13 Things to Do in Naples in Summer

Summer is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the Neapolitan Dolce Vita. The city offers plenty of ways to spend your free time, from festivals and local celebrations to free events, the best Neapolitan pizza classes and events, beaches, art, and nature.

There are countless things to see and do in Naples, which is why I’ve put together a comprehensive list of what you shouldn’t miss this season: Are you ready? Let’s get started.

The delicate Neapolitan pizza is world-renowned, and you’ll certainly get to taste it if you book an irresistible food tour of Naples. But: would you like to be part of the world’s best food festival? If so, join Pizza Village, the Naples Pizza Festival.

Join Italy’s largest gathering centered on its Intangible Cultural Heritage, the art of Neapolitan pizza. This festival is held every year along Lungomare Caracciolo, or Naples’ Waterfront Promenade, which has been transformed into what is known as the world’s largest pizzeria since 2011.

The program for the Naples Pizza Festival, also known as Pizzafest, includes not only delicious pizzas made by the world’s most renowned master pizzaiolos, but also features contests, concerts, exhibitions, conferences, classes, seminars, and surprises every year. The Pizza Village celebration takes place during the last weeks of June.

The streets of Naples host processions and solemn rituals around the Church of San Gennaro all'Olmo. For 8 days, the City of Naples and the Church join forces to celebrate this free event. Amid parades, religious processions, and musical performances, the patron saint is carried through the Duomo accompanied by bishops, mayors, parishioners, and onlookers swept up in the festive atmosphere.

Every September 19, Naples celebrates its patron saint: San Gennaro. The Catholic Church canonized the Neapolitan martyr after his suffering at the hands of Diocletian, the Roman emperor. A clot of dried blood from Bishop Gennaro has been preserved and miraculously turns liquid on special occasions since 1497, when his body was returned to the city.

The Feast of Saint Januarius has become a popular tourist attraction. The Neapolitans’ joy is contagious even to the least devout, and a visit to the Catacombs of Saint Januarius is a must-see for the occasion.

One of the must-do activities in Naples during the summer is to book a trip to Capri and let yourself be dazzled by all its charm.

The excursion, which lasts approximately 8 hours, is the best way to discover this wonderful island, as it includes hotel pickup and a cruise from the port of Naples, plus the guidance of an expert tour guide who will provide all the details along the way and answer any questions you may have.

Plus, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the island on your own once you disembark, but not before admiring some unique sights from the sea, such as Grotta Bianca, Grotta Verde, Arco Naturale, Villa Malaparte, Punta Carena, and the Faraglioni.

Another ideal option for summer is to book a guided tour of Naples’ castles, which includes a route through the city’s two most important fortresses: Castel dell’Ovo and Maschio Angioino. You’ll also visit other sites of great historical significance, such as Borgo Marinari, Piazza del Plebiscito, Galleria Umberto I, and Maschio Angioino.

This city tour lasts approximately 4 hours, and you’ll be accompanied at all times by an expert guide who will share all the stories and anecdotes linked to the two imposing castles.

In summer, the beaches are a must-see for visitors to Naples. Here are my top 3 picks.

The most popular option: Schiacchetello Beach

If you’re looking for a beach with crystal-clear waters, easy access, and a scenic setting where Mount Vesuvius takes center stage, Schiacchetello is the answer. Keep in mind, however, that due to its prime location, the beach fills up quickly, so you should arrive early to secure a spot. Also, don’t let the access stairs deter you—at the end of the path, you’ll find a natural treasure well worth enjoying.

• Location: Bacoli, Metropolitan City of Naples. A few minutes from the war memorial (ai caduti in guerra), at 80070 Bacoli.
• How to get there: From the Aragonese Castle in Baia, it’s an 11-minute walk along Via Risorgimento.

My favorite option: the beaches of Miseno and Miliscola

A beautiful pair with a panoramic view of the colorful islands of Procida and Ischia.

• Location: You’ll find Miseno Beach at Via Miliscola 30, 80070 Bacoli.
• How to get there: It’s a 10-minute walk along Via Miliscola.

My exclusive pick: Gaiola Beach

A beach that, thanks to its limited capacity, protects the local marine flora and fauna. It operates in two shifts, morning and afternoon. Each shift allows 75 people. Additionally, motorboats and fishing are prohibited. It’s truly a marine paradise for diving enthusiasts and those who enjoy the sea without crowds.

