3-Day Naples Itinerary: A Practical Day-by-Day Guide

I’ve visited Naples in Italy twice now — first on a family trip with my grandma and sister, and later again with Juraj. What made those visits especially interesting is that they were in two completely different seasons, and the city felt noticeably different each time.

One trip was more about sightseeing and walking through the historic center, while the second was focused on the Amalfi Coast.

Naples is loud, chaotic, full of life, and sometimes a little overwhelming — but that’s exactly what made it unforgettable. On my first visit, some parts felt intense and disorganized, and on the second visit, I already knew what to expect.

If you want a broader list of ideas beyond this itinerary, check out our full guide to the best things to do in Naples, and if you’re still deciding on a base, our where to stay in Naples guide breaks down the best areas with hand-picked hotel recommendations.

This itinerary is based on what we did, what we’d repeat, and what we’d do differently next time. Some days follow our real route closely, others are slightly improved to make the flow easier and avoid unnecessary backtracking.

If we were visiting again, this is exactly how we’d plan our time.

In this guide, you’ll find a realistic 3-day Naples itinerary that combines the city’s highlights with a day trip to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius — all based on our own experience.

How many days to spend in Naples

With 2 days, you can see the main highlights of the historic center, enjoy the food scene, and get a good feel for the city without rushing too much. With 3 days, you can add a day trip to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius, which is one of the biggest reasons people base themselves in Naples in the first place.

If you stay longer than 3 days, it makes more sense to start adding places like the Amalfi Coast or Capri, rather than just staying in the city itself.

3-day itinerary for Naples

Day 1: Naples Historic Center

• Spaccanapoli
• Duomo di San Gennaro (Naples Cathedral)
• Via dei Tribunali
• Gesù Nuovo Church
• Piazza del Plebiscito
• Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino)
• Toledo Metro Station (Art Metro Line 1)

Morning

We started the day in the heart of the old town, walking along Spaccanapoli, and this quickly became our favorite part of Naples. It feels more structured than many other areas of the city, but still very much alive — laundry hanging above the streets, locals talking across balconies, and small cafés and bakeries everywhere. We had no plan here, we just wandered around where the streets took us.

From there, it’s easy to weave through Via dei Tribunali and stop at a few of the main churches along the way. One of the most impressive was Gesù Nuovo Church, with its strange diamond-patterned façade on the outside and a surprisingly rich interior once you step inside.

We also made sure not to miss the Duomo di San Gennaro, Naples’ main cathedral. It’s free to enter and sits just off Via dei Tribunali, which makes it easy to include while exploring the historic center.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, we headed toward Piazza del Plebiscito, and the change in atmosphere was immediate. After the tight streets of the old town, the open space of the square feels huge.

With the Royal Palace on one side and the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola on the other, it’s a great place stop for a moment and just look around.

From here, it’s only a short walk to Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino), the big stone fortress by the port. We mostly enjoyed it from the outside, walking around it and seeing how it dominates the skyline with Mount Vesuvius in the background.

Before wrapping up the day, we took the metro to see one of the most unexpected highlights of Naples: Toledo Station on Line 1. It sounds strange to recommend a metro station, but this one really is special.

It’s deep underground and covered in blue mosaics that make it feel like you’re walking through an underwater tunnel. We didn’t expect much from it, but it ended up being a fun stop.

Day 2: Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius (Day Trip)

• Pompeii Archaeological Site
• Mount Vesuvius Crater

Morning

Walking through Pompeii doesn’t feel like visiting ruins — it feels like stepping into a city that was suddenly paused in time. Streets, houses, and shops are still there, and it’s easy to imagine what daily life must have looked like before everything stopped.

We started early, which made a huge difference. With fewer people around, it felt quieter and more intense in a good way. What hit us most weren’t the big buildings, but the small details — wall paintings still visible in some homes, stone counters where food was once sold, and the body casts that show just how sudden the eruption really was.

If you want to understand what you’re seeing (and not just wander around guessing), this is one place where a guide really helps. We’d personally choose a Pompeii guided tour with an archaeologist, because you’re walking the site with someone who actually knows the history behind the streets and buildings, not just pointing out famous spots.

