13 Things to Do in Naples in Summer

Summer is the perfect time to immerse yourself in the Neapolitan Dolce Vita. The city offers many possibilities to spend your free time between festivals, festivals, free events, the best classes and events with Neapolitan pizza, beaches, art and nature.

The things to see and do in Naples are numerous and, for that reason, I leave you the best a complete list with what you should not miss during this season: Are you ready? Let's get started.

The fame of the delicate Neapolitan pizza is well known and, without a doubt, you will be able to taste it if you hire an irresistible gastronomic tour in Naples. But would you like to be part of the best gastronomic festival in the world? If so, take part in the Pizza Village, the Naples Pizza Festival.

Join Italy's largest gathering focused on its Intangible Heritage of Humanity, the art of Neapolitan pizza. This festival is held every year along Lungomare Caracciolo Street or Naples Promenade, transformed into what is known as the world's largest pizzeria since 2011.

The program of the Naples Pizza Festival, also known as Pizzafest, includes not only delicious pizzas made by the world's most renowned pizza masters, but features competitions, concerts, exhibitions, lectures, classes, seminars and surprises every year. The Pizza Village celebration takes place in the last weeks of June.

The Neapolitan streets organize processions and solemn rites around the Church of San Gennaro all'Olmo. For 8 days, the Municipality of Naples and the Church join forces to celebrate this free event. Between parades, religious processions and musical performances, the patron saint walks along the Duomo accompanied by bishops, mayors, parishioners and onlookers moved by the festive atmosphere.

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

The Feast of San Gennaro has become a popular tourist attraction. The jubilation of the Neapolitan is able to infect even the least believer and the visit to the Catacombs of San Gennaro are part of the complete tour for the occasion.

One of the must-do plans in Naples in summer is to book an excursion to Capri and let yourself be dazzled by all its charm.

The excursion, which lasts approximately 8 hours, is the best way to get to know this wonderful island, as it includes hotel pick-up and cruise from the port of Naples, as well as the accompaniment of an expert guide who will give you all the details along the way and will also be able to answer any questions you may have.

In addition, you will have enough time to explore the island on your own from the moment you disembark, but not before admiring from the sea some unique sites such as Grotta Bianca, Grotta Verde, Arco Naturale, Villa Malaparte, Punta Carena or Faraglioni.

And another ideal proposal for the summer is to book a guided tour of the castles of Naples, which includes an itinerary through the two most important fortresses of the city: Castel dell'Ovo and Maschio Angioino and, in addition, you will visit other sites of great value such as Borgo Marinari, Piazza del Plebiscito, Galleria Umberto I or Maschio Angioino.

This urban tour lasts about 4 hours and you will be accompanied by an expert guide who will tell you all the stories and anecdotes related to the two imposing castles.

In summer the beaches are a fixed recommendation for visitors to Naples. Here are my top 3.

The most popular choice: Schiacchetello Beach

If you are looking for a beach with crystal clear waters, easy access, with a scenic setting where Vesuvius is the center of attention, Schiacchetello is the answer. However, you have to keep in mind that its strategic location and the beach fills up easily, so you should come early to get a spot and, on the other hand, the access stairs should not put you off, because at the end of the path you will find a natural treasure worth enjoying.

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

My favorite choice: the beaches of Miseno and Miliscola

A beautiful duo with panoramic views 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 is 10 minutes away on Via Miliscola.

My exclusive choice: della Gaiola Beach

A beach that thanks to its limited places protects the marine flora and fauna present. They have two shifts, morning and afternoon. In each one 75 people are allowed. In addition, motorboats and fishing are forbidden. It is a marine paradise for diving lovers and those who enjoy the sea without crowds.

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

August 15 is the day of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which refers to the day on which Mary ascended into heaven without having died. It is one of the consecrated summer celebrations of the Catholic Church. However, in Italy the August Festivities, better known as Ferragosto, are celebrated and will give you the opportunity to enjoy various events.

