Naples in 2 days: a day-by-day itinerary
Two days are enough to fall in love with Naples: the first in the old centre, among churches, nativity scenes and pizza; the second between the Archaeological Museum, the Vomero hill and sunset over the sea. Here's how to plan them without rushing and without finding doors closed.
At a glance
- Day 1
- The historic centre on foot: Cathedral, Spaccanapoli, San Gregorio Armeno, Sansevero Chapel, Underground Naples
- Day 2
- Archaeological Museum, Vomero with Castel Sant'Elmo and the Certosa, the Spanish Quarter, the seafront at sunset
- To book
- Sansevero Chapel (compulsory) and Underground Naples; booking the Archaeological Museum online is recommended
- Watch out for Tuesdays
- The Sansevero Chapel, the Archaeological Museum and the Certosa di San Martino are closed on Tuesdays
- Where to stay
- The Historic Centre, so you can do almost everything on foot
- Transport tickets
- Metro and funiculars use the same Unico ticket; the day ticket is worth it if you make more than 3 journeys
Before you go: three things to know
- Avoid Tuesday for day 2, and for the Sansevero Chapel too: the Archaeological Museum, the Certosa di San Martino and the Chapel close on Tuesdays. The simplest solution is to do the historic centre on a Tuesday only if you skip the Chapel, or to shift the itinerary.
- Book the Sansevero Chapel as soon as you have your dates: booking is compulsory and at weekends places run out.
- Stay in the Historic Centre or near Via Toledo: on the first day you do everything on foot, and on the second you start from the metro.
Day 1: the old centre
Morning: the Cathedral and Spaccanapoli
Start at the Duomo (the cathedral is free to enter) and the chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro. Then head down Via dei Tribunali and Via San Biagio dei Librai, the liveliest stretch of Spaccanapoli, and detour into Via San Gregorio Armeno, the street of nativity scene workshops, open all year round.
Lunch: pizza
This is the area of the historic pizzerias, between Via dei Tribunali and Forcella. Join the queue early, around midday, or grab a pizza a portafoglio (a small pizza folded in four) to eat as you walk.
Afternoon: the Veiled Christ and Naples beneath Naples
Behind Piazza San Domenico Maggiore is the Sansevero Chapel with the Veiled Christ (about 45 minutes, booking compulsory). Then head back towards Piazza San Gaetano for Napoli Sotterranea (Underground Naples): Greco-Roman cisterns and wartime shelters, by guided tour only. If there's time, step into the majolica-tiled cloister of Santa Chiara.
Evening
Stroll from Piazza del Gesù along Via Toledo and through the Galleria Umberto I to the illuminated Piazza del Plebiscito.
Day 2: museum, views and the sea
Morning: National Archaeological Museum
It opens at 9:00. In two or three hours you'll see the mosaics and frescoes from Pompeii, the Farnese collection and the Secret Cabinet. Metro stop Museo (Line 1) or Cavour (Line 2).
Lunch and afternoon: Vomero
Go up to Vomero on one of the funiculars (Centrale from Via Toledo, Montesanto or Chiaia). Have lunch in the streets around Via Scarlatti, then walk to Castel Sant'Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino: the view over the whole bay, with Vesuvius opposite, is the best in the city.
Sunset: the Spanish Quarter and the seafront
Walk down towards Via Toledo through the Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter), with its alleys and murals. Then Via Chiaia, Piazza del Plebiscito and the seafront to Castel dell'Ovo for sunset, with Vesuvius and Capri on the horizon. Dinner in Santa Lucia or Chiaia.
Tip: if your second day is a Tuesday, switch it round: morning in Vomero (Castel Sant'Elmo), afternoon in the Spanish Quarter and on the seafront, and move the Archaeological Museum and the Sansevero Chapel to another trip or to day 1.
If you have an extra day
Add a day trip: Pompeii or Herculaneum on the Circumvesuviana (the local commuter train) from Garibaldi station, or an island, Procida or Capri, by hydrofoil from Molo Beverello. See Naples in 3 days.
Stops on the itinerary
- Sansevero Chapelday 1, booking compulsory
- Spaccanapoli and San Gregorio Armenoday 1, on foot
- Underground Naplesday 1, guided tour
- National Archaeological Museumday 2, morning
- Castel Sant'Elmo and Certosa di San Martinoday 2, afternoon
- Seafront and Castel dell'Ovoday 2, sunset
Frequently asked questions
Are two days enough to see Naples?
They're enough for the historic centre, the Archaeological Museum, Vomero and the seafront. For Pompeii, Herculaneum or the islands you need at least a third day.
Which area should I stay in for a weekend in Naples?
In the Historic Centre or near Via Toledo: on the first day you do everything on foot, and on the second the metro and funiculars are easy to reach. Compare the areas.
Which museums are closed on Tuesdays in Naples?
Of those on this itinerary, the Sansevero Chapel, the National Archaeological Museum and the Certosa di San Martino close on Tuesdays. Always check the official websites before you go.
Where to stay for a weekend in Naples
202 places to stay in the Historic Centre on Napolibnb.it, the Naples holiday-rental portal: you contact the host directly, with no booking fees. Every listing shows its official CIN code.
