Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy

Looking for the best ways to enjoy Naples in one day? We have the perfect one-day Naples itinerary for you.

Naples is Italy’s third biggest city, after Rome and Milan, and the largest in Southern Italy. However, don’t expect to find a traditional Italian city when you get here. The city of Naples is vibrant, authentic, and full of life, yet it is also chaotic and unkempt. Despite this, there’s a certain allure to the city that can’t be found anyplace else.

Naples, Italy, is most recognized for being the birthplace of the Margherita pizza. Naples has a lot more to offer than just pizza, though, and the good thing is that you can easily see most of the city’s top attractions in a day.

A full day in Naples can include everything from historic castles to deserted tunnels and, of course, authentic Naples pizza.

Here’s our suggested one-day in Naples itinerary when you visit this interesting port city.

Naples in One Day: One-Day Naples Itinerary

Naples in One Day: One-Day Naples Itinerary
Piazza del Plebiscito, Naples

All of the locations in this guide are within a five- to ten-minute walk of one another due to Naples’ walkability. Make the most of this one-day Naples itinerary by starting as early as seven o’clock and wearing comfortable walking shoes.

All right, let’s jump in.

1. Neapolitan breakfast and Gran Caffè Gambrinus (optional)

Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy
Photo by Antonio Manfredonio via Flickr

Treat yourself to a filling breakfast of Neapolitan delights and a shot of espresso to start your day right in Naples. However, if you’re trying to stick to a diet and can’t resist the tempting array of pastries and confections available in Naples, consider this your cheat day.

The enormous Gran Caffè Gambrinus, Naples’ oldest and most venerable café, is a great place for a hearty breakfast. This exquisite Belle Époque-style café dates back to the mid-19th century and was formerly a famous literary hangout for Neapolitan literati, critics, and other artsy types.

The place is also very photogenic, so snap away in between sips of your coffee.

2. Piazza del Plebiscito

Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy
San Francesco di Paola Basilica

Located in Naples’ core business district, the Piazza del Plebiscito is not only attractive but is also surrounded by major buildings and can be regarded as the city’s central plaza.

One of Naples’ largest churches, the majestic San Francesco di Paola Basilica, sits at one end of the piazza. It’s a massive Neoclassical structure with a long semicircular columned gallery.

Meanwhile, one of Naples’ most fascinating landmarks is the Royal Palace, which sits across the square and has been remarkably preserved.

3. Royal Palace of Naples

Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy
Photo by pietro scerrato via Wikimedia Commons

For a city that was once one of the most important in Europe, this palace’s size and splendor are a magnificent representation of the pomp and grandeur of the Bourbon dynasty.

Built in the early 17th century, the salons in this palace were created in the most lavish Italian Baroque, Neo-Classical style. The first thing you’ll see as you walk up to the palace is the eight marble statues of notable Naples kings from the 12th century through the unification of Italy shown on the façade.

Inside, you’ll find a big and diverse collection of Baroque and Neoclassical trompe l’oeil paintings, frescoes, chandeliers, luxurious furnishings, and also the gold reliefs along with the stuccoed ceilings.

There’s also the Teatrino di Corte, a private theatre with papier-mâché sculptures, and the absurdly huge Hall of Hercules, both of which display tapestries and both worth a visit.

The Royal Palace of Naples is open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day except Wednesday.

4. San Carlo Theatre

Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy

A quick walk from the palace is the majestic Teatro di San Carlo (San Carlo Theatre), one of the most stunning opera theatres in the world. La Scala in Milan may be more famous, but the San Carlo Theater is Italy’s oldest and most magnificent opera house.

It took just nine months to build this grand Neoclassical structure after the previous one was destroyed by fire in 1816. As a venue, it’s noted for its atmosphere and acoustic quality.

Six-tiered horseshoe of 184 crimson velvet seats with gold leaf-painted stage curtains comprises the San Carlo Theater’s exquisite interior.

In 1737, this theatre was the envy of Europe, and you’ll quickly understand why when you visit. The Royal box topped with the crown of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies is the main attraction in this auditorium. The ceiling fresco depicting Apollo presenting poets to Athena should also not be overlooked.

You can take a guided tour of the San Carlo Theater to view the interiors. Tours are offered in both English and Italian daily. You’ll need around an hour to complete this tour.