The history of this celebration takes us back in time to the year 18 B.C. when the festivities of the date were recognized with the name of Emperor Augustus, ruler of the time. Thus the "feriae Augusti" was born.

This festival, which every year is added to the Ferragosto itinerary, includes multiple activities:

• The Tammorra Night: the free concert celebrating Neapolitan folklore and popular culture.
• The Naples Gastronomic and Cultural Festival: Eating in Naples is an experience that, in itself, justifies your visit to the city. In Ferragosto you will be short of days to enjoy all the options. I recommend you to choose among the best gastronomic tours for this date.
• The Agerolese Potato Festival: Where you can taste the famous potato skewers, the Tubettoni lardellati al agerolese with smoked cheese flakes, the local version of tapas, the Agerola crostini, the classic cheese gnocchi and new dishes often combined with pork and good wine. In addition, there are the competitions and concerts typical of this event in Agerola.
• Special activities in the Archaeological Park of Pausilypon.
• The light show at the Fountain of La Mostra d'Oltremare in Naples.
• Special activities at Herculaneum.
• Special masses in all the chapels and churches of the city.

Between June and July, another summer celebration brings together millions of parishioners and locals, the Madonna del Carmine, who is best recognized in the country by looking for the Carmine Maggiore or the Madonna del Carmine.

The Basilica Santuario di Maria Santissima del Carmine Maggiore gathers millions of believers from all over the world to venerate the Madonna Bruna in thanksgiving for favors conceived, or to pray for future miracles.

The feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel is very dear to the people of Naples. The rendezvous begins on July 16 with masses at all hours. The celebration surrounds Piazza Mercato, in the cradle of the Neapolitan historical legacy. My recommendation is to complement the visit to this local historical heritage with a visit to subway Naples.

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

The venue is very special and for its full seasonal proposal, it could be added among the best tours and excursions from Naples. The event's program brings together the most modern composers, the nostalgic and the best singers of Campania to celebrate The Night of the Stars 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 seventh art and modern proposals to contrast all eras. It includes Academy Award-winning feature films and cult classics. From 5 € you can buy your tickets.
• Music Zone: Renowned local bands pay tribute to the legends of the musical universe of different generations. From 15 € you can enjoy the concerts.
• Theater area: Comedies and dramas such as The Trojan War often raise the curtain among luxury performances. The theater schools of the Municipality of Campania promote a cultural network for young and old to enjoy from 10 €.
• Archaeology Zone: It is a fixed section of the Amphitheater of Santa Maria Capua Vetere. From 2.5 € you can enter this area to visit the Amphitheater of Campania and the Museum of the Gladiators.

While you participate in the event, you can also stop for snacks or a good Neapolitan pizza in the cafeteria area, where you will find the restaurant Amico Bio Spartacus Arena, the first organic restaurant in the world in an archaeological site. What are you waiting for to sign up for this plan? The full program is available on the amphitheater website.

The Lucerne Festival

Every four years the charming neighborhood of Casamale recalls its ancient roots, when the medieval atmosphere comes alive at the Festival of the Lamps, also known as the Lucerne Festival. Although this celebration of the cycle of life is mostly known in Switzerland where it is held annually, the Neapolitan accent has earned it fame in the capital of Campania.

During this festival the village of Casamale is illuminated in its maximum splendor coloring the ferns and chestnut branches. The village keeps intact the Aragonese walls that surround it. Before visiting Mount Vesuvius and the volcano of Pompeii, tourists have as a summer ritual their passage through the neighborhood of Casamale. Don't miss the wonderful view of this Neapolitan treasure!

Riti Settennali

I continue through the Middle Ages and this time I climb 60 km north to reach Guardia Sanframondi where the Riti Settennali revives a typically medieval atmosphere! It is amazing and the event is repeated on the first Monday after August 15 every seven years.

During the Riti Settennali the citizens of Guardia Sanframondi find that their town is invaded by strange figures in hooded robes to portray the mysteries of the Old and New Testament in honor of the Virgin of the Assumption.

