A famous local saying goes:
“A foreigner in Naples cries twice: when he arrives and when he leaves.”
Naples is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. It rises at the foot of Vesuvius-the historic volcano that destroyed the city of Pompeii in 79 A.D.-and stretches all the way to the sea.
The Gulf of Naples offers breathtaking sunsets, and the Mergellina waterfront is the perfect place to admire them while sipping a glass of wine with your sweetheart.
In addition to natural beauty, the capital of Campania enjoys a vast cultural and artistic heritage: sculptures, churches and museums will leave anyone who wants to delve into the history and traditions of this city speechless.
In this article, I propose a perfect 2-day itinerary for Naples. You may have wondered how many days are enough to visit Naples. Well, 48 hours is just the minimum amount of time one can devote to this intense city.
It is precisely the intense and bursting character of the symbolic capital of southern Italy that would make an outsider who is not used to it “weep” as the quote at the beginning of the article says.
Yet I am convinced that you will need very little to adapt to the energy and vitality of this city that has been the birthplace of so many important people, including famous Italian philosophers.
But you’ll probably think first and foremost about having a real Neapolitan pizza, and then don’t worry, because I’ll also recommend where to find it (although it’s hard to go wrong in Naples when it comes to pizza!). Apart from pizza, all the food you will find in Naples is delicious. This makes the city one of the best places to visit in Italy with your family.
To visit Naples in two days in the best possible way and enjoy all it has to offer, I have prepared an itinerary full of activities and places to see that will be of great help during your trip.
If you think you will be a little short on time, consider taking a tour of the historic center with a local guide.
Naples in 2 days: itinerary and travel guide
Day 1 – morning
On the first day, you absolutely must immerse yourself in the oldest Naples, the city rich in history and tradition: you must visit the famous street of Spaccanapoli and the centro storico.
If you stay in a hotel or B&B in the center, you can easily get to Spaccanapoli on foot.
Those who are further away, however, can use the metro and get off at the Dante stop. From here you will be able to get to the most popular street of Naples in just a 5-minute walk.
WHAT TO DO IN SPACCANAPOLI:
This street, about two kilometers long, is a favorite destination for tourists.
Many attractions can be found in its vicinity: one of the most beautiful is definitely the Gesù Nuovo Church.
A typical Neapolitan Baroque building, the church features paintings, stupendous columns and marble compositions.
Immediately outside the church, in the Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, it is possible to admire the Obelisk.
The charm of this work lies in its legend: at certain times of the day, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the image of death thanks to plays of light and shadow.
Continuing the walk, you arrive at the Sansevero Chapel.
The chapel is full of works of art, the most beautiful and famous is undoubtedly the Veiled Christ:
this is a sculpture created by Giuseppe Sanmartino, a young Neapolitan sculptor who depicted the body of Jesus Christ covered by a veil.
This is one of the most famous and beautiful works that can be found in the city. Many tourists are attracted to it, and tickets to visit it should be taken at least 24/48 hours in advance.
Inside the Sansevero Chapel, there is another sculpture that one cannot help but admire: the Veiled Modesty.
Again we are talking about a work in marble. This time the subject is a young woman (Cecilia Gaetani dell’Aquila d’Arargona) covered by a veil.
In making it, the artist (Antonio Corradini) used a sculptural technique that allowed him to represent the veil as if it were wet, making it adhere perfectly to the woman’s body.
Continuing through Spaccanapoli, we come to another very famous street.
VIA SAN GREGORIO ARMENO.
Known as “the street of nativity scenes,” this street is full of little shops, stalls and workshops where artisans make and sell nativity scenes and figurines with which to decorate Christmas ornaments.
Walking through San Gregorio Armeno you can find everything: the rarest characters of the Neapolitan tradition, figurines of politicians, actors, soccer players, and even reproductions of the Pope.
In short, this street is one of the most attractive in the city; if you don’t visit it, you can’t say you’ve been to Naples.
Besides… it is also the perfect place to be able to buy souvenirs and gifts. As already mentioned, you can find everything here!
The tradition of nativity scenes on Via di San Gregorio Armeno has made Naples one of the most popular destinations for Christmas in Italy.
SNACK BREAK!
When you get to the end of the street, you cross another artery that is much visited by tourists: Via Dei Tribunali.