5. Via Toledo/Toledo Metro Station

Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy
Photo by Robot8A via Wikimedia Commons

Naples’ main retail boulevard, Via Toledo (or Via Roma), runs for more than 1.5 kilometers in a straight line up the hill to the National Archeological Museum and divides the city into two distinct regions.

This is Naples’ most famous retail strip and is the perfect place to experience the vibrant ambiance of the city. Take a stroll down Toledo Street and check out the Italian brand shops.

The Toledo Metro Station is also a must-see, having received the LEAF Award for “Public Building of the Year” in 2013. CNN has named it the most beautiful metro stop in Europe. See for yourself why by checking it out.

6. Galleria Umberto I

Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy

A few minutes’ walk from the station is the Galleria Umberto I, which resembles the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan in almost every respect. This is because the late 19th-century architect, Emanuele Rocco, was heavily inspired by Milan’s masterpiece.

If you have just one day in Naples, the Galleria Umberto I, while smaller and less well-maintained than Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is well worth visiting.

7. Spanish Quarter/Lunch

Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy

From Galleria Umberto I, walk several minutes to the Spanish Quarter to see a different face of Naples.

In the 16th century, Viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo authorized the extension of Naples, mostly for the quartering of Spanish troops, to include this atmospheric quarter. Today, the area has a grid-like layout and the buildings are crammed so closely together.

Laundry lines and one-room houses border the alleys, and the walls are covered in graffiti and old posters. Some structures are in a state of ruin yet there are also beautiful Baroque buildings. That sounds and looks pretty chaotic but they also photograph well, so you’ll see a lot of tourists here snapping away.

If you’re in the mood for some of the city’s best local cuisine for lunch, look no further than the Spanish Quarter. Enjoy a meal of pasta, grilled fish, and salad, followed by a sip of limoncello, a delicious local liqueur.

8. National Archaeological Museum of Naples

After lunch, rest a bit, then take a leisurely walk to the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. If you want to visit some of Pompeii’s biggest treasures, this is the place to be.

In addition, King Charles III donated many archaeological artifacts to the museum, many of which he had inherited. Over time, the collection grew, and the museum eventually reached its current state of splendor.

If you’re interested in jewels, ancient Roman history, or ancient Naples history, you’ll probably need an hour or two to explore the museum to see them all. If you are interested in Naples’ — or perhaps Italy’s — past, the National Archaeological Museum is the place to go.

9. Visit the churches in the Old Town

Cross Via Foria to go to Naples’ historic center after looking through the museum’s collection of antiquities. Visiting this location early in the morning or late in the afternoon will allow you to see as much of Naples as possible in a single day. Several of the city’s most important churches may be found in this old part of the city.

Gesu Nuovo is the first one you’ll come upon. Despite the church’s unusual stone façade, the interior is adorned with luxurious furnishings and artwork.

St. Domenico Maggiore, with its gold frescoes and relics, is across the street. Follow the path eastward until you come upon the next collection of religious structures.

There are three basilicas in the center of the old town: the Basilica di San Paola Maggiore, San Lorenzo Maggiore, and San Gregorio Armeno.

San Gregorio Armeno is a must-see even if you don’t plan to visit the other two churches. One of the city’s earliest churches, it was built in the 700s. It includes a beautiful marble fountain and a Baroque decor with a lot of gold accents.
It’s only a short walk to the city’s most famous church, the Naples Cathedral or the Duomo.

Built-in the 13th century, Naples Cathedral’s exterior is influenced by neo-Gothic architecture. Here, you’ll find a wide range of artifacts dating back thousands of years.

However, this is also one of the most popular places to visit so plan how much time you’ll spend here.

10. End your day by feasting on an authentic Neapolitan pizza

Naples in One Day: Your Best One-day Itinerary to Naples, Italy

In Italy, and perhaps the entire world, there is no better spot to enjoy pizza than in Naples.

Naples’ pizza is regarded as the best in the world because of the high-quality ingredients, the tradition involved in its preparation, and the special finishing touches. Authentic Neapolitan pizza cannot be reproduced and must be tasted directly from the source.

Visiting Naples isn’t complete without a few slices of this local delight. Fluffy and seasoned with simple ingredients and baked in wood-burning ovens are what makes an authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Everyone visiting Naples should include a stop at a Neapolitan pizzeria on their schedule. If you’re looking for a unique take on the classic Neapolitan pizza, check out our list of the best pizzerias in Naples.

Buon appetito!