One minute you’re standing in the shadow of the legendary Mount Vesuvius, the next you’re sipping espresso in a sun-splashed piazza and five minutes later you’re eyeing the world’s best pizza fresh from a wood-fired oven. Welcome to Naples! This southern Italian city lets you treat your taste buds and sends you home with stories you’ll be telling for years.

Naples is a dream port on your Mediterranean cruise. It’s your gateway to iconic sights like Pompeii, Capri, the Amalfi Coast and some of Italy’s most legendary food. And with Princess Cruises, you can explore it all without the stress of planning, navigating or waiting in long lines. Step off the ship and straight into history, culture, coastal beauty and flavors that will ruin pizza everywhere else for you (sorry, not sorry).

Here are the top 10 things to do in Naples, Italy that make this port one of the most exciting stops on a Mediterranean cruise with Princess.

Key takeaways

Naples blends ancient history, vibrant street life and world-famous food

Many of the top things to do in Naples Italy are walkable from the port or accessible by excursion

The city serves as a gateway to Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast

Cruise visitors can experience both iconic highlights and unusual things to do in Naples, Italy in one day

Explore Naples’ historic heart

 1. Walk the streets of the Centro Storico

Rooftop view of Naples historic center with colorful buildings, church domes and bell towers set against distant mountains and the Bay of Naples.
Wander the streets of Naples where centuries of history stack sky high.

If you want to feel Naples, this is where it starts. The Centro Storico (historic center) is a maze of narrow streets where ancient Roman roads, medieval buildings, and Baroque churches all stack on top of each other—sometimes literally. Every corner feels alive, from laundry hanging overhead to street musicians echoing through stone alleyways. It’s chaotic in the best way and completely unforgettable.

As you wander, you’ll pass grand piazzas, hidden chapels, bustling cafés and tiny shops selling everything from handmade ceramics to sweet sfogliatelle (a flaky, shell-shaped pastry). This is a living neighborhood where locals go about their day alongside travelers, and walking the Centro Storico lets you step into the soul of Naples. It’s a must-do for anyone looking to experience the very best things to do in Naples, Italy.

Step into the ancient world around Naples

2. Visit the ruins of Pompeii

Ruins of Pompeii with stone columns, arches and brick structures in the foreground and Mount Vesuvius rising in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
Step into ancient history at Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius looming overhead.

Walking through Pompeii feels like stepping straight into a Roman time capsule. Preserved by the ash from Mount Vesuvius’ eruption in 79 AD, the city’s streets, villas, shops and forums remain frozen in time. You can see ancient graffiti, stone crosswalks and even kitchen counters preserved for centuries.

When you visit with a local expert as part of a Princess excursion, you’ll also learn how Mount Vesuvius shaped both the tragedy and the preservation of this remarkable city. It’s powerful and one of the most iconic archaeological sites in the world.

3. Explore Herculaneum’s remarkably preserved ruins

Interior room in Herculaneum featuring detailed Roman mosaics, arched niches and textured stone walls preserved from antiquity.
Discover vivid mosaics frozen in time inside ancient Herculaneum.

Often overshadowed by Pompeii, Herculaneum is smaller, quieter and (some might say) even more impressive. Because it was buried by a different type of volcanic material, much of the city is preserved in stunning detail, including multi-story buildings, mosaics, wooden beams and even furniture impressions.

This site offers a more intimate look at Roman daily life and is ideal for travelers who want to go deeper into history and see how ancient people truly lived. Join a Princess shore excursion to the city if you’re craving a unique archaeological experience.

Start your Naples adventure

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Discover Naples beneath the surface

4. Explore underground tunnels and hidden history

Underground passage in Naples featuring arched brick tunnels, worn stone walls and dim lighting revealing centuries old construction.
Go beneath the streets of Naples and uncover layers of ancient history.

Naples hides centuries of secrets below your feet, and you can step right into it. Descend into a maze of ancient passageways, cisterns and tunnels carved into the volcanic rock beneath the city. These underground spaces were used for everything from Roman aqueducts to wartime shelters, giving you a whole new perspective on how Naples has survived and evolved through the ages.

On a Princess shore excursion through underground tunnels, you’ll learn all about the connecting passageways between the barracks and the palace. It’s an unusual and off-the-beaten path way to see the city.

Experience Naples through its food

5. Taste authentic Neapolitan pizza

Traditional Neapolitan pizza topped with tomato sauce, melted mozzarella and basil baking on a peel inside a wood fired oven with visible flames.
Savor authentic Neapolitan pizza fresh from a blazing wood fired oven.

