Naples in 3 days: perfect itinerary between the historic center, street food and underground Naples

Our 3-day Naples tour starts in the beating heart of the city, where history and daily life are intertwined in every alley. Spaccanapoli, the street that cuts the old town in two, welcomes you with its viceregal palaces, artisan workshops and the unmistakable energy of the scugnizzi (street kids) who play ball. In Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, admire the homonymous church with its ashlar façade in volcanic stone and the fairytale Church of Santa Chiara with its majolica cloister: a view that will make you fall in love at first glance. Crossing the Decumanis, let the call of street food guide you: in the middle of the morning a hot puff pastry or rum baba are a

Continue to Via Toledo, the shopping street that leads to the Pignasecca market — the oldest market in Naples — where the colors and scents of fruit, fish and cheese will envelop you. Stop here for lunch, immersing yourself in local specialties: a succulent pizza with a purse bite while walking or a piece of fried cuoppo eaten in the shade of the alleys. If you want to combine tastings and stories, take part in a food tour of Naples in the company of a delicious local guide like you (Neapolitan Street Food Tour with Expert Guide). In the afternoon, go up Via Toledo to Piazza Plebiscito, the city's elegant living room, and visit the Royal Palace or even just sip a historic coffee from Gambrinus overlooking the square. At sunset, stroll along the Lungomare Caracciolo: the view of Vesuvius that stands out beyond Castel dell'Ovo, with the sky tinged with pink, is pure Neapolitan poetry. Let yourself be kissed by the sea breeze hand in hand with your sweetheart, and you will understand why they say “See Naples and then die”: after so much beauty, nothing can

After a good breakfast with coffee and puff pastry (here coffee is an almost sacred ritual!) , the second day takes you to explore the city's artistic treasures and hidden mysteries. Start at the Sanseverum Chapel, where you are breathless in front of the Veiled Christ: marble that becomes a transparent veil is a miracle of baroque art capable of moving anyone. Not far away, enter the Cathedral of Naples to admire the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, a beloved patron: if you are lucky you could attend the rite of blood liquefaction, an event that Neapolitans

A few steps away, in Piazza San Gaetano, the adventure of Underground Naples awaits you: a journey underground 40 meters deep, through tunnels from the Greco-Roman era, ancient aqueducts and bomb shelters from the Second World War. The atmosphere changes radically, from the festive chaos of the surface to the muffled silence of the subsoil: it seems to enter another dimension, quiet and almost mystical. Book a guided tour in advance to skip the line and be accompanied by expert storytellers (Skip-the-Line Ticket for Underground Naples). Walking by candlelight among the tanks and the remains of ancient civilizations, you will hear ghost legends and curiosities — did you know that Naples has more than 400 km of underground tunnels? — and you'll see a secret side of the city that few people imagine.

Back in the sunlight, dedicate the afternoon to the National Archaeological Museum (MANN), one of the richest museums in Italy. Here you will find the original mosaics and frescoes of Pompeii and Herculaneum, the impressive Farnese collection (with the famous Farnese Bull and the Colossal Hercules) and finds that tell the greatness of Naples and Campania since Greek times. If you prefer an alternative to classical art, you can explore the Sanità district with the Catacombs of San Gennaro or walk in the esoteric atmosphere of the Fontanelle Cemetery, a unique ossuary in the world that embodies the special relationship of Neapolitans with the afterlife. In the evening, to recover from emotions, nothing better than a fish dinner in Borgo Marinari, at the foot of Castel dell'Ovo, or a real trattoria in the Spanish Quarters to taste Genoese pasta or a pasta omelet worthy of tradition

The last day of our 3-day itinerary in Naples is dedicated to discovering other faces of the city, between breathtaking views and authentic neighborhoods. In the morning, take the funicular and go up to Vomero, the hilly residential district: here visit Castel Sant'Elmo, a medieval castle in the shape of a star, from which you can enjoy the most beautiful 360° view of Naples, the gulf and the islands. Next door, the Certosa di San Martino awaits you with its cloisters and a museum that houses, among other wonders, the most important collection of historic nativity scenes in the city — a small taste of the world-famous

Then descend back to the center and treat yourself to a lunch in the Chiaia district or in Santa Lucia: this elegant area near the waterfront offers old-fashioned taverns and refined pastry shops. Don't forget to try the fried pizza (if you haven't already!) perhaps from the historic aunt Esterina Sorbillo, for one last Neapolitan sin of gluttony. In the afternoon, explore the Spanish Quarters, once infamous and today the heart of street art and tradition. Get lost in the maze of narrow alleys decorated with colorful murals — the immense mural of Maradona, worshiped as a soccer god, stands out above all — and Napoli soccer flags hanging from the balconies. Here you can shop for handmade souvenirs, such as red ceramic lucky croissants, and observe scenes from everyday life: children playing, ladies chatting from the balconies, mopeds zipping past you while the scent of ragù simmers from the windows. This is the truest and most authentic Naples, the one that will remain in your

After exploring so much, you'll have realized that Naples is chaotic but wonderfully welcoming. To make the most of your stay, choose carefully where to sleep: the ideal neighborhoods for a 3-day city break are the Historical Center (to be a stone's throw from all the attractions), or Chiaia/Santa Lucia if you prefer an elegant area on the waterfront, or even the Vomero if you love hilly tranquility. For example, you can opt for boutique hotels such as Hotel Piazza Bellini in the historic center, a converted noble palace with an artistic interior courtyard, or the panoramic Grand Hotel Vesuvio on the waterfront for a romantic and luxurious stay with sea view. If you are looking for modern and functional solutions, we can recommend the NH Hotel Panorama, or there are also B&Bs and apartments spread between the center and neighborhoods such as the B&B Hotel Napoli, often managed by locals that will make you feel at home. Take a look at our hotel suggestions in Naples to find the perfect accommodation (Hotel in Naples).

To get around Naples, take advantage of the public transport network and some extra services. Metro line 1 (the “Metro dell'Arte”) is not only convenient for crossing the city (it connects the center with the Vomero and the Museum, for example), but each station is a contemporary art gallery to visit in itself — stop in Toledo, defined as one of the most beautiful stations in Europe, to admire the deep blue mosaics of the sea. The funiculars connect the center to the hilly areas in a few minutes: you can climb Castel Sant'Elmo or descend from San Martino effortlessly, enjoying the view from the window. For short trips in the historic center, the best way is often to go on foot, getting lost without fear in the alleys (so much every street leads to a square or a main street sooner or later!). If you arrive in the city by plane or ship, and for transfers with luggage, rely on private transfers: a local driver will pick you up at the airport or port and will take you directly to your hotel without stress (Transfer Airport/Port — Hotel in Naples). In three days you won't have time to try collective taxis like the “Alibus” or maybe a tuk-tuk ride, but know that in Naples there's always a creative way to get around! If you want to try something unusual, a tuk-tuk tour through the streets of old Naples can be fun and allows you to see a lot in a short time (Naples in Tuk Tuk — panoramic tour

Naples awaits you with open arms, with its unique blend of culture, chaos and warm humanity. In these 3 days you will only taste an appetizer of everything the city has to offer, but you will see that you will experience it intensely. You will leave with in your eyes the blue of its sea and the yellow of its tuff, in your ears the melodies of the alleys and in your heart a rogue nostalgia — because Naples, once known, immediately becomes home. And remember, we at Metour.it are Neapolitans in love with our land: we will always be ready to welcome you and assist you on the spot, to let you experience the truest