Naples, the capital of the Campania region, is a beautiful and distinctive Italian city with its cuisine, contrasts, numerous churches and ancient castles, and the city's metro is the most beautiful in the whole world. For some reason, there is much less information about it on the Internet than about Rome, Milan, Florence or Venice. Therefore, I will propose a route that will help you explore Naples on your own in one day, although from the very beginning I will say that this city has so many attractions that not only one day, not even a week is enough to see and carefully study everything. It is much more practical to use excursion transport, for example Citysightseeing Napoli. You will pay about 24 euros and you will not need to search for attractions or plan a route (see Sightseeing transport in Naples). For those who cannot afford it, I offer an alternative option.
The tour will begin from Piazza Garibaldi from the station of the same name and end at the Castel Sant'Elmo on Vomero Hill. The 7 kilometer walk includes a visit to the most beautiful metro stations in the world in Naples and a funicular ride.
From Piazza Garibaldi we will go into the metro and pass the five most interesting stations - Universita, Municipio, Toledo , Dante, Museoto Piazza Cavour. This is one of the 12 historical squares of Naples.
This square is home to the National Archaeological Museum, where many valuable items are kept. The museum also has a "secret cabinet" with erotic and pornographic objects and frescoes from the Roman era.
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In the maze of nearby streets, find Via Duomo, which will lead you to the 13th Cathedral Saint Januarius.
Here you will see a golden bust of the city’s heavenly patron, in the “head” of which parts of the skull of St. Januarius are stored.
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Perpendicular to Via Duomo runs Via dei Tribunali - the oldest street, known since ancient times. On it, on the opposite side of the cathedral, is the church of the 17th century Pio Monte della Misericordia.
The church houses the famous painting by Caravaggio “Seven Acts of Mercy”, as well as other paintings from the XV-XIX centuries.
Of the nearby basilicas, I will note the Church of San Lorenzo Maggiore, where you will see frescoes of Giotto’s Neapolitan students, and the Church of San Paolo Maggiore.
Between these two churches is Piazza San Gaetano. Nearby are the famous Catacombs of Naples (Napoli Sotterranea).
Entrance to the catacombs (to a depth of 40 meters) is paid (13 euros) and is only possible with a guide.
From the underground city, the pedestrian street Via San Gregorio Armeno leads to the church of the same name, which houses a collection of musical liturgical instruments, an archive of manuscripts and relics of saints. Via San Gregorio Armeno will take you to the oldest two kilometer long street Spacanapoli (translated as “dividing Naples in two”), which you will not see on the map, since these are two modern streets (Via San Biagio dei Librai, Via Benedetto Croce) connected to each other.
During your walk, do not miss the Chapella San Severo, where famous sculptural masterpieces are installed on the tombstones XVIII century. You will find it if you turn from Spacanapoli to Via Nilo next to the statue of the god Nile and go out into the street Via de Sanctis Francecso.
Let's return to Via Spacanapoli, walking along the walls of the Church of San Domenico Maggiore. Thomas Aquinas, Giordano Bruno and Tommaso Campanella once studied at the University of Naples located here.
If you continue through Spacanapoli, you will find the unusual Church of Gesù Nuovo, the stones of the walls of which resemble cut diamonds. In the sarcophagus of the basilica lie the remains of Saint Giuseppe Moscati, who lived in Naples and worked as a doctor.
The "Obelisk of the Immaculate Conception" is installed on the Gesu Nuovo Square. It was created in the XVIII century. Its height is 22 meters. The multi-figure marble composition is decorated with a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Near the Gesu Nuovo there is the Church of Santa Chiara. They say that if young people get married here, they will have a long and happy life ahead.
You will undoubtedly be fascinated by the interior of the church, as well as its courtyard and fresco galleries. Don't miss the opportunity to see them.
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From Piazza Gesu Nuovo, walk along Calata Trinita Maggiore to Via Toledo, where there are many fashion boutiques and shops. Here you can visit the Galleria Umberto I.
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From here, Via San Carlo will lead you to the Teatro di San Carlo ("Royal Theatre of Saint Charles"), on the stage of which Enrico Caruso, Maria Callas, Luciano Pavarotti and other famous singers.
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Next to the theater, in Castel Nuovo, you can visit the Museum of the History of Naples and enjoy beautiful views from the square.
Now from the San Carlo Theater we will head in the opposite direction - to Piazza del Plebiscito. This is the largest square in the city and is a must-see. It will remind you of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican.
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Face the Church of San Francesco di Paola and make a wish, then turn 180 degrees and walk between the statues of Ferdinand Iand Charles III. You will come to the Royal Palace of Naples (Palazzo Reale). I recommend that you enter it and explore it, although there is an entrance fee.
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Now follow the street Via Cesario Console . It will lead you to Castel dell'Ovo, which in Italian means "Egg Castle." This magnificent architectural monument attracts many tourists.
Enjoy views of Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples as you head along Via Partenope. You will reach Victory Square (Piazza Vittoria). This name was given to it in memory of the famous Battle of Lepanto in 1571 (on one side there was a fleet of the Ottoman Empire, on the other - a fleet of Christians, mainly the Spanish Empire and the Venetian Republic. The battle ended in the victory of the latter).
On the square there is an obelisk to those who died at sea. Here is the garden of the Villa Comunale with fountains, neoclassical statues and busts of famous people and mythological characters. You can also visit the oldest aquarium in Europe.
Let's return to the theater and go to the central funicular station on Via Toledo. There are a total of 4 funicular stations in Naples, and they all go up to the Vomero hill, where is located the XIV century Castle Sant'Elmo and Monastery of the Certosa di San Martino.
They come up here mainly to admire from the observation decks and enjoy the wonderful views of the city and the bay, which they will remember for the rest of their lives. You can return to the city from the Morghen stop. From there the funicular takes you to Montesanto station. Next to it there is a railway station and a station of the second metro line. So getting to Garibaldi station will not be difficult for you.
Our route is completed. There are still many attractions in Naples, but you simply won't have time to see them.
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