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If you’re looking for the best Naples has to offer, you’ve found it!
As far as we’re concerned, Naples is one of the most overlooked cities in Italy. Sure, it’s well known, but it’s not too touristy, so it’s the ideal place to immerse yourself in authentic Italian culture. Oh, yeah, and it’s an ideal base for exploring the Amalfi Coast!
We loved our time in Naples and did our best to try out absolutely everything. We’ve rounded up our top 10 favorite experiences to help you fully appreciate the glorious capital of the Campania region.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our FAVORITE thing to do in Naples is this pizza-making class! It was so fun learning how to make authentic Neapolitan-style pizza with a professional chef and getting to eat it after of course!
Check out the 2,000+ 5-star reviews and book this cooking class here!
Tip: This tour is very popular – secure your spot here and get FREE cancellation before you go.
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
- Things to do in Naples, Italy
- 1. Day trip to the Amalfi Coast
- 2. Make authentic pizza
- 3. Eat your way around the city on a food tour
- 4. Visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
- 5. Visit Herculaneum with an expert guide
- 6. Take a private tour of the city
- 7. Visit the famous Blue Grotto
- 8. Learn to cook authentic pasta
- 9. Visit the underground Roman ruins
- 10. Explore the city by bike
- Where to Stay in Naples, Italy
- Thanks for reading!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Stay safe in Europe & avoid scams!
- Renting a Car in Italy
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
Things to do in Naples, Italy
1. Day trip to the Amalfi Coast
- Duration: 8-9 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, free time to explore each destination, small group tour
- Inclusions: Hotel or port pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, lunch, bottled water, English-speaking guide
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 4,900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
This top-rated day trip is ideal for anyone who wants to explore the Amalfi Coast, but is short on time! It’s also a budget-friendly way to see this famous part of Italy because it’s a lot cheaper to stay in Naples and take a tour than to stay overnight in the Amalfi region.
The Amalfi Coast is absolutely beautiful, and we loved the views along the winding roads, but we were really happy to leave the driving to our driver, Salvatore, as these roads are tricky!
The first stop of the day was in Sorrento, where we had free time to explore. We loved strolling along Corsa Italia, which is the town’s main shopping street, and took a little detour to explore the cathedral, as our guide recommended.
After that, we headed to Positano. One thing that stood out to us about this particular tour was that it included free time in Positano’s downtown, whereas most Amalfi Coast tours from Naples don’t. We had time to explore the picturesque “vertical city” and have lunch on a beautiful restaurant terrace overlooking the ocean. I don’t think life gets better than that!
Last but not least, we traveled along the beautiful coastline until we reached the town of Amalfi itself, where we wrapped up the day with more free time to amble around and take in the glorious views.
This tour is an ideal way to experience the glamor and magic of the Amalfi Coast in just one day. We aren’t the only ones who loved it either – check out the 4,500+ glowing reviews here!
Book this stunning day trip here and you can choose to pay later!
2. Make authentic pizza
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: Times available between 11 am – 8 pm
- Highlights: Hands-on experience, small class size, learning about the origins of pizza, eating pizza at the end of the class
- Inclusions: Snacks, ingredients, equipment, English-speaking instructor, drinks, certificate
- Rating: 5 stars (check 2,250+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Neapolitan pizza is considered the gold standard of pizzas, so learning how to make your own is a must while you’re in the city! We booked this authentic cooking class and had an amazing time.
We received a warm welcome from Chef Amos, and the group was divided into pairs, as we made one pizza per couple. Then, we got to taste some yummy local appetizers while Amos explained the particular ingredients that Neapolitan pizza requires, and taught us about how pizza came to be.
Then, we got to use specific techniques to make the perfect pizza dough, such as “mopping”, and the traditional way to divide dough balls. After we topped our pizza, we used a shovel to put it in the oven, just like a real chef! Then, we sat down together and enjoyed the fruits of our labors, with some well-earned beer and wine.
