1. Città della Scienza
If you’re travelling with the family, the Città della Scienza beckons. This interactive science museum teaches visitors of all ages about seismology and other cool stuff. Look up their schedule first, as you may be able to time your visit with that of a scientist. This is where the world of science meets the public domain. There’s an educational garden, a volcano adventure, interactive games, plenty of opportunities to experiment and brilliant staff ready to help!
2. Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte
This is Naples' premier art collection and is housed inside a grand palace on a hill with sweeping views of Naples Bay. The Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Wander through the palace rooms and gaze in wonder at the masterpieces by Raphael, Caravaggio and many other famous Neapolitan artists. If your little ones prefer to run free, take them to the Capodimonte Park, which boasts endless lakes and wooded areas.
3. Spaccanapoli
Spaccanapoli street literally slices through Naples and Spaccanapoli Quarter and hanging out there in the evening is one of the best things to do in Naples. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is teeming with delicious pizza restaurants, chic cafes and wine bars. Along the coast, Piazza Dante is jam-packed with classy eateries. Between Piazza Amedeo and Piazza dei Martiri, you can dance the night away in true Italian style!
4. National Archaeological Museum
Naples has a storied history and there's no better place to learn than at the National Archaeological Museum. The museum houses artefacts like mosaics, jewellery, pottery, statues and building facades from the ancient Greek and Roman eras. There are also al frescoes and paintings from the Renaissance era. Most importantly, this is where you'll find most of the artefacts from Pompeii, including the preserved bodies of its residents. Walk through the serene marble halls and garden courtyard of the museum all the while learning about the fascinating history of Naples and this region of Italy.
5. Cappella Sansevero Chapel
The sixteenth-century Cappella Sansevero Chapel is part church, part museum. It houses nearly 30 works of art by famed eighteenth-century Italian artists. Some of the more famous pieces are Giuseppe Sanmartino's life-sized marble statue, 'Cristo Velato', and an al fresco painting on the vaulted ceiling by Francesco Maria Russo. The high relief marble sculpture on the church's high altar by Francesco Celebrano is considered to be one of the best examples of the artist's work. The museum is located in the historic city centre on Via Francesco de Sanctis 19.
6. San Carlo Theatre
Naples is known for its theatre and opera houses and San Carlo Theatre is perhaps the most famous. It was built in the early 1700s and can seat nearly 1,500 people. There are five stories of private viewing boxes and it's decorated in red velvet and gold brocade fabric. So don your best version of Naples chic and head out for an evening of opera, ballet or classical music. The nearest train station is Toledo.
7. The Catacombs of San Gennaro
Underneath the city of Naples lies a network of underground cisterns, aqueducts, worship spaces and burial sites. Some sites are more than 2,000 years old. The Catacombs of San Gennaro is a Christian burial site dating back to the 2nd century. This vast cavernous space is the largest in southern Italy and final resting place of the patron saint of Naples, San Gennaro. The catacombs are located just south of the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte and guides are available for hire.
8. Via Toledo
If you’re a fashionista, you may prefer to head straight to Via Toledo. It’s one of Naples’ longest shopping streets! Whether you prefer high street shops, designer labels or independent boutiques, you’ll find it all here. Don’t miss Galleria Umberto. With its impressive glass domed roof and imposing archways, it makes shopping a real pleasure. The shops inside sell famous brands and are a mixture of high-end and high street.
9. Kayak along the coastline
If you’re the outdoorsy type, you’ll love a kayak trip through sea grottos and along Naples’ craggy coastline. Take a guided tour of the waters to see the city from a different perspective! It doesn’t matter whether you have experience or not: there are tours available for all levels. Other water-based options include canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding. Choose a private tour or opt to go with a group. You can even select a full moon tour at certain times of the year.
10. San Gregorio Armeno
If you want to better experience the Neapolitan folklore, have a walk down San Gregorio Armeno and discover the little shops and artisan stalls selling nativity scenes, small statues and much more – from Maradona to Higuaín and many political icons, no famous character is really missing here! Don’t forget to stop by the churches of San Gregorio Armeno and San Gennaro all’Olmo and take in their beautiful architecture.
How to get to Naples by train
Naples is easily accessible via train or bus from most cities in Italy. From Rome, the journey to Naples is a little over an hour. The train journey from Milan to Naples is less than five hours with Frecciarossa high-speed trains. On these trains you'll get to enjoy high-quality onboard services, including a welcome service with a complimentary drink and snack of your choice if you travel in Frecciarossa Premium, Business or Executive Class. What's more, with a Frecciarossa Executive ticket you can get free access to FrecciaLounge and FrecciaClub at the main Italian train stations, where you can use the WiFi for free, have drinks and snacks or ask the information desk for help in case you need to make changes to your booking.