The Ultimate 4-Day Naples, Italy Itinerary
How to Spend Four Unforgettable Days in Italy’s Famous Coastal City: Naples
First and foremost, let me confess: we came to Naples primarily to eat pizza. That was why we chose to make this unique city our first stop in Italy—because it’s the birthplace of pizza! (And boy did we eat pizza. Check out the complete pizza review here.)
And secondly, this four day itinerary is actually just one day in Naples, and three days in truly incredible surrounding areas. We chose to stay in Naples for the restaurants, since the city itself—when compared to nearby coastal cities like Positano and Sorrento—isn’t the most impressive.
If you’re staying in a nearby city, it’s worth a day trip to Naples—just to eat at incredible restaurants, try the sfogliatella, and see the Maradona lore all over the city.
Where to stay in Naples:
Spagnoli District—if you’re searching for an authentic vibe, and enjoy busy city centers and vibrant night-life, this area is for you.
Chiaia Neighborhood—if you’re looking for a more luxurious, high end experience, search for hotels in this area.
Where NOT to stay in Naples:
Near Napoli Centrale Train Station—this is one of the more sketchy and run-down areas in the city and can feel dangerous at night.
This was how we spent four days in Naples during our trip to the absolutely breathtaking country of Italy:
Day 1: Explore Naples and Eat Pizza!
When you arrive in Naples, you’ll find colorful narrow streets covered with memorabilia and street art of the famous soccer player Diego Maradona (who played on the Naples soccer team from 1984-1991 and led them to their first ever Serie A trophy).
And, you might be surprised, or even shocked, by the racing traffic and sparsely-obeyed traffic rules. There are motorcycles of all kinds and colors racing all over the city’s cobblestone streets! (But really, be careful when crossing the street in Naples. Look both ways—twice—then run for your life.)
Spend your first day walking around the energetic city, and make sure to hit these important stops:
Shop, or just take pictures, at Galleria Umberto I, an ultra-instagrammable shopping center.
Walk down Via San Gregorio Armeno—aka: the Christmas street—and buy a Christmas-y souvenir in one of the little shops. (I got an adorable Nativity for my sister who starts counting down to Christmas in July).
Enjoy the architecture at these beautiful churches: (1) Basilica di San Lorenzo Maggiore, (2) Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, and (3) Basilica Pontificia di San Gennaro ad Antignano.
Walk to see the impressive Piazza del Plebiscito: a public square with a huge, Pantheon-esque building.
And of course, there’s a few restaurants you must eat at while you’re in Naples:
For pasta: La Locanda Gesù Vecchio. Order the Rigatoni al Ragù con Ricotta. This was the best pasta I had during our entire trip.
For pizza: (1) Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria. Ranked #4 in the world, this had the best, softest, and most delicious pizza crust. (2) Pizzeria Dal Presidente. Best toppings, and a TON of options. Order the Quattro Formaggi one, it’s incredible. (3) Pizzeria Da Attilio. Unique, star-shaped pizza with ricotta-filled crust. Most delicious tomato sauce—ever.
For gelato: Chalet Ciro in Mergellina. Ice cream in a donut cone? Um, yes please!
For pastries: You must try sfogliatella, Naples’s most delicious and addictive pastry. My favorites were from Ceraldi Caffe and Attanasio’s.
Day 2: Visit Capri Island
Capri island is one of three stunning islands (Ischia and Procida are the other two) off the Amalfi Coast. All of the islands are accessible by ferry—or, if you’d like a more luxury experience, a private boat.
We only had time to see one island, so we chose Capri since it’s the most famous of the three. When we come back, I’d love to visit Ischia and swim in the thermal spas, or go to Procida, the smallest (and least-touristy) island.
The best way to experience the Amalfi Coast and the nearby islands is from a private boat. Just imagine cruising around Capri with relaxing Italian music playing in the background, jumping in for a quick swim in the turquoise waters, and seeing the coast from your yacht. Oh, the good life.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t in our budget. But we still had a great time on a shared boat tour of Capri island, eating sandwiches made by the most adorable Italian nonna, and seeing the island from above on the Anacapri chair lift.
Tips for Seeing Capri Island:
Bring your patience. Capri is an ultra-touristy destination. We went during the off season (mid-October), and it was still packed. Be prepared to wait in line with everyone else.
Rent a scooter. The lines to wait for taxis and the bus are long. We had to wait almost an hour in line to hop on the mini-bus that goes to Anacapri. If you want to maximize your time and explore the island, rent a scooter (just be careful driving on the windy, narrow, steep roads).
Stay the night! If you have the time and budget, consider spending the night in Capri. Take advantage of the time in the morning to see the island (especially the Blue Grotto) before the rest of the tourists arrive on the ferries.
