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Your first bite of pizza, eaten standing in a Spaccanapoli side street with the dough still steaming: that’s usually how a trip to Naples begins. Day 1 winds down in the historic centre, between the Sansevero Chapel and the nativity scene workshops of San Gregorio Armeno. Day 2: royal Naples in the morning, the Vomero and its views in the afternoon, the seafront at sunset. Day 3: Pompeii and Vesuvius, or the Archaeological Museum and Chiaia if you’d rather stay in town. Budget 55 to 85 euros per person per day excluding flights, book the Sansevero Chapel and Pompeii online, and forget the car: the metro, funiculars and walking will get you everywhere.
Naples is unlike any other Italian city: louder, denser, and more generous with it. It’s 2 hours 15 minutes by direct flight from Paris (there are also links from Lyon, Marseille and Nice), and it packs in a UNESCO listed historic centre, the best pizza in the world for under 10 euros, and, right on its doorstep, two of the most fascinating ancient sites in Europe. Here’s a 3 day itinerary tried and tested on the ground, district by district, to get to grips with the city without being overwhelmed.
Day 1: the historic centre, from Spaccanapoli to the Duomo
Morning: Spaccanapoli and the churches of old Naples
Start at Piazza del Gesù Nuovo, in front of the striking diamond point facade of the church of the same name. Right next door, the Santa Chiara monastery hides a cloister entirely covered in painted majolica tiles, one of the most peaceful spots in the city (entry around 6 euros). Then head into Spaccanapoli, the straight line that literally ‘splits’ old Naples in two: washing lines strung between windows, baroque chapels, street food stalls and scooters weaving through it all. This is the city distilled, best explored without a fixed plan.
Along the way, look up: the crumbling palazzi often hide inner courtyards and grand staircases you can glimpse for free.
Afternoon: the Veiled Christ, the nativity workshops and the underground city
The afternoon opens with the artistic highlight of the whole trip: the Veiled Christ in the Sansevero Chapel, a marble sculpture whose veil looks genuinely translucent. Tickets cost around 10 euros, and you need to book a timed slot online several days ahead; note that the chapel is closed on Tuesdays. From there, head to Via San Gregorio Armeno, the street of nativity scene craftsmen, busy all year round and not just at Christmas, then on to the Duomo and its Treasury Chapel of San Gennaro, the patron saint whose blood liquefies (or doesn’t) twice a year in front of the whole city.
If you’ve still got the energy, drop 40 metres below the streets on a guided tour of Naples Underground (around 12 euros, 1 hour 30): Greek cisterns, a Roman aqueduct and Second World War shelters. In the evening, head to Via dei Tribunali for pizza: at Sorbillo or Di Matteo, a margherita costs 5 to 9 euros and the queue moves quickly.
Day 2: royal Naples, the Vomero and the seafront
Morning: Piazza del Plebiscito, Toledo and the arcades
Change of scene at Piazza del Plebiscito, an enormous semicircle framed by the Royal Palace and the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola. Treat yourself to an espresso and a sfogliatella at Gran Caffè Gambrinus, a Neapolitan institution since 1860, then walk through Galleria Umberto I and its spectacular 1890 glass roof. Just around the corner, the Teatro San Carlo, the oldest opera house in Europe still in operation (1737), can be visited in half an hour for around 9 euros. Finish by walking up Via Toledo, the main shopping street, and drop down into Toledo metro station: its blue lit light well has made it one of the most beautiful stations in Europe.
Afternoon: the Vomero by funicular
From Toledo or Montesanto, a funicular (ticket 1.30 euros, same as the metro) climbs in a few minutes up to the Vomero, the well to do hilltop district. Castel Sant’Elmo, a star shaped fortress, gives you the finest 360 degree panorama over the bay, Vesuvius and the sea, for just 5 euros. Just below it, the San Martino Charterhouse deserves an hour of your time for its cloister, historic nativity scenes and terrace (entry under 10 euros). To get back down, take the Pedamentina: 414 steps dropping towards the centre with the bay as a backdrop the whole way.
End of day: the Lungomare and Borgo Marinari
End the day on the seafront along Via Caracciolo, pedestrianised for a good stretch: the view takes in Vesuvius on one side and the green slopes of Posillipo on the other. Walk on to Castel dell’Ovo, the city’s oldest castle, perched on its own little island; whether you can get inside depends on ongoing restoration work, but the stroll through the small harbour of Borgo Marinari is worth it on its own. Round off the day with a drink in the streets of Chiaia, the elegant district just behind.
