A metropolis lively, wealthy in historical past, and tradition, and, after all, identified for its superb meals, Naples is crammed with wonders and this information is right here to indicate you easy methods to spend 36 hours in Naples.
We might let you know a number of issues about Naples, however you’ll have to see all of it along with your eyes. But, we will promise you one factor. Naples will steal your hearts from the second you arrive.
Regardless of in the event you’re a historical past fanatic or a foodie, this metropolis has one thing for everybody. Within the following article, we wish to present you easy methods to get pleasure from 36 hours in Naples to the fullest, combining must-see points of interest and our native suggestions.
Are you prepared for a singular expertise?
36 Hours in Naples – A Native’s Take
Day 1
Breakfast at Gran Caffè Gambrinus
Your first morning in Naples can’t begin with out a conventional breakfast with espresso and sfogliatella. Naples is legendary for its caffé espresso, and the perfect place to style it’s Gran Caffè Gambrinus, one of many metropolis’s oldest cafés.
On this elegant espresso store, we propose ordering a robust Neapolitan espresso and a typical sfogliatella, which is a thin-crusted pastry crammed with ricotta and citrus peel. This can be a must-try for anybody visiting Naples. Don’t be afraid of the queue because the service is absolutely quick.
Native tip: Take a number of moments earlier than ingesting your espresso, because the cup may be very scorching.
Discover Piazza del Plebiscito & Its Environment
After this very scrumptious breakfast, you might be prepared to start out your 36 hours in Naples journey.
Your first cease is, after all, Piazza del Plebiscito, probably the most stunning squares in Italy. The sq. is surrounded by well-known and essential buildings, just like the Palazzo Reale (Royal Palace) and the Basilica di San Francesco di Paola.
This basilica’s colonnade would possibly remind you of Rome’s St. Peter’s Sq., and the good information is that its entry is free. If time permits, you would additionally take a while to take a look at the Royal Palace’s great interiors. Nevertheless, to take action, you would wish to buy entrance tickets.
Proper subsequent to the piazza stands Teatro San Carlo, which is Italy’s oldest opera home and probably the most well-known within the nation. You probably have sufficient time, we propose reserving a guided tour to admire its beautiful interiors or checking if there’s a efficiency in the course of the dates of your go to.
Simply in entrance of Teatro San Carlo, take a brief detour to Galleria Umberto I, probably the most well-known purchasing gallery in Naples metropolis middle. This Nineteenth-century historic gallery is an ideal mixture of Neapolitan structure, historical past, and purchasing. The gallery is filled with outlets and cafés.
Don’t neglect to take a second to go searching and admire the glass dome and the detailed mosaic flooring underneath your ft. The Galleria can also be a fantastic spot to sit down, loosen up, and seize a fast espresso.
Lunch With a View
After an thrilling morning, you’ll be hungry and asking yourselves the place to go for lunch. What do you consider having a pizza with a view? Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and there’s no higher solution to get pleasure from it than with a sea view.
A favourite spot to eat conventional Neapolitan pizza and revel in the great thing about the ocean from the town is the Lungomare, Naples’ most well-known seaside promenade.
Cease by Piazza Vittoria, a stunning sq. close to the ocean, the place you possibly can eat a conventional pizza at Gino Sorbillo Lievito Madre al Mare whereas wanting on the views of Mount Vesuvius and the island of Capri within the background. No reservations right here, however you possibly can belief us – the wait is price it.
Procuring on The Spaccanapoli & The Spanish Quarters
After having fun with an genuine pizza underneath the Neapolitan solar, head again to the historic middle and go to Piazza del Gesù Nuovo and its homonymous church.
The church has a diamond-shaped stone facade; inside, its Baroque decorations will depart you speechless. Upon coming into the church, you’ll perceive why it’s thought-about one of many metropolis’s most essential landmarks. Entry to the church is free.
Just a few steps away, you’ll discover Piazza Dante, a vigorous sq. in Naples’ historic district. Then, stroll down By way of Toledo, probably the most well-known and busiest purchasing avenue in Naples, crammed with boutiques, cafés, and avenue performers.
From right here, you too can stroll by way of Spaccanapoli. Its title actually means Naples Splitter, as it’s a lengthy and slender avenue that cuts the town into two halves. Don’t neglect to purchase souvenirs and a conventional corno amulet, a small crimson horn that’s stated to carry good luck and shield in opposition to the evil eye.
A go to to Naples wouldn’t be full with out a go to to the Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarters) close to By way of Toledo. This historic neighborhood is filled with slender streets with avenue artwork, conventional outlets, and cafés. Right here, you possibly can absolutely really feel the true spirit of Naples.
Naples can also be identified for its love and robust ardour for soccer. This ardour was embodied by Diego Armando Maradona, the legendary Argentine footballer who performed for Napoli within the Eighties. Maradona’s impact on the town continues to be seen right now, as he’s thought-about a hero in Naples.
Top-of-the-line methods to expertise this ardour and pay tribute to his legacy is by visiting numerous Maradona murals all through the town. Probably the most well-known of those murals will be discovered on By way of Emanuele de Deo. This mural is so iconic that it has grow to be an emblem of satisfaction for the town’s soccer group.
