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Things to do in Naples

From admiring impressive architecture to relaxing on vibrant beaches, there are loads of great things to do in Naples no matter what your interests are.

It takes a little longer than 18 hours to drive from our port in Calais to Naples, and the road trip will offer up plenty of delights of its own. The quickest route will take you through Reims and the picturesque city of Strasbourg before crossing the Swiss border. From Switzerland, you’ll drive into Italy where you’ll pass plenty of amazing places to stop for a break, including Milan and Florence, before reaching your holiday destination.

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Visit the Royal Palace of Naples
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Explore the Catacombs of Naples
3
Discover the Vomero district of Naples
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Naples’ best beaches

Things to do in Naples

Visit the Royal Palace of Naples

Located in Piazza Plebiscito, the Royal Palace of Naples is a very popular tourist attraction. Now a museum, the palace is home to decorative objects, tapestries, and important paintings which tell the stories of rulers who lived there in the past. Rooms within the palace’s historical apartment reflect how they looked during years gone by, and you can visit a variety of spaces; including the court theatre, throne room, and royal chapel. The Royal Palace of Naples also houses the National Library, and has done since 1923. Boasting over 2 million texts, this is the most important library in southern Italy, offering another reason to include the palace in your Naples itinerary.

The palace grounds hold some wonderful surprises too. See a number of courtyards, including the courtyard of honour and the belvedere courtyard, wander secret paths as you keep an eye out for statues, and admire impressive views over the Gulf of Naples from the hanging gardens. Once you’ve explored the Royal Palace of Naples, step outside and marvel at the Piazza Plebiscito – which is not only home to the palace but hosts the Basilica of San Francesco da Paola, Palazzo della Prefettura and Palazzo Salerno, and the prestigious Gran Caffe Gambrinus too.

Explore the Catacombs of Naples

Travel back in time with a visit to the Catacombs of Naples, the oldest and most sacred catacombs in Italy. With strong ties to religion, the catacombs date back to the 2^nd century and offer a great insight into burial rituals and class systems throughout the years. It is estimated that there are around 3000 burials in the catacombs, but not all sites have been explored yet, so there could be many more that are yet to be discovered.

Guided tours are carried out every hour, and the site has been expertly lit to enhance the site in a way that also protects the artworks displayed there. During your tour, you’ll see the burial place of San Gennaro - the patron saint of Naples – along with three types of tombs which separated the classes. Open rooms decorated with colourful frescoes form the resting places of the rich, whereas the poor were buried in floor tombs.

There is free parking available at the Catacombs of Naples, and it’s recommended that you wear a jumper when you visit as the deeper underground you go the colder it gets.

Discover the Vomero district of Naples

The hilly district of Vomero is set above the rest of the city and offers incredible views across the Bay of Naples and beyond. This classy, picturesque district can be reached via funicular or metro, and visiting here is one of the best things to do in Naples if you’re looking to escape the bustling city for a while. Marvel at the star-shaped Castel Sant’Elmo, spot historic architecture in the quirky Antignano neighbourhood, and discover the octagonal Piazza Vanvitelli before settling down for some traditional Neapolitan food.

Vomero offers plenty of great spots for eating a meal, enjoying an ice cream, or having a fresh coffee. You’ll also find the district’s market here every day from Monday to Saturday. Selling meat, cheese, fruit, and vegetables, Volmero’s market is the perfect place to pick up fresh produce to take back to your accommodation with you. You’ll also find clothing, shows, and accessories for sale, so you might like to pick up some souvenirs or gifts during your visit too.

Naples’ best beaches

There are a number of beaches that you can visit from the city of Naples if you fancy some time out or a dip in the sea. The Gaiola beach is a good option as it’s very clean and can be reached via bus or metro if you didn’t want to drive. The beach is actually split into two halves, one of which you will need to present identification for due to it being part of a protected marine reserve. However, you can access the other half without being asked for documentation.

The Miseno and Miliscola beaches are also worth a visit as they have plenty of amenities to ensure that you have an enjoyable time. You can set up on these beaches for free or opt to take advantage of one of the paid bathing establishments. Cafes line the beaches so you’re never far from food and cocktails, or you could choose to take a picnic and have a purse-friendly day out. There is a shuttle bus to the beach from Vomero which leaves every hour between 8am and 11am and returns every hour between 3pm and 6pm.

Great day trips from Naples

Being based in Naples with your car gives you access to lots of interesting places, meaning that there are plenty of great day trips to be had. Perhaps the most popular day trip from Naples is the preserved Roman city of Pompeii. Pompeii was famously destroyed by an eruption from Mount Vesuvius, covering it in ash and dust and leaving it to be forgotten. These days, Pompeii is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Italy, and you can explore the streets and buildings, including temples, theatres, and houses, that have been excavated and uncovered for all to see.

If you’re looking for an active day trip from Naples, Mount Vesuvius should be at the top of your list. Standing over Naples at around 1200m tall, Mount Vesuvius offers an unmissable hike with amazing views. The Mount Vesuvius trail is 3.4km in length and can get a little crowded with tourists at times, but the panoramas certainly make up for this. There’s a car park just a short walk away from the start of the trail, and you will need to pay an entrance fee when you get there.

Ready to experience some of these things to do in Naples for yourself? Book your ferry to France and start planning your Italian getaway today.