Naples isn’t just famous for pizza—it invented it. This is the birthplace of the classic Margherita, where soft, chewy crusts, bright tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil come together. From tiny neighborhood pizzerias to historic institutions, pizza is part of everyday life here, and tasting authentic Neapolitan pizza is a must-do. 

The good news is that when you join a Princess excursion, we’ll stop in at a delicious Neapolitan pizzeria for lunch where you’ll get the true Naples experience.

6. Sample regional flavors beyond pizza

Market display in Naples featuring baskets of fresh lemons and oranges arranged on shelves with greenery and warm sunlight.
Bright citrus steals the show at a lively Naples fruit stand.

While pizza steals the spotlight, the rest of Naples’ food scene is worth the trip alone. For example, you won’t want to miss Southern Italy’s famous lemons. Join a Princess excursion of the idyllic town of Sorrento—which sits right on the Amalfi Coast, so you’ll be treating your eyes and taste buds—to tour an authentic Limoncello factory. While you’re there on the tour, , you’ll head over to a mozzarella-making class where you’ll become a cheesemaker and enjoy samples of the fresh white cheese with salami, wine and mineral water.

While you’re in Sorrento, don’t miss the local pasta like gnocchi ala Sorrentino, tomato sauce or olive oil. It’s a great way to get a taste of the area!

Take in coastal views and waterfront scenery

7. Explore Sorrento and coastal villages

Hillside town of Sorrento with pastel buildings and church domes overlooking the coastline during a warm sunset.
Soak in golden hour as Sorrento’s hillside lights up above the sea.

Perched high above the sea, Sorrento is a charming, pastel-colored village with lemon-scented streets and breathtaking cliffside views. With easy access to the shore and a one-of-a-kind mill covered in greenery, Sorrento is the perfect getaway with Princess from the hustle and bustle of the city. Sorrento also has one of the biggest shopping districts along the Amalfi Coast where you can find luxury items or the perfect handcrafted souvenir to remember your Mediterranean adventure.

8. Stroll the Naples waterfront

Coastal view of Naples with colorful hillside buildings, historic waterfront architecture and bright blue water along the shoreline.
Follow the curve of the coast where Naples meets the sea.

Looking for the perfect seaside walk? Head to the Naples waterfront! A walk along the promenade treats you to sweeping views of Mount Vesuvius rising in the distance and the sparkling Bay of Naples stretching out in front of you. It’s the kind of view that makes you stop, slow down and reach for your camera.

The atmosphere here is relaxed and breezy, with cafés, benches and locals enjoying their daily passeggiata. It’s perfect for casual exploration or simply soaking in the scenery.

Venture beyond the city on a day trip

9. Cruise along the Amalfi Coast

Cliffside Amalfi Coast village with pastel buildings, stone arches and terraced hills overlooking bright turquoise sea.
Trace the dramatic silhouette of the Amalfi Coast from cliffside villages to electric blue water.

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most photographed coastlines in the world—and for good reason. Towering cliffs plunge into turquoise water and pastel villages cling to the hillsides. Cruising along this dramatic shoreline is a breathtaking contrast to Naples’ busy streets.

Make seeing this iconic coastline easy by joining a Princess shore excursion where we’ll take you to one of the most beautiful spots in Italy. It’s the perfect scenic escape, blending natural beauty with charming seaside towns for a truly unforgettable day.

10. Visit the island of Capri

Small boats floating in a turquoise harbor with bright seaside buildings and rugged cliffs rising behind Capri Island.
Drift into Capri as colorful waterfront buildings glow at sunset.

Capri is where glamour meets nature. This stunning island is known for its upscale villages, crystal-clear waters and dramatic coastal cliffs. You can spend the day exploring chic boutiques, peaceful garden paths, Villa San Michele or the beautiful Monte Solaro. When you take the chairlift up the mountain on your tour with a local expert as part of a Princess excursion, you’ll get 360 degree views of the gorgeous Naples Bay.

Planning your visit to Naples on a cruise

Colorful fishing boats tied up in Naples harbor with nets and ropes piled along the dock and historic buildings in the background.
Catch the pulse of Naples at the working waterfront.

Naples is one of the busiest and most exciting ports in Italy, with easy access to legendary destinations like Pompeii, Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. Because there’s so much to see in a single day, a little planning goes a long way.

That’s where excursions come in. With transportation, timing and logistics handled for you, you can focus on the experience—not the schedule. Princess Cruises makes it easy to explore Naples and its surroundings with curated shore experiences designed to take you to the best spots in Naples without the hassle.

Ready to experience the best of Naples? Find the best excursions available in Naples, Italy

Things to do in Naples, Italy FAQs