This was the best thing that we did in Naples! It was so much fun, we learned a lot, and we got to eat delicious snacks and pizza. We aren’t alone either, check out the THOUSANDS of positive reviews from other travelers who took this class!
We would recommend this tour to anyone – even if you’ve only got a day or two in Naples, make sure that you fit this in!
Create the perfect pizza by booking your class here and you’ll get FREE cancellation!
3. Eat your way around the city on a food tour
- Duration: 2.5 hours
- Time: 10:45 am or 5:45 pm
- Highlights: Exploring the city on foot, discovering the history of Naples, trying traditional local dishes
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, several food tastings, vegetarian options available
- Rating: 5 stars (check 1,790+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
I can safely say that this food tour is the experience that made us fall in love with Naples!
It was the perfect combination of sightseeing and food, so it was an awesome way to get our bearings in Naples and discover its fantastic cuisine.
We met our guide, Daniella, at some Greek ruins in town, and then the night only got better from there! Daniella was super entertaining and she taught us a ton about the history of Naples as she took us through the city’s most important streets and squares.
Of course, the best part of the tour was when we veered down side streets and alleyways to discover local hotspots. We got to try so much amazing Neapolitan food, from panuozzo sandwiches to gelato, pizza, whipped salted cod, and sfogliatelle, which are delicious, shell-shaped pastries. And there was even limoncello involved, as we stopped at a specialty store for a tasting.
We would recommend this tour to absolutely anyone because it allowed us to explore Naples like locals and try some truly incredible food. Daniella even gave us some fantastic recommendations for restaurants to try and specific dishes to order, so it really was the gift that kept on giving!
Food is one of the things Naples is most famous for, so don’t miss booking this food tour here!
4. Visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Guided walking tour of Pompeii, hiking to the crater of Mount Vesuvius, pizza on a beautiful restaurant terrace
- Inclusions: Hotel or port pickup and drop-off, skip-the-line entry to Pompeii and Vesuvius, English-speaking guide, lunch
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 1,900+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
This full-day tour to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius truly blew us away. It was incredible from start to finish, and we think it’s a total must-do while you’re in Naples.
The city of Pompeii is frozen in time due to the volcanic eruption, so this tour is a unique opportunity to travel back almost 1,000 years and see how the Romans lived. And as for hiking to the crater of Mount Vesuvius, well, how many people can say that they’ve done that?
These are popular destinations, so having skip-the-line tickets with our tour was a huge advantage!
We absolutely loved our guided walking tour of Pompeii. Seeing the ancient streets, thermal baths, and market square was fascinating. Our guide, Diane, was awesome and she knew a ton about life in Pompeii, so it was really interesting listening to her commentary.
Then, we went for lunch. We weren’t expecting too much from this if we’re being honest, but it turned out to be authentic Neapolitan pizza on the balcony of a beautiful restaurant, overlooking a vineyard!
Finally, we wrapped up the day with a hike up to the crater of Mount Vesuvius. This was totally optional, but we were excited! The hike wasn’t too long, but it did get very steep for a bit, so we burned off at least some of the pizza. We loved seeing the crater and enjoyed views for miles in every direction.
We loved this tour, and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys history, good food, and adventure. It was well-organized and fun, and made it so easy to visit two of Italy’s iconic destinations in one day.
Read recent reviews and book your spot on this epic tour here!
Related Read: Spending time in Rome? Our list of the best things to do in Rome is a handy guide!
5. Visit Herculaneum with an expert guide
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: Tours available between 9 am – 4:30 pm
- Highlights: Exploring the ruins of the ancient city with a guide, seeing well-preserved homes and thermal baths, ocean views, small group tour
- Inclusions: archeologist guide, skip-the-line entry, headset
- Rating: 5 stars (check 650+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
Much like Pompeii, Herculaneum is an ancient city that was buried and preserved when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. We knew the best way to learn about Herculaneum was to visit with a guide, so we booked this skip-the-line tour, which is led by expert archeologists.
