Naples is a city located in the south of Italy. The birthplace of pizza is an excellent destination for a city trip. During your stay, you’ll want to see the best Naples attractions, so we’ve listed our ten favorite highlights for you.
Read on to find out where you need to be during your trip to this city.
Our favorite Naples attractions
Besides the city itself, the coastal surroundings are breathtaking. We certainly have some tips for destinations in the province. If you’re short on time or don’t feel like leaving the metropolis, you’ll still have a great time with the attractions we’ve highlighted here for you.
Useful discount passes for your city trip to Naples
With the Pompeii & Vesuvius Pass, you can explore the world-famous archaeological site of Pompeii and the impressive Vesuvius volcano. Save money and enjoy the convenience. Explore the ancient ruins of Pompeii and walk through the moon-like landscape of Vesuvius while learning about the history of this fascinating area.
Castel Nuovo
This castle is called the New Castle, but it is actually over 700 years old. It’s a must-see attraction in Naples. It is a massive structure. Built by Charles of Naples, Castel Nuovo was intended as the residence of the new kings of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. Naples became an important city due to the relocation, leaving its mark on the historic center. More about this in the section on Piazza del Plebiscito.
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Piazza del Plebiscito with the Royal Palace
In the heart of the historic center of Naples, you’ll find this large square. It is a popular meeting place for young and old, and events are regularly organized at Piazza del Plebiscito. On one side of the square, you’ll find the church basilica reale pontificia di San Francesco di Paola. On the other side stands the Palazzo reale di Napoli, or the Royal Palace. Today, it is a national museum with a large library. A visit to the city of Naples is not complete without a stroll across Piazza del Plebiscito.
Read more about Piazza del Plebiscito
Read more about the Royal Palace of Naples
Cappella Sansevero
In the old center of Naples, you’ll find Cappella Sansevero. As a chapel, this building is not much to look at. It’s mainly about what you see inside. Cappella Sansevero houses a large number of beautiful statues. The Veiled Truth is one of those gems you don’t want to miss. You don’t have to be a Michelangelo to recognize the beauty of these sculptures. Cappella Sansevero is not large, so you can easily combine a visit with a walk through underground Naples. Plenty of attractions here!
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Pompeii
Of all the Naples attractions, this is the most impressive. A few kilometers south of Naples lies the Roman city of Pompeii. This city is a large archaeological museum as the entire city was buried under a thick layer of ash in 79 AD after a volcanic eruption. Today, most of Pompeii has been excavated and is open to the public. It’s a unique way to take a look into the life of the average Roman nearly 2000 years ago. During your visit to Naples, we highly recommend setting aside time for this unique experience.
Discount passes for visiting Pompeii
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Underground Naples
Napoli Sotterranea, as it’s called in Italian, is a network of tunnels and chambers beneath the city’s old center. These tunnels have been excavated since Greek times. Initially for the stone found there, later for water storage. Today, you can find ancient Roman shops, a complex labyrinth of tunnels, and even a complete museum.
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See more Naples attractions by bike
As you can see, there’s plenty to explore in this city in Southern Italy. But how do you visit all the Naples attractions in a limited amount of time? To ensure you don’t waste any unnecessary time, we recommend the Naples bike tour.
In just three hours, an experienced guide will take you through all the beautiful spots in the city. You’ll cycle in a small group through the narrow streets of the old town and learn the story behind each neighborhood.
By the end, you’ll truly feel like you know Naples well. This leaves you time for excursions just outside Naples or for an extra pizza.
Castel dell’Ovo
This castle is one of the oldest buildings in Naples. The oldest remains date back to the first century AD. It has undergone significant renovations over the centuries. Originally built as a castle, it became a monastery in the 5th century. The monks stayed here for about 500 years before the building was abandoned. In the eleventh century, it was transformed back into a castle. Today, it is a museum and a popular attraction for both tourists and locals.
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San Carlo Theater
You don’t need to be a theater lover to be impressed by the Teatro di San Carlo. This opera house is the model for many theaters built later. This leading theater could accommodate no less than 3,285 spectators. Today, that number has been reduced to 1,386, likely for safety reasons.
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The best Naples attractions outside the city
Naples itself is delightful with its narrow streets, castles, and numerous pizzerias, but there are plenty of attractions outside Naples. The surroundings of this metropolis offer so much beauty that you should really take the time to explore them. Here’s why.
Amalfi Coast
Tastes differ, but there will be few people who don’t find this coast beautiful. Picturesque, fairy-tale-like, and breathtaking are some of the characteristic descriptions of the Amalfi Coast. Some people call this stretch along the Mediterranean the most beautiful coast in the world, and there’s something to be said for that.
From Naples, this coast is easily accessible, and in about an hour and a half, you’ll find yourself amidst the beauty. Villages like Positano and Amalfi are worth visiting, and the island of Capri is also a gem.
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Vesuvius
Vesuvius is one of the major Naples attractions with a rich history. It’s a volcano just on the edge of the city. This is also the culprit for what happened in Pompeii. Since the 1940s, the volcano hasn’t erupted, and today it’s a national park. It’s quite a climb, stopping about 200 meters below the summit. Once at the top, you enjoy a stunning view. The sight of the crater’s size is also impressive. It gives you an idea of how powerful the eruption must have been. During the last major eruption in 1944, the smoke plume rose as high as 33 kilometers.
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Procida
Capri is a beautiful island, but right in the bay of Naples lies Procida. This small island has a charming village and a harbor where you can thoroughly enjoy the surroundings. Compared to Capri, this island is an oasis of tranquility. Although you’ll still find some Italian hustle and bustle in the village, it only adds to the fun of visiting Procida. In about 45 minutes, you can take the ferry from the port of Naples to Procida, making it a perfect outing for a sunny afternoon.
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As you can see, there are plenty of Naples attractions to make your city trip a success. Italy’s third-largest city is set in a beautiful bay and has a rich history. Add to that the delicious cuisine and pleasant climate, and it’s easy to see why Naples is so popular with Dutch city trippers.