by Damirux [format changed] / CC BY-SA 3.0

A. About Naples

Nickname: The City of the Sun

Overlooked by the mighty Mount Vesuvius Italy's third-largest city is located magnificently at the scenic bay of Naples. As the birthplace of pizza, the city is also known for its delicious food.

While there is plentiful to see in Naples itselfthe capital of Campania also offers truly excellent excursions.

Visit the famous ruined ancient Roman city of Pompeii or the Caserta Royal Palace, one of the most beautiful royal palaces in Europe.

Best Things to do in Naples

The Good:

Naples scores high for its location, sights, and climate.

Furthermore, it is a cheap city by European standards.

The Not-So-Good: 

The city has almost no green space and the traffic outside of the center is very chaotic.


B. Best Things to Do in Naples in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than forty sights in Naples. The following sights contribute to a score of 7.60/10 in this important category:

# Museo Archeologico Nazionale 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

Museo Archeologico Nazionale is one of the finest archaeological museums in the world.

It houses an immense collection of ancient artifacts, mainly from nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Show top 10 artworks (click here)

Archaeological Museum Gallery Space: 12 650 m2 / 136,163 ft2 | Galleries: 157 | Established: 1777 | Visitors (2017): 500.000

(Click on images to open in lightbox)

# HISTORIC CENTRE 7 3.6 out of 5 stars

Listed as a World Heritage Site, the outstanding historic center of Naples is famous for its narrow alleyways, excellent pizzerias, and fine baroque churches.

It is home to famous streets like Via Toledo (the main shopping street) or Spaccanapoli (the street that cuts Napoli's historic center in two).

Historic Area World Heritage Site: since 1995

Best Things to do in Naples | Best Cities | Naples | HISTORIC CENTRE

# Bay of Naples 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

Famous for its beauty, the Bay of Naples is a 15-kilometer-wide semi-circular inlet of the Mediterranean Sea with the iconic Mount Vesuvius lying on its eastern border.

Enjoy incredible views over the bay from Chiesa di Sant’Antonio in Mergellina as well as from Vomero or just stroll the seafront promenade.

Bay

Best Things to do in Naples | Best Cities | Naples | Bay of Naples

# Cappella Sansevero 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

The highlight of this rather small chapel is the statue of veiled Christ, created by the Neapolitan artist Giuseppe Sanmartino in 1753.

Chapel

Best Things to do in Naples | Best Cities | Naples | Museo Cappella Sansevero (with statue of veiled Christ)

by Liberonapoli / CC BY-SA 3.0

# Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This museum houses one of the best art collections in Italy in a wonderful palace.

Show top 6 paintings (click here)

Museum Gallery Space: 15,000 m2 / 160,000 ft2 | Galleries: 105 | Established: 1757 | Visitors (2016): 193 055

(Click on images to open in lightbox)

# Teatro San Carlo 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Commissioned by the Bourbon King Charles III of Naples and opened in 1737, this amazing opera house is the oldest continuously active venue for opera in the world.

Opera House

Best Things to do in Naples | Best Cities | Naples | Teatro San Carlo (opera house)

# Spaccanapoli 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

This completely straight narrow pedestrian street (officially called Via Benedetto Croce, Via S. Biagio dei Librai, and Via Vicaria Vecchia) runs for 2 km through the historic center of Naples and divides the city into two parties.

Street

Best Things to do in Naples | Best Cities | Naples | Spaccanapoli (street)

# Duomo di San Gennaro 5.5 2.7 out of 5 stars

Constructed in the 13th century, this large Gothic cathedral contains some excellent artworks including frescoes.

 Roman Catholic Cathedral Completed: 19th century | Style: Gothic

Best Things to do in Naples | Best Cities | Naples | Duomo

# Palazzo Reale 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

The impressive Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale) is home to a remarkable thirty-room “Royal House Museum” and the largest state library in Southern Italy.

Palace

Best Things to do in Naples | Best Cities | Naples | Palazzo Reale

by Mentnafunangann / CC BY-SA 4.0

# CASTEL NUOVO 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

This striking five-towered castle on the city's seafront was built as the royal residence and military headquarters of the Angevins.

Castle | Viewpoint World Heritage Site: since 1995

Best Things to do in Naples | Best Cities | Naples | Castel Nuovo | 5/10

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 sight in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

= World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Naples

    • Chiesa di Gesu Nuovo (church) 5.5
    • Piazza del Plebiscito (square) 5.5
    • Galleria Umberto (shopping passage from the 19th Century) 5.5
    • CHURCH OF SANTA CHIARA 5.5
    • Port of Santa Lucia 5.5
    • Via San Gregorio Armeno 5.5


D. Best Day Trips and Excursions Naples

POMPEII (World Heritage Site since 1997, 25 km from Naples) 9

ROYAL PALACE OF CASERTA (World Heritage Site since 1997, 32 km from Naples) 7

ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE OF PAESTUM (World Heritage Site since 1998, 99 km from Naples) 7

 Vesuvius (mountain, 22 km from Naples) 7


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Naples (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Naples for at least three entire days:

POMPEII (25 km from Naples) 9

Museo Archeologico Nazionale (museum) 7

HISTORIC CENTRE 7

 ROYAL PALACE OF CASERTA (32 km from Naples) 7

Vesuvius (mountain, 22 km from Naples) 7

Bay of Naples 6

Museo Cappella Sansevero 6

Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte 6

Teatro San Carlo (opera house) 5.5

Spaccanapoli (street)5.5