DECEMBER 2025

Naples was never high on my bucket list and I didn’t have high expectations. I really wanted to visit the islands in front of the Neapolitan coast, so it made sense we would also pay a visit to Naples. We ended up spending two full days in Naples, which I personally found the perfect amount of time. Naples is a raw city, but also full of life. I loved the combination of the chaotic streets with graffiti walls, behind which you can find a quiet courtyard or hidden church. To me Naples exudes Barcelona energy, before it had gotten too popular. If you are a foodie, Naples is a must visit. We had some of the best Italian food while in Naples, so I have all sorts of recommendations for you! 

Where we stayed

Naples doesn’t have a lot of traditional hotels, but many buildings have been transformed Airbnb style. So you will stay in an apartment complex, where a part caters to tourists. We tried two “hotels” in Naples. We stayed in Comfort Zone Naples, where we had a large room which was located close to the port. Despite the host being very kind, we didn’t love the bed and found the room quite noisy. We also stayed in Domusvelata, which is located in the old town. We loved the location and the quietness of the room. Domusvelata only has two rooms and the rooms are located in the apartment of an Italian family. They prepare a nice breakfast for you and we liked this experience. Both rooms cost about € 130 per night for a three person room and breakfast. 

Our favorite activities in Naples

Please do some research on what to do in Naples and you will have a great experience. Some activities need to be pre-booked or need some planning. 

Cappella Sansevero

One of the highlights of our Naples trip was Cappella Sansevero. This is a museum that consists of only two rooms and it is breathtaking. It is famous for the marble statue of the Veiled Christ. Not something I am normally interested in, but the marble sculptures were of such quality that I had never seen something like it. It’s incredible how the sculptor was able to make these out of marble. You are not allowed to take pictures inside, so let yourself be surprised and go visit. Capella Sansevero often sells out, so it is advised to pre-book your tickets on the official website. 

Santa Chiara

The Santa Chiara Monastery is like a quiet oasis in the chaotic city of Naples. It has lovely gardens featuring mosaic benches and columns, just a gorgeous spot. I found the museum that explains the history very interesting and you can even visit the ruins of a bathhouse. You cannot book tickets in advance, so we arrived as soon as it opened. 

Gesu Nuovo

Close to the Santa Chiara Monastery you will find the Gesu Nuovo church. From the outside it looks very modern, but it has a stunning classic interior. It is very overwhelming and an interesting contrast to the area it is located in. Entrance is free. 

Galleria Umberto I

This is a shopping arcade with gorgeous architecture. Less famous than the similar building in Milan, but definitely worth a visit. 

Centro Storico

Just wandering around Centro Storico is an activity itself. It was our favorite area of Naples and we prefered the restaurants and terraces here to other parts of the city. Incredibly lively, but slightly less chaotic than Quartierie Spagnoli. Make sure to look up to spot all the amazing streetart and decorative flags. This is also the best place to have streetfood, we had hotdogs near Libreria L’ Ecolibri Di Pacifico Antonio and loved people watching.

Quartieri Spagnoli

It is impossible to escape Maradona in Naples and he is most present in the Quartieri Spagnolia neighborhood. Here you can visit all the streetart related to Maradona, the area definitely deserves a few hours of wandering. This is Naples at its most chaotic, where you have to avoid scooters driving through the narrow alleyways. Cars parked in front of houses in seemingly pedestrian areas. Laundry hanging outside and little chapels on every corner. 

Castle Sant’Elmo

The Castle Sant’Elmo is located in a higher area of Naples and offers amazing views over the city and the sea. Technically you don’t have to visit the castle to enjoy the views. However it is only € 5 per ticket and a fun activity. The castle is more of a fortress and you will slowly find your way up through the dark tunnels. A fun way to get to the castle is to take the funicular. You can take the funicular from several areas of the city, we took the one from Augusteo. The funicular takes you up the hill and than it is a short walk to Castle Sant’Elmo. 

Ercolano

One of the best daytrips from Naples is a trip to the archeological area of Ercolano. Just like Pompeii this little town was destroyed by the eruption of the Vesuvio. Read all about our experience in this separate blog. 

Restaurants

Naples has amazing food! We tried lots of streetfood and some restaurants. These were our favorites: 

Monastero Ristovino: very traditional and cozy restaurant close to the Santa Chiara monastery. You can make reservations online. 

La Locanda Gesu Vecchio: one of the most famous restaurants of Naples. It is included in the Michelin guide for its excellent value for money. The restaurant is incredibly popular and I would recommend calling one week in advance to make reservations. It is always fully booked. We were lucky that Hugo fell asleep during dinner so we could enjoy a multi-course meal 😉

Valu Risotteria: I personally found the restaurants in Quartieri Spagnoli less desirable than in the old town. Luckily we ran into Valu, where we had great affordable pizzas on a lovely terrace.