Joyful Hour at Piazza Bellini
Because the solar units, it’s time for a conventional Italian aperitivo on Piazza Bellini. This piazza may be very fashionable amongst locals, and it’s surrounded by historic buildings, equivalent to historic Greek ruins.
Seize a Spritz or a glass of Falanghina wine with some meals at one of many many bars and benefit from the relaxed vibes. Then, after your aperitivo, deal with your self to a traditional babá, which is a conventional gentle, fluffy, rum-soaked pastry that melts in your mouth. Is there a greater solution to finish your first day in Naples?
Day 2
Breakfast at Pasticceria Poppella
Begin your second day in Naples with a scrumptious breakfast at Pasticceria Poppella, a historic pastry store well-known for its conventional Neapolitan desserts however most of all for the Fiocco di Neve. Its title means snowflake, and it’s a comfortable, creamy pastry that has grow to be one of many metropolis’s most beloved candy treats.Â
Get Prepared To Dive into The Centro Storico (Historic Heart)
The historic middle of Naples is a UNESCO World Heritage Website, and for good cause. You probably have 36 hours in Naples, there are a number of superb locations to take a look at within the metropolis’s centro storico.
For starters, be sure you go to the Duomo di Napoli (Naples Cathedral). It was constructed within the thirteenth century, and it’s a Gothic masterpiece in tribute to the town’s patron saint, San Gennaro.
Inside, there are superb frescoes in addition to the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, the place the saint’s blood is saved and miraculously turns into liquid thrice a yr. Entrance to the church is free, however there’s a ticket for the Treasure of San Gennaro.
Now, you might be prepared for one among Naples’ most fascinating experiences: Napoli Sotterranea (Underground Naples). Under the town’s busy streets, there’s a community of tunnels and historic ruins that date again to the Greek and Roman eras.
We recommend reserving a guided tour that may take you thru these underground passages, providing a unique perspective on the town’s previous.
When you’re again from the underground, take a brief stroll to San Gregorio Armeno, Naples’ well-known Christmas alley.
This small and slender avenue is just not open throughout Christmas time solely, however you will see that artisan outlets promoting handmade nativity scenes and collectible figurines all yr spherical – from conventional saints and shepherds to fashionable popular culture icons like soccer gamers, politicians, and even celebrities.
This can be a excellent spot in the event you’d wish to buy one thing particular to carry again dwelling.
Lunch With a Cuoppo
It’s time for lunch, and what’s higher than a Neapolitan cuoppo? A cuoppo is a conventional avenue meals dish consisting of a paper cone, which is the cuoppo itself, crammed with a wide range of fried meals. You’ll be able to have it crammed with seafood, meat, or greens.
It’s a really well-known snack in Naples, typically loved whereas strolling across the metropolis middle. Top-of-the-line on the town is made by Il Cuoppo in San Biagio Dei Librai, a number of steps from By way of di San Gregorio Armeno.
Veiled Christ
Within the afternoon, dedicate a while to visiting the Cappella San Severo Museum, dwelling of the beautiful Cristo Velato (Veiled Christ).
You’ll have the ability to admire this unimaginable marble sculpture by Giuseppe Sanmartino intently and see its delicate veil, which seems virtually clear, a real murals that should be seen in particular person. Ensure you e book your go to right here properly upfront.
One Final Pizza & Evening-Time Stroll
To say goodbye to Naples, there’s no higher approach than to have one final pizza. Go to Antica Pizzeria da Michele, one of many metropolis’s most iconic pizzerias, additionally made well-known by the film Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts.
Right here, they serve solely two sorts of pizza – Margherita (with tomato and mozzarella) and Marinara (with simply tomato) – since 1870. This might be the perfect pizza you’ve ever eaten in your life.
Be affected person, as there shall be a line to enter the restaurant. In any other case, get a takeaway pizza. This manner, you’ll solely want to attend for about 20 minutes.
After dinner, take one final stroll by way of the streets of Naples or maybe return to Lungomare to see Castel dell’Ovo and revel in a good looking view over the Gulf of Naples at night time.
Though it doesn’t sound like a lot time, in simply 36 hours in Naples, you possibly can discover and expertise among the greatest issues this fascinating metropolis in Southern Italy has to supply, from its beautiful historic landmarks to its hidden underground secrets and techniques to its scrumptious meals and conventional dishes.
This metropolis and its individuals make you fall in love each time you go to. Whether or not you might be right here for the primary time or one among many, Naples at all times has one thing new to be found and cherished.
If you wish to spend 36 hours in Naples like a neighborhood, we’ve acquired you coated. Right here at JayWay, we will craft the right Naples itinerary for a visit to recollect.
Till subsequent time, or as we are saying right here: Buon viaggio e a presto!
This text was edited and printed by Maria Spyrou, our Content material Lead.
Born and raised in Rome, Alessandra grew up surrounded by beautiful structure, magnificent artwork, and the Italian Dolce Vita. Working within the journey business permits her to share her ardour for uncovering hidden gems and delving into the Italian tradition along with her visitors, who’re fortunate to have her put together their journeys to the Everlasting Metropolis.