• Location: Discesa Gaiola, 14, 80123 Naples.
• How to get there: Take Via Discesa Coroglio for 20 minutes from the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

August 15 is the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, commemorating the day Mary ascended to heaven without having died. It is one of the Catholic Church’s most revered summer celebrations. However, in Italy, the August Festivals—better known as Ferragosto—are celebrated, offering you the chance to enjoy a variety of events.

The history of this celebration takes us back to the year 18 B.C., when the festivities were named after Emperor Augustus, the ruler at the time . This is how the “feriae Augusti” came to be .

This festival, which is part of the Ferragosto itinerary every year, includes a variety of activities:

• Tammorra Night: A free concert celebrating Neapolitan folklore and popular culture.
• The Naples Food and Culture Festival: Eating in Naples is an experience that, in and of itself, justifies your visit to the city. During Ferragosto, you won’t have enough days to enjoy all the options. I recommend choosing from the best food tours available for this time of year.
• The Agerola Potato Festival: Where you can try their famous potato skewers, Tubettoni lardellati al agerolese with smoked cheese flakes, the local version of tapas, Agerola crostini, classic cheese gnocchi, and new dishes often paired with pork and fine wine. Plus, there are the competitions and concerts unique to this event in Agerola.
• Special activities at the Pausilypon Archaeological Park.
• The light show at the La Mostra d'Oltremare Fountain in Naples.
• Special activities in Herculaneum.
• Special masses in all the chapels and churches throughout the city.

Between June and July, another summer celebration brings together millions of parishioners and locals. It is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, whom you will most commonly recognize in the country as Carmine Maggiore or Madonna del Carmine.

The Basilica and Sanctuary of Maria Santissima del Carmine Maggiore brings together millions of believers from all over the world to venerate the Black Madonna in gratitude for favors received, or to pray for future miracles.

The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel is deeply cherished by the people of Naples. The festivities begin on July 16 with masses held throughout the day. The celebration takes place around Piazza Mercato, at the heart of Naples’ historical legacy. I recommend complementing your visit to this local historical site with a tour of underground Naples.

Music, wine, and art come together every summer night under the roof of the Campanian Amphitheater of Santa Maria Capua Vetere, the second-largest amphitheater in the world after the Colosseum. Who would want to miss this event?

The venue is truly special, and thanks to its comprehensive seasonal program, it could be added to the list of the best tours and excursions from Naples. The event’s program brings together the most modern composers, nostalgic artists, and the best singers from Campania to celebrate La Notte delle Stelle as part of the Spartacus Festival Arena. Note that the festival is divided into four zones:

• Audiovisual Zone: The film section honors classics of the silver screen and modern offerings to highlight all eras. It features Academy Award-winning feature films and cult classics. Tickets start at €5.
• Music Zone: Renowned local bands pay tribute to legends from the music world across different generations. You can enjoy the concerts starting at €15.
• Theater Zone: Comedies and dramas such as The Trojan War often take the stage among top-notch performances. The Campania Regional Government’s theater schools promote a cultural network for people of all ages to enjoy, starting at €10.
• Archaeology Zone: This is a permanent section of the Amphitheater of Santa Maria Capua Vetere. Starting at €2.50, you can enter this space to explore the Amphitheater of Campania and the Museum of the Gladiators.

While attending the event, you can also grab some appetizers or a delicious Neapolitan pizza in the café area, where you’ll find the Amico Bio Spartacus Arena restaurant—the world’s first organic restaurant located at an archaeological site. What are you waiting for? Sign up for this event! The full program is available on the amphitheater’s website.

The Lantern Festival

Every four years, the charming neighborhood of Casamale recalls its ancient roots, and that is when the medieval atmosphere comes to life at the Festival of the Lamps, also known as the Festival of the Lanterns. Although this celebration of the cycle of life is best known in Switzerland, where it is held annually, the Neapolitan twist has made it famous in the capital of Campania.

During this festival, the town of Casamale is illuminated in all its splendor, with ferns and chestnut branches glowing with color. The town still stands surrounded by its intact Aragonese walls. Before visiting Mount Vesuvius and the volcano of Pompeii, tourists make it a summer ritual to stop by the Casamale neighborhood. Don’t miss the wonderful view of this Neapolitan treasure!

