— TRAVEL TIPS · NAPLES
Visit Naples in 3 days
Three days are plenty to chart the Greco-Roman core, explore an ancient buried city, and delve into the underground network. However, it is far too short to squeeze in Gulf islands like Capri or Ischia without wearing yourself out.
By Sophie Dorval, Italy specialist · September 9, 2026 · 9 min read
Naples is built on steep slopes and ground-level traffic makes buses notoriously unreliable. The smart move is dividing the city into three manageable sectors, easily covered on foot, via Metro Line 1, or by funicular.
One tip before you go: to follow this itinerary independently — at your own pace, without booking a guided tour for every site — bring an audio guide app. You unlock the whole city at once, and the story of each monument starts playing as soon as you arrive in front of it. That's exactly what CityGuide offers in Naples.
Book underground tours and major museums at least a week before you land, or prepare to be turned away at the door.
Day 1
Historical Centre
Exploring the Greco-Roman grid and subterranean foundations.
The Duomo houses the phial of Saint Januarius's blood, which liquefies three times a year. Entry to the cathedral is free, as is the Treasury Chapel, which has been managed by a secular deputation since 1601.
Spaccanapoli slices the city in two along the ancient Roman decumanus inferior. Veer off towards the Sansevero Chapel to admire the Veiled Christ from 1753; online booking several weeks in advance is essential.
Via dei Tribunali is lined with historic pizzerias. Sorbillo takes no reservations whatsoever: give your first name to the host at the door and wait for it to be barked through the megaphone onto the street.
Napoli Sotterranea plunges 40 metres below street level. These former Greek tuff quarries, repurposed as air-raid shelters in 1943, can only be visited on tours led by the official association's guides.
Piazza Bellini showcases the 4th-century BC Greek city walls sunken below street level. In the evening, local students gather here for drinks served in plastic cups.
Day 2
Antiquity and the Heights
From Roman mosaics to sweeping panoramas atop Vomero hill.
The National Archaeological Museum is closed on Tuesdays. It holds the legendary Farnese Collection and original mosaics unearthed from the ashes of Pompeii.
The Catacombs of San Gennaro are run by a local cooperative based in the Sanità district. Your entry ticket remains valid for a full year and includes admission to the Catacombs of San Gaudioso.
Head up to Vomero using the Montesanto Funicular. The Certosa di San Martino exhibits an extraordinary collection of 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scenes, while its panoramic terrace offers open views across Mount Vesuvius.
The Spanish Quarter follows a strict grid layout drawn up in the 16th century to house military garrisons. Fire up the audio guide to discover how these three-metre-wide alleyways now funnel modern pilgrims towards the Maradona mural.
Once you are there, let it guide you
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Day 3
Pompeii and the Waterfront
Diving into ancient ruins and strolling along the monumental seafront.
Board the Circumvesuviana train at Porta Nolana rather than Garibaldi to secure a seat all the way to Pompei Scavi. The archaeological site spans 66 hectares, calls for flat walking shoes for the uneven Roman paving, and requires a timed-entry ticket.
Back in town, Piazza del Plebiscito unfolds its neoclassical colonnades with free public access. The neighbouring Royal Palace requires a ticket to view its state apartments.
Castel dell'Ovo sits on the islet of Megaride, where the ancient city was originally founded in the 8th century BC. As the castle is currently shut for extensive renovations, you can admire its yellow tuff ramparts from the marina at Borgo Marinari.
The Chiaia neighbourhood is home to historic Neapolitan tailoring shops, which are strictly closed on Sundays. In the evening, the streets around Via Bisignano become pedestrianised, offering a quiet dinner away from the blaring horns of Via Toledo.
6 practical tips for Campania
- Metro Line 1 closes in the late evening on weekdays and runs later on weekends; a single ticket costs less than two euros.
- The 3-day Campania Artecard covers regional public transport and includes two free admissions, making it great value if you combine Pompeii and the National Archaeological Museum.
- Catch the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi station on subterranean platform 3, travelling towards Sorrento.
- Most historic centre churches shut between 1:00 pm and 4:00 pm; schedule visits to national museums during this midday window.
- The Sansevero Chapel is a privately run institution excluded from regional tourist passes, and it is closed every Tuesday.
- Take the Central Funicular from Piazzetta Augusteo up to Vomero; the ride is included in the city's standard transport ticket.
Understanding what lies before you
A well-planned itinerary saves your legs, but it will not explain why centuries-old churches stand directly on top of temples dedicated to Apollo.
That's where an audio guide app like CityGuide comes in: it detects where you are and plays the story of each place at just the right moment, while you walk from one stop to the next — hands and eyes free, even offline. So you can follow your itinerary without ever being left in the dark.
— Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about Naples
It is the ideal amount of time to cover the Greco-Roman centre, the grand seafront, and spend half a day exploring Pompeii.
Budget under a hundred euros a night for central accommodation, a few euros for a slice of pizza fritta, and around twenty euros for Pompeii admission.
The Alibus connects the airport to Garibaldi central station and Molo Beverello port for a few euros. Regular city buses do not enter the airport grounds.
May and October offer comfortable walking temperatures. July and August frequently top 30 degrees Celsius, which makes touring unshaded archaeological sites hazardous.
Historic pizzerias along Via dei Tribunali do not accept reservations. You must leave your first name with the door host and wait outside in the street.
Piazza Bellini attracts students around its outdoor bars, whereas Chiaia caters to an older crowd. Both areas are routinely patrolled by the Carabinieri.
— Go Further
The CityGuide App
Turn your smartphone into a personal guide with our Naples CityGuide app. Enjoy dozens of location-based stories decoding facades, churches, and ancient ruins without staring at a screen.
See the Naples audio guide
