City Break Naples: A 3-Day Guide to Pizza, Passion and the Past (2026)

Naples is a city that does not whisper. It shouts, it laughs and it sings. It is a place of raw energy where the streets are a theatre and the people are the stars. Often misunderstood and unfairly compared to its northern neighbours, Naples offers an authenticity that is becoming rare in Europe. It is the birthplace of pizza, the custodian of Pompeii's treasures and a city with a heart so big it feels like it might burst.

The architecture here is a chaotic masterpiece. Baroque churches squeeze between peeling palazzos and laundry flutters like bunting across narrow alleyways known as the vicoli. The air is thick with the scent of espresso, sea salt and ragu simmering in open kitchens. Beneath the noise lies a layer of profound history. This was a Greek settlement long before it was Roman and its underground tunnels tell stories of bomb shelters and ancient aqueducts.

Napels is loud, messy, passionate and completely unforgettable

If you are seeking a city break Europe offers that is intense, flavourful and unapologetically real then a city break Naples is the ultimate choice. It provides a sensory overload that will leave you exhausted but exhilarated. This expert-crafted 3 days in Naples itinerary is designed to guide you through the chaos. We will descend into the belly of the city, stand face to face with the most beautiful statue in the world and eat the best pizza of your life. It is the definitive Naples travel guide for planning your journey detailing exactly what to do in Naples during your unforgettable Naples weekend itinerary.

Day 1: The Heart of the Ancient City

Day one is about diving into the Centro Storico or Historic Centre. This UNESCO World Heritage site is the beating heart of Naples where three millennia of history are stacked on top of each other.

Morning: The Veiled Christ and Spaccanapoli

Start your day early at the Cappella Sansevero. This small chapel hides one of the world's most impressive sculptures: the Veiled Christ by Giuseppe Sanmartino. The marble veil covering the body of Christ looks so soft and transparent that you will struggle to believe it is made of stone. It is essential to book your ticket online weeks in advance as it sells out daily.

Afterwards walk down Spaccanapoli (literally "Naples splitter"). This long narrow street cuts the old city in two. It is lined with artisan workshops, souvenir shops and bakeries. Stop at a bar for a caffè sospeso (suspended coffee) which is a local tradition of paying for two coffees but drinking one, leaving the other for a stranger in need.

Lunch: The Pizza Pilgrimage

You cannot come to Naples without eating pizza. For lunch head to L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele or Gino Sorbillo on Via dei Tribunali. Be prepared to wait. There is always a queue but the system is efficient.

Order a classic Margherita or Marinara. The crust is soft and chewy, the tomato sauce is sweet and the mozzarella is fresh. It is simple perfection. The pizza here is bigger than the plate and usually costs less than a cocktail in other cities.

Afternoon: Naples Underground and Christmas Alley

After lunch escape the heat by going underground. Join a tour of Napoli Sotterranea (Naples Underground). You will descend 40 metres below the street to explore the Greek-Roman aqueducts that supplied the city with water for centuries. You will also see the air-raid shelters used during WWII. It is a cool, damp and fascinating labyrinth.

Resurface and walk to Via San Gregorio Armeno. This street is famous for its nativity scene workshops (presepi). Artisans hand-carve intricate figurines all year round. You will find everything from the baby Jesus to caricatures of footballers and politicians.

Evening: The Duomo and Babà

Walk to the Duomo di Napoli (Naples Cathedral). This is the home of the city's patron saint San Gennaro. His blood is kept in two vials and locals gather three times a year to pray for it to liquefy. If it doesn't they believe disaster will strike the city.

For dinner stay in the historic centre. Try Tandem for a meal dedicated to Neapolitan ragu. It is slow-cooked for hours and served with pasta or just bread for dipping (the scarpetta). Finish your night with a Babà, a mushroom-shaped cake soaked in rum.

Practical Details: Day 1

Activity	Time	Cost (EUR)	Cost (GBP) *	Address/Details
San Severo Chapel	09:30 AM – 10:30 AM	€12.00	£10.20	Via Francesco de Sanctis 19 Book here with guided tour
Lunch – Pizza	12:00 PM – 01:30 PM	€12.00 avg	£10.20 avg	Da Michele or Sorbillo
Naples Underground	02:00 PM – 03:30 PM	€15.00	£12.75	Piazza San Gaetano 68
San Gregorio Armeno	04:00 PM – 05:00 PM	Free	Free	Famous artisan street
Dinner – Ragu	08:00 PM	€25.00 avg	£21.25 avg	Via Paladino 51 (Tandem)
Total Estimated Transport Cost:	Walkable	0	0	City centre is compact

• GBP prices are approximate conversions based on a rate of €1.00 = £0.85 for planning purposes.