Riti Settennali

Continuing through the Middle Ages, this time I head 60 km north to Guardia Sanframondi, where the Riti Settennali brings a typically medieval atmosphere back to life! It’s amazing, and the event takes place on the first Monday after August 15 every seven years.

During the Riti Settennali, the citizens of Guardia Sanframondi find their town overrun by strange figures in hooded robes, reenacting the mysteries of the Old and New Testaments to honor the Virgin of the Assumption.

It’s seven days of devotion that has drawn massive crowds since 1620. If you’re ever in Italy and want to experience medieval customs firsthand, be sure to visit Guardia Sanframondi before August 31.

On September 8, some Catholic countries commemorate the Consecration to the Virgin Mary, and in Naples, it marks the start of the Festival of the Virgin of Piedigrotta. For 10 days, representatives of Neapolitan art parade around Piazza del Plebiscito. The festival’s official origins date back to 1487, when Di Joampiero Leostello, a prominent figure, mentioned a festival of Santa Maria della Grotta attended by “everyone” on the night of September 7–8.

Later, between 1554 and 1744, the royal family took to celebrating the festival accompanied by a military parade. It was Charles III who requested the lights and the decoration of the balconies. Over the years, the celebration became a cultural landmark featuring one of the world’s best light shows. This spectacle originated as a variation of the Neapolitan carnival. The allegorical floats representing Masaniello, Pulcinella, and San Gennaro, along with drinks, dancing, and banquets, rounded out the event.

The Piedigrotta musical was officially inaugurated on September 8, 1839, and that date was established as the official one. During the 1920s, the opera parade was introduced, and later, the paper dress contest was launched. The procession of the Virgin Mary was added to this set of traditions. After overcoming censorship, amid controversies over the event’s eccentricities in the second half of the last century, the Piedigrotta Festival was revived in 2007.

Once again, the city proves that it is not just the capital of pizza and sublime beaches; its cultural heritage is a magnet for tourists. Don’t miss the chance to attend this theater festival!

After winning the competition organized by the Campania Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, the capital of this Italian province embraced theater, and the tradition of the Naples Theater Festival was born in 2007. This summer event brings together a wide range of theaters and productions from the Italian theater scene within the historic setting of Naples. For three weeks between June and July, it immerses audiences in a cutting-edge artistic atmosphere.

The San Carlo Theater, the Castle of San Elmo, the Bellini Theater, as well as the Hotel of the Poor or Palazzo Fuga often host the festival. Tickets for these performances are offered at affordable prices, starting at €8. With its world-class program and Neapolitan flair, this festival attracts a large and enthusiastic audience from around the globe every year.

Children’s Day in Naples takes place on August 14. It’s the perfect opportunity to visit the largest amusement park in southern Italy, with special prices on all attractions. At Edenlandia, admission is free, and the attractions range from classic roller coasters to modern escape rooms.

The festivities don’t stop there —during Ferragosto, there are also other cultural events such as:

• Family visits to the Pietrarsa Museum in Naples at a reduced price, starting at €10.
• A reading day at the Capodimonte Museum or the Stabia Book Festival to encourage children’s interest in classical literature and modern artists.

And much more. Be sure to check out the Ferragosto program.

As you’ve seen, there are plenty of things to see and do in Naples, but I couldn’t finish this list of 10 summer activities in Naples without recommending a kayaking trip in Posillipo.

This is one of the most exclusive areas of the southern city. It’s lined with beautiful buildings. The blue sea is well-maintained and clean, perfect for an adventure. This activity is available along the Posillipo coast during July and August. The tour passes by four villas:

• Villa Volpicelli.
• Villa del Barón de Karnapp.
• Villa Lauro.
• Villa Roccaromana.

The route is steeped in mystical stories and legends, spanning centuries of history from the founding of Partenope by the Greeks to its transformation into Posillipo Hill, the name by which you’ll come to know the place.

What is the kayak tour in Posillipo like?

• What does the tour include?: Almost all tours include a snack at one of the villas. They also provide the kayak and paddles, the necessary safety equipment, and a bag to store your personal belongings.
• What should you bring?: A towel, light clothing, a swimsuit, drinks, and any snacks you like.
• How long is the tour?: Approximately 2 hours.
• Location: The meeting point is at Via Ferdinando Russo 13, in front of Giuseppone a Mare, heading toward Palazzo Donn'Anna.
• Price: Starting at €25.
• How to book your spot: You can find out how to book on this website.