If you are heading to the south of Italy, then a stop in Naples is an absolute must. The city is packed with a rich history dating all the way back to the ancient Greek and Roman empires. Naples was a large contributor to the Renaissance movement, and much of the art is still present in the city today. There are so many unique things to do in Naples Italy – I assure you, you will not be bored!

Naples is conveniently located just a short hop from the Island of Capri and Pompeii. This makes Naples a great ‘home base’ location to book your accommodation. You can easily schedule day trips to Capri and Pompeii from Naples – and will save a ton of money on accommodation. Plus – you get the added benefit of being able to explore this incredible city.

Naples is also the birthplace of pizza, so the food? Excellent. And MUCH more inexpensive compared to neighboring tourist hotspots like the Amalfi Coast and Capri.

Without further ado, here are my top 7 things to do in Naples Italy!

7 Things to do in Naples Italy

I recommend spending 2-3 days in Naples, with an additional day set aside for a day trip to Pompeii or Capri. 2-3 days will give you enough time to explore the historic city center, eat your fill of pizza, and visit some sites filled with notable artwork. 

Ultimately, the duration of your Naples trip will largely depend on your interests, and what activities you want to do. Naples has a lively and unique atmosphere, so make sure you plan yourself enough time to immerse yourself in the culture and explore the twisting streets lined with shops, markets, and restaurants. 

1. Visit the Veiled Christ statue in Cappella Sansevero

The Veiled Christ is a magnificent marble statue created by Italian artist Giuseppe Sanmartino in the 18th century. What draws visitors to this particular piece of artwork is the immaculate craftsmanship that makes MARBLE look like delicate, sheer fabric. 

The Veiled Christ statue is not in a museum. Instead it is located in Cappella Sansevero, a historic chapel in the heart of Naples. The inside of the chapel is beautifully candlelit and eerily quiet. There is a neat and powerful kind of magic in there.

My friends and I accidentally stumbled upon this masterpiece when a line started forming outside and we just… kinda hopped into the line. It blew my mind away. If you have a few hours to spare, visiting this chapel and work of art are a must. Viewing the Veiled Christ statue is easily one of the best things to do in Naples Italy.

The chapel is open from 9:00am-7:00pm every day of the week, except Tuesdays when the chapel is closed. Final tours kick off 30 minutes before closing.

Cost: A standard ticket costs 10 Euros. Visitors from 10-25 years old pay 7 Euros, and children under 10 may enter for free. You may purchase tickets online ahead of time, or at the door. Check out the official website for more information. 

2. Explore Naples’ Historic Center (Centro Storico)

The Historic Center of Naples is packed full of maze-like, narrow streets lined with colorful buildings. The atmosphere buzzes with activity as locals and visitors alike weave in and out of local store fronts and outdoor marketplaces. I remember laundry hanging from clothes lines like decorative flags as far as the eye can see. Every so often, someone throws a fish across the way to their neighbor.

Not only can you find some of the freshest seafood, most delicious pizzas, and coolest artwork in this city center – but Centro Storico is also home to some of the most famous structures in Naples.

Explore the gorgeous frescos in the Duomo di Napoli (Naples Cathedral), or pay a visit to the Chapel of San Gennaro – the city’s patron saint. Here you will also find the Veiled Christ statue in Capella Sansevero – which is a must-see!

While you’re here, make sure to check out the famous artisan street: San Gregorio Armeno. This is a great spot to pick up some knick-knacks and souvenirs for your trip. As a bonus point, this area is famous for selling traditional Nativity scene figures. So if you collect those for some reason, you’re in luck!

Cost: Free to wander – but what you spend is up to you.

3. Eat lots of pizza

Many consider Naples the birthplace of pizza. So if you’ve ever contributed in the “New York Style vs. Chicago Deep Dish” debate… you’re both wrong. The ultimate correct answer is Naples (and the absolute incorrect answer is California. Who puts kale on pizza? Seriously).

You cannot leave the city of Naples without partaking in a Pizza Tour (™). The dough is thin and crispy – toasted just perfectly in the stone ovens. And the toppings?! Chef’s kiss.

