5 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

      Visit before Pompeii to understand what you will see there, and head first to the mosaics on the mezzanine. (3 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Sansevero Chapel and the Veiled Christ

      Photography is not allowed inside; take time to look at the veil from several angles. (45 minutes, mid-priced).

   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

      Walk it end to end in the morning, then return to Via dei Tribunali at lunchtime for pizza. (2–3 hours, free).

   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. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   2. Late morning

      Castel dell'Ovo

      Come at sunset and climb to the top terrace for views of the Lungomare and Vesuvius. (1 hour, free).

   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. (1–2 hours, free).

   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

      Visit on a weekday morning outside the Christmas season to watch artisans work without the crush. (30–60 minutes, free).

   2. Late morning

      Naples Underground

      Wear comfortable shoes and skip the narrowest passage if you are claustrophobic; there is a way around. (1.5 hours, mid-priced).

   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

      Pay the small fee for the baptistery; its mosaics are among the oldest in the Western world. (1 hour, free).

   5. Evening

      Chiaia baretti

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

4. Day 4: Day trip to Pompeii

   About 35–40 minutes by train each way. Getting there: Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi.

   1. Morning

      Travel to Pompeii

      About 35–40 minutes by train (Circumvesuviana to Pompei Scavi); about 25 km.

   2. Day

      Pompeii

      The Roman town buried by Vesuvius in AD 79 is one of the world's most famous archaeological sites, with streets, houses, frescoes, bathhouses, an amphitheatre and plaster casts of victims. Best for first-timers, culture and families.

   3. Evening

      Back in Naples

      Dinner: try Babà.

5. Day 5: Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) and Galleria Umberto I

   Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino), Galleria Umberto I and Castel Sant'Elmo and Certosa di San Martino, then Lungomare and Mergellina in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino)

      Look down through the glass floor in the Armoury Hall at excavated Roman remains. (1 hour, low cost).

   2. Late morning

      Galleria Umberto I

      Look up from the centre of the cross to see the full height of the dome. (20 minutes, free).

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Babà

      Every pasticceria in Naples.

   4. Afternoon

      Castel Sant'Elmo and Certosa di San Martino

      Take the Montesanto or Centrale funicular up and walk down the Pedamentina steps for views all the way. (2–3 hours, low cost).

   5. Evening

      Lungomare and Mergellina

      Evening strolls, seafront bars and late-night snacks with views over the bay.

Before you go

Reserve timed tickets for Sansevero Chapel and the Veiled Christ before you travel; the rest of this plan needs no advance booking.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 5 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 16–20 hours of visiting over 5 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
• 3 days in Naples
• 4 days in Naples
• 7 days in Naples

Questions travellers ask