Instagrammable and Unusual Spots in Naples: 20 Spots to Photograph

Naples is one of the most photographed cities in Italy: alleys lined with clotheslines, giant murals, baroque palaces, and endless views of the Gulf. If you want Instagram-worthy shots, you don't need filters: you just need to know where to go. Here are the 20 most Instagrammable and unusual spots in Naples , from scenic classics to hidden gems few tourists know about.

The Most Beautiful Metro in Europe: Toledo and the Art Stations

The Toledo metro station (Line 1) is considered one of the most scenic in Europe: blue and white mosaics reminiscent of sea waves, neon lights, and movie-like escalators. It is part of the Stazioni dell'Arte project , which has transformed the Line 1 stations into underground museums.

Also worth seeing are the Duomo , Università , and Piazza Municipio stops , where you can stroll among the remains of the foundations of Castel Nuovo . A metro ride in Naples has never been so photogenic: all you need is a standard metro ticket (about €1,50) to snap photos in the museum-like stations.

Street art: murals not to be missed

Street art is everywhere in Naples. In the Spanish Quarter, the most famous mural is the one dedicated to Diego Armando Maradona , on Via Emanuele de Deo , created to celebrate the 1990 Scudetto.

In Piazza dei Gerolomini, you'll find Banksy's famous Madonna with a Gun , one of the English street artist's few works in Italy. At the beginning of Forcella , Jorit's San Gennaro dominates , the giant face of the patron saint that made the Neapolitan artist famous worldwide.

Outside the city center, don't miss Blu 's mural on the wall of the former OPG " Je so' pazzo" in Materdei and Jorit's monumental Pasolini in Scampia. Jorit's mural is over 20 meters high: to get a full view, you'll need to move away; the best spot is at the beginning of Via Duomo.

Dream palaces and stairways

In the Sanità district , the Palazzo dello Spagnuolo (or Palazzo Sanfelice) on Via Vergini hides one of the most spectacular staircases in Naples: the double Baroque "falcon-wing" staircase designed by Ferdinando Sanfelice in 1738. It has been the setting for films and series such as My Brilliant Friend and Gomorrah . Since it is inhabited, it should be visited during the day with respect.

The Art Nouveau spiral staircase of Palazzo Mannajuolo , on Via Filangieri in Chiaia, is always spectacular: built between 1909 and 1911 to a design by Giulio Ulisse Arata , it appeared in the series My Brilliant Friend and the film Naples in Veils . It can be photographed from the entrance hall: the spiral effect is guaranteed.

The historic center: alleys, churches and iconic squares

Spaccanapoli is a street photography paradise: Piazza del Gesù with its obelisk and the Church of Gesù Nuovo , the majolica cloister of Santa Chiara , Via San Gregorio Armeno with its nativity scene shops, Piazzetta Nilo , and Piazza San Domenico Maggiore . The best time to visit is early in the morning, when the alleys are still empty and the light is soft.

A few steps further on, the Galleria Umberto I offers impressive shots with its glass dome and marbles: on the floor there is the Rose of the zodiac signs , perfect for a selfie of your sign.

The tour ends with Piazza del Plebiscito , with the colonnade of San Francesco di Paola and the Royal Palace , and Piazza Municipio with the Maschio Angioino , magnificent at sunset and at night.

Views of the Gulf: from the Lungomare to Posillipo

The Lungomare di Via Caracciolo is an unmissable classic: the sea, Castel dell'Ovo , the Borgo Marinari district , and Vesuvius in the background. Also worth photographing is the Fontana dell'Immacolatella , on the bend between Via Partenope and Via Nazario Sauro.

In Posillipo, don't miss the terrace in front of the Church of Sant'Antonio , one of the most famous views in the world, and the mysterious Palazzo Donn'Anna , which seems to float on the sea.

In Marechiaro, the fishing village is beautiful at sunset: on the Fenestrella , made famous by the song of the same name by Salvatore Di Giacomo , there is still a fresh carnation and a tombstone today.

Gaiola , a small island off the coast of Posillipo in the Underwater Park , can be reached by sea from Marechiaro or by going down over 200 steps from the hill, near the Virgiliano Park.

Finally, the Belvedere San Martino with Castel Sant'Elmo in Vomero: the panoramic viewpoint par excellence, spectacular at sunset. And from Via Ottaviano Morisani in Capodimonte, you can enjoy the highest view of the city, with the Royal Palace of Capodimonte and its enormous park.

Secret Naples: Unusual Places That Few Know About

The Fontanelle Cemetery , in the Sanità district, is one of the most evocative experiences: a large cave where victims of the 1656 plague and the 1837 cholera epidemic rest, linked to the cult of the "anime pezzentelle" (peaceful souls) . After restoration, it reopened in April 2026; visits are organized by the La Paranza cooperative.

The Church Museum of Santa Luciella ai Librai , hidden in a narrow alleyway off Spaccanapoli, houses the "capuzzelle" (skulls) in its underground chamber, to which Neapolitans offer prayers in exchange for graces. It can be visited with a guided tour (€6).

In Posillipo, Villa Doria d'Angri (via Francesco Petrarca 80) is a neoclassical villa from 1833 where Richard Wagner completed Parsifal in 1880. It can be visited Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 a.m. In the center, the Pignatelli a Chiaia Museum is a 19th-century residence with original furnishings, the House of Photography, and the Carriage Museum (tickets €5).

For contemporary art, the Made in Cloister Foundation has transformed the former wool