Things to see in Naples in one day

One day in Naples: your city guide

Has your journey includes Naples only for one day? Are you short of time and do not want to run in Naples? Then you are on the right guide to see as many things as possible in one day. Naples is certainly one of the most fascinating cities and rich in history in Italy. For sure, one day will not be enough to admire all its splendour. Do not worry! Thanks to our advice, you can visit the most significant places in the city; get in touch with the city spirit.

One day in Naples

1.‘Na tazzulella e’ caffè

Piazza Garibaldi

Recommended time to start: 8:30

Duration: 30 minutes

However way you reach Naples, by plane or train, the first step in the city is certainly Piazza Garibaldi, because there are the Central Train Station and the Alibus last stop from the airport.

Since our itinerary is a nice long walk and begins in early morning, it would be an excellent idea to start the day with a good breakfast. Coffee with pastry is a way that Neapolitans energise. So taste the Neapolitan expresso served with sfogliatella, which are two types, riccia is crispier and frolla is more shortcrust pastry. Get in any bar near the Central Station, and start your itinerary with sweetness in Naples.

Cost: coffee + sfogliatella 2,50 €.

After breakfast, walk towards the centre of Naples thought Corso Umberto I, after Garibaldi Statue. This road was made as artery to give breath the city at the time of King Umberto I, today is a shopping road. Once we reach Piazza Nicola Amore, turn right to take Via Duomo.

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2. The Treasure of San Gennaro

Naples Cathedral

Recommended time: 9:30

Duration: 1h

Walking along Via Duomo through many chapels and ancient churches, you will find the Cathedral of Naples on the right. This building has a thousand-year history, and, according to the legend, St. Peter himself founded this church before his leaving for Rome. Inside the Cathedral you will discover various artistic styles, which will enchant your eyes, but the most astonishing is the Treasury Chapel within the blood of San Gennaro, patron of the city, and the richest treasure in Europe: even richer than the Queen of England!

We recommend that you also look into the Minutolo Chapel, which is a true medieval art masterpiece, while the Succorpo Chapel will plunge you directly into the Italian Renaissance era. Finally, get into the basilica of Santa Restituta, where you can truly admire centuries of art history, and do not forget to visit the Baptistery of San Giovanni in Fonte, which is the oldest in Europe!

• Museum of Treasure of San Gennaro; cost: 8 €

Take the exit and turn left, and then take Via dei Tribunali on the right, follow the road until you reach Piazza San Gaetano. Here you find two beautiful churches: basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore on the left, with Via San Gregorio Armeno and the basilica di San Paolo Maggiore with the below access to Naples Underground.

3. Christmas 365 days

Via San Gregorio Armeno

Recommended time: 10:30

Duration: 1h

Visiting Naples, you absolutely cannot miss Via San Gregorio Armeno: the street of cribs. This is a true open museum of Neapolitan artisanship, finding various nativity scenes with lots of figurines. Also, as modern wax museums here we find famous world statuettes, now find your favourite character! In addition, do not forget to buy one of the many lucky charms, take it back home your fortune!

In addition to seeing the nativity scenes and buying souvenirs, we invite you to enter the church of San Gregorio Armeno, a true baroque masterpiece, where they dissolve the blood of Saint Patrick once a week (on Tuesdays). Also, visit the Fondaco di San Gregorio Armeno, the born place of Giuseppe Sanmartino: the sculptor of the Veiled Christ. Finally, if you still want to discover rarities, at the end of the road we suggest you look at church of San Gennaro all’Olmo.

At the end of the road, turning right, you get in Via San Biagio dei Librai, as called Decumano Inferiore or Spaccanapoli, also full of many churches and splendid buildings from every era. You going to find the statue of the god Nile At the end of this street, in Piazzetta Nilo. At the end of this short walk, you will get in Piazza San Domenico Maggiore.

4. The Heart of Naples for centuries

Piazza San Domenico Maggiore

Recommended time: 11:30

Duration: 1h e 30 minuti

In the middle of the square stands the spire of San Domenico, which is an ex-voto by the Neapolitan people for the end of plague in 1656 C.E. The spire is a real masterpiece of Neapolitan Baroque, and was designed by the greatest architect in Naples, Cosimo Fanzago. It would be a real shame not to take some shots of this enchanting architectural marvel! In addition, jugglers or musicians often stops here and brighten the moment.

Our raccomandation is to visit also the church, the greatest Dominican foundation in Naples, is truly a church-museum. The basilica has great architecture, sculptures and paintings from different time and style. You will notice some Italian masterpiece including Giotto and Caravaggio! Don’t forget to visit the Hall of Sacred Furniture, where you will find the real treasure of the church!

• Costo 5 € per visitare la Sala degli Arredi Sacri.

Once out of the basilica of San Domenico Maggiore, just take Vico San Domenico Maggiore up to Piazza Luigi Miraglia, turn right for Via Tribunali.