It is seven days of sacrifice that gathers a multitudinous public since 1620. If you're ever in Italy and want to experience medieval customs live, be sure to stop by Guardia Sanframondi before August 31.

September 8th in some Catholic countries commemorates the Consecration to the Virgin Mary, and in Naples marks the beginning of the Festival of the Virgin of Piedigrotta. For 10 days representatives of Neapolitan art parade around the Piazza del Plebiscito. The official origin of the festival dates back to 1487, when Di Joampiero Leostello, an illustrious character, mentioned a feast of Santa Maria della Grotta attended by "everyone" on the night between September 7 and 8.

Subsequently, between 1554 and 1744, royalty became accustomed to having the feast accompanied by a military parade. It was Charles III who ordered the lights and the decoration of the balconies. Over the years the celebration became a cultural reference with one of the best light shows in the world. This show was born as a version of the Neapolitan carnival. Allegorical floats representing Masaniello, Pulcinella and San Gennaro, drinking, dancing and banquets completed the event.

The Piedigrotta musical was officially inaugurated on September 8, 1839 and that date was made official. During the 1920s, the parade of operas was introduced and, later, the paper dress contest was inaugurated. To this set of traditions was added the procession of the Virgin. After overcoming censorship, amid controversy over the eccentricities of the event, in the second half of the last century, the Piedigrotta Festival was restored in 2007.

Once again, the city proves that it is not only the capital of pizza and sublime beaches, its cultural heritage is a magnet for tourists. Do not miss the opportunity to attend this theater festival!

After winning the contest of the Ministry of Heritage and Cultural Activities of Campania, the capital of this Italian province said yes to the theater and the tradition of the Naples Theater Festival was born in 2007. This summer spectacle brings together a wide range of theaters and productions of the Italian stage in the historical context of Naples. For 3 weeks between June and July it immerses the spectators in an avant-garde 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 lend their venues to the festival. Tickets to these plays are priced from 8 €. With its world-class programming and Neapolitan flair, this festival attracts a large and enthusiastic audience from all over the world every year.

The Children's Day festival in Naples takes place on August 14. An ideal opportunity to visit the largest children's park in southern Italy with special prices on all its attractions. At Edenlandia admission is free and the attractions are as varied as going from the classic roller coaster to the modern Escape Room.

The festival activities do not end and during Ferragosto there are also other cultural events such as:

• Family visits to the Pietrarsa Museum in Naples at a reduced price, starting from 10 €.
• A reading day at the Capodimonte Museum or the Stabia book festival to stimulate the knowledge of classical literature and modern artists among children.

And much more. Do not hesitate to consult the program of Ferragosto.

As you may have seen, there are numerous things to see and do in Naples, but I couldn't end the list with the top 10 summer things to do in Naples without recommending you to go kayaking in Posillipo.

This is one of the exclusive areas of the southern city. It is flanked by beautiful buildings. The blue sea is neat and clean, perfect to jump into the adventure. During the months of July and August this activity is available along the coast of Posillipo. The excursion covers four villas:

• Villa Volpicelli.
• Villa of the Baron of Karnapp.
• Villa Lauro.
• Villa Roccaromana.

The path hides mystical stories and legends traveling through centuries of work since the foundation of Partenope by the Greeks, until it became the Posillipo Hill, the name by which you will know the place.

How is the kayak excursion in Posillipo?

• What is included in the tour: almost all tours include an aperitif in one of the villages. They also offer the canoe and the reindeer, the corresponding safety elements and a bag to store personal belongings.
• What should you bring: A towel, fresh clothes, swimsuit, drinks and any snacks you like.
• How long does the tour last: Approximately 2 hours.
• Location: The appointment is in Via Ferdinando Russo 13 in front of Giuseppone a Mare in the direction of Palazzo Donn'Anna.
• Price: From 25 €.
• How to book: You can find out how to book on this website.