Naples Highlights: What Not To Miss (2025 Guide)

A warm, immersive guide to the best of Naples

Naples is a city that welcomes you with a rush of energy the moment you arrive. There is movement everywhere. Vespas weave through narrow streets, conversations rise from balconies and cafés, and the smell of espresso drifts out from tiny bars on every corner. As you walk deeper into the historic center, another scent begins to appear — the warm, comforting smell of freshly baked pizza coming straight from old family-run pizzerias. It mixes with the atmosphere of the neighborhood in a way that instantly tells you where you are.

Naples is not a city that tries to impress you with perfection. Instead, it invites you into its everyday rhythm, its history, its food and its culture. This is what makes it unforgettable.

If you are visiting for the first time and want to experience the essential highlights without feeling overwhelmed, this guide brings together the places and moments that truly define Naples. These are the areas where its character is most visible, the sights that capture its heritage and the experiences that reveal why so many travelers fall in love with this city.

1. Explore Galleria Umberto I

The Galleria Umberto I is one of the most elegant landmarks in Naples and an excellent place to begin your exploration. As you step inside, the noise of the street softens and the entire space opens up beneath a magnificent glass dome. Sunlight filters through the structure and reflects off the patterned marble floors, creating a calm, almost cinematic atmosphere. The gallery is located just off Via Toledo, which makes it easy to include during a morning walk. It is also a pleasant break from the lively pace of the surrounding streets. Even if you only spend a few minutes here, it sets the tone for the architectural beauty you will encounter throughout the city.

2. Wander the Spanish Quarter (Quartieri Spagnoli)

The Spanish Quarter is the beating heart of everyday Naples. The streets here are narrow and packed with life. Laundry hangs between buildings, children run across small piazzas, scooters zip through alleys and cafés fill with regulars who seem to know everyone passing by. This is where you feel the true personality of the city. Spend some time wandering without a fixed plan and you will naturally discover murals dedicated to Maradona, tiny shops selling limoncello, and family-run restaurants preparing meals the same way they have for generations. Visiting the Spanish Quarter in the late afternoon is especially enjoyable because the neighborhood becomes more active as locals return home or gather outside for a quick espresso.

3. Walk the Length of Spaccanapoli

Spaccanapoli is one of the most historic streets in Naples. Its name refers to the way it appears to cut the old town in half. The atmosphere here is a blend of ancient architecture, bustling shops, traditional bakeries and religious sites that date back centuries. Walking along Spaccanapoli gives you an easy introduction to the city’s cultural layers. You might pass a quiet monastery entrance, then immediately step into a street filled with pastry shops and souvenir stalls. It is the type of place where you can stroll slowly, pausing for a warm sfogliatella or a quick espresso while you take in your surroundings. The density of history and daily life makes this street one of the most important highlights of Naples.

4. Enjoy the Naples Waterfront (Lungomare Caracciolo)

The waterfront, known as the Lungomare, offers a completely different experience from the busy historic center. The space here opens up into wide promenades where people walk, cycle and relax beside the sea. The view of Mount Vesuvius across the bay is striking, especially on a clear day when the outline of the volcano appears sharp against the sky. This area is ideal if you are looking for a peaceful moment during your trip. It is also one of the best places for photographs because the light is beautiful both in the morning and around sunset. Visiting the waterfront gives you a refreshing contrast to the dense streets of central Naples.

5. Visit Castel dell'Ovo

Located on a small waterfront peninsula, Castel dell’Ovo is the oldest standing fortress in Naples. The walk toward the castle is scenic and the entrance is free, which makes it a convenient and rewarding stop. Once inside, you can climb to the upper levels for panoramic views of the coastline, the harbor and the surrounding city. The atmosphere here feels calm, even though the castle is close to the busy areas of Naples. It is a great place to spend half an hour exploring the open spaces, photographing the bay or simply enjoying the view of Vesuvius from a quiet corner.

6. Tour Underground Naples (Napoli Sotterranea)

Deep beneath the streets of Naples lies a hidden world of tunnels, cisterns and ancient passageways. The Napoli Sotterranea tour offers a fascinating look at this underground network. During the tour, you move from the bright, chaotic surface of the city into narrow corridors that were once used for water storage, protection and transport. It is an experience that makes you appreciate how old Naples truly is, and how many layers of history lie beneath your feet. For many visitors, this tour becomes one of the most memorable parts of their trip. Booking a spot in advance is recommended, especially during weekends or holiday periods.

