As an almost 2,700-year-old city located on the sea and nearby Mount Vesuvius, Naples is the complete Italian package; It has incredible food, beautiful landscapes, a friendly and lively culture, history, amazing luxury villas for rent, and so much more. It is also one of the largest Italian ports, making it an important destination in Italy and a beautiful city on the water.
While there are many incredible places to visit in Italy, choosing a place to visit as a family can mean looking for different activities than you may travel solo or just as an adult trip. After all, kids may not be able last as long as you can at museums and art centres!
So for your trip to the Campania region, one of the 20 regions of Italy, here are some of the activities you can do in the capital Naples, perfect to enjoy as a family:
Activities for Families in Naples
Underground Naples
Underground Naples gives you an insight into a whole other Naples from what you see of the bustling city up above. Here, you’ll learn more about the history of Naples, with Roman roads and aqueducts, markets, burial sites, and more. While you can learn about and experience a lot in Naples, there is something special and educational about seeing the focus on the history and what was. This also gives you a greater appreciation of what ‘is’ now.
Campi Flegrei
Campi Flegrei is a volcanic area known as the home of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire. If your kids are interested in geology and science, head to Solfatara, a crater where you can see the wild terrain active.
Virtual Pompeii
Near the Pompeii ruins, you’ll find the Virtual Pompeii exhibition. It’s an educational entertainment center, where your kids can see what the town was like before the volcano erupted. Similar to Underground Naples, seeing Pompeii in person and then seeing what it was before the volcano erupted can lead to greater understanding of what this region went through.
Check out this small-group tour options for visiting Pompeii, Skip the Line & be guided by a trained archaeologist – appropriate for families.
Hanging Gardens of the Certosa di San Martino
Certosa di San Martino is a former monastery dedicated to Saint Martin, bishop of Tours, now has incredible hanging gardens, a chapel, and a museum. It is beautiful, peaceful, and a site where you’ll appreciate the beauty of Naples.
The Science Centre of Città della Scienza
The Città della Scienza (City of Science) museum is a place that kids (and adults!) will love. It has a planetarium, a volcanoes exhibit, an agricultural exhibit, and more.
Family Tour of the Museo Archeologico Nazionale
Finding a family-friendly tour is a must in Naples so you and your kids can learn about the incredible city you are in. The Museo Archeologico Nazionale has artifacts that were buried in Pompeii and Herculaneum.
Hike on Mount Vesuvius
Getting out to appreciate Naples’s natural beauty and landscapes is a must. Everyone in the family will enjoy it, and it will also help the kids get some energy out too. So, head to Mount Vesuvius to enjoy one of the most well-known places in Naples.
If you don’t want to hike all the way up, you can take a bus or drive part way up before hiking the rest of the way. Just be aware that the top of the hike is not easy per se, so wear the proper hiking attire and have snacks and water on you. You’ll be treated to stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea, the crater, and Naples from the top of Mount Vesuvius.
Click here to learn more about hiking with small kids
Visit Castel Nuovo
Castel Nuovo is Naples’ standout architectural symbol, overlooking the Bay of Naples. Built in the early 1200s by Charles of Anjou for his court, it was a centre of arts and literature.
Many children are attracted to the idea of visiting a castle, so make it a point to talk about the history of Castel Nuovo with your children so they can learn the history of it and enjoy their visit to the site even more.
Between all that there is to see and do in Naples, another standout characteristic of Naples is its incredible food. It is a must to indulge in the cuisine and enjoy your time spent around a dining table with loved ones.
Naples cuisine
The cuisine in Naples has classic Italian food but also local food special to Naples that are must-try’s. The pizza here, for example, is well-known and some of the best in Italy. The fried pizza here is particularly good and also very affordable.
Even the pickiest of eaters will be happy in Naples, with pizza, pasta, meat, and produce being fresh and delicious. The seafood is, of course, a must-try while here as well.
Some family-friendly places to go to eat are Pizzeria di Matteo, Antica Pizza Fritta de Zia Esterina Sorbillio, and Casa Infante.
Check out this pizza making class in Naples!
Where to next?
- Why not rent a car and extend your Naples trip heading east? Puglia is a great road-tripping destination, or head further south to the beautiful Calabria region.
Overall, Naples is a wonderful Italian city that is fascinating to visit and makes for a very enjoyable destination to visit as a family.
