Embark on a whirlwind adventure through Naples, Italy, with my action-packed four-day itinerary that promises to immerse you in the rich history, stunning landscapes, and delectable cuisine of this vibrant city. Strap in for an exhilarating journey as I share my penchant for squeezing every ounce of excitement out of each day, ensuring a jam-packed vacation that leaves no stone unturned.

This itinerary includes a deep dive into Naples' ancient past, as well as an exploration of the archaeological wonders of Herculaneum and Pompeii. You'll also have the opportunity to conquer Mount Vesuvius, the infamous volcano that looms over the Bay of Naples. A walk around the crater rim allows you to soak in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. And of course, no visit to Naples would be complete without savoring its world-renowned cuisine. Discover the best ways to sample mouthwatering pizzas, creamy gelato, and other traditional Neapolitan delicacies.

Table of Contents

About Naples

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, Naples Underground, & Food Tour

Day 2: Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum, & Pizza Class

Day 3: Pompeii & MANN Museum

Day 4: Paestum Archaeological Park & Departure

Other Notable Attractions

Travel Recommendations

What's So Cool About Naples, Anyway?

Naples, Italy, holds an undeniable allure that captivates travelers from around the globe. But what actually makes it worth visiting?

First and foremost, Naples boasts a rich and storied history that dates back thousands of years. As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Naples is steeped in ancient ruins, archaeological treasures, and centuries-old traditions. From the remarkably preserved ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum to the grandeur of historic landmarks like Castel Nuovo and the Royal Palace of Naples, the city's past comes to life at every turn.

Beyond its historical significance, Naples is a city of contrasts, where ancient alleyways intersect with bustling piazzas and vibrant markets. Many find its chaotic energy and raw authenticity to be exhilarating, as it offers a glimpse into the true essence of metropolitan Italian life.

Additionally, no discussion of Naples would be complete without mentioning its food. Renowned as the birthplace of pizza, Naples boasts an extremely exciting culinary heritage. Sink your teeth into a slice of classic margherita pizza (named in honor of Italian Queen Margherita), with its thin, chewy crust, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey mozzarella cheese, and you'll understand why the art of Neopolitan pizza-making was added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

But Naples' culinary delights extend far beyond pizza. From freshly caught seafood served along the picturesque waterfront to decadent pastries and gelato enjoyed in bustling cafes, the city offers a feast for the senses at every turn.

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival, Naples Underground, & Food Tour

Depending on your arrival time in Naples, there are a number are great city sites you may want to visit. First and foremost, however, you'll need to check-in at your accommodation and drop off your bags. See my article on public transportation in Naples for information about getting from the airport to the city center.

We arrived relatively late in the afternoon, so didn't have as much opportunity to explore the city on our first day as you might. If you have additional time, consider incorporating some of the other notable attractions mentioned later in the blog post.

Napoli Sotterranea (Naples Underground)

Naples Underground is a network of tunnels, caves, and catacombs beneath the city of Naples, Italy. These underground spaces have been used for various purposes throughout history, including as ancient Greek-Roman aqueducts and bomb shelters during World War II.

You can purchase tickets directly through the official website, but I found it to be a little confusing as tours are offered in multiple languages at different times. To ensure we were were in the right group, I opted to buy tickets through Get Your Guide. The price was the same.

Unfortunately, the facility was running a little behind upon our arrival. As we had another tour booked shortly afterward, we were concerned about timing. We explained the situation to our guide and he kindly agreed to direct us to the nearest exit if we needed to leave early.

I highly recommend the Naples Underground, as it dives pretty deeply into the history of the city. Individuals who find tight spaces difficult, however, may have to sit out part of the tour. There is an optional section that requires moving through some very small tunnels. We found this part exhilarating, but I know this is not the case for everyone.

Walking City Food Tour

One of the best ways to experience Naples' rich culinary heritage and vibrant street food culture is to book a walking food tour. From indulging in authentic Neapolitan pizza to sampling local delicacies like sfogliatella, food tours offer a delicious insight into the city's gastronomic delights.

In addition to providing opportunities to try a wide variety of local foods, these guided tours often incorporate a significant amount of information about the area. We found this to be an excellent introduction to the city. Ultimately, it provided great context for the remainder of our visit.

Although there are numerous walking food tours to choose from, I was extremely impressed with this one:

Our guide was incredibly well-versed in local cuisine and culture. We also got to try numerous foods, including:

• Margherita Pizza

• Pizza Fritta

• Taralli

• Mozzarella

• Frittatina (my favorite!)

• Limoncello

• Baba

• Sfogliatelle

• Gelato

This was more than enough to fill us up for the evening, making it a perfect alternative to paying to sit down somewhere.