Here you can find many places where you can have a mid-morning snack.
Those who love savory food should definitely try the real Neapolitan “cuoppo.”
This is a paperboard cone with fried food inside consisting of zeppoline, arancini, potato crocchè, and much more.
For those with a sweet tooth, on the other hand, the mandatory stop is at one of the many pastry shops you will encounter on this street.
Babas, sfogliatelle, pastiere, and all the typical sweets of the Neapolitan tradition… real treats for the palate.
But be careful not to get too full! There is another place where you can eat like heaven that we haven’t mentioned yet.
It is the perfect place for an unforgettable lunch, but first, let’s continue with our visit.
Underground Naples
Napoli Sotterranea is simply not to be missed. It is a network of tunnels and galleries underground in the city.
Perfect for lovers of history and adventure, this part of the city will awaken the Indiana Jones in you.
Evidence from multiple historical periods can be found in these tunnels.
Findings belonging to the Greek era of the 3rd century B.C., Roman remains from the Augustan age and even evidence of use during World War II. The tour lasts between 90 minutes and 2 hours.
I recommend booking it in advance because it is easily sold-out. You can do that here.
It is strongly discouraged to venture out without a guide as some parts of the route can be tricky if tackled without experts by one’s side.
What about those who suffer from claustrophobia?
In this case, you can still try the adventure and in case of need, you can safely use the various emergency exits available.
EUROPE’S MOST BEAUTIFUL METRO AND… LUNCH!
The tour will probably end around lunchtime, so it is finally time to go to Trattoria Da Nennella and eat real Neapolitan pasta and potatoes.
There are many specialties to try at this place, but the one you absolutely must order is precisely the dish just mentioned. This is one of the typical dishes of the city, consisting of various types of pasta, potatoes, provolone cheese, cherry tomatoes, and bacon.
This trattoria is one of the most famous in the city so to be sure of finding a place, it is recommended to book in advance.
How to get here?
Although it takes about 20 minutes on foot, using the subway is strongly recommended.
By taking the train from the Dante stop, you can get to Toledo Station in no time: “The Daily Telegraph” called it the most beautiful station in Europe and the world.
In short, the Toledo Station with its mosaics is another must-see stop in this fantastic city.
Day 1- afternoon
Spanish Quarters
Once lunch is over, you can go on to discover other main sights of Campania’s capital city.
Trattoria Da Nennella is located in one of the city’s most famous neighborhoods: the Quartieri Spagnoli.
This name is due to the fact that in the 16th century this area had been designated for the settlement of Spanish troops.
Today, however, its alleys are world-famous for beautiful murals that can be found on the facades of buildings. The ones you absolutely must visit are:
- Modesty is a reproduction of the sculpture found in the Sansevero Chapel.
- The mural of Diego Armando Maradona by now has become a cult place for all soccer fans and sports lovers.
- The murals of Totò and Peppino, icons of Italian comedy.
The complete tour of the Spanish Quarters takes 1-2 hours, once you are done you can move on to explore another part of the city: the Vomero.
Castel Sant’Elmo, Certosa, and Museum of San Martino
To get to the area of Naples that has one of the most beautiful views, you need to take the C16 bus to the C.so Vittorio Emanuele II stop, get off at the Vittorio Emanuele Montesano stop and take the cable car from Montesanto to Fuga.
Attractions to visit in this area are Castel Sant’Elmo – to be reserved for sunset time- the Certosa and the Museum of San Martino.
The monumental complex of the Certosa dates back to 1325 and has been renovated many times.
The most obvious one was the transition from Gothic to Baroque that took place in 1581 thanks to architect Giovanni Antonio Dosio.
This splendid building and its museum are places full of art: frescoes and paintings characterize these places making visitors immerse themselves in a sea of art and culture.
Castel Sant’Elmo also dates back to the 14th century. This building was turned into a prison during the 1600s and remained a military prison until 1952.
The castle became a museum only in 1988. Here you can visit the Hermit’s Cave, the Castellan’s tower, the Church of Sant’Erasmo, and the Piazza d’Armi, from which you can admire the impressive view overlooking the city, Vesuvius, and the Gulf of Naples.
The piazza is the perfect place from which to admire beautiful sunsets and take breathtaking photos.
Dinner and nightlife
For this first day, I have selected a few little restaurants where you can eat typical seafood dishes of the area.