5. Neapolitan street-food

Via dei Tribunali

Recommended time: 13:00

Duration: 1h

Lunchtime, why don’t you take break and try Neapolitan street food? Via dei Tribunali is full of pizzerias and fry shops for all tastes! However, please, leave some space to taste some typical Neapolitan pastry desserts.

This is street with the most famous pizzerias in Naples! It’s fine if you don’t want to sit, you can also find excellent take away such as “pizza a portafoglio” it means “wallet pizza” because the pizza is folded as a wallet. You also have a fry selection like zeppoline, crocché, omelettes, arancini, and fried pizzas. However remember to try a dessert; they are very nice after lunch babbà and zeppola San Giuseppe, or a slice of pastiera!

Once you have satisfied your palate, you can go back towards Piazza Miraglia, and go straight towards Via San Pietro a Maiella. On the left side you will pass the church of San Pietro a Maiella and the Conservatory of Naples, then take Via San Sebastiano, famous for countless music shops. Than take the first turning right, to reach Piazza del Gesù Nuovo.

6. The centre of history

Piazza del Gesù

Recommended time: 14:00

Duration: 1h

Before we get in the square, we will pass between two important churches: Santa Chiara and the Gesù Nuovo. The first represents the greatest Gothic structure of Naples; the second has a very unusual façade made by a series of diamond blocks. Then we reach the square recognizable for its central spire, made in honour of holly Conception

This square is one of the most esoteric in Naples. If you look carefully at the bricks of the facade, they are marked with letters in an unusual alphabet, which they form a musical motif; while the statue of the Madonna on top of the spire, if you see it from the right perspective, looks like death with a scythe in hand. In this square, if you want, you can give yourself a little break in the various bars, thus comfortably admiring the Neapolitan architectural.

Once you are ready, go on in Via Pasquale Capitelli, and head to Via Maddaloni. At the intersection, you will find Via Toledo.

7. Crowd shopping road

Via Toledo

Recommended time: 15:00

Duration: 1h e 30 minuti

Via Toledo takes its name from the viceroy Don Pedro de Toledo, who also ordered to build the quartieri spagnoli (Spanish Quarters) behind the road. This street is the real beating heart of the city, and is crowded at all hours of the day!

You must know that this is the most loved street by Neapolitans for shopping, and for this reason, you will find all the trendiest shops of the moment. The street has many fry shops, pastry shops, ice cream parlours and cafes; for this reason, you could indulge in an additional snack. On the other hand, if you are still hungry for culture, you can admire Palazzo Zevallos, where is kept one of the most beautiful collections of paintings in Naples.

Lastly, get inside the Umberto I Gallery, which is the forerunner of the modern shopping centre. At center, you will find a compass made with marble carvings, which is surrounded by the representation of the twelve zodiac signs. By orienting yourself with the four cardinal points in the floor, head to the south exit, you will find the San Carlo Theatre, the oldest in Europe.Then If you look to the left, you can see the Maschio Angioino, also called Castel Nuovo: one icon of Naples. If you turn righ, there is Piazza Trieste e Trento with the magnificent fontain and the most prestigious coffee shop in Naples: Caffè Gambrinus. Crossing the square you will reach Piazza del Plebiscito.

8. The kings square

Piazza Plebiscito

Recommended time: 16:30

Duration: 1h

The square is very close to the gulf of Naples, and bounded by the Royal Palace and the church of San Francesco di Paola, reminiscent of the Pantheon in Rome. The adjacent buildings are Palazzo Salerno and the Prefecture Palace.

In front of the church are two equestrian statues made by Antonio Canova, depicting King Charles III of Bourbon, and King Ferdinand IV of Bourbon. Now I challenge you in a game, needless to say, no one succeed although seems simple! Starting blindfolded from the central portal of the Royal Palace, start walking forwards the church and see if you are able to pass between the two statues. Did you succeed? No, right? Don’t be sorry, because it is an almost impossible task due to the unevenness of the road surface. However, this bizarre custom refers to Queen Margaret, and it was a death life game for convicted.

Anyway if you’re curious, we made the game by winning beautifully.

Leaving Piazza del Plebiscito behind you, you will continue along Via Cesario Console, which ends in Via Nazario Sauro.

9. Finish our day with creativity

Santa Lucia

Recommended time: 17.30

Duration: 1h

Finally, on this road, you can relax and appreciate the sea view; walk up to Castel dell’Ovo, take a shot of the sunset, the best moment, then our journey is finished. If you still want to taste some Neapolitan speciality, I suggest you to try the spaghetti with clams, or if you feel creative, make Pizza Class with dinner.

Our journey ends here, thanks for reading, like and comment us if you liked our itinerary, and share if you found useful.

Note: contact us if you want a nice guide during your short day, we will find the right solution for your needs.

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