Day 3: Pompeii and Vesuvius, or museum Naples
Option A: Pompeii and the crater of Vesuvius
The Circumvesuviana train leaves from Garibaldi station and reaches Pompei Scavi in around 35 minutes for barely more than 3 euros. Go in at opening time (tickets around 19 euros, booking online strongly advised in high season) and allow at least three hours for the forum, the baths, the frescoes of the Villa of the Mysteries and the paved streets frozen by the eruption of 79 AD. Bring water and a hat: the site offers almost no shade.
In the afternoon, shuttle buses run up from Pompeii to the Vesuvius car park, from where a stony path reaches the crater rim in around thirty minutes (entry around 12 euros, timed slot to book). The reward is a sweeping view over the whole bay, from Sorrento to Naples. Wear sturdy shoes and pack an extra layer: it’s windy up there.
Option B: the MANN, Maradona and the charm of Chiaia
If you’d rather skip the marathon day, spend the morning at the National Archaeological Museum (MANN): it brings together the mosaics and frescoes lifted from Pompeii, the vast Farnese collection and the famous secret cabinet, all for around 20 euros (closed on Tuesdays). In the afternoon, climb up to the Spanish Quarters to see the huge mural dedicated to Maradona, now a place of pilgrimage, then wander back down between Chiaia and Mergellina, gelato in hand, for one last look at the bay.
Practical tips for a successful city break in Naples
April to June and September to October: sunshine, pleasant temperatures and sites you can actually enjoy. Summer is stifling, especially at Pompeii, and some places close for a couple of weeks in mid August.
3 days for the city plus a Pompeii day trip. Allow 4 to 5 days if you want to add Herculaneum, Procida or Capri without rushing.
The single ticket at 1.30 euros covers the metro, buses and funiculars; a day pass costs around 4.50 euros. The Alibus shuttle runs from the airport to the centre in 30 minutes for 5 euros. The centre itself is best done on foot.
55 to 85 euros per person per day for a comfortable trip (3 star hotel, trattorias, paid attractions). 6 euro pizzas and 1.20 euro coffees keep the bill down.
The historic centre for full immersion, Chiaia for elegance and the seafront, the Vomero for peace and quiet and the views. The area right around Garibaldi station is convenient but has little charm.
The Sansevero Chapel (slots fill up fast, closed Tuesdays), Pompeii in high season, and the Vesuvius crater. For the famous pizzerias, aim for opening time to avoid an hour long queue.
To turn this itinerary into an hour by hour programme tailored to your own pace, our guide to planning a city break with AI saves precious time. And before you book anything, our tips on estimating and tracking your travel budget will help you avoid nasty surprises.
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Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough to visit Naples?
Yes, three days let you cover the historic centre, royal Naples, the Vomero and the seafront, while still setting aside a full day for Pompeii and Vesuvius. To add Herculaneum, an island like Procida, or the Amalfi Coast, plan for four to five days instead.
What budget should I plan for 3 days in Naples?
Excluding flights, budget 165 to 255 euros per person for three days in comfortable style: a shared 3 star hotel, meals in trattorias and pizzerias, public transport and paid attractions. On a tighter budget (hostel, street food), 110 to 150 euros will do, since Naples remains one of Italy’s cheapest major cities.
Do I need to book attractions in advance?
For the Sansevero Chapel, booking online is essential all year round, as slots sell out days in advance. For Pompeii and the Vesuvius crater, it’s strongly recommended from May to September. The MANN and Castel Sant’Elmo are much easier to visit on a whim.
How do you get to Pompeii from Naples?
The Circumvesuviana train links Napoli Garibaldi station to the Pompei Scavi stop in around 35 minutes, for a little over 3 euros, with departures every 30 minutes. Get off at Pompei Scavi Villa dei Misteri: the site’s main entrance is 100 metres away. The same line also serves Herculaneum (Ercolano Scavi stop).
Which district is best for staying in Naples?
The historic centre (around the Decumani) puts everything within walking distance, right in the thick of Neapolitan life. Chiaia offers elegance, restaurants and a seafront setting. The Vomero wins you over with its calm and its views, at the cost of a few funicular rides. Don’t expect much charm around Garibaldi station.
Conclusion
Feverish Spaccanapoli, majestic Plebiscito, panoramic Vomero and overwhelming Pompeii: over three well planned days, Naples reveals almost all of itself. The secret to a successful trip comes down to two rules: book the handful of sites that require it, and accept the surrounding chaos as part of the show. To go beyond this itinerary, our full guide to what to do in Naples lists the best experiences theme by theme. And if the south is still calling you, follow up with Rome in 3 days or Athens in 3 days, two other ancient capitals perfectly suited to a city break.
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