Day 2: Treasures, Skulls and Views

Day two takes us from the slightly macabre side of Neapolitan culture to the grand museums and finally up high for a view that explains why people have lived here despite the volcano next door.

Morning: The Archaeological Museum

Take the Metro Line 1 (the stations are art galleries themselves) to the Museo. Your destination is the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN). This is one of the most important museums in the world.

It holds the Farnese Collection of massive Roman statues and most importantly the treasures from Pompeii and Herculaneum. You can see the mosaics, frescoes and everyday objects that were buried by Vesuvius in 79 AD. Do not miss the Gabinetto Segreto (Secret Cabinet) which houses the erotic art found in the Roman excavations.

Lunch: Street Food

Head to the Pignasecca Market for a street food lunch. It is noisy and colourful. Try Cuoppo, a paper cone filled with fried seafood or vegetables. Or grab a Pizza Fritta (fried pizza) which is a pocket of dough stuffed with ricotta and pork crackling. It is heavy but delicious.

Afternoon: The Cult of the Dead

Naples has a unique relationship with death. Visit the Cimitero delle Fontanelle (check if reopened as it undergoes periodic restoration) or the Catacombs of San Gennaro.

The Fontanelle cemetery is a massive ossuary in a cave holding the skulls of plague victims. Locals used to adopt a skull (capuzzella) and pray for its soul in exchange for lottery numbers or favours. It is a spooky but touching display of faith. The Catacombs of San Gennaro are grander and feature ancient Christian frescoes.

Evening: Vomero Sunset

Take the Funicolare (cable railway) up to the Vomero hill. This is the elegant residential district.

Walk to Castel Sant'Elmo. From the ramparts you have a 360-degree view of Naples, the bay and Vesuvius. It is the best sunset spot in the city.

For dinner explore the restaurants in Vomero which are often less chaotic than those in the centre. Try Renzo e Lucia for a view or a local trattoria for pasta with potatoes and provola cheese.

Practical Details: Day 2

Activity	Time	Cost (EUR)	Cost (GBP) *	Address/Details
Archaeological Museum	10:00 AM – 01:00 PM	€22.00	£18.70	Piazza Museo 19
Lunch – Street Food	01:30 PM – 02:00 PM	€8.00 avg	£6.80 avg	Pignasecca Market
Catacombs San Gennaro	03:00 PM – 04:30 PM	€13.00	£11.05	Via Capodimonte 13 Book here
Castel Sant'Elmo	05:30 PM – 06:30 PM	€5.00	£4.25	Via Tito Angelini 22
Dinner – Vomero	08:00 PM	€35.00 avg	£29.75 avg	Hilltop dining
Total Estimated Transport Cost:	€5.00	£4.25	Metro/Funicular tickets

• GBP prices are approximate conversions based on a rate of €1.00 = £0.85 for planning purposes.

Day 3: Royalty and The Sea

Your final day leaves the dark alleys behind for the grandeur of the royal court and the fresh breeze of the seafront promenade.

Morning: The Royal Palace

Start at Piazza del Plebiscito. This massive semicircular square is bounded by the church of San Francesco di Paola (which looks like the Pantheon in Rome) and the Royal Palace (Palazzo Reale).

Visit the palace to see the opulent apartments where the Bourbon kings lived. The throne room and the court theatre are spectacular. Just next door is the Teatro di San Carlo, the oldest opera house in the world. You can take a guided tour to see the velvet and gold interior.

Lunch: Coffee at Gambrinus

Stop for a break at Gran Caffè Gambrinus. It is a historic literary cafe with Belle Époque interiors. Standing at the counter for a coffee and a sfogliatella (shell-shaped pastry) is a rite of passage.

For a proper lunch walk towards the Santa Lucia district. Transatlantico is a row of restaurants right on the water near Castel dell'Ovo. It is touristy but the setting is lovely.

