17 minutes walk from the Castel Nuovo.

This beautiful fountain was built by Pietro Bernini and Michelangelo Naccherino upon wishes of the Duje of Alba don Antonio Alvarez di Toledo. Interestingly, the fountain was moved several times before finding its final place in Via Partenope in 1906.

Its original location was in what is now known as Piazza del Plebiscito (several paintings of the 18th century show it there), and close to it there use to be the statue of a giant (hence the name), which was also removed in 1807.

From the Fountain of the Giant, it’s a few steps to reach Castel dell’Ovo. You won’t have time to visit inside, and in any case it’s currently closed for restoration works.

This beautiful waterfront castle was built in the 1100s on the ancient Megaride Islet and has served as a royal residence, prison, and fort.

According to legend, its name comes from the egg that poet Virgilio hid in the foundations of the castle. These were locked and kept secret, because from the very egg would depend the fortunes of the castle and Naples itself.

Piazza del Plebiscito

Walk for 13 more minutes to reach Piazza del Plebiscito, the heart of Naples.

Built in the 19th-century, Piazza del Plebiscito is the biggest public square in Naples and serves as a popular meeting place for locals and a venue for city events.

The name comes from the plebiscite with which Naples and the Kingdom of Two Sicilies were annexed to the Kingdom of Italy on 21 October 1860.

Located in Piazza del Plebiscito you can see Naples Royal Palace, the San Francis of Paola Basilica and the symmetric Prefecture Palace and Salerno Palace.

The architecture of the square itself is quite fascinating and many people don’t realize that it was constructed using volcanic rock from Mount Vesuvius.

Today, this is probably the most important square in Naples, where public gatherings, celebrations and concerts take place.

As you admire the beauty of the square, take a seat on a bench and enjoy a drink while you people-watch before heading off to the next attraction.

One of the best spots for that is the nearby historic Caffé Gambrinus, which has a fantastic selection of local sweets you can try. Treat yourself to a mid-morning break before you head to your next stop.

San Carlo Theater and Galleria Umberto I

San Carlo Theater and the Galleria Umberto I are very close to Piazza del Plebiscito – just a 5-minute walk.

The Real Teatro di San Carlo (simply known as the Teatro San Carlo, or San Carlo Theater in English) is the main theater in Naples. It was inaugurated in 1737 and it is known as the first theater in Italy to have a ballet school.

It now is a UNESCO World Heritage Site too together with the historic center of Naples, and it’s the oldest, constantly-running opera house in the world.

If you wish to see the beautiful interior of the theater, you need to join a guided tour. For information on tour times and prices, make sure to visit the Teatro San Carlo official website.

Galleria Umberto I is a historic shopping mall worth checking out for its amazing architecture. It was built between 1887 and 1890 and dedicated to Umberto I King of Italy, in memory of his efforts during the cholera pandemic that hit the city in 1884.

The construction of the gallery marked the beginning of what became known as the risanamento (literally “bringing back to health”) of the city, which lasted until the end of WWI and aimed at literally rebuilding parts of the city.

Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the rest of the historic center of Naples.

The main sight here is the stunning atrium, a domed area with ornate ironwork and glass that is quite simply spectacular.

While it’s free to enter the Galleria Umberto I, there is a small fee to enter the San Carlo Theater.

Napoli Sotterranea

A further 8-minute walk from Galleria Umberto I you will find the entrance to Napoli Sotterranea – Underground Naples.

This is one of my favorite places to visit in Naples, so of course I wanted to include it in this Naples in a day itinerary. It will give you a completely different perspective of the city, and you will learn things you won’t otherwise ever know about the city.

There are ancient tunnels running underneath Naples and you can visit these tunnels with a tour that takes you 40 meters below the city streets. Thought to have first started about 2400 years ago, tunnel extensions were added throughout the centuries.

Fascinating things you’ll see during your Underground Naples tour include the Greek-Roman Aqueduct, remains of the Roman Theater and a small museum showcasing ancient artifacts uncovered in the tunnels.

This is also where the people of Naples hid during the bombings of WWII, since they could use a complex airating system.

This Naples Underground Tour will fit perfectly in your Naples in one day itinerary. There are several departures daily. The tour lasts about 1.5 to two hours.

You could try to book at 12:00 pm departure, but it may be a bit rushed, or a 2:00 pm one which gives you time to stop for a quick lunch too (I recommend Osteria il Gobbetto which is right on the way).

Lunch then Cappella Sansevero

Once you are done with the Napoli Underground tour, it’s time to head to Sansevero Chapel. Give yourself plenty of time to head there, as it’s a 30-minute walk to get there.

Capella Sansevero (that’s the name in Italian) is a Baroque chapel and museum founded in 1590, under the guidance of John Francesco di Sangro, the Duke of Torremaggiore. The exterior is beautiful, but the interior is even more so with significant paintings by well-known artists of the 18th century.

While all of the artworks are worth a good look, one stands out from them the rest and that’s the legendary sculpture of the Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino. It’s one of the most striking sculptures of all time. You really can’t miss it, not even if you only just have one day in Naples!