Our guide, Luciano, had us enthralled with his unbelievable depth of knowledge about the ancient city. We also got skip-the-line tickets included, which saved us from waiting in the long lines.
Herculaneum was a smaller and wealthier town than Pompeii, and it’s actually even better preserved, since many wooden objects, such as roofs, bed frames, and doors, survived the eruption. Herculaneum is also not as famous as Pompeii, so it’s usually less crowded, which means it’s even more fun to explore!
This tour is a must for anyone keen to discover more about Roman history while in Naples! We enjoyed it so much, and it was worth the quick train or bus ride from the city center. And since it’s less busy than Pompeii, it’s also a fantastic alternative for anyone who has already been or wants to avoid the crowds.
Check out the 600+ raving reviews and book this fascinating tour here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
6. Take a private tour of the city
- Duration: 2 – 6 hours
- Time: 8 am – 5 pm
- Highlights: Customizable tour, exploring Rione Sanita or Pignasecca districts, Purgatorio ad Arco, Fontanelle cemetery, Via Toledo
- Inclusions: Hotel meet-up, private guide, customizable itinerary, local guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 85+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Taking this private sightseeing tour of Naples is one of the best ways to get to know the city because you can fit so much in and tailor the itinerary to you!
We loved the chance to get off the beaten tourist track with a local guide and explore interesting areas of the city that visitors usually miss. The best thing about this tour is that you can customize it to your interests, so whether you want to find the best foodie hotspots, check out historic highlights, or discover the best shopping streets, you can!
Our guide, Francesco, was fantastic and went the extra mile to ensure that we had fun and he knew tons about the city’s history.
We loved exploring the Rione Sanita district and Francesco also took us to the bustling Pignasecca market, which is the oldest in the city. He really helped us explore areas of the city that we wouldn’t have ventured into on our own, so we can safely say this tour was 100% worth it.
This tour is ideal for anyone who loves to find hidden gems or if you’re short on time. Going with a private guide means you’re able to move at a faster pace and the customizable itinerary means you do it all your way.
Reserve your private sightseeing tour here before time slots fill up!
7. Visit the famous Blue Grotto
- Duration: 9 hours
- Time: 9 am
- Highlights: Ferry ride along the coastline, boat ride into the Blue Grotto, visiting Anacapri, free time in Capri, guided commentary
- Inclusions: Meeting point pickup, return fast ferry from Naples to Capri, Blue Grotto admission, minivan transport around the island, English-speaking guide
- Rating: 5 stars (check 700+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
- Price: Check price here!
The gorgeous island of Capri is just off the coast of Naples, and if you don’t have the time (or budget) to spend a few nights there, then we highly recommend visiting on this full-day tour.
We were so excited to enjoy the world-famous glamor and beauty of Capri, and this tour made it so easy for us!
We were picked up in the morning and whisked off to the fast ferry to Capri. On the way there, our guide, Michele, taught us a little about the history of the island and gave us an overview of what to expect. Soon, we were climbing aboard another, smaller boat to explore the Blue Grotto – where the water literally glows bright blue!
Then we had free time to explore Anacapri, which is the island’s second, more tranquil town. We decided to ride the Monte Solaro chairlift up to the highest point on the island. We paid for this ourselves on the day, but the views were 100% worth it!
We then had the rest of the afternoon to explore the town of Capri itself. Michele gave us fantastic recommendations on where to find the best restaurants (and the best places to enjoy an Aperol spritz with a view). The blend of guided activities and free time on this tour was absolutely perfect.
Book your escape to Capri here and you can pay later!
