The 12 Best Things to See in Naples' Historic Centre
A dozen must-see historic spots in old Naples
The historic centre of Naples | Volodymyr Sobko / Shutterstock
The centre of Naples is a spaghetti-mess of ancient, medieval and modern that creates an endless maze of hidden squares, tight alleys and twists and turns that take you from the ancient Greeks to medieval cloisters in a few hundred metres.
Getting your head wrapped around the crumbling baroque facades, centuries-old hole-in-the-wall pizzerias and towering churches can be challenging, so we’ve created this easy life of the dozen best things to see in central Naples.
So if underground catacombs, grand cathedrals and busy markets are your thing, add these 12 Naples spots to your plans.
1. Duomo di San Gennaro
The gothic / baroque cathedral of Saint Gennaro | Mitzo / Shutterstock
The spiritual heart of Naples is its main cathedral. A blend of gothic and baroque styles, Naples Cathedral is impressive enough to look at before you get to the ‘main ‘event’. In this cathedral, you can witness a bona fide miracle three times a year, when the vial containing the ancient blood of Saint Gennaro (the city’s patron saint) is said to liquefy.
The event is fervently attended by local worshippers and visitors, but it’s actually kind of difficult to get close enough to witness the tri-annual miracle. Instead, poke your head into the Royal Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, with its incredibly detailed frescoes and silver-gilded relics pleasing to the eye.
2. Via San Gregorio Armeno
The street is famous for its intricately-carved statuettes and nativity scenes | Arcady / Shutterstock
If you love Christmas, then come to the alley where it’s Christmas every single day of the year. Along the cobbled street you’ll find hand-made nativity scenes in all shapes and forms, as well as tiny figurines of politicians and public figures to add to your collection.
For a truly authentic souvenir, check out Di Virgilio Presepi, a four-generation family workshop famous for its intricately-crafted nativity scenes, ornaments and effigies including pop stars, footballers and even former presidents and prime ministers.]
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3. Spaccanapoli
The Spaccanapoli is the central spine of the city | Gabriele Maltinti / Shutterstock
Spaccanapoli, quite literally the ‘Naples splitter’, is a long, straight road that cuts directly through the centre of the city. It acts as the main artery of Naples, lined with buzzing cafes, pastry shops, churches and palazzi that are a mixture of classical and well-to-do and unkempt and chaotic.
This is where you’ll grab a famous sfogliatella (Scaturchio offers the best) and grab those Instagram shots of laundry hanging above the busy street below. This is loud, crazy Naples at its absolute best.
4. Cloister of Santa Chiara
The ornate tiles of the cloister | Inu / Shutterstock
If the Spaccanapoli was all a bit too much, then the serene escape that is the Cloister of Santa Chiara is the polar opposite. Step away from the scooters and shouting and browse the lemon trees and baroque majolica tiles that line the Cloister Garden.
The basilica adjacent to the cloister was heavily damaged during World War II but has been beautifully restored, so take a moment to look inside and visit the museum and remnants of the Roman baths that sit below the site.
5. Napoli Sotteranea (Naples Underground)
The imposing entrance to underground Naples | photoNN / Shutterstock
If you thought Naples was chaotic above ground, then it only gets even more intriguing beneath the surface. From World War II air raid shelters to early Chistian catacombs, take a guided tour of the Napoli Sotteranea to explore ancient cisterns, tunnels and hidden chapels for secret worship.
Aside from the incredible history, it’s also a welcome escape from the hustle and bustle above.
6. San Lorenzo Maggiore
The ancient Greco-Roman market below the church | Maurizio De Mattei / Shutterstock
This gigantic Gothic church is pretty impressive at the outset, but the real magic happened underneath the medieval flagstones.
The church just happens to sit on top of the dead centre of ancient Naples, which means ancient roads, shops and a Greco-Roman market have been painstakingly uncovered by archaeologists over several decades, without destroying the church.
It’s a weird feeling stepping into a busy ancient market without leaving the interior of an equally impressive church built almost 1,000 years later.
7. Pio Monte della Misericordia
The Seven Works of Mercy | trabantos / Shutterstock
Relatively unassuming on its exterior, this small church turned gallery hides some of Naples’ best artworks, including the critically-renowned Seven Works of Mercy by Caravaggio. The artwork is an exceptional example of Caravaggio’s understanding of light and emotion and was commissioned by the same lay brotherhood who continue to serve the city’s poor to this day.
Don’t miss the quiet gallery upstairs that hosts works by Luca Giordiano, Carlo Sellitto, Fabrizio Santafede, Caracciolo and many others.
8. Palazzo Venezia
The green courtyard often hosts events and exhibitions | Dan Gabriel Atanasie / Shutterstock
Tucked away off the Spaccanapoli on Via Benedetto Croce, this understated 15th century palace is easy to miss but worth the effort. The pretty green courtyard offers a few minutes’ peace from the noise of the street is sits beside and the small cafe serves up a great pick-me-up espresso to keep energy up on your cultural wanderings.
Keep an eye out for live performance and exhibitions, as the Palazzo Venezia is something of a hub for Naples’ young creatives.
9. Cappella Sansevero
The Veiled Christ | marcobriviophoto.com / Shutterstock
Without a doubt, the Veiled Christ that is housed in the Sansevero Chapel is reason enough to visit, never mind the equally incredible carvings and adornments that surround it.
The Giuseppe Sanmartino sculpture, showing Christ with a veil draped over his face and body, is hauntingly-lifelike and carved from a single block of white marble. Don’t stare too long, as you’ll start to believe the figure has moved, such is the perfection and detail of the piece.
The rest of the chapel contains a huge array of symbolism, alchemical references and funerary art commissioned by the equally eccentric and enigmatic Prince Raimondo di Sangro.
10. Pignasecca Market
Seafood is ubiquitous at Pignasecca | Enrico Della Pietra / Shutterstock
Away from the quiet chapels and cloisters you’ll get a taste of modern Naples at the Pignasecca Market.
Follow your nose west of the historic centre and marvel at the still-squirming octopus hanging on washing lines, tables of fried seafood and fruit and vegetables brought from the slopes of Vesuvius. Look for Pescheria Azzura and grab a cone of mixed frutti di mare (fried, of course) and snack away.
11. Church of Gesù Nuovo
The unique diamond stones of the church’s exterior | YASEMIN OZDEMIR / Shutterstock
Less a place of worship and more a fortress, this impressive and imposing church has a unique diamond pattern in its facade stones. But behind the simpler superstructure lies an Aladdin’s cave of baroque finery; think gilded chapels, detailed ceiling frescoes and a particularly lavish marble floor.
The tomb of Giuseppe Moscati is a particular highlight, a doctor-turned saint who is a beloved figure in the city’s story.
12. Complesso Monumentale di San Domenico Maggiore
The impressive nave of the church | lkonya / Shutterstock
Even if you don’t speak Italian, you can probably guess the scale of this place. The huge church and monastery dominates the square, blending gothic and baroque styles and containing the mummified remains of most of the Aragonese royalty in its tombs and catacombs.
The square outside San Domenico Maggiore is a great spot to grab a coffee and watch the world go by too.
The Final Word
From crumbling grandeur to loud local markets, the historic centre of Naples is a sensory overload, in the best way possible. Alleys hide secret workshops, piazzas emerge from the spiderweb of streets and history blends together in one beautiful mess.
So grab your comfy walking shoes, hit the cobbles and discover the best that historic Naples has to offer.
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