Free things to do · Naples · Italy
8 free things to do in Naples
Naples without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Naples without paying an entry fee: Spaccanapoli and the decumani, Via San Gregorio Armeno, Castel dell'Ovo and Galleria Umberto I are all free. Pizza and street food make Naples one of the best-value food cities in Italy.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 6
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Street · Centro Storico
1.Spaccanapoli and the decumani
Walk it end to end in the morning, then return to Via dei Tribunali at lunchtime for pizza.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Food
- Photo spot
Street · Centro Storico
2.Via San Gregorio Armeno
Visit on a weekday morning outside the Christmas season to watch artisans work without the crush.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Kids
- Photo spot
Castle · Santa Lucia and the Lungomare
3.Castel dell'Ovo
Come at sunset and climb to the top terrace for views of the Lungomare and Vesuvius.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- History
- Kids
Architecture · Via Toledo
4.Galleria Umberto I
Look up from the centre of the cross to see the full height of the dome.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
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Religious site · Centro Storico
5.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.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Architecture
Waterfront · Santa Lucia and the Lungomare
6.Lungomare promenade
Walk it in the early evening for the passeggiata, and stop for a taralli and a cold beer on the rocks.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Kids
Viewpoint · Posillipo
7.Posillipo and Parco Virgiliano
Go for sunset, then eat seafood in Marechiaro; take a taxi or bus, as it is far from the metro.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Outdoors
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Neighbourhood · Quartieri Spagnoli and Via Toledo
8.Quartieri Spagnoli
Enter from Via Toledo and explore by day; keep phones and bags secure in the narrow lanes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Photo spot
- Food
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Centro Storico | Spaccanapoli and the decumani, Via San Gregorio Armeno and Naples Cathedral and the Treasure of San Gennaro | 2–3 hours + 30–60 minutes + 1 hour |
| Santa Lucia and the Lungomare | Castel dell'Ovo and Lungomare promenade | 1 hour + 1–2 hours |
| Via Toledo | Galleria Umberto I | 20 minutes |
| Posillipo | Posillipo and Parco Virgiliano | 2–3 hours |
| Quartieri Spagnoli and Via Toledo | Quartieri Spagnoli | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Castle · Municipio
Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino)
Look down through the glass floor in the Armoury Hall at excavated Roman remains.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Viewpoint · Vomero
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.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
- Art
Historic site · Rione Sanità
Catacombs of San Gennaro
After the tour, walk downhill through the Sanità for pizza and baroque staircases.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
- Art
Architecture · Via Toledo
Toledo metro art station
Buy a single metro ticket and ride the escalators down to see the light cone from below.
- Time needed
- 20 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
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Religious site · Centro Storico
Santa Chiara and its majolica cloister
The church is free; pay for the cloister and museum, one of the calmest spaces in the historic centre.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Architecture
- Art
- Couples
Gallery · Centro Storico
Pio Monte della Misericordia
See it before visiting Capodimonte's Caravaggio to compare two of his Naples works.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Pizza and street food make Naples one of the best-value food cities in Italy.
- State museums and sites, including Pompeii, offer free entry on the first Sunday of the month; arrive very early.
- The Campania Artecard can save money if you visit Pompeii, Herculaneum and the main museums within a few days.
- Stay in Naples and day-trip to the Amalfi Coast and Capri rather than paying island and coast hotel prices.
- Take the slower car ferry instead of the hydrofoil to the islands if time allows.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Naples expensive to visit?
Naples is affordable for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Naples?
Spaccanapoli and the decumani: Walk it end to end in the morning, then return to Via dei Tribunali at lunchtime for pizza.