Italy rewards curiosity. Naples, ancient and untamed, hums with espresso bars, frescoed churches, and alleys that predate the Empire; its fate is forever tied to Vesuvius and the day Pompeii froze in time. Rome, the Eternal City, layers imperial grandeur over Renaissance art and modern café life, where evenings gather around piazzas and burbling fountains.

Across five days, you’ll taste Naples’ soul in a slice of true Neapolitan pizza, walk the stone streets of Pompeii, and then race by high-speed rail to Rome to stand on the Colosseum’s arena and gaze up at Michelangelo’s ceiling. Expect early starts, long lunches, and magic-hour strolls when monuments glow like candlelight.

Practical notes: book marquee sites (Pompeii, Colosseum, Vatican) ahead, mind pickpockets in crowded areas, and wear modest attire for churches. Trains between Naples and Rome are frequent and fast; taxis and rideshares supplement excellent metros and buses. Coffee is standing-room fast in Naples, leisurely in Rome—sample both styles.

Naples

Naples crackles with life: baroque churches beside graffitied palazzi, scooters weaving past street shrines, and the smell of frying cuoppo in the air. Beneath it all lies a honeycomb of Greco-Roman tunnels; above it, the Bay of Naples and the silhouette of Vesuvius.

• Top sights: Spaccanapoli, Napoli Sotterranea, Castel dell’Ovo, the Archaeological Museum (home to the Farnese collection), and the seaside Lungomare.
• Eat and drink: try sfogliatella at Gran Caffè Gambrinus, pizza from 50 Kalò or Da Attilio, and fried street snacks from a friggitoria near Via Toledo.
• Fun fact: Naples invented the Margherita pizza in 1889; UNESCO recognizes the art of Neapolitan pizzaioli as Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Where to stay (Naples):

• Grand Hotel Vesuvio — bay views, classic service, and an elegant rooftop for sunset drinks.
• Hotel Piazza Bellini — design-forward rooms in the historic center, perfect for walkers and food lovers.
• Hotel Royal Continental — modern waterfront stay on Via Partenope, ideal for Lungomare strolls.
• Browse apartments and villas: VRBO Naples stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com Naples.

Getting to Naples: Fly into Naples (NAP) or Rome (FCO) and connect by train. For flights and rail within Europe, check Omio flights and Omio trains. High-speed trains from Rome to Naples take ~1h10–1h20 from €19–€60.

Day 1: Arrival, Old Naples wander, and street food

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Begin in the heart of the historic center: walk Spaccanapoli, peek into Santa Chiara’s cloister tiles, and browse nativity workshops on Via San Gregorio Armeno. Coffee break at Gran Caffè Gambrinus for a hazelnut-infused caffè nocciolato and a sfogliatella.

Late afternoon activity: Join an expert-led tasting walk to decode Naples’ street eats—cuoppo (paper cones of fried seafood/veg), zuccherati, and more: Authentic Naples Street Food Tour With Local Expert Guide.

Expect 2.5 hours of nibbles and neighborhood lore through Decumani and Piazza del Gesù.

Evening: Pizza night: book 50 Kalò di Ciro Salvo (silky dough; try the diavola) or Gino Sorbillo Lievito Madre al Mare (seaside pies). For a classic neighborhood vibe, Da Attilio in Pignasecca serves the star-shaped “Carnevale.” Gelato at Casa Infante; nightcap at L’Antiquario, a speakeasy pouring refined Italian cocktails.

Day 2: Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius

Full-day tour (no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening): Step into 79 AD with skip-the-line entry and a guided walk through Pompeii’s forum, bakeries, and frescoed villas, then ascend Vesuvius’ crater for sea views and volcanic geology. Book: Naples: Pompeii & Mt Vesuvius All-Inclusive Small Group w/ Lunch.

Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, and mind sun exposure—there’s little shade on the mountain.

Back in town, opt for homestyle plates at Trattoria Da Nennella (cheerful chaos; pasta e patate con provola) or Osteria La Chitarra (Abruzzese-leaning specials). Stroll the Lungomare from Castel dell’Ovo to Mergellina for sea breeze and views across the bay.

Rome

Rome dazzles with theater: emperors’ arches, Bernini fountains, café clatter, and vespas threading cobbles polished by centuries. Each neighborhood feels like a village, from ivy-draped Trastevere to Monti’s wine bars and artisans.

• Top sights: Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill, Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, Vatican Museums with the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Eat and drink: carbonara at Armando al Pantheon, supplì and pizza al taglio at Pizzarium, cacio e pepe in Trastevere, and gelato at Fatamorgana.
• Tip: Reserve the Colosseum and Vatican with timed entry to avoid long queues; early slots are calmest.

