Welcome to Naples, Italy! Or as the Italians would say… Benvenuti a Napoli! Most notably known as the birthplace of pizza, Naples is a bustling city located in the Campania region of southern Italy. While it is only the 3rd largest city in Italy, it is the most densely populated, making it an overwhelming experience for those expecting a peaceful, romantic welcome to the city. Don’t get me wrong, Naples does have a romance to it, but that’s not the first word that comes to mind when I think of Naples. That said, we truly enjoyed our short time in the city as we spent the day seeing as many of the iconic sights as we could like Piazza del Plebiscito, Galleria Umberto I, and Castel dell'Ovo; explored the popular streets of Spaccanapoli, Via Toledo, Via San Gregorio Armeno (AKA Christmas Alley), and Via Caracciolo e Lungomare; and of course indulged in some of Naples’ most famous culinary delights like Espresso, Sfogliatella, and Pizza Margherita! 10 out of 10, would recommend a visit to Naples!
Whether you’re on a port day with a cruise ship or just a time-crunched traveler like we tend to be, we’ve put together what we think is the perfect one-day in Naples itinerary. With such a limited time, there’s no way to fit in all of the highlights that this city offers, but you’ll get a good taste of the city and have reason to come back!
Check out our “One Day in Naples” travel vlog for a closer look at our time in Naples!
If you have a little longer to take in this beautiful city and need accommodations, here are a few that came highly recommended to us…
Or you can view the full list below…
Now, let's get to exploring...
9:00am: Piazza del Plebiscito
After around 30 years of serving as a parking lot until 1994, this magnificent square has been restored to its former beauty and is now a highlight to anyone's Naples visit! On its east end, you’ll find the Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace), and on its west end the Church of San Francesco di Paola. The Piazza del Plebiscito is a beautiful introduction to the city of Naples!
9:45am: Espresso, Babà, & Sfogliatelle… The Breakfast of (Italian) Champions!
Gran Caffè Gambrinus (where we went - Via Chiaia, 1, 80132 Napoli NA, Italy)
Since 1860, Gran Caffè Gambrinus has been serving some of the best espresso and pastri