Naples is one of Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, founded by the Greeks as Neapolis and later shaped by Romans, Normans, and Bourbons. That layered history sits above a honeycomb of tunnels and aqueducts, while Mount Vesuvius watches over the Bay of Naples like a dramatic stage set. The city’s historic center is UNESCO-listed—crammed with churches, palaces, and artisans’ workshops along the thin blade of Spaccanapoli.

Food is both ritual and identity here. Naples is the birthplace of the Margherita pizza, and the espresso is short, intense, and often followed by a “caffè sospeso,” a pay-it-forward coffee for someone in need. Markets like Pignasecca hum with vendors selling fried “cuoppo,” briny seafood, and seasonal produce, while pastry counters tempt with sfogliatelle and babà drenched in rum.

Practical notes: wear comfortable shoes for cobblestones; keep valuables secure in crowded lanes and on transit; and book timed tickets for popular sights like the Sansevero Chapel. Some museums close one day a week (often Tuesday), and summer afternoons can be hot—start early and siesta with gelato by the sea. Trains connect Naples rapidly with Rome and Florence, making it an easy hub for day trips to Pompeii, Herculaneum, and the Amalfi Coast.

Naples

Naples is equal parts art, noise, myth, and sea breeze. Traverse Spaccanapoli to feel the city’s pulse, ducking into baroque churches and past nativity-scene workshops on Via San Gregorio Armeno. Head uphill to Castel Sant’Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino for sweeping views, or stroll the Lungomare to Castel dell’Ovo as the sun drips into the bay.

Top sights include the National Archaeological Museum (home to mosaics from Pompeii and Herculaneum), the Sansevero Chapel’s haunting Veiled Christ, the Catacombs of San Gennaro, and Napoli Sotterranea (Underground Naples). Food highlights range from crisp-edged, soft-centered pizza to slow-cooked ragù, street “cuoppi” of fried seafood, and almondy pastiera at Easter.

Where to stay

• Browse apartments and seaside stays on VRBO Naples or compare hotels on Hotels.com Naples.
• Grand Hotel Vesuvio (Belle Époque icon on the seafront; rooftop views across the bay).
• Hotel Piazza Bellini (stylish boutique in the historic center; great for walkers and museum-goers).
• Hotel Royal Continental (spacious rooms on the Lungomare; perfect for sunsets and castle strolls).

How to get there

• Flights: Compare routes and prices to Naples (NAP) with Omio Flights (Europe) or Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com. From Rome, flights are often unnecessary—take the train.
• Trains: High-speed Frecciarossa/Italo from Rome ≈ 1h10 (from ~$20–$60), Florence ≈ 2h50 (from ~$30–$80), via Omio Trains. Intercity and regional options are cheaper but slower.
• Buses: Budget links from Rome, Bari, and beyond via Omio Buses (longer, but economical).

Local arrival: NAP airport to the center takes ~20–30 minutes by taxi or the Alibus shuttle. Expect a taxi in the ~$25–$35 range; the shuttle is cheaper and frequent.

Day 1: Historic Heartbeat — Spaccanapoli, San Gregorio Armeno, and the Seafront

Morning: Travel day. Use Omio Trains if arriving from another Italian city, or check last-minute fares on Omio Flights and Hotels.com Naples for possible early check-in.

Afternoon: Check in, then hit the historic center. Walk Spaccanapoli past Santa Chiara’s cloister and the nativity workshops of Via San Gregorio Armeno. Peek into the Duomo to see San Gennaro’s chapel. Coffee break: try Caffè Mexico (bold espresso) or Gran Caffè Gambrinus (grand café style) and learn about the “caffè sospeso” tradition.

Evening: Pizza pilgrimage time. Choices include 50 Kalò (airy “canotto” crusts), L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele (stripped-back classic Margherita or Marinara), or Gino e Toto Sorbillo (creative toppings, lively vibe). Post-pizza, stroll the Lungomare to Castel dell’Ovo; finish with gelato at Casa Infante or Gay-Odin chocolate gelati. Nightcap in Chiaia at L’Antiquario for polished cocktails.