The year 1861, the year Italy was unified, brought us the invention of the classic Margarita pizza. Named after queen Margarita herself, the pizza contained just three simple ingredients: Mozzarella di bufala, ripe Marzano tomatoes smashed into a divine sauce, and fresh basil plucked straight off the vine. What is unique about these three ingredients? They make up the colors of the Italian flag: red, white, and green. You simply have to try this flavor.

Note also that ordering a ‘Marinara Pizza’ means you will get just that. Pizza with sauce and nothing else. Still delicious – but just a heads up!

Cost: The typical cost of a pizza in Italy is 4-8 Euros. Pizzas are typically individual and not shared – but to each their own.

4. Visit the Natural Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum houses a collection of artifacts the span the ancient world from Rome to Greece to Egypt. If you are a fan of museums and history – then you should absolutely swing by. 

The museum holds a remarkable number of marble statues and busts, including the famous Farnese Hercules. You can also marvel at the mosaic of the Battle of Alexander that originally hung in the House of the Faun in Pompeii.

Cost: Tickets to the Natural Archaeological Museum in Naples cost anywhere from 2-10 Euros. You can purchase tickets ahead of time, or at the entrance. Check out the museum’s website for more information.

5. Explore Napoli Sotterranea (underground Naples)

If you are in for a creepy and unique experience into the hidden world of Naples, I highly recommend visiting Napoli Sotterranea. The tour takes you beneath the surface of Naples to explore the labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, and cisterns. Napoli Sotterranea is practically an entire city in itself, and is absolutely worth a visit.

The history of Napoli Sotterranea is fascinating. The tunnels served various purposes over the past 5,000 years: from Christian catacombs, to ancient Greek and Roman aqueducts and water reserves, to war shelters during World War II. Napoli Sotterranea is one of the best things to do in Naples Italy.

If you are visiting Napoli Sotterranea, a guided tour is a must. And you simply cannot leave Naples without checking this out! Check out Napoli Sotterranea’s official website for more information on the history of this unique, underground labyrinth. 

Cost: A ticket underground Naples typically costs 10 Euros. I recommend booking a tour online ahead of time.

6. Stroll along the Lungomare waterfront

The Lungomare is a scenic stretch of waterfront that runs the along the Bay of Naples. The route offers some of the best views of the sea and, on a clear day, shows off the majestic silhouette of Mount Vesuvius. 

If you have a morning to spare, consider renting a bike or taking a leisurely stroll along the Lungomare. Enjoy the refreshing sea breeze and the warmth of the sun. Swing by one of the many charming cafes along the waterfront for an espresso and pastry. Or, in the evening, grab dinner and drinks and watch the area come alive with locals and visitors alike enjoying the night. 

Cost: Free!

7. Take a day trip to Pompeii

About 14 miles southeast of Naples lies the ancient Roman city of Pompeii. In 79 AD, the eruption of nearby Mount Vesuvius buried Pompeii under layers of volcanic ash which, remarkably, preserved much of the city as it stood all those years ago. 

In Pompeii, you can explore the ancient Roman houses, temples, and amphitheaters to get a better understanding of what life looked like during the Roman empire. It is at once awe-inspiring and devastatingly sad. The history and tragedy of Pompeii is something you have to witness to truly understand.

Check out my full Pompeii Guide for more information about what you will see at the ruins.

Cost: You can easily book a day trip to Pompeii from Naples for a little over $100 USD. This includes admission to the ruins, roundtrip transportation to and from Naples and, in some cases, a guided tour. Get Your Guide and TripAdvisor offer a myriad of tours. I recommend checking out their sites to find a day trip package that works for you!

Bonus: Day trip to Capri

If you are interested in visiting the Island of Capri, it may make sense for you to base yourself in Naples and take the ferry over. You can read more about this in my Capri Guide.

That’s all, folks!

Hopefully this guide helps kickstart the planning for your upcoming trip. There are so many interesting things to do in Naples, Italy – that you can easily fill your days with great food and historic sites.

Have you been to Naples? Drop a comment below with some of your favorite things to do in the city.