How many days in Naples

With one day, stay in the historic center. Walk Spaccanapoli and the decumani, a loop of about 2.85 km (1.8 miles), and go inside three places: Cappella Sansevero for the Veiled Christ (€12, book ahead, closed Tuesdays), the Pio Monte della Misericordia for Caravaggio's Seven Works of Mercy (€10, open daily) and the Santa Chiara cloister (€7). Eat a pizza at lunch and another at dinner. In the evening, walk down Via Toledo to Piazza del Plebiscito and the seafront.

That is a full, satisfying day, but it is a sample. Our Naples in one day itinerary sets it out hour by hour.

A second day lets you see the two things one day leaves out: the MANN, the archaeological museum with the Pompeii frescoes and the Farnese sculptures (€20, closed Tuesdays; its mosaic rooms and Secret Cabinet are closed from September 21 to November 30, 2026), and the city from above. Either take a funicular to Vomero for Castel Sant'Elmo (€5) and the Certosa di San Martino (€6, closed Tuesdays), then walk down the Pedamentina steps, or go under the city at Napoli Sotterranea (€18, daily).

Two days is also enough for the city on its own if you would rather skip the ruins, or if you are combining Naples with Rome. See Naples in two days.

Three days is where Naples starts to make sense: two city days as above, and a third at Pompeii. Take the Circumvesuviana (29 minutes, €3.30), buy the €25 Pompeii+ ticket, and be at the gate for the 9 a.m. opening. From October 15 the last entry is 3:30 p.m., so do not start after lunch.

If you have less energy or less time, Herculaneum is the better half day: smaller, better preserved, €16, open every day and 18 minutes from Garibaldi on the Poggiomarino line. It leaves an afternoon for Capodimonte or the underground. Our Naples in three days itinerary picks one and explains why.

With five days you can see the city properly and add the two big things around it:

• Days 1–3: the old town, the MANN, Vomero, Capodimonte (€15, closed Wednesdays) and the Sanità with its catacombs (€13, closed Wednesdays).
• Day 4: Herculaneum in the morning and Vesuvius in the afternoon, or Pompeii and Vesuvius together via the EAV 808 bus (about 55 minutes each way). The crater walk is sold online only, €11.68, in timed slots; last entry is 4 p.m. in October and 3 p.m. from November to February.
• Day 5: an island. Capri is 57 minutes to about 1 hour 20 minutes by boat and is a long, expensive day; Procida is 35–40 minutes away, smaller and calmer.

See Naples in five days. If Capri tempts you, go early and split the day between Capri town and Anacapri; if you want a calmer island day for less money, Procida's landing charge is €3.50 and everything is reachable on foot or by €1.20 bus.

Beyond five days, stop day-tripping everything from Naples. The Amalfi Coast works best as two days based in Sorrento or on the coast: from Naples the direct SITA buses to Amalfi (9 a.m. on weekdays, plus a few afternoon runs, none on Sundays) are one way only: the direct returns leave Amalfi before dawn. Sorrento is also the closest base for Capri, 22 to 32 minutes by Caremar. Compare the two in Naples or Sorrento as a base?

Other good additions from Naples itself: the Reggia di Caserta (€18, closed Tuesdays, 40–50 minutes by train), Paestum's Greek temples (about 75 minutes by regional train, €15), Ischia for two nights of thermal pools. Returning visitors who love Roman sites should add the Campi Flegrei west of the city, where €10 covers four sites over three days; since the July 31, 2026 quake, sites can close for a day at short notice, so keep it flexible.

Naples' main sights close on different weekdays. Put your day trip on the day your priorities are shut:

So on a trip that includes a Tuesday, make it your Pompeii or Herculaneum day. On a Wednesday, do the old town, which is mostly open. And book Sansevero as soon as your dates are fixed: tickets go on sale 60 days ahead and sell out.