Optional hands-on experience tonight: Learn to make your own pie at the Authentic Pizza Making Class in Naples with Appetizers and Drink (typically 2–2.5 hours; small groups). You’ll knead dough, top with DOP ingredients, and bake in a roaring oven—then feast together.

Day 2: Museums, the Veiled Christ, Underground Naples, and a Street-Food Safari

Morning: Start at the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN) to see exquisite mosaics, the Farnese collection, and artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum—essential context for tomorrow’s ruins. Espresso at Caffè del Professore near Piazza del Plebiscito. Lunch at Pignasecca Market: grab a paper cone of fried seafood (cuoppo), fresh mozzarella from a caseificio, or sit for pasta at a market trattoria.

Afternoon: Prebook the Sansevero Chapel to admire the Veiled Christ’s marble “veil,” a masterpiece of illusion. Continue to Napoli Sotterranea (Underground Naples) to explore ancient cisterns and WWII shelters—a reminder of the city beneath the city. Sweet stop: sfogliatelle (riccia or frolla) from Sfogliatella Mary by Galleria Umberto I.

Evening: Join a guided tasting stroll on the Authentic Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert Guide (about 2.5 hours; small group). Expect pizza a portafoglio, cuoppo, ragù tastings, and classic desserts while hearing the stories behind each bite.

After the tour, head to the Quartieri Spagnoli to see street murals (look for Diego Maradona) and sit for dinner at Trattoria Da Nennella (home-style plates, singing servers) or Tandem Ragù (slow-cooked ragù over ziti or gnocchi). Sip a digestive at a neighborhood bar—limoncello or amaro is the local rhythm.

Day 3: Full-Day Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius — History, Views, and Wine

Spend the day on the Naples: Pompeii & Mt Vesuvius All-Inclusive Small Group w/ Lunch. With skip-the-line access, you’ll walk Pompeii’s ancient streets—amphitheater, forum, bakeries, and frescoed villas—then drive up Vesuvius for crater views over the Bay of Naples. Many departures include a light lunch or tasting; it’s an efficient, narrative-rich way to connect volcano and city.

Back in Naples, celebrate with seafood by the water—consider Borgo Marinari near Castel dell’Ovo for spaghetti alle vongole or a whole grilled catch. If you prefer pizza round two, try Di Matteo on Via dei Tribunali for fried starters (frittatine di pasta) before your pie.

Day 4: Castles, Sea Air, and Departure

Morning: Walk the Lungomare Caracciolo while the city wakes. Explore Castel dell’Ovo (free entry; great views) and the nearby Santa Lucia quarter, with fishermen mending nets along the tiny marina. Breakfast at Gran Caffè Gambrinus—sfogliatella and a short, thick espresso—or a cappuccino at a corner bar if you’re on the go.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping for edible souvenirs: biscotti, artisanal chocolate from Gay-Odin, or a box of babà. Then head to the station or airport. Trains to Rome run roughly every 15–30 minutes (≈1h10) via Omio Trains; for flights, check Omio Flights, Trip.com, or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time before departure, ride the funicular up to Vomero for a quick panorama, then glide back down.

Alternative or add-on ideas (season and time permitting): Capri day trip for the Blue Grotto and Anacapri views; Amalfi Coast panoramas in Positano and Amalfi; the Catacombs of San Gennaro; or the Certosa di San Martino for art and cityscapes. If you extend your stay, check ferries and tours via Omio Ferries and look at curated day tours that bundle transport and guides.

In four days, you’ll have tasted Naples’ soul: street food and espresso rituals, baroque marvels, and the volcanic drama that shaped Pompeii and the bay. This itinerary balances deep history with leisurely seaside strolls—and leaves room for one more slice of Margherita before you go.