Afternoon: The Lungomare

Walk along the Lungomare (seafront promenade). This is the car-free road that hugs the coast. It offers uninterrupted views of Vesuvius.

Walk out to Castel dell'Ovo (Egg Castle). It is the oldest castle in Naples located on a small islet. Legend says the poet Virgil hid a magical egg in the foundations to support the structure. Entry is usually free (check for renovation closures) and wandering the ramparts gives you a great view back towards the city.

Farewell: Chiaia Elegance

End your trip in the Chiaia district. This is the posh part of town with high-end boutiques and wine bars.

Enjoy an aperitivo at one of the baretti (small bars) on Vico Belledonne. For your farewell dinner treat yourself to fresh fish at Dora or Da Cracco (not the Milan one). Toast to the city with a glass of Lacryma Christi (Tears of Christ) wine grown on the slopes of Vesuvius.

Practical Details: Day 3

Activity	Time	Cost (EUR)	Cost (GBP) *	Address/Details
Royal Palace	10:00 AM – 12:00 PM	€12.00	£10.20	Piazza del Plebiscito Book here with Audio Guide
San Carlo Tour	12:00 PM – 01:00 PM	€9.00	£7.65	Via San Carlo 98
Coffee at Gambrinus	01:00 PM – 01:30 PM	€5.00 avg	£4.25 avg	Historic cafe
Castel dell'Ovo	03:00 PM – 04:30 PM	Free	Free	Via Eldorado 3
Farewell Dinner	08:00 PM	€50.00 avg	£42.50 avg	Seafood in Chiaia
Total Estimated Transport Cost:	Walkable	0	0	Flat walking route

• GBP prices are approximate conversions based on a rate of €1.00 = £0.85 for planning purposes.

Where to Stay: Accommodation Suggestion

For a stay that offers convenience, grand views and a strategic location for both the city and day trips this hotel is the ideal choice.

Starhotels Terminus (Book here)

• Location: This hotel is located at Piazza Garibaldi 91. It is situated immediately next to the Napoli Centrale train station. This might sound busy but it is incredibly practical. You are seconds away from the high-speed trains to Rome or the Circumvesuviana to Pompeii and Sorrento. The Metro Line 1 station is right outside the door connecting you to the historic centre in minutes.

• Style & Amenities: Starhotels Terminus provides a calm sanctuary from the energetic square outside. The design is classic and elegant with warm wood tones and high-quality fabrics. The rooms are soundproofed which is essential in this part of town. The real jewel is the rooftop terrace on the 7th floor. It offers a sweeping view of the city and Mount Vesuvius. It is the perfect place to have a morning coffee or an evening cocktail while looking at the volcano.

• Rates: Offering 4-star comfort in a strategic hub double rooms typically start around €130–€180 (£110–£153) per night depending on the season. The breakfast buffet is extensive featuring local Neapolitan pastries and runs about €14 if not included in your rate.

Final Section: Tips and Local Insights

Your vibrant trip Italy is planned. Here are essential logistics and local insights to ensure your visit is seamless.

Mastering Transport

• The Metro: Line 1 is safe, clean and often called the "Art Metro" because the stations are designed by famous artists. A single ticket costs €1.30.

• Alibus: This bus connects the airport to the Central Station and the Port. It costs €5.00 and is the cheapest and easiest way to arrive.

• Crossing the Road: Traffic rules in Naples are suggestions. To cross the road you must step out with confidence and make eye contact with the driver. If you wait for them to stop you will wait forever.

Currency and Etiquette

• Currency: Italy uses the Euro (€).

• Cash vs Card: While most places take cards small pizzerias and street food stalls often prefer cash. Always keep some small notes on you.

• Safety: Naples has a bad reputation from decades ago but the city centre is generally safe for tourists. Be careful of pickpockets on crowded buses and in the station area (Piazza Garibaldi). Don't wear flashy jewellery.

• Dinner Time: Do not arrive for dinner before 8:00 PM. Most kitchens are just opening. The city comes alive late at night.

• The Horn: You will hear car horns constantly. In Naples the horn is a language. It can mean "hello", "watch out", "I am turning" or "hurry up". Don't take it personally.

Naples is a city that stays with you. It is gritty and beautiful, exhausting and inspiring. It is a place where life is lived on the street at full volume. Buon viaggio! (Have a safe trip!)