One-Day Itinerary For Naples, Italy

Many travelers skip Naples due to its poor reputation. “It’s seedy,” “it’s dangerous,” “it’s dirty,” “it’s rough around the edges.” These are all common concerns that visitors will hear from other travelers and locals alike. However, Naples is … kind of amazing. It’s totally different from the rest of Italy. It’s kind of like if New York City and Bangkok had an Italian baby. It’s extremely chaotic, with traffic going in all types of directions on narrow Italian streets. Naples is incredibly affordable, especially in comparison to the rest of Italy.

Better yet, like most major Italian cities, Naples can be seen in a day (though I’d highly recommend giving it at least 3 days). If you find yourself in Naples for any reason (most commonly, travelers end up here because they use it as a transport ground to get to the Amalfi Coast), I highly urge you to not rush and spend some time here. If you take my advice (which, duh, you should), here’s a perfect one-day itinerary for Naples, Italy.

Stop #1: Visit Chiostri di Santa Chiara

Your first stop in Naples is Chiostri di Santa Chiara, a Gothic-style religious complex with a church, museum, and monastery. The reason this should be your first stop is because it gets packed; it’s one of the more popular things to do in Naples. Another reason it should be stop #1? It’s absolutely beautiful! The giant blue pillars with green and yellow accents make for a lovely stroll, and of course, for great photos. It costs 6 euro to get in, and if you take time to properly explore, you’ll need somewhere between one and two hours here.

Stop #2: Shop At Via San Gregorio Armeno

Despite the insanity of the crowds at Via San Gregorio Armeno nearly sending me into a panic attack, I’m still glad I saw it. If I hadn’t, I would’ve never gotten this super adorable pizza clock which now happily hangs in my apartment in Queens. Via (via = “street”) San Gregorio Armeno is an extremely popular shopping area for tourists in Naples. Here’s where you’ll find all of the Neopolitan specialities under one roof, or, on one street. From magnets, to speciality/regional foods, to Christmas ornaments, to pizza clocks (see above), shopping and negotiating on via San Gregorio Armeno is a right of passage when visiting Napoli.

Stop #3: Eat Pizza on Via dei Tribunali

Naples is home to the world’s most beloved food: pizza. On nearly every corner and then some, you will see pizza shops. It’s hard to decide where to eat, because the options are overwhelming, but there’s one street in Naples known to have the best pizza the city has to offer: Via dei Tribunali. Many of the pizzerias on via dei Tribunali are also “friggatorias,” or a place that sells fried food, as well. Therefore, not only should you get pizza, but grab an appetizer of a famous Napoli fried food such as fior di zucca, arancini, frittatina, or the most popular, pizze fritte. Don’t eat too much fried food, though, because that’s going to be one of your later stops!

Stop #4: Visit At Least One Church

While I’d usually give a clear-cut recommendation for a specific spot to see, such is not the case with churches in Naples. Naples is also known as the “dome-city” due to the overwhelming amount of cathedrals, and you will quickly understand why. There are churches everywhere in Naples, and it’s recommended to visit at least one since the city takes so much pride in its deeply-rooted Catholicism. Some of the more popular options are Basilica of Santa Maria della Sanità, Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore, Church of St.Gregory of Armenia, and, of course, the Naples Cathedral. Best part of all of these popular churches? Admission is free!

Stop #5: Get Fried Street Food In Montecalvario

See? I told you not to eat too much fried food on Via dei Tribunali! The food of Naples is unlike the rest of Italy. Everything, and I mean everything, is fried. From fried seafood to fried pizza to even fried pasta (frittatina), Naples has a long history with frying its food. This is primarily because Naples was hit particularly hard after WWII, and to make ends meet, locals who couldn’t afford ovens started frying pizza and selling it. This became a phenomenon which is evident on today’s Neopolitan menus. Even if fried food isn’t your thing, when in Rome, err, Naples, as they say. Montecalvario has the widest range of options for fried street food. This little spot pictured above had fior di zucca (fried zucchini blossoms), frittatina (fried leftover pasta), cuoppo di mare (fried cup of seafood), to name a few. They also offered foccacia topped with creamy cheese, potatoes, rosemary for less than 1 euro.

Stop #6: Visit Galleria Umberto I

Milan or Naples? That question won’t pop into your head too much while exploring Napoli since the two cities couldn’t be more opposite, but it will indeed cross your mind at Galleria Umberto I. Galleria Umberto I is a dome-like shopping plaza right at the port of Naples, where you’ll find all of the popular chain stores (Zara, McDonalds, Sephora). It’s beautiful in its own right, and when you exit seaside, you’ll get a stunning view of Naples’ port, and if the weather is permitting, you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of Mount Vesuvius!

Stop #7: Visit The Spanish Palace

The Spanish Palace is by far my favorite sight in all of Naples. It’s a Spanish-style building, with muted teal accents throughout. I didn’t even understand what it was; I was simply walking around and stumbled upon its beauty. I, of course, had an impromptu photoshoot here with my tripod, and eventually had to depart from what was a stunning discovery. Later when back in New York, I googled this building trying to understand more about it, only to learn that visitors can actually STAY here for as low as $76/night. The rooms apparently come with free wine. It’s safe to say, if I’m ever in Naples again, this is where you’ll find me.

Stop #8: Aperitivo in Piazza Bellini

Did you really go to Italy if you didn’t enjoy aperitivo? If you are unfamiliar with this world wonder of a practice, aperitivo is a uniquely Italian practice; it’s where people gather at a bar, buy a drink (usually an Aperol spritz, but many also opt for wine or prosecco), and with the purchase of a drink, they are granted a seemingly unlimited amount of food with their drink. It’s a pre-dinner ritual that makes every visit to Italy as special as can be. Food offered usually includes a wide selection of meat, cheeses, paninis, olives, and veggies. The best place to do it in Naples is in Piazza Bellini, a cute outdoor plaza with plenty of eateries. Primo Maggio is a great spot to settle on if you’re having trouble choosing.

Stop #9: Dine at Pizzeria Starita a Materdei (And Get The Montanara)

I hope you didn’t think you’re done eating for the day. You’re in Italy, after all. No, scratch that; you’re in Naples, which really ones-up the amount of food you are required to consume in a singular day. One of the most famous restaurants in all of Naples is called Pizzeria Starita a Materdei, located in the bustling Materdei district of Naples. There is often a wait, but, spoiler alert: it’s totally worth it. Not only is the food incredible, but the prices, like the rest of Naples, are likely to blow your mind. Order a montanara, a famous fried dough that puffs up like a “mountain” (hence the name), topped with all of the usual accompaniments (mozzarella, marinara, torn basil). At Starita, a montanara will run you about 5 euro.

Stop #10: Grab a Drink at Mater Winebar

Just down the street from uber popular Starita is a quaint, unsuspecting, tiny wine bar called Mater Winebar. The bar is typically open until 11PM or midnight, so it’s a perfect spot to wrap up your long singular day in Naples. The staff is small and incredibly friendly, and even with only one night here, you will quickly feel at home. Despite technically being a wine bar, they have a full bar of liquors and spirits, such as Italian favorites like limoncello and amaro. Chin chin!