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Naples is a major port city in southern Italy, the capital of the Province of Naples and the Campania region, and one of the largest cities in Italy. Naples itself may not be the most beautiful city you’ll see, and not many choose to tour it. Most visitors come here as a stopover on the way to the Amalfi Coast or for a day trip from Rome. Getting to Naples is easy: you can fly into the city's international airport or take a high-speed train from central Rome, which brings you to the heart of Naples in less than an hour.
Naples is known as a culinary hub, and no food lover would skip this city without at least tasting the original Neapolitan pizza and sfogliatella, the Italian pastry that originated here. We arrived in Naples for one day as a stopover between Rome and the Puglia region. I had heard a lot about Naples, especially about its food :). The vast majority of recommendations were centered around restaurants, bakeries, and pizzerias (as expected). As a devoted food lover, there was no chance I would skip a stop here to check out the culinary scene.
24 Hours in Naples - Accommodation
We stayed at a small hotel in the city center, right next to the main shopping street, at Hotel Napoli Class. It’s a small hotel with classic decor. Breakfast was served in the room due to COVID guidelines during the time we traveled. The breakfast was basic, which may have been related to the restrictions, but in any case, I recommend skipping it and heading out to "eat" the city.
What to Do in 24 Hours in Naples? Or More Precisely, What Must You Taste in Naples?
My recommendation for this city is a one-day visit centered around a food tour and exploring the city by foot. We arrived in Naples on the high-speed train from Rome, settled into the hotel, and immediately set off. Our improvised food tour started right near the hotel, and the recommended route for food lovers in Naples consists of several stops. If you follow the order below, you’ll undoubtedly leave feeling satisfied.
Sfogliatella at Cuori di Sfogliatella
This Italian pastry, originally from Naples, is made from thin layers of dough brushed with butter and filled with various fillings. The classic pistachio filling is an uncompromising favorite, but there are many other equally delicious and indulgent options. In Naples, you'll see bakeries on every corner, and it's hard to go wrong, but if you want to play it safe, I recommend trying the sfogliatella at Cuori di Sfogliatella. We received many recommendations for this place, and it was conveniently close to our hotel. Without a doubt, it's a paradise for lovers of indulgent pastries. You can choose between a classic sfogliatella or an open one filled with gelato. My recommendation, of course, is to get both :)
Caffe Mexico
This café is particularly beloved by locals and has several branches in Naples. What you must try here is "Caffe del Nonno" – a Neapolitan coffee that is a kind of sweet and refreshing iced coffee.
Pizza at Zia Esterina Sorbillo
In Italy, as in Italy, pizzas come in all forms – from the classic round pizza to pizza by weight, and even deep-fried pizza, which resembles a kind of sambusak fried to perfection. The fried pizza is essentially a "regular" pizza folded in half and deep-fried. Zia Esterina Sorbillo is an old institution in Naples and one of the most recommended places to try this type of pizza.
Neapolitan Pizza at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele
Probably the best pizza in Italy is served here. This is the most famous pizzeria in Naples, offering classic Neapolitan pizza. It’s a Michelin-recommended restaurant with countless accolades, and no one who visits Naples leaves without receiving endless recommendations for it. When you arrive, you won’t miss the place, as you’ll immediately recognize the long line stretching down the street. Note that if you don’t want to wait, there’s a shorter line option for takeaway orders.
Officina del Mare Restaurant
A recommended seafood restaurant located at the port of Naples, perfect for a dinner in the city. The menu is rich with fresh fish and seafood, which you can select by weight straight from the aquarium. It’s advisable to book a table in advance.
Gelato at Il Gelato Mennella
Truth be told, we didn’t even receive recommendations for this gelato, but as we learned during this trip, it’s hard to go wrong with gelato in Italy. We spotted the line at the entrance on our way from the port to the hotel and, of course, couldn’t resist stopping for dessert.
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