Can you visit Naples in three days and see a lot, without stress? Yes of course – if you follow our itinerary with the ten essential things to see.

Boasting Europe’s largest historic downtown and a concentration of monuments that are the envy of Europe’s major capitals, ranging from Roman-era treasures to Bourbon royal residences, organizing a weekend in Naples or a short trip might seem like a daunting task. Indeed – as we saw in the case of tips for visiting Florence in three days – also these “quick trips” can be great for seeing a lot in a short time. Here are the ten essential sights and the must-sees to visit Naples in three days, in every season.

Coworking a Napoli

Day 1: Spaccanapoli, the Duomo and Piazza del Plebiscito

Naples in three days? Yes, it’s possible. Starting, of course, with the most classic destinations, such as Spaccanapoli, the street that cuts through the center of the downtown district, with its agglomeration of churches and historic buildings-a true Babel, chaotic and electrifying, full of history and local warmth. Then proceed to the Duomo, where you can admire the royal chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro. From there, we suggest you continue to the Port and reach Piazza del Plebiscito, another symbol of the city with the church of San Francesco di Paola and the Royal Palace.

napoli in due giorni piazza plebiscito

Naturally, an itinerary to visit Naples in three days cannot fail to include the nativity scenes of Via San Gregorio Armeno, the perfect setting to savor the magic of Christmas amidst figurines inspired by tradition and ever-changing themes.

Presepi napoletani San Gregorio Armeno - credits ItalyStyle via Flickr

© ItalyStyle via Flickr

Day 2: Castel dell ‘Ovo, Capodimonte and… fine pizza

The panoramic vistas of the Gulf are an essential part of Neapolitan charm: one of the best places to admire them is Castel dell’Ovo, the oldest in the city, and that must feature among things to see in Naples in three days. The sweeping landscape, with Vesuvius looming in the background, encompasses the most beautiful places with panoramic views from which to admire Naples from above, such as the famous hill of Posillipo.

For culture lovers, a must-see stop on the Naples in three days itinerary is the Capodimonte Museum, amid history, art, and nature. Surrounded by a lush forest, this magnificent building is home to an enviable collection of works framed by beautiful surroundings. Neapolitan food culture, of course, is a work of art in itself, starting with pizza, its most famous specialty. Where can you eat the best pizza in Naples? Temptation is everywhere, but by following our tips you can’t go wrong!

napoli in 2 giorni museo capodimonte

© Ph. Luciano Romano 2016 – Museo di Capodimonte

Day 3: Underground Naples, Business Centre and Art Stations

So, we’ve reached the last of our three-day tour of Naples: also this one a challenge but, as you will see, very exciting. As you may know, underground Naples is rich in treasures, including the Bourbon Gallery, with its fascinating paths through cisterns, tunnels, and historical artifacts. If you are looking for new excitement, it is easy to answer the question: what is there to see in Naples? Try the underground tour!

Napoli sotterranea

© Napoli Sotterranea

When you re-emerge from the depths, treat yourself to the unmistakable skyline of the Centro Direzionale – the city’s Business District, crammed with skyscrapers and aptly dubbed the Neapolitan “little New York”– an exciting building redevelopment that boasts contributions from architects such as Kenzō Tange and Renzo Piano.

Napoli il Centro Direzionale di Kenzō Tange (e Renzo Piano) 2

This is a city where art happily coexists with public spaces, as in the case of the Naples subway with its amazing Artistically Decorated Stations – don’t miss our tips for visiting this special distributed museum!

metropolitana di napoli stazioni dell'arte

Naples in three days: an itinerary with ten things to see

As you have seen, visiting Naples in three days is possible without missing out on the best it has to offer (including the food, of course). Here is a summary of our tour:

Day 1

  1. Spaccanapoli
  2. Duomo (and Treasure of San Gennaro)
  3. Piazza del Plebiscito, with the church of San Francesco di Paola and the Royal Palace
  4. Via San Gregorio Armeno

Day 2

  1. Castel dell’Ovo
  2. Museum of Capodimonte
  3. Prime Pizza

Day 3

  1. Underground Naples and the Bourbon Gallery
  2. Centro Direzionale – The Business District
  3. Art in the Metro

To Naples with Italo

Naples is a unique city and every moment of the year is ideal for a trip. Are you thinking of how to reach the city? We have no doubts regarding the Milan-Naples route: train or plane – which is better? The train wins hands down, also if you’re leaving from Venice, Verona, Bologna, or Florence… there are frequent trains to Naples every day and they will take you to your destination in super quick time!