Where to stay (Rome):

• Hotel Eden, Dorchester Collection — hilltop elegance near the Spanish Steps with a panoramic bar.
• Hotel Santa Maria — quiet courtyards in Trastevere, ideal for evening strolls and trattorie.
• Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel — resort-style stay with art-filled halls and a destination spa.
• Kolbe Hotel Rome — monastery-meets-modern beside the Forum, with a tranquil garden.
• The Beehive — friendly, budget-minded base near Termini with a café and yoga.
• Explore more stays: VRBO Rome apartments and Hotels.com Rome.

Getting from Naples to Rome (Day 3 morning): Book a Frecciarossa/Italo on Omio trains. Travel time ~1h10–1h20, departures every 15–30 minutes, from ~€19–€60. Seats include luggage space and free Wi‑Fi.

Day 3: Train to Rome, Colosseum and Monti

Morning: Depart Naples after breakfast—grab a warm sfogliatella frolla at Sfogliatella Mary (Galleria Umberto) to take on the train. Arrive at Roma Termini, drop bags, and enjoy a quick espresso at Roscioli Caffè near Campo de’ Fiori if you’re nearby.

Afternoon activity: Walk in gladiators’ footsteps with a guided tour covering the amphitheater’s engineering, the Roman Forum’s civic heart, and Palatine Hill’s imperial palace remains: Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour.

Choose an arena-floor access slot for a thrilling on-stage perspective.

Evening: Explore Monti’s boutiques and wine bars. Aperitivo at Ai Tre Scalini (Roman cheeses, Lazio wines), then dinner at Trattoria da Valentino (seasonal Roman dishes) or Taverna Romana (well-executed classics; book ahead). Toss a coin in Trevi Fountain and climb the Spanish Steps at blue hour.

Day 4: Vatican masterpieces, Trastevere, and piazza life

Morning activity: Enter via a partner entrance to spend less time waiting and more time with Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel before walking into St. Peter’s: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour.

Dress modestly (shoulders/knees covered) and consider climbing the dome for sweeping city views.

Afternoon: Snack like a local: Pizzarium Bonci near the Vatican (creative pizza al taglio; try potato–mozzarella or mortadella–pistachio). Cross the Tiber to Trastevere for cobbled lanes and artisans—visit Santa Maria in Trastevere’s golden mosaics.

Evening: Aperitivo at Freni e Frizioni (canalside vibe, generous cicchetti). Dinner picks: Da Enzo al 29 (meaty amatriciana, tiramisù), Taverna Trilussa (table-side carbonara), or Cesare al Casaletto (short tram ride for phenomenal fried starters and Roman mains). Gelato at Otaleg’ or Fatamorgana before your passeggiata along the river.

Day 5: Pantheon morning and departure

Morning: Start at Campo de’ Fiori’s market stalls (Roman artichokes, pecorino), then slip to the Pantheon when doors open to see the oculus light beam. Coffee at Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè and pastries at Roscioli Caffè e Pasticceria. Stroll to Piazza Navona to admire Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain.

Afternoon: Early lunch near the Pantheon: Armando al Pantheon (booked favorites: cacio e pepe, abbacchio) or Enoteca Corsi (lively, honest Roman plates). Depart for the airport or onward trains. To reach FCO, the Leonardo Express runs ~32 minutes from Termini; book via Omio trains. For flights within Europe, compare on Omio flights.

Evening: If your flight is later, squeeze in Capitoline Hill for Forum views or a last gelato at Giolitti. Pick up edible souvenirs: olive oil, guanciale (vacuum-sealed), or Roman biscotti.

Optional day-trip swaps (if you prefer coast over Vesuvius): From Naples, swap Day 2 for the Amalfi Coast sampler: Sorrento, Positano & Amalfi Small Group Tour.

Or choose Capri with the Blue Grotto conditions permitting: Day Trip to Capri and Blue Grotto From Naples & Sorrento.

Getting around and booking tips: Use Omio trains for intercity rail (and the Leonardo Express), and Omio buses or Omio ferries for coastal routes. Reserve key museum entries and top restaurants 2–3 weeks ahead for spring–fall travel. Carry small coins for church donations and restrooms.

Summary: In five days, you’ll taste Naples’ bold cuisine, trace Pompeii’s fateful morning, and unlock Rome’s heavy hitters—the Colosseum and Vatican—without feeling rushed. Fast trains make this two-city Italy itinerary effortless, while curated cafes and trattorie ensure every pause is delicious.