Deciding what to see in Naples in 4 days is quite complex, but we at Partenope in Tour are here to help!
So, let’s go in order. Four days in Naples is neither a few nor a lot. It’s probably a little less than the right amount, but you can see quite a bit in 4 days.
Naples is a small metropolis in the sense that it is a city that has the connotations of a metropolis (for better or worse) but is not very large. So, what to see in Naples in 4 days? Well, a tour guide is about to tell you. Eyes wide open!
What to see in Naples in 4 days? Day 1: Esoteric Naples
Let’s start from the beginning, from the most important place in the city: the historic center of Naples, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1995.
The historic center of Naples is one of the largest and oldest in Europe . Within the endless network of alleys that draw the city, there are works of art of immense value.
Despite mass tourism, the historic center remains the most congenial way to discover the tastes, smells and sensations of Naples’ energy.
Our Naples Esoteric tour is one of the best-selling and best-loved. On our socials you will find a few videos about this tour. A tour designed, ad hoc, to discover the historic center in a mythical key.
Sansevero Chapel and Veiled Christ: not to be missed!
After exploring the historic center, book tickets well in advance to admire the magnificence of the Veiled Christ in the Sansevero Chapel.
This Baroque masterpiece houses, precisely, the Veiled Christ.
The Veiled Christ is an extraordinary sculpture that appears to be wrapped in a marble veil. The chapel also has a wealth of artworks depicting the theme of alchemy and mystery.
Fontanelle Cemetery and worship of the dead
Naples has so much of a South American city.
One aspect in common is the worship of the dead.
Between the fontanelle cemetery and the church of Santa Lucella (historic center), you can’t help but be surprised at how common a ritual it was in Naples to be protected by skulls.
The former option is historical and more touristy, while the latter is a recent discovery. The glimpse of the Fontanelle Cemetery, however, is unparalleled.
These two places are first and foremost places of worship and devotion, where citizens pray for abandoned souls. Their unique and somewhat eerie atmosphere makes it a must-see for those interested in the history and esoteric traditions of Naples.
Day 2: From the Vomero Hill to the Waterfront
What to see in Naples in 4 days if not the Naples that inspired painters of past centuries? Yes, because some truly picturesque routes, leading from the city’s hills to the sea, have been the subject of paintings and schools of painting.
Let’s talk about the Petraio stairs, for example. A staircase that rips the heart of Naples in two , and that from the elegant buildings of the hilly Vomero district, reaches the waterfront.
There are three stairways that we recommend:
- Petraio;
- Pedamentina: from San Martino-where there is the most beautiful view of Naples.
- St. Francis cove: the least touristy but among the most popular.
Castel Sant’Elmo and Certosa di San Martino
Finding yourself in Vomero, the advice is to begin Start your day with a visit to Castel Sant’Elmo, a medieval fortress that offers spectacular panoramic views of Naples and the Gulf. The nearby Certosa di San Martino is an ancient monastery turned museum, with unique Neapolitan art collections and nativity scenes.
Piazza del Plebiscito and Teatro San Carlo
At the end of one of the three stairways, you reach the center with Piazza del Plebiscito, the most important square in the city, passing through the Quartieri Spagnoli .
Lose yourself in the alleys of the Quartieri, now a reevaluated place that has taken on new life in the last 10 years, becoming the true symbol of the city.
See the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola and the Royal Palace. A short walk away, the San Carlo Theater, the oldest opera house in Europe still in operation, offers guided tours that will take you behind the scenes of a true gem of Naples.
The Caracciolo Promenade
End the day with a walk along the Lungomare Caracciolo, what is currently one of the most photographed waterfronts in the world.
Day 3: Pompeii ruins, an unmissable stop
Yes, we are not in Naples, but we are only a few kilometers from the city, and we are in Pompeii for a very specific reason: the excavations of Pompeii are one of the most impressive places in the world.
A visit to the Excavations I always recommend on stays of 3 days or more.
On the way back from the Scavi, if you still have some energy, take the metro and get off at Materdei. You will find yourself in the Rione Sanità, one of our favorite neighborhoods: veracious, historic, there is great food and there is street art recognized throughout Europe. We made a video there, you can find it on social.
Day 4: Monte Echia and Chiaia District
They have recently redeveloped the area of Monte Echia, a very important place for the city, so much so that the foundation of Naples is right here, in this neighborhood often left too far behind the historic center. Let’s talk about Pizzofalcone.
Mount Echia
Start the day with a visit to Mount Echia, considered the place where ancient Parthenope was founded. This wonderful promontory offers, first of all, a crazy view of the Gulf of Naples.
The Borgo Marinari
Descending from Monte Echia, visit the Borgo Marinari, a picturesque fishing village located around the Castel dell’Ovo. It is the perfect place for a rejuvenating stroll and to enjoy a fresh seafood lunch at one of the local restaurants. You’ll feel the atmosphere of a Naples that is yes upper class, but also quite real.
Chiaia District
Continue your day by exploringthe Chiaia District, one of the most elegant and fashionable areas of Naples. Here you’ll find high-fashion boutiques, historic cafes, and beautiful palazzi. Visit Villa Pignatelli, an elegant neoclassical villa turned museum, and enjoy a stroll along the Riviera di Chiaia.
Martyrs’ Square and Via dei Mille
Okay. We are at the end. At this point head to Piazza dei Martiri and along Via dei Mille. This area is the heart of the city’s luxury shopping, with stores of major Italian and international brands. You may not buy anything, but it is still a collection of streets worth a visit. It is the perfect place to buy some souvenirs that are a little more… refined!
Conclusion
In conclusion, in a list of what to see in Naples in 4 days, I necessarily had to leave something out. For example, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN ) or the Capodimonte Museum.
If you wanted to see or eat something less touristy and that is off the usual routes, we at Partenope in Tour have written a NON-tour guide that you can download for free here on the website. Go to the home page, go down a bit and you will find it. Hi guagliu.