Those who want to treat their taste buds like those of a king, note these two starred restaurants:
- Palazzo Petrucci, the first restaurant in the capital to receive a Michelin star. You can find this venue in Posillipo, on the Villa Donn’Anna Beach.
- Veritas, this time we are in Corso Vittorio Emanuele, again the restaurant can boast a Michelin star.
Just in case you need a couple more options where you can eat very well:
- Il Miracolo Dei Pesci, located in Largo Sermoneta, right on the waterfront.
- L’Ostricaio in the Chiaia neighborhood.
And after dinner, where to go?
Those who want a lively evening should definitely hit the various lounge bars and wine bars in Chiaia.
If you want to spend a romantic evening instead, you can opt for San Martino, where you can admire the night view of the city and the gulf, or you can move to Mergellina and stop at one of the many Chalets.
Day 2 – morning | Things to do in Naples in 48 hours
On the second day, you continue your visit to this wonderful city by moving next to the sea.
Maschio Angioino
The first attraction of the morning is Castel Nuovo, commonly known as “Maschio Angioino.”
It is a castle built in 1266 at the behest of Charles I D’Anjou. There are many works to admire inside this fortress:
- The Triumphal Arch, inspired by the arches of Roman times.
- The Palatine Chapel, the interior of which was done in perfect Gothic style.
- The Armory Hall, inside which you can find artifacts from the Roman era.
- The Hall of the Barons is the main hall of the entire complex; in this hall can be found frescoes created by the famous Italian artist Giotto.
- The Prison, is shrouded in legend and the mystery of the crocodile. In fact, according to stories, some inmates would disappear into thin air. This mystery was solved only when it was realized that a crocodile infiltrated the interior of the prison, mauling the unfortunate inmates.
San Carlo Theater
After the Maschio Angioino, you can continue to Teatro San Carlo, one of the oldest in Europe.
The theater was built in 1737 at the request of King Charles of Bourbon, and the king’s also requested that this structure is in direct communication with The Royal Palace.
Thanks to a door located at the back of the stage, the sovereign and his family could have direct access to the theater without having to leave their palace.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is the next stop of the morning.
This work was built in the 17th century by Domenico Fontana to house the King of Spain.
During the visit you can admire:
- The Royal Chapel, inside which are paintings made by the best-known painters of the Borbon era.
- The promenade, where you can visit the Courtyard of the Carriages, the Royal Gardens and the Belvedere Courtyard -from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Gulf and Vesuvius-.
- The exterior facade of the palace – here you can find eight statues depicting the various rulers of the kingdom of Naples.
Piazza del Plebiscito and… Pizza!
The tour of these attractions will end around lunchtime, so it’s time to head to one of the best pizzeria in Naples: Gino Sorbillo, Lievito Madre al Mare.
It seemed strange that a blog about a perfect itinerary in Naples had not yet mentioned the dish that has made the culinary tradition of this city famous all over the world, didn’t it? In Naples, you’ll find the most delicious and affordable pizza in Italy.
Well, what do they say? You have to reserve the best for last!
The pizzeria is easily reached on foot, but since the most famous square in Naples is on the way, a stop is mandatory.
This is Piazza del Plebiscito, the largest in the city, composed of an imposing colonnade reminiscent of ancient Greek monuments.
Here you can admire an enormous dome that towers over the entire square, surrounded by two smaller domes.
Immediately in front instead are two equestrian statues depicting Ferdinand I and Charles III.
Day 2 – afternoon
The oldest castle in Naples
The first thing to do in the afternoon is a nice walk along the seafront towards Castel dell’Ovo.
This castle was the first to be built in Naples, and its name is linked to the legend that a siren laid an egg that was later hidden in the castle’s meanders by poet Virgil.
It is said that it is this egg that allowed the building to remain standing for so long despite the fury of the sea.
Behind this castle, the most scenic fireworks in Italy are set off from the sea every last night of the year. It is a tradition for locals to spend almost an hour, starting at 0:45 a.m. admiring this spectacle reflected in the waters of the gulf.
To know more about the exciting New Year's Eve in Naples, read this dedicated post.
Galleria Umberto 1st and relax in Mergellina
After visiting the castle, one can continue the tour to Galleria Umberto I, also known as the “living room of Naples”.
