If you don’t know what to visit in Naples, here is a guide that can give you information about the sites to visit, the attractions and the activities you can do there. Yes, there are many things to do in Naples and in the time of a weekend you must have a busy schedule to visit the must-see places and taste the pizzas of this region.
BEST THINGS TO SEE IN NAPLES
- Discover the historic center of Naples.
- Visit the Monumental Center and its old quarters.
- The Roman ruins of Pompeii and their history.
- Ascend Mount Vesuvius.
- Spend a relaxing moment at the seaside.
- Visit the National Archaeological Museum before climbing up the hill of Vomero and catacombs.
- Naples and the Gulf Islands.
- End your stay on the Amalfi Coast.
Discover the historic center of Naples.
The historic center of Naples is undoubtedly the first place to visit in this Italian city. It consists of a main street and small alleys and historic buildings. Among them, many palaces and churches such as the baroque church of Santa Chiara which has a magnificent cloister of the Poor Clares. Then, how not to visit the splendid Cappella Sansevero with its marble sculptures and the Duomo, the majestic cathedral of Naples. You can take a guided tour of the historic center of Naples to discover all the history of this place and don’t miss the stores in Via San Gregorio Armeno. You will find many quality restaurants and pizzerias and you won’t have trouble sitting on the terrace to discover the real Neapolitan pizza.
Visit the Monumental Center and its old quarters.
From Piazza Dante, you take via Toledo and you are in the street that separates the old neighborhoods in the east from the Spanish neighborhoods and its hillsides in the west. But the heart of the monumental neighborhood is called Piazza Del Plebiscito which is a huge arched square. In fact, it is right next to the residence of the viceroys, the Palazzo Reale, the Castel Nuovo and its medieval towers. End the tour with a visit to the San Carlo Theater. Right in front of the theater is the famous Umberto I shopping mall.
The Roman ruins of Pompeii and their history.
Many sites remain to be discovered and among them, the ruins of Pompeii. Visiting Naples without passing through it would be a real shame so don’t hesitate to go there. The story, which everyone already knows, is that in 79, the volcano Vesuvius erupted. In a few hours, Pompeii is reduced to ashes and a few kilometers further on, Herculaneum is engulfed by a tide of mud. Pompeii and Herculaneum had the same fate, but in a different way. To discover their history and the vestiges that the Roman Empire left behind, a virtual museum can be found there. Just as a reminder, the site is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Archaeological treasures are present in these sites. Unfortunately, they start to disappear little by little because for example, the Gladiators’ barracks collapsed a few years ago. Don’t forget to admire the frescoes in the Villa of Mysteries and visit the city’s amphitheater, which is very well preserved.
Ascend Mount Vesuvius.
The eruption of Vesuvius wreaked great havoc centuries ago and to find out, you will have to prepare yourself. In fact, you will climb to 1158 m to admire the breathtaking view of Naples from the smoking crater 600m in diameter and its volcanic cliffs 200m deep. In fact, you will have a view of the entire Gulf of Naples. However, you don’t have to worry because this site is watched 24 hours a day. This means that the drama of Pompeii is not likely to happen again during your stay and your ascent on this mountain.
Spend a relaxing moment at the seaside.
The district of Santa Lucia and its port is ideal to take the cool. A walk by the sea is a must and why not eat in one of the many restaurants that are installed there. Of course, you can go for a bike ride but the best is to do a little walking to admire this little escapade.
Visit the National Archaeological Museum before climbing up the hill of Vomero and catacombs.
A short stay in Naples must always be accompanied by a visit to the National Archaeological Museum. There you will find statues, antique objects and many traces of the history of this area. After the history lessons, escape to the residential area of Vomero Hill. You have to climb but it’s worth the detour because once at the top, you will discover the spectacular Charterhouse of San Martino. Its museum has an impressive collection of Neapolitan cribs. Escape to the islands of the Gulf of Naples.
Naples and the Gulf Islands.
The beauty of the island of Capri is no longer to be proven because it is first and foremost synonymous with nature. In perspective, take a walk along the trails and don’t forget to taste the Capri’s fishing. But a trip to the largest island in the Gulf is also very interesting, Ischia. This island was born from a volcanic eruption and the Romans were very fond of it. Why? Because of the pools, ponds and fumaroles that are present there. But the island also has other treasures such as its mysterious caves, its exceptional thermal parks, its fields of olive trees and oranges. Its soft atmosphere contrasts perfectly with the Neapolitan bustle. Finally, don’t forget to visit the Aragonese peninsula and its castle, which is perched on a volcanic rock. Here you will get to know many facets of Italian history, such as defensive structures, prisons, etc.
End your stay on the Amalfi Coast.
It is a classic route on a trip to Naples. Here you will encounter sites that testify to the greatness of the Roman Empire and of course, the most famous passages on Sorrento, Amalfi etc.. Apart from its history, this town also has fine sandy beaches, palaces and tables. The cuisine is very delicious and the Mediterranean landscape will surely give you an appetite. In addition, the roads of the Amalfi coast are famous for their vertiginous nature, but this is also what makes this region so special.