Other pieces to admire are the 1753 Release from Deception, by Francesco Queirolo, and the 1752 Veiled Truth by Antonio Corradini; created in 1752.

Sansevero Chapel is open every day but Tuesday. You need to book your visit in advance – you can do that directly on the official website. Depending on which Napoli Underground tour you opted to do, I recommend picking the 2:30 or 4:30 pm time slot so that you have enough time to get there.

Taking photos inside the chapel is forbidden (hence why I have just a random photo above).

You can also join this guided tour that goes to Sansevero Chapel, Naples Cathedral and Spaccanapoli. There’s a departure at 3:30 pm.

San Domenico Maggiore Church

One minute away from Sansevero Chapel, San Domenico Maggiore Church is a Roman Catholic Basilica featuring a stunning exterior and an even more fascinating interior.

The Basilica of San Domenico Maggiore was founded by Dominican friars on an even older church: the 10th-century San Michele Arcangelo a Morfisa. It was King Charles II of Naples who had the idea of rebuilding the church and include the old one in the original structure.

The construction works started in 1283 and finished in 1324.

The highlight of the church is by far the Sacristy, entirely designed by Giovan Battista Nauclerio in Baroque style and dating from the 18th century. The vault was decorated in 1709 by Francesco Solimena.

The fresco you can spot on the vault represents Faith Triumphing over Heresy.

The hanging gallery was designed to host 42 tombs, known as “Arche Aragonesi” – these contain the remains of the mummified bodies of the Aragonese kings and other members of the Naples court that had been buried inside San Domenico Maggiore church between the 16th and the 19th centuries.

Another thing that makes this one of the most interesting places to visit in Naples in one day is the fact that this was the original seat of the University of Naples, where famous thinkers such as Thomas Aquinas and Giordano Bruno taught and lived.

The church is open every day and free to visit. There’s a fee for the Sacristy, which can only be visited on guided tours. For more information check out the official website.

OPTION #1 Street food tour of Naples

For your last stop, I am giving you two options: a guided street food tour or a tour of the Catacombs.

Even if you have a day in Naples, you will be able to try many of the delicious dishes available in this city – there is no such thing as going hungry!

Among the many delicious foods to try in Naples there’s the cuoppo (mixed fried calamari, seafood and vegetables), which is a perfect example fo street food. You can also find pizza, including the pizza a portafoglio (literally a folded pizza) or the pizza fritta (fried pizza) which are also delicious.

To make the most of all the food in the city, you should join a guided tour. Your local guide will take you to all the best spots, help you try the dishes of the local tradition, and you will have a fabulous experience and walk back with a full belly!

I recommend this guided street food tour that starts in Piazza Bellini, which is a quick 5 minutes walk from San Domenico Maggiore church. There are various departures, but for the purpose of this itinerary pick one at either 6:00 or 6:30 pm. It lasts 2.5 hours.

OPTION #2 San Gennaro Catacombs

Another option to end your day is visiting the Catacombs of San Gennaro. You will only be able to visit if you opt out of another activity in this itinerary (I’d probably opt out of the Napoli Underground tour). Otherwise, you won’t have time to get there.

To get there from San Domenico Maggiore Church you can take bus 460 from Sant’Anna dei Lombardi (7-minute walk), and get off at Capodimonte after 12 stops.

This is one of the most intriguing attractions in Naples. Situated underground beneath the Rione Sanità district, some of the areas of these catacombs date from the 2nd century, making them the oldest in the city.

San Gennaro Catacombs spread across two levels, one on top of the other, and contrary to the catacombs you may see in Rome, they appear quite spacious. They are entirely made of tuff rock.

As I have said before, these catacombs were first opened in the 2nd century, when they were used as the burial place of a noble family. The first enlargement started in the 4th century, when Saint Agrippino, first saint patron of Naples, was buried here and an underground basilica built in his honor.

The lower level catacombs developed around Sant’Agrippino Basilica. Here you can also spot a large baptismal font, built upon orders of Pope Paul II.

The upper level catacombs is where you can find the Archbishops Crypt. Here you can see one of the first examples of Christian art in southern Italy. This is where the remains of San Gennaro were moved in the 5th century.

San Gennaro Catacombs are open Thursdays to Tuesdays. They are closed on Wednesdays and on December 25th.

You can book this guided tour of San Gennaro Catacombs – you will need to book the 5:00 pm time slot which is also the last one. The tour lasts 45 minutes.

The temperature inside the catacombs is 15°C (59°F) throughout the year, so plan to bring an extra layer if you are visiting in the summer.

Practical Tips to Enjoy Naples In One Day

Guided tours of Naples

Following my Naples in one day itinerary is the best way to independently see the city, but it does require a lot of planning when you take into account pre-bookings and finding your way to each attraction.

If you don’t have a lot of time to work with and would like an easier way to see the city in a day, taking a guided city tour is the next best thing!

There are many tours that include all or most of the above attractions and the price will depend on the type of tour you choose.