7. Visit the National Archaeological Museum (MANN)

The National Archaeological Museum of Naples is a must-visit, particularly if you plan to see Pompeii or have already done so. Many of the artifacts discovered in Pompeii and Herculaneum, including mosaics, sculptures and everyday items, are preserved here. Walking through the museum allows you to connect the stories of the archaeological sites with the physical objects that once belonged to ancient households. The museum is spacious, well-organized and easy to explore independently. You can enjoy the highlights in about two hours, making it a comfortable afternoon visit.

8. Discover the Maradona Murals

Naples has a deep connection to football, and the Maradona murals capture this cultural identity more strongly than almost any other landmark. The murals are painted across buildings in the Spanish Quarter, often surrounded by offerings, flags, and small shrines created by locals. Even if you are not a football fan, the murals are worth visiting because they show how strongly the city honors its history and its heroes. The experience is quick but meaningful and adds a real sense of community spirit to your trip.

9. Explore Piazza Plebiscito and the Royal Palace

Piazza Plebiscito is one of the largest and most elegant squares in Naples. It feels open, bright and organized, which contrasts sharply with the surrounding narrow streets. On one side stands the impressive Basilica of San Francesco di Paola and on the other is the Royal Palace. The palace itself contains historic rooms, artworks and furnishings that give a picture of aristocratic Naples. Spending some time in this square, even if only for a short walk, offers a peaceful moment and a sense of balance during your visit.

10. Visit Santa Chiara Monastery

Hidden behind the busy streets of the historic center, the cloister of Santa Chiara is one of the most peaceful places in Naples. When you walk inside, the noise fades instantly and you are surrounded by hand-painted tiles, gardens and warm sunlight reflecting off the walls. The atmosphere is serene and ideal for taking a short break from sightseeing. Many visitors describe Santa Chiara as a refreshing surprise because the quiet beauty feels so different from the surrounding city.

11. Shop and Snack Your Way Through Mercato di Antignano

If you want to see a local side of Naples, the Mercato di Antignano in Vomero is an excellent choice. The market stretches across several streets and includes stalls selling fresh produce, seafood, cheeses, clothing and household items. Unlike the markets in central Naples, this one feels more residential and less focused on tourists. You can observe local shopping habits, try snacks from nearby bakeries and experience the atmosphere of an everyday Neapolitan neighborhood. Exploring this area also gives you the chance to see panoramic viewpoints around Vomero.

12. Try Classic Naples Foods

Naples is known for some of the best food in Italy and tasting it directly from local shops and restaurants is a highlight in itself. A traditional pizza margherita from an old pizzeria, a warm sfogliatella in the morning, a paper cone of fried seafood from a street vendor or a slice of baba soaked in rum are all essential parts of the experience. The best part is that the food in Naples is both delicious and affordable, making it easy to try multiple items during your trip. Must-try items include:

• Pizza Margherita at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele
• Sfogliatella from Caffè Kenon or Caldarelli
• Fried seafood from Il Cuoppo
• Baba (rum cake) from traditional cafés
• Gelato or tiramisu at La Scimmietta

Every neighborhood has great food, and most places are affordable.

13. Take a Day Trip to Pompeii

A visit to Pompeii is one of the most important experiences near Naples. The Circumvesuviana train makes it simple to reach the archaeological site in about forty minutes from Napoli Garibaldi. Once inside, you are surrounded by the remains of villas, theatres, streets and public squares that have survived since ancient times. You can explore independently or join a guided tour, depending on how much detail you want. Comfortable shoes are essential because the site is large and most paths are uneven. Spending at least half a day here allows you to appreciate both the scale and the preserved details of the ruins.

Final Thoughts

Naples is a city that stays with you because it offers more than just attractions. It gives you a sense of everyday life, warmth, culture and history that all blend together. These highlights represent the best places to start if you want to understand the city without rushing or trying to see everything at once. Whether you have two days or a full week, each of these experiences adds something meaningful to your trip and helps you appreciate the true spirit of Naples.