It turns the visit into a story instead of just a walk through ruins.

Afternoon

After Pompeii, heading up to Mount Vesuvius feels like switching worlds. You go from flat ancient streets to winding roads climbing into the hills. The final part is a short but steady walk uphill on loose volcanic gravel. It’s not hard, but in the sun it definitely feels tougher than it looks, so water and a hat are a good idea.

Standing at the edge of the crater was a strange moment for us — calm, quiet, and powerful all at once. We could see the Bay of Naples stretching out below, with the city and the sea in the distance, and then right in front of us was the volcano that caused all of this.

Knowing that Pompeii is down there somewhere made the view feel heavier and more meaningful for us.

What we loved about this day is the contrast: ancient streets in the morning, raw nature in the afternoon. It’s intense, but it’s also one of those days that makes you feel like you really experienced this part of Italy, not just passed through it.

If you don’t feel like dealing with trains, buses, and time slots, doing everything in one go can be much easier. A guided day trip from Naples that combines Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius links both places smoothly, so you can focus on the experience instead of the logistics — especially useful if you’re short on time or just want a stress-free day.

Day 3: Coast & Viewpoints

• Lungomare promenade
• Castel Sant’Elmo
• Certosa di San Martino

Morning

We kept our last day lighter and more scenic, starting with a walk along the Lungomare promenade. After two intense days of history and walking through busy streets, this felt like a reset. The path runs right along the water, with Mount Vesuvius always in view, and it’s one of the calmest parts of Naples.

Afternoon

In the afternoon, we headed up to Castel Sant’Elmo and the nearby Certosa di San Martino in the Vomero district. We took the funicular with the views slowly opening up.

From the top, you see the rooftops packed together, the curve of the bay, and Mount Vesuvius rising in the background. The castle is all about wide terraces and photo spots, while the monastery next door feels calmer, with courtyards, gardens, and a museum that gives a bit more context to what you’re looking at.

Where to stay in Naples

Naples is busy, noisy, and full of energy, so where you stay really matters. For a short trip, we’d go for somewhere central so you can walk most places and not waste time on transport. At the same time, it’s nice to have a hotel that feels calm once you’re inside, because the streets can be a lot by the end of the day.

If you’re still deciding which part of Naples suits you best, check out our full guide on where to stay in Naples — it breaks down the best areas, including hand-picked hotel recommendations.

Here are a few of our top recommendations for every budget:

Best Hotels in Naples

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Relais Della Porta (Our Top Pick) – We like this place because it’s a good mix of everything that matters: central location, comfortable rooms, and a quieter feel once you’re inside. It’s in a beautiful old building, but the rooms feel fresh and modern, not dated. After a long day walking around Naples, it’s the kind of place where you actually look forward to coming back. If we wanted something a bit nicer than average without paying for full luxury, this would be our choice.
Best for: Couples or families who want a refined, central stay with a touch of history.
👉 Check current deals →

⭐️⭐️ Gallery Experience Napoli – This one is a good option if you want something modern and a bit different from a standard hotel. It has a cool, artsy style that makes it feel more personal than most places in this price range. We like it as a practical base — you’ve got a comfy room, and a decent location.
Best for: Couples or travelers who want a comfortable, modern base in the heart of Naples.
👉 Compare prices →

⭐️ B&B La Movida – This is the kind of place we’d book if we were trying to keep costs down but still stay somewhere well located. It’s simple and more basic than the others, but it does the job: clean room, good location, and no hassle. It’s a smart pick if you’d rather spend your money on food and experiences than on a hotel.
Best for: Budget travelers who want a local, convenient stay near the seafront and main attractions.
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Final Thoughts

Naples hits you with noise, energy, history, and food all at once. But after a while, you get used to the rhythm, the chaos feels more like character, and the city becomes easier to enjoy.

This itinerary is built around how we experienced Naples ourselves. Two days in the city and one day at Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius gave us a great balance between culture, scenery, and intensity without feeling rushed.

If you follow this plan, you’ll see very different sides of Naples: busy old streets, calm coastal walks, and powerful historic sites just outside the city.