8. Learn to cook authentic pasta
- Duration: 2 hours
- Time: 11 am or 5:30 pm
- Highlights: Welcome spread, making authentic Neapolitan pasta dishes from scratch, cooking in a local restaurant kitchen
- Inclusions: All ingredients and equipment, appetizers, dinner, a drink, chef instructor, apron, certificate at the end of the class
- Rating: 5 stars (check 340+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
Eating as much pasta as possible was high on our list of things to do in Naples, but we decided to go one step further and learn how to make it ourselves with this pasta-making class!
It was so much fun and gave us the best of both worlds, because we got to cook in a modern restaurant kitchen while learning techniques and recipes that have been passed down for generations.
When we turned up for the class, we were pleasantly surprised to see a big welcome spread of cheeses, cured meats, olives, and soft drinks waiting for us! We met Chef Daniele and he soon began teaching us how to make pasta properly. Before long, we were pouring eggs into wells of flour and rolling tagliatele by hand.
After all of our hard work, we got to enjoy our delicious creations, along with a few local beers. As we were in a small group, we had gotten to know some of our fellow participants during the class, so it was nice to sit down together and chat.
We absolutely loved this class and left with full bellies, as well as big smiles on our faces! It’s a really fun way to learn more about Neapolitan food, and the pasta was so delicious. It’s crazy how much better pasta tastes when it’s fresh and handmade!
Book this highly-rated pasta cooking class in advance before it sells out!
9. Visit the underground Roman ruins
- Duration: 4 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: San Carlo Theatre, Plebiscito Square, Castelnuovo, Royal Palace, artisan cafes and shops, ancient underground ruins, free time for lunch
- Inclusions: English-speaking guide, headsets, entry to the underground ruins
- Rating: 4.5 stars (check 395+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
We love this walking tour of Naples for several reasons: it’s a fantastic intro to the city, a great way to learn about Italian history, and it’s perfectly paced. But the main reason we recommend it is because it includes a guided visit to Naples’ underground Roman ruins!
The underground ruins are a system of tunnels and cisterns, some of which were built over 2,500 years ago! This truly is the ancient city that lies beneath the modern Naples that you see today. It blew our minds that this network still exists below the city.
We loved learning about the history of these fascinating road tunnel aqueducts. Our guide, Flavio, not only taught us a lot about how the Romans used them, but he also told us that they were used as bomb shelters during WWII. He knew so much that we were very glad we visited with a guide.
As well as exploring the tunnels, we got to see some of Naples’ most famous attractions on this tour, including the city’s impressive castle, the Royal Palace, Galleria Umberto I, and the elegant Plebiscito Square. Flavio definitely helped us to get more of a feel for the character of Naples.
This tour is a fantastic choice for any first-timer in Naples, so book it here!
10. Explore the city by bike
- Duration: 3-7 hours
- Time: Availability between 9:30 am – 9 pm
- Highlights: Lots of options to choose from, seeing Castel dell’Ovo, hilltop viewpoints, exploring the historic center of Naples
- Inclusions: E-bike, English-speaking guide, food, snacks, and drinks (depending on option you pick)
- Rating: 5 stars (check 280+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
- Price: Check price here!
We’re big fans of cycling, and we love this bike tour because it takes you to all of Naples’ most beautiful viewpoints!
Plus, it’s ideal if you’re short on time or just don’t want to do a ton of walking. And we especially recommend this bike tour because it uses fat bikes, which provide much more stability than regular bikes. They’re e-bikes, too, which means that they’re super easy to ride – not to mention a lot of fun.
There are lots of different options available on this tour, so you should be able to find one that suits you. The 3-hour panoramic e-bike tour is the standard option, but there’s also a historical tour option or even a tour that includes yummy snacks and street food along the way.
If you’re visiting during the summer, then the night tour could also be a great option. Naples gets very hot during June, July, and August, so doing an evening cycling tour is an awesome way to beat the heat.