One great tour that you can take that includes attractions in both Naples and nearby Pompeii is this Naples City and Pompeii Half Day Sightseeing Tour which includes stops at many of the historical center’s top attractions and the highlights of the ancient ruins of Pompeii.

Another option could be this private walking tour of the city that takes you around to the main sights, including the Roman ruins. You get to see almost all the attractions in this itinerary and it’s quite budget friendly.

Where to stay in Naples

If convenience is of utmost importance to you, the historic center is the best area to stay in Naples.

This area is close to many major attractions and you’ll have easy access to restaurants, shops, and public transportation options. This is also the best area to stay for first-time visitors.

Below are a couple of great accommodation options to look into.

Art Street Hotel

This lovely hotel features a lounge and guest rooms with private balconies, free Wi-Fi, and air conditioning. You’ll enjoy a buffet breakfast each morning as well. It’s a nice place to base yourself to explore the city.

Hotel Palazzo Turchini

This is where I stayed last time I was in Naples and loved it. It’s right by the Municipio subway station, so strategically located to explore the city. Rooms are comfortable, the staff is kind and a delicious breakfast is served every morning on the hotel terrace.

Hotel Piazza Bellini & Apartments

Situated in a historic building from the 16th-century, this nice hotel features free Wi-Fi, buffet breakfast, air-conditioning and a lovely courtyard. It’s a great place to base yourself when you have a day in Naples and want to make the most of it.

How to get to Naples

Naples International Airport is well-connected to many American cities (usually via Rome) and European cities (direct flights with regular or budget airlines).

There are buses connecting the airport to the city, but depending on what time your flight lands or how much luggage you have, the best way to get from the airport to the center city is with a private transfer.

My go-to company to book private airport transfers anywhere in the world is Welcome Pickups.

If you’re traveling to Naples from Rome or another Italian city, you can take a high-speed train right into the city. You can check the timetable and purchase train tickets directly on Trenitalia.

How to move around Naples

Naples is a highly-walkable city, especially if you make your base in the historical downtown center where most of the top attractions are located.

If you prefer to use a bus, metro, or funicular to get around, you can purchase a day ticket for about €3.50 and it’s good until midnight of the day you purchase it.

There are ticket machines at the central train station, or you can get tickets at kiosks (a kiosk locally known as “edicola” or also tabacchino) scattered around town. This cuts down on having to look for change every time you get on a bus.

My post A Guide To Renting A Car In Naples explains why renting a car just for visiting the city is nto a good idea.

Tips To Make The Most Of Naples In One Day

And finally, here are some loose ends to consider before you start your visit to Naples.

Start early

The earlier in the morning you start, the better. If you have spent the previous night in Naples, wake up early, prepare for the day and have a hearty breakfast to keep you going on this jam-packed day of exploring. I suggest you be on your way by 7:30 am, if you can. No later than 8:00 am anyways!

If you are coming from a different city – for example if you are visiting Naples on a day trip from Rome – plan to be on the first train and arrive in Naples as early as possible. Once you arrive, have breakfast and start exploring.

Pre-book attractions

Some attractions in this itinerary require pre-bookings and some attractions close earlier than others so you’ll need to work around closing times to ensure you get to see everything.

I have done my best to plan this itinerary so that you won’t have to worry about opening and closing times, and I have pointed out any attraction that requires pre-bookings.

Wear comfortable shoes

If there’s one very important piece of advice you should take seriously, it’s to wear comfortable walking shoes! Naples is a very walkable city, but there are hills and you want to be comfortable as you make your way from place to place.

Likewise, you should wear comfortable clothes. If you visit in the summer, remember it can be very hot but you need to cover your chest, shoulders and needs when you walk inside a church.

Luggage storage

The Napoli Centrale Train Station is located in a convenient location and has a luggage storage service that is available from 7:00 am to 9:00 pm 365 days a year.

Get a data plan

If you’re using a smartphone to help you in your travels around Europe, you’re going to want to be able to access the tools you need, such as Google Maps, when you need them without being overcharged.

There are various options. You can unlock your phone so you can get a local SIM card once you get to Italy – and if Italy isn’t your first stop on your Europe trip, you will be happy to know that any EU SIM card will also work here at no additional costs.

You can also set up a temporary travel data plan with your provider back home.

Finally, you could consider getting an eSIM which is very easy to instal. There are various providers around, so make sure to shop around for the best plan before you commit.

Be aware of scams

No matter where you travel, you’ll find scams. Naples is no exception.

The most common scam to be on the lookout for is the one where you’ll be asked to take someone’s picture and as you’re handing the camera back, the owner will let the camera fall to the ground and blame you for the damage which they’ll demand you pay for.

Another common scam is pickpocketing where one person will distract you while another one steals from you.

You will also see lots of people begging for petty money, trying to sell you souvenirs, or asking you to get them a meal. My advice is to ignore all of them.

Get Travel Insurance

Although you may only be on a short trip, accidents and surprises happen. Be prepared with the right travel insurance package to keep you covered in case of emergencies.

You can check out the price of an excellent insurance on Heymondo.

Pin It For Later!