How to take the Ferry to Capri Island:
We bought our tickets online ahead of time, and got to the almost-hidden warehouse where the Caremar ferry departs a whole hour before the scheduled time (like it said on the ticket). Being there so early was definitely unnecessary.
We went up to the window, showed them the email confirmation, and they gave us the ticket. Easy peasy.
Ferry options: There’s a ton of ferry boats that go from Naples to Capri at almost all hours of the day:
Caremar ✔️
SNAV ✔️
Alilauro
Grimaldi Lines
GNV
We went with Caremar to the island—on an open-air boat with just a few people—and the trip took about an hour and a half. Caremar is a great option if you’d like a trip with a view.
On the way back, we went on a SNAV, high-speed ferry that had a huge open interior filled with rows of seats. It was a quick 50-minute trip back to Naples. SNAV is a great option if you’d like a fast boat trip.
Day 3: Rent A Vespa And Cruise the Amalfi Coast
Remember Mario Kart? Well, this is your opportunity to experience it up close and personal: rent a vespa and cruise along the Italian coast.
This was one of the most exciting, nerve-wracking, and fun things we did on our trip. But it’s not for the faint of heart—there are a lot of very spirited and confident motorcycle drivers in Italy. They’ll zoom around you and pass you, even on a cliffside curve with large trucks in oncoming traffic.
I dare say it’s well worth it (although I wasn’t the one driving and my husband said he’d never do it again). The views of the coast are absolutely breathtaking.
We loved cruising alongside Mount Vesuvius…
Admiring the colorful Italian villas dotting the green coastal cliffside…
Getting the greatest view of the beautiful city of Positano…
Stopping for outrageously expensive orange juice at the famous roadside fruit shop…
Seeing the stunning beach under the bridge at Fiordo di Furore…
It was absolutely dreamy.
I would most definitely recommend it. (But, I wouldn’t recommend starting from Naples—it was a 3-hour drive to the city of Amalfi, and though we made frequent stops it was pretty long. If you’re staying in Positano, it’s only about an hour or so, which is more reasonable.)
The city of Amalfi itself was packed with people—packed. If you go when it’s warm, there are beaches to enjoy and a cathedral to visit.
You have to try the famous lemon gelato inside the real Amalfi lemons—I know, it’s super touristy but it’s part of the experience. They sell them all over the city, so just find one that looks good, but make sure you ask for the price first. Some places don’t have it posted and will charge you way more than it’s worth.
We also had lunch at Il Veliero in the lovely neighboring town of Atrani (which was a ghost town compared to Amalfi). I enjoyed their lemon pasta with shrimp and the peace and quiet.
Things to do on the Amalfi Coast:
Walk the charming sentiero dei limoni: path of the lemons! This is a 4km (2.5 mile) walk that will take you through lemon groves along the coast. (Start here.)
Visit the little town of Minori to try the Italian dessert: Delizia al Limone. Visit Pasticceria Sal De Riso, a pastry shop created by Salvatore De Riso, one of Italy’s most important chefs.
Stroll through the gardens and enjoy the views at Villa Cimbrone. We didn’t have time to do this, but if you pay the ~10€ entrance fee, you can enjoy the views from this beautiful Italian Villa.
Hike the Path of the Gods. If you enjoy hiking and you’re spending more than just a few days on the Amalfi Coast, you don’t want to miss your chance to do this awesome hike.
Day 4: Visit Pompeii: The Ancient Roman City
The archeological site of Pompeii is just a quick 30 minute drive from the center of Naples—and it’s an experience you don’t want to miss.
Here’s the thing—this archeological site is absolutely ginormous. It’s hard to see it all in just a half-day or even a full-day tour. You can also visit Pompeii on your own, but I highly recommend getting a guide so you can learn as you walk to see some of the most impressive spots.
We went on a half-day Pompeii tour from Naples with Get Your Guide and had a great tour guide who led us around the temples, baths, and homes in the ancient city. I love learning about ancient history right where it happened—and I’m always motivated to go home and learn more after.
If you have more time, you can also hike Mount Vesuvius and see the massive active volcano up close.
Why Naples Deserves More Than Just a Day Trip
This 4-day itinerary blends history, gastronomy, coastal views, and hidden gems. It’s perfect for you if it’s your first time in Italy or your fifth—or even fifteenth!
A lot of travelers who are visiting Italy for the first time just do a quick day trip to Naples (or even just Pompeii) from Rome. After all, it’s only a 1 hour-ish train ride away.
But it’s so worth spending more time in Naples and this beautiful coastal region of Italy. With breathtaking views, amazing dishes beyond just pizza (like sfogliatella, delizia al limone, and more), and incredible places to visit, Naples has a lot to offer.