Here you can relax and taste traditional Neapolitan sweets.
A curious peculiarity of this gallery is its floor. On it are represented the symbols of the various zodiac signs, instagram lovers are fond of taking pictures of themselves with their signs and posting them on their profiles.
After enjoying the relaxation of Galleria Umberto, one can head to Mergellina.
To get here you can take the 151 bus to the Morelli stop and get off after seven stops, at Bruno-Sannazaro.
Once in Mergellina, you can walk along the beautiful waterfront, enjoying the fantastic view while breathing in the smell of the sea.
Posillipo
As the last place, one could not fail to mention Posillipo.
This is one of the richest areas of the city, here you can find luxurious villas and 5-star hotels.
In addition to wonderful residential buildings, this area also offers parks and breathtaking views.
Virgiliano Park, where the famous poet Virgil’s tomb is located, offers magnificent views of Vesuvius and the islands of Ischia, Capri and Procida.
La Ghiaiola, on the other hand, is a road from which to see caves and islets of tufa rock. Nearby is the Submerged Park of Ghiaiola, which can be visited by kayak or a special little boat with a transparent bottom.
To end on a high note, you cannot avoid a good aperitif with this view.
This area is full of bars and chalets where you can enjoy a good drink while watching the sun set into the sea: there is no better way to say goodbye to this city.
Now that you are definitely convinced that Naples is worth visiting, let’s look at some practical tips for planning your trip.
How to get to Naples
You can get to Naples either by train from all parts of Italy or by plane from other parts of the world.
The central train station is located in Piazza Garibaldi and is connected to the city’s metro line. If you want to walk from the station to the historic center, Spaccanapoli and Piazza del Gesù Nuovo are about a 2 km walk away.
How to get from Naples airport to the historic center
Alibus airport shuttles depart from Naples Capodichino Airport and make the following stops:
- historic center (Central Train Station)
- Immacolata/Porta di Massa tourist port, from where ferries leave for the islands
- Molo Angioino Beverello, from where cruise ships and hydrofoils depart.
Driving and parking in Naples
In case Naples is one of the stops on your southern Italy road trip, I strongly advise against driving through the historic center.
Apart from the restricted traffic zones that Naples has like all other cities in Italy (if you accidentally cross one of these you will win a fine), consider the city traffic.
Naples is famous for having rather wild car and scooter traffic. There seems to be a very special traffic code in use in this city that outsiders are obviously not familiar with.
As soon as you arrive in the city, look for a secure paid parking lot where you can stash your car while you explore beautiful Napoli.
Is Naples safe?
In the collective imagination, the grand city of Naples has gained a reputation for being somewhat unsafe. This is now a myth that must be dispelled.
In recent years, security on the city’s streets has been tripled to give tourism a chance to flourish as it deserves.
Nevertheless, there is the possibility of being mugged, which is avoided by taking simple precautions:
Do not wander around with very valuable items in sight such as Rolex watches or flashy gold chokers.
Avoid going into the alleys at night alone.
Another tip I can give you is not to interact too much with street vendors or card players on street corners (although the latter is an almost harmless cultural vignette).
Where to stay in Naples – best accommodation for travelers
Getting from one attraction to another in the historic center of Naples requires good walking or using public transportation.
The best choice is to stay near Spaccanapoli, from which you have access to the main monuments, piazzas and restaurants within short walking distance.
The Santa Chiara Boutique Hotel is located in the heart of the historic center and offers finely decorated rooms. Il palazzo che lo ospita è antico e affascinante.
Beyond Naples – day trips from Naples
Naples is an excellent base for visiting fantastic destinations such as the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Royal Palace of Caserta.
You can reach some of these places easily by relying on a guided local tour:
Your trip to Naples will leave your eyes full of beauty and your heart full of desire to return.
I would like to know if the saying with which I opened the article proved true for you. I felt like crying just looking back at the photos of the city.
A stop in Naples should be on any travel itinerary for Italy. Napoli can also be visited as a getaway from Rome.
This 2-day itinerary for Naples is really rich but not enough to do justice to such a splendid city.
Let me know in the comments how many days you think would be enough to visit Naples.
I’ve also written about how to visit Napoli in one day, you can have a look here.
Pin this 2 days in Naples itinerary for later!
