A Weekend Guide to Naples

Last month I escaped Paris for a weekend to head to the gorgeous Amalfi Coast and spend some time in Naples, Italy. One of my absolute favorite things about living in Europe is how easy it is to travel and get away, even if it is only for a few days. Also, taking a trip (even a weekend trip) helps to renew my energy and to spark new inspiration. If you find yourself traveling Europe- or living here- I highly recommend heading to Naples and the stunning Amalfi Coast.

Naples is a loud, bustling, and somewhat dirty city but is absolutely worth the visit because of its authenticity. There you’ll find incredible pizza and other Italian food, beautiful Italian architecture, and its prime location- it’s very close to the historic Pompeii and the breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast. If you have a few days in Naples, I highly recommend doing these three things:

1) Eat copious amounts of delicious and authentic pizza and get lost in the streets of Naples

One of my absolute favorite things about Naples is the delicious food. Naples is the birthplace of pizza, and it has no shortage of it. The pizza I ate in Naples was fantastic- easily the best pizza I’ve ever eaten. While there are some extremely famous pizza places in Naples, like L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele where Liz Gilbert ate in Eat Pray Love, I’d also recommend wandering the streets of Naples and finding a small, local joint outside of the touristy areas of the city. There you’re going to find delicious and authentic pizza for the cheapest. And my fellow vegans need not fret, pretty much every pizza place offers pizza marinara, a classic cheese-less pizza that I ate at almost every meal. Overall, the most incredible and authentic food can be found in Naples, so spend some time exploring the gorgeous streets of Naples and finding a local pizza place.

2) Spend a day exploring Pompeii (and Mount Vesuvius)

Another incredible thing about Naples is its proximity to the historic Pompeii, the 2,000-year-old city preserved by lava due to Mount Vesuvius’s eruption. It’s very easy to take the train there, and you can also take bus up to Mount Vesuvius if time allows. Not only is Pompeii extremely historic, and it’s phenomenal to learn about how the people there lived, the preserved buildings on a gorgeous landscape make it a sight to see.

3) Take a train to Sorrento and go see the gorgeous sites of the Amalfi Coast

Heading up to Sorrento or other beautiful cities along the Amalfi Coast is on the top of my list of things you must do while visiting Naples. Sorrento is a gorgeous, picturesque city with stunning views. Also, you can take a ferry to Capri from here! While Sorrento is a bit touristy, it’s well worth it to pay it a visit and bask in the gorgeous views of the Amalfi Coast. 

Overall, my weekend in Naples and on the Amalfi Coast was incredible and left me longing to go back. This is my list of must-do things when visiting, and while simple you will not be disappointed. I’d highly recommend visiting for a few days (or more!) if you find yourself in Italy.

Follow along with my travels on my Instagram!