3 days in Naples

Day by day

1. Day 1: National Archaeological Museum and Sansevero Chapel and the Veiled Christ

   National Archaeological Museum, Sansevero Chapel and the Veiled Christ and Spaccanapoli and the decumani, then Teatro di San Carlo in the evening.

   1. Morning

      National Archaeological Museum

      One of the world's great collections of Greek and Roman antiquities, with the Farnese Bull and Farnese Hercules, the Alexander Mosaic and frescoes and everyday objects from Pompeii and Herculaneum.

   2. Late morning

      Sansevero Chapel and the Veiled Christ

      Photography is not allowed inside; take time to look at the veil from several angles.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Neapolitan pizza

      Historic pizzerias on Via dei Tribunali and in the Sanità and Quartieri Spagnoli; expect queues at the famous names.

   4. Afternoon

      Spaccanapoli and the decumani

      The long straight street nicknamed Spaccanapoli ('splits Naples') follows an ancient Greek road through the historic centre.

   5. Evening

      Teatro di San Carlo

      If you cannot see a performance, the short guided tour shows the auditorium and royal box.

2. Day 2: Piazza del Plebiscito and the Royal Palace and Castel dell'Ovo

   Piazza del Plebiscito and the Royal Palace, Castel dell'Ovo and Lungomare promenade, then Piazza Bellini and the historic centre in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Piazza del Plebiscito and the Royal Palace

      Combine the palace with Teatro di San Carlo and coffee at a historic café on Piazza Trieste e Trento.

   2. Late morning

      Castel dell'Ovo

      The oldest castle in Naples sits on the islet of Megaride, where the first Greek settlers landed.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Fried pizza

      Friggitorie and pizzerias in the historic centre and Sanità.

   4. Afternoon

      Lungomare promenade

      Walk it in the early evening for the passeggiata, and stop for a taralli and a cold beer on the rocks.

   5. Evening

      Piazza Bellini and the historic centre

      Student bars, cheap drinks and crowds spilling into the square near the university.

3. Day 3: Via San Gregorio Armeno and Naples Underground

   Via San Gregorio Armeno, Naples Underground and Naples Cathedral and the Treasure of San Gennaro, then Chiaia baretti in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Via San Gregorio Armeno

      This narrow street is lined with workshops making figures for presepi, the elaborate Neapolitan nativity scenes, from shepherds and market stalls to caricatures of footballers and politicians.

   2. Late morning

      Naples Underground

      Wear comfortable shoes and skip the narrowest passage if you are claustrophobic; there is a way around.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Sfogliatella

      Pastry shops around Via Toledo, Piazza Garibaldi and the historic centre.

   4. Afternoon

      Naples Cathedral and the Treasure of San Gennaro

      The Gothic cathedral contains the baroque Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, where a vial of the saint's blood is said to liquefy three times a year.

   5. Evening

      Chiaia baretti

      Small cocktail and wine bars around Vico Belledonne a Chiaia and Via Bisignano, busiest at weekends.

Before you go

• Sansevero Chapel and the Veiled Christ: Queues are long and entry is limited; book a timed ticket online.

If it rains

• Swap in Galleria Umberto I (Via Toledo): Look up from the centre of the cross to see the full height of the dome.
• Swap in Museo di Capodimonte (Capodimonte): Allow time for the royal apartments and the porcelain parlour, then picnic in the park.
• Swap in Catacombs of San Gennaro (Rione Sanità): After the tour, walk downhill through the Sanità for pizza and baroque staircases.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Centro Storico keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, Chiaia ($$$) suits couples, shopping, nightlife and luxury. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 13–16 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 9.3 hours in December to 15.1 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Naples
• 2 days in Naples
• 4 days in Naples
• 5 days in Naples
• 7 days in Naples

Questions travellers ask