Naples travel guide: where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Naples, Campania, Italy.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Naples.
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1
Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli (MANN)
One of the world's great archaeological museums: the Farnese collection, the Alexander Mosaic and finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, plus the Egyptian collection and the Secret Cabinet.
Tip: Arrive at opening on a weekday to see the Alexander Mosaic with few people around · Avoid the free first Sunday of the month unless crowds do not matter · Visit before Pompeii or Herculaneum to understand what the finds were · Buy tickets online to skip the ticket-office queue · The museum is closed on Tuesday
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2
Cappella Sansevero (Veiled Christ)
Baroque chapel holding Giuseppe Sanmartino's Veiled Christ (1753) and the Anatomical Machines in the crypt; photography is not allowed inside.
Tip: Book timed tickets online weeks ahead, as slots are limited and non-refundable · Choose the first slot of the day for the calmest visit · Photography is not allowed inside, so no camera is needed · Combine with Piazza San Domenico Maggiore and Spaccanapoli, two minutes away · Check the closing day, as the chapel is normally shut on Tuesday
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3
Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino)
Angevin fortress begun in 1279, with the Aragonese Triumphal Arch (1443-1471), the Palatine Chapel, the Barons' Hall and the civic museum of paintings and sculpture.
Tip: Visit in the morning, before ferry and tour-group crowds · Photograph the towers and arch from across Piazza Municipio · Confirm opening days and last-entry times, as sources differ · Combine with the Galleria Umberto I and Teatro San Carlo nearby · Allow time for the civic museum on the upper floors
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4
Castel dell'Ovo
Naples' oldest standing fortress on the islet of Megaride, linked by a causeway to Borgo Marinari, with panoramic terraces over the bay and Vesuvius.
Tip: Entry is free, so no ticket is needed · Go in late afternoon for sunset, and expect a crowd on fine evenings · Wear shoes with grip, as ramps and stone steps can be uneven · Check that the terraces are open, as some rooms close for works · Continue along Via Partenope to Lungomare Caracciolo
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5
Palazzo Reale di Napoli
Viceregal and Bourbon royal palace begun in 1600, with the Historic Apartment, the Court Theatre and the Hanging Garden overlooking the port.
Tip: The palace is closed on Wednesday; plan around it. · Visit in the morning for fewer visitors and softer light on the garden terrace. · Tickets can also be booked at museiitaliani.it to avoid queuing. · Add the Biblioteca Nazionale in the same building if time allows. · Check the opening plan, since some sections close early or are temporarily shut.
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6
Duomo di Napoli and Cappella del Tesoro di San Gennaro
Gothic cathedral founded around 1294 containing the baroque Cappella del Tesoro of Saint Januarius, the Basilica of Santa Restituta and a major treasury museum.
Tip: Come on a weekday morning and allow for the midday closure · Book timed entry for the Treasure Chapel and museum online · Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered · Check the dates of the blood liquefaction if a festival visit is wanted · Combine with Via dei Tribunali and its pizzerias
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7
Napoli Sotterranea (Underground Naples)
Guided descent about 40 m below the old city through Greek-Roman aqueduct tunnels, cisterns, World War II air-raid shelters and a Roman theatre cavity.
Tip: Book ahead in summer and at weekends, when tours often sell out. · Bring a light jacket; the underground stays cool all year. · Wear comfortable shoes, as floors are uneven and damp in places. · English tours run at set times, so check the current schedule before arriving. · Those uncomfortable in narrow spaces should ask about the route beforehand.
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8
Certosa e Museo di San Martino
Former Carthusian monastery rebuilt in baroque style by Cosimo Fanzago, with the Presepe Cuciniello, a richly decorated church and cloisters overlooking the bay.
Tip: Go on a clear morning for the best terrace views · Take the Montesanto funicular to Morghen and walk up · Check whether the naval section and Gothic undergrounds are open · Combine with Castel Sant'Elmo, a short walk away · Closed on Tuesday, so plan accordingly
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9
Castel Sant'Elmo
Six-pointed star fortress rebuilt in 1538-1546 on a hilltop about 250 m above the city, with a 360-degree view and the Museo del Novecento.
Tip: Visit in late afternoon for sunset, or in the morning for fewer people · Take a funicular to the Vomero and walk the final stretch uphill · Bring water in summer, as the ramparts are exposed · Combine with the Certosa di San Martino next door · Closed on Tuesday
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10
Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte
Bourbon royal palace of 1738 housing the Farnese collection (Titian, Caravaggio's Flagellation, Bruegel's Parable of the Blind) inside a large royal woodland.
Tip: The museum is closed on Wednesday; the park stays open daily. · Go to the galleries on a weekday morning and keep the park for the afternoon. · Travel light, as the coat check has been suspended since 1 May 2026. · Last museum entry is at 6:30PM, so arrive at least two hours before closing. · Check whether the third floor is open before planning a full visit.
Attractions by category
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Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
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Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Many state museums close one weekday: MANN, Certosa di San Martino, Castel Sant'Elmo and the Cappella Sansevero close on Tuesday, and Capodimonte and Palazzo Reale on Wednesday; confirm the day before visiting
The first Sunday of each month is free at state museums such as MANN; arrive at opening, as queues build
Book the Cappella Sansevero online at museosansevero.it days or weeks ahead; slots sell out and tickets are non-refundable
The Naples Artecard (artecard.it) bundles entry to several sites with public transport; compare it with single tickets before buying
Cover shoulders and knees in churches; many close from about 12:45PM to 4PM
Wear sturdy shoes and a light layer for the underground tours, where temperatures stay around 15-22 C
Keep valuables in a front bag around Piazza Garibaldi and Spaccanapoli; the emergency number is 112
Frequently asked questions
Which Naples attractions are free?
Castel dell'Ovo, Galleria Umberto I, Piazza del Plebiscito, the Lungomare, the cathedral nave, Gesù Nuovo, Cimitero delle Fontanelle, Spaccanapoli and Via San Gregorio Armeno are free to enter. State museums such as MANN are free on the first Sunday of each month.
How many days are needed to see the main Naples attractions?
Plan three days: day one for the historic centre (Sansevero, Duomo, Spaccanapoli, Santa Chiara), day two for MANN, Palazzo Reale, Castel Nuovo and Castel dell'Ovo, and day three for Capodimonte or the Vomero hill sights (Certosa di San Martino and Castel Sant'Elmo).
Do I need to book the Cappella Sansevero in advance?
Yes. Entries are limited and online tickets are released about 60 days ahead at museosansevero.it; tickets are non-refundable.
What is the best underground tour in Naples?
Napoli Sotterranea (Piazza San Gaetano 68, +39 081 296944) covers Greek-Roman aqueducts and war shelters in about 90 minutes; Galleria Borbonica (Vico del Grottone 4, +39 081 7645808) suits visitors who prefer wartime history.
How do I get to Capodimonte?
Take an ANM bus toward Capodimonte from the centre (routes at anm.it) or a taxi, and allow 3 hours for the museum and park. The museum is closed on Wednesday.