Tips and tricks to avoid the crowds in Naples

The birthplace of pizza and home to the mighty Mount Vesuvius and centuries of rich history, Naples is a city of undeniable fame. But with fame comes visitors, especially in the summer.

Whether it’s having Naples Cathedral to yourself, exploring hidden gems like the super-local Vomero district, or ordering the city’s iconic wood-oven pizza Margherita with zero wait in line, this guide reveals how to avoid crowds in Naples while discovering the city’s less touristy side, just like a Napolitano.

1. Be first at Naples Underground

Naples Underground is a captivating and literal deep dive into the city’s 2,400-year-old history. This ancient subterranean network of caves and tunnels contains secret chambers, ancient Greek-Roman aqueducts — one of the city’s most impressive engineering feats — and even catacombs. For the most intimate tours, plan to visit at 9:00 or 10:00 AM when it opens, or after 4:00 PM when tours are less crowded.

Insider tip

After your tour, take a stroll through the nearby Rione Sanità district, a lesser-known area to tourists, filled with colorful Naples street art and old-school trattorias.

Address

Piazza San Gaetano, 69, 80138 Naples

Opening hours

Monday–Friday, 10:00 AM–7:30 PM
Saturday–Sunday, 9:00 AM–7:30 PM

2. Enjoy morning views from Castel Sant’Elmo

Start your day with stunning views of the city, Mount Vesuvius, and the Bay of Naples from Castel Sant’Elmo. Built in the 14th century and revamped by the Spanish in the 16th, this historic castle offers a peaceful escape — if you time your visit right. Take the funicular from Vomero to arrive for 8:30 AM, when the castle opens, for a quiet, crowd-free experience.

Insider tip

On your way down, stop by Caffè Cimmino in charming Vomero for an espresso and fresh sfogliatella (cream-filled pastry). This quiet, tree-lined Naples neighborhood is known for its vibrant local life.

Address

Via Tito Angelini, 20/A, 80129 Naples

Opening hours

8:30 AM–6:30 PM every day

3. Experience a quieter, cooler Pompeii

Visiting Pompeii is a must while in Naples, so the crowds descend on this archaeological site, especially in summer. Plan your visit from November to March for a much quieter experience. Kick-start your morning with a strong local cappuccino, and arrive at 8:30 AM when the gates open. You might have the ruins nearly to yourself, bathed in the soft morning light. If you do go in summer, this advice still stands; as well as being the least busy hours of the day, they’re also the coolest, and there is little shelter from the searing Italian summer sun in Pompeii.

Insider tip

Head to the quieter Villa of the Mysteries around 10:00 AM, which is often less crowded than the main areas like the Forum. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, grab a pizza at the popular local spot, Trammiere, just outside the ruins.

Address

80045 Pompei, Naples

Opening hours

9:00 AM–5:30 PM every day

4. Skip the lunch rush at Pizzeria da Michele

Tasting or learning how to make pizza in Naples is bucket list–worthy, and L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, the city’s most famous pizzeria, is worth the wait. That said, if you don’t want to eat pizza at 10:30 AM just to avoid the lunchtime rush, grab a pizza a portafoglio, also known as a “wallet pizza” because of its folded portable style, or a classic cuoppo, a paper cone filled with Naples’ most-loved fried street foods, like panzarotte (croquettes), zeppoline (fried dough), and arancini.

Insider tip

For some of the best Naples street food, head to the Spaccanapoli district, known for its hole-in-the-wall bars, serving authentic bites with minimal lines.

5. Appreciate Naples’ Cathedral before breakfast

Instead of elbowing your way to the altar of Naples Cathedral, set your alarm and arrive when it opens at 8:30 AM. Most tourists are still at breakfast, so you’ll likely have the stunning 13th-century Gothic cathedral to yourself. The soft morning light also enhances the intricate frescoes and stained glass.

Insider tip

Don’t miss the Chapel of San Gennaro, located on the left side of the cathedral, which houses the famous vial of blood of Naples’ patron saint. This vial is said to liquefy every year on the saint’s feast day, a miracle believed to protect the city.

Address

Via Duomo, 147, 80138 Naples

Opening hours

8:30 AM–7:30 PM every day

6. Spend Saturday at Nisida Island

When the Saturday crowds in Naples get overwhelming, take a boat from Mergellina along the city’s western coast to Nisida Island — roughly a one-hour trip. Although small, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy some of Italy’s most beautiful remote beaches, such as Spiaggia di Nisida, known for its clear waters and rocky coves.

Insider tip

Instead of heading back to a crowded Naples eatery for lunch, pack a picnic before you go. Mercato di Porta Nolana is a great place to pick up supplies and grab local treats like Caciocavallo cheese.

7. Visit the Capodimonte Museum in the afternoon

Rather than vying for space in the bustling National Archaeological Museum of Naples, head to the Capodimonte Museum. Housed in a former royal palace, it is home to masterpieces by Caravaggio, Titian, and Raphael. The crowd usually picks up around midday, so plan your visit in the late afternoon after 3:00 PM, especially on weekdays, to enjoy the art tourist-free.

Insider tip

Once you’ve soaked in enough art for the day, head to the neighboring Capodimonte Park for sunset and some of the best views of Naples.

Address

Via Miano, 2, 80131 Naples

Opening hours

Thursday-Tuesday, 8.30 AM-7:30 PM (last entry 6:30 PM)
Closed Wednesday

8. Climb Mount Vesuvius early in the morning

Climbing Mount Vesuvius offers breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples and a chance to stand on the volcano that destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum. Kick off the 1.5 km trek from the Mount Vesuvius Observatory when it opens at 9:00 AM to avoid crowds, or during winter in Naples when fewer tourists visit. Shuttle services run between Ercolano and Pompei and the observatory. Weekdays, especially outside of school holidays, are best for a peaceful climb and capturing the view without photobombers.

Insider tip

Instead of heading straight to the tourist-heavy summit, explore the crater’s edge and look for sulfur-rich fumaroles. The steam rising from the vents adds a surreal, otherworldly touch to the experience.

Address

Sentiero del Gran Cono, 80056 Ercolano

Opening hours

November-February: 9:00 AM-3:00 PM every day
March and October: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM every day
April-June and September: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM every day
July-August: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM every day

9. Head to Spaccanapoli for a nightcap

Rather than cramming your way through crowded spots like Piazza del Plebiscito after a day of exploring, head to Spaccanapoli, a narrow, lively street lined with churches, traditional shops, and local bars. While most tourists head back to their hotels, this area comes alive around 9:30 PM, giving you exclusive access to local Neapolitan life.

Insider tip

For a nightcap to remember, stop by Bar Nilo in Spaccanapoli and order a limoncello — the refreshing lemon liqueur typical of the Amalfi Coast is loved in Naples. Usually enjoyed as a digestive, it’s a great way to end the day.

10. Roam the Galleria Umberto I during work hours

While tourists and locals are busy shopping along Naples’ hectic Via Toledo, make a beeline for Galleria Umberto I. This public shopping gallery, built between 1887 and 1890, is an architectural gem, with a stunning glass dome that rivals Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.

Insider tip

Visit on weekdays between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM, when most locals are at work. Solo travelers in Naples will find this the perfect time to explore the gallery in peace and browse locally made garments without the usual lines.

Address

Via Santa Brigida, 68, 80132 Naples

Opening hours

Open 24 hours
Shop and restaurant opening hours vary