We went for the 4-hour “historical and panoramic” tour, so we got to explore Naples’ historic center. Then, we cycled to some stunning viewpoints, which was a lot easier thanks to the e-bikes, let me tell you! I think my favorite part was Parco Vigilano, a hilltop park with gorgeous views of the Gulf of Naples. Or perhaps it was enjoying a complimentary coffee and sfogliatella along the way…
We love the fact that the fat bike tour allows you to see Naples your way, and we loved our experience. It’s truly an ideal way to see a lot in just a few hours!
Book your bike tour easily here!
Where to Stay in Naples, Italy
Now that you have a list of the best things to do in Naples, you need to find the best place to stay! There are many different neighborhoods so if you’re looking for history, trendy, or something off the beaten path, you can find it here. I’ll leave my top recommendations below for a luxury, mid-range, and budget stay:
Luxury – $$$
If you love sea view rooms with an elegant design, you’ll love the Grand Hotel Vesuvio! This luxury hotel sits right on the Gulf of Naples, and in addition to the views you can enjoy the spa, sauna, pools, sky bar, and onsite restaurant with fresh Italian cuisine. The hotel has a classic design and is situated in the historic quarter.
Rooms start around €450 a night, and you’re definitely paying for quality here. Check availability and book this stay on Booking.com.
Mid-range – $$
Santa Lucia is one of my favorite areas to stay in Naples, and the Casa Vittoria Napoli is an excellent hotel! This B&B includes breakfast and has modern, cozy rooms at a moderate price. The location is fantastic, and the staff are even better, so this makes for a very comfortable and convenient stay. They offer double, twin, or king rooms, and also suites and family sized rooms.
Prices range from €150 to €300 and can be booked on Booking.com.
Budget – $
Hotel Le Orchidee is a quaint hotel and an excellent budget stay! Located right in the center of Naples, it puts you right in the action. The rooms are very nice – modern, clean, and have a balcony and desk. The historic building is super charming and the staff are friendly and helpful.
Prices range from about €70 to €150 USD and can be reserved on Booking.com.
Check out all the hotels in Naples here for even more options!
Renting a Car in Italy
Renting a car in Italy is one of the best ways to explore the country beyond the cities—think charming Tuscan villages, dramatic Amalfi Coast drives, and hidden gems in the countryside. While Italy’s roads can be a little chaotic (especially in cities), with the right preparation, renting a car here can be an unforgettable and rewarding experience!
We always use Discover Cars when booking our rentals, and highly recommend them. They compare dozens of providers to find you the best rates, include important filters like “automatic transmission,” and offer affordable full insurance coverage. For more info, you can read our in-depth Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in Italy
- Drive on the right: Italians drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on the left. Right turns on red are illegal, and you must often yield to vehicles coming from the right at intersections.
- Stay alert and confident: Italian driving can feel aggressive in cities—expect assertive drivers, scooters weaving through traffic, and liberal horn use (often just a form of communication). Stay calm and practice defensive driving.
- Insurance is a must: We highly recommend adding full coverage insurance when booking. Minor damage like scratches and dents is common, especially in cities, and Discover Cars’ full protection gives you peace of mind at a low cost!
- Mind the ZTL zones: Many city centers have restricted traffic zones called ZTLs. Entering without a permit can result in a fine. Check with your hotel and use GPS with ZTL alerts.
- Choose the right vehicle: Roads in Italy can be narrow and parking tight, so a compact car is usually best. Most rentals are manual, but if you need an automatic, you can easily filter for one when booking with Discover Cars.
What You Need to Rent a Car in Italy
- A valid driver’s license from your home country.
- If you’re from outside the EU, you’ll likely need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- A credit card in the driver’s name is typically required for the security deposit.
- You must be at least 18 years old, but renters under 25 may incur a young driver surcharge.
Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring Italy on your own terms!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
I hope our list of the top things to do in Naples helped you find some activities for your trip! This is a dreamy part of Italy with amazing food and history to discover. I think you’ll have the BEST time. Eat some Neapolitan pizza and pasta for me!
If your travels are just beginning, then have a look through all our blogs here! We have tons more on Europe along with other destinations around the world.
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