Day 2: Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum, & Pizza Class

Although many tours combine Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii into a single outing, we did things a little differently. Vesuvius is actually located much closer to Herculaneum, another lesser-known but better-preserved ancient Roman city outside Naples. If this appeals to you, read this blog post about combining these two attractions. It also provides necessary transportation details.

Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius is an active stratovolcano located on the Gulf of Naples in Italy. It is famous for its eruption in 79 AD, which destroyed the ancient cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Today, Vesuvius is one of the most closely monitored volcanoes in the world due to its ongoing activity. It is, however, open to be viewed by visitors who are welcome to walk around the crater.

I've written extensively about our visit to Vesuvius National Park in a previous blog post. You can find information about transportation and ticketing here.

Herculaneum

Herculaneum was an ancient Roman town located near modern-day Naples, Italy. It was famously buried under volcanic ash during the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Unlike Pompeii, Herculaneum was preserved by layers of pyroclastic material, which resulted in exceptional preservation of buildings, artifacts, and even organic materials like wood and food.

Today, Herculaneum is an archaeological site of great significance, offering insights into Roman life, architecture, and culture. Visitors can explore well-preserved buildings, intricate mosaics, and even glimpses of daily life preserved for nearly two millennia.

I've written extensively about our visit to Vesuvius National Park in a previous blog post. You can find information about transportation and ticketing here.

Italian Pizza-Making Workshop

Naples is the birthplace of pizza, so couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn the art from of pizza-making from local experts. Participants get hands-on experience crafting authentic Neapolitan pizza, using traditional techniques and ingredients, while gaining insight into the city's rich culinary heritage and culture.

While a few restaurants may offer similar guided experiences, we absolutely loved this one provided by Mammina Napoli!

As with the walking food tour, this absolutely works as a dinner replacement. Our booking included a shared appetizer platter, margherita pizza, and a drink. We also received completion certificates with the recipe and cooking directions printed on the back. For the price, this was a great deal.

Day 3: Pompeii & MANN Museum

For many, a visit to Naples is incomplete without walking the nearby streets of Pompeii. You can find detailed information about traveling to and from the ancient site in this blog post.

Pompeii

Pompeii was an ancient Roman city near Naples, Italy, that was buried under volcanic ash and pumice during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The city remained hidden and well-preserved for centuries until its rediscovery in the 18th century. Pompeii offers remarkable insights into Roman life, architecture, and culture, with amazingly preserved buildings, artifacts, and even plaster casts of victims caught in the eruption.

Today, Pompeii is one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world, attracting millions of tourists annually to explore its streets, temples, villas, and public baths frozen in time.

The official ticket provider for Pompeii is TicketOne. If you want access to the entire park, make sure you purchase the Intero Pompei Plus tickets, which include the suburban villas (Villa of the Mysteries, Villa of Diomedes, and Villa Regina). As of March 2024, these tickets cost €22 per adult. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

Alternatively, there are numerous guided tours of the site available. These vary greatly in length and price, but are an excellent way to learn about the city and ancient Roman life.

If exploring Pompeii on your own, I highly recommend renting one of the audio guides offered onsite.

National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN)

The MANN (Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli) museum in Naples, Italy, is one of the most important archaeological museums in the world. It houses an extensive collection of artifacts from Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other ancient Roman sites, offering valuable insights into the history and culture of the region.

Although we didn't allot a significant amount of time to visit the museum, we wanted to visit the exhibition areas housing artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum (first and second floors). When limiting yourself to these sections, a trip to the MANN requires only a couple hours.

Tickets can be purchased directly through the museum's website. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

Day 4: Paestum Archaeological Park & Departure

Our flight left Naples in the evening, so we coordinated to leave our bags at our accommodation for a few hours after checking-out. If this isn't possible, there are numerous storage lockers located throughout the city.

The original plan was to book tickets via Trenitalia to travel to the Paestum Archaeological Park. Unfortunately, there were train strikes this day. To avoid any potential issues, we opted instead to head directly to the airport.

While we were forced to abandon our visit to Paestum, I highly recommend including it in your 4-day itinerary if at all possible.

Paestum Archaeological Park

Paestum Archaeological Park, located in southern Italy, is home to the well-preserved ruins of an ancient Greek city. Founded around the 7th century BC, Paestum boasts three impressive Doric temples, considered among the best-preserved Greek temples in the world. The site also features remnants of city walls, streets, and an amphitheater, providing insights into ancient Greek colonization and architecture.

Visitors can explore the archaeological remains, marvel at the monumental temples, and immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of ancient Magna Graecia.

Ticketing is managed by Vivaticket, although admittance is included in many of the guided tour options available as well.

Other Notable Attractions

Duomo di Napoli (Naples Cathedral)

The Duomo di Napoli, or Naples Cathedral, is a historic Roman Catholic cathedral. It's known for its striking architecture, intricate frescoes, and ornate chapels. The cathedral is dedicated to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is a prominent religious landmark in Naples.

Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore (Basilica San Domenico Maggiore)

The Chiesa di San Domenico Maggiore, also known as Basilica San Domenico Maggiore, is a renowned church dating back to the 13th century. It's celebrated for its Gothic architecture, exquisite artworks, and the tomb of Saint Thomas Aquinas. The basilica is a significant religious and cultural landmark.

Greek Walls at Piazza Bellini

The Greek Walls at Piazza Bellini are ancient city walls dating back to the 4th century BC. Originally part of the Greek city of Neapolis, these well-preserved walls are a testament to Naples' ancient origins and are a significant archaeological and historical site in the city.

Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo

Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo is a stunning church known for its distinctive façade featuring diamond-shaped ashlar patterns. Originally built as a palace, it was converted into a church in the 16th century. The interior boasts beautiful frescoes, sculptures, and Baroque architecture.

Via San Gregorio Armeno

Via San Gregorio Armeno is a well-known street commonly visited by tourists in Naples. It's famous for the artisan workshops that line both sides of the road. These artians specialize in creating nativity scenes and figurines. The street also offers a charming city atmosphere with numerous other shops and restaurants nearby.

Royal Palace of Naples

The Royal Palace of Naples is a grand palace that served as the residence of the Bourbon Kings of Naples. It features stunning architecture and magnificent royal apartments.

Castel Sant’Elmo

Castel Sant'Elmo is a historic fortress perched atop a hill overlooking the city. Dating back to the 14th century, it offers panoramic views of Naples and the Bay of Naples.

Castel dell’Ovo (Ovo Castle)

Castel dell'Ovo is a historic seaside castle perched on a peninsula. Its name, meaning "Egg Castle," originates from a medieval legend involving a magical egg. Dating back to Roman times, it's one of the city's oldest castles and offers scenic views of the bay.

Travel Recommendations

• More than anything else, invest in good shoes before traveling anywhere in Italy! Walking around the cities is hard and visiting ancient sites is even harder. The uneven walkways are beautiful, but make for some truly hellish days on your feet. These Karrimor Weathertite shoes are a good buy and have served me well on my travels, but find walking shoes to suit your needs and style!
  

• Invest in shoe inserts. No matter how good your tennis shoes or trainers are, your feet could use a little extra support in and around Naples. Insoles worked fantastic for me.
  

• Take the necessary steps to keep your belongings protected while traveling in Naples. As mentioned above, pickpockets are common in and around the city. For us, this meant making a few extra purchases before our trip.

Phone Lanyards

I've used a phone lanyard like this one on every trip since we visited Barcelona earlier this year! My husband opted for a simpler version, but also uses it regularly now. I think they're great, even for shorter day outings!

RFID Card Protectors

Keeping your finances safe while traveling is really important. While no system is foolproof, we did invest in RFID card protection this year. There are a lot of options out there, but my husband and I use blocking cards like these. We also purchased blocking sleeves like these.

Baggage Locks

I've mentioned in previous posts that I like to use a drawstring bag as a "purse" when traveling. I find it both comfortable and secure; plus it tends to hold a lot more items. For some added protection, I recently purchased one of these cute cow locks! It seems to be an effective deterrent and is super cute!

• Take extra preclusions with your belongings when using public transportation. I tend to turn my bag around so it's hanging against the front of my body before boarding. This ensures no one can rummage around in it without me noticing. I also tie off any shopping bags and ensure my phone is secured. If I'm waring my raincoat, I also zip my pockets to protect whatever is inside them.
  

• Don't keep all your money in one place. This is easily achieved by leaving some amount of cash at your accommodation while out exploring, or having an extra credit card hidden somewhere in your luggage. If you are the victim of theft, at least you'll still have some access to your finances during the remainder of your trip.
  

• Similarly, don't carry your passport on your person while out and about in the city. Instead, take a picture and save it to your phone. In most cases, showing the image will suffice - although I've never needed it at all after reaching my destination. Again, if something is stolen, this important document won't be lost and you'll still be able to get home easily.

• Be prepared to take a LOT of pictures. This is not an exaggeration; I took over 2,000 photos over a three-day period. I use the Nikon D7000 digital SLR with either a 18-55mm lens or 55-200mm lens. Amazon also has a comparable Canon EOS Rebel T7 DSLR camera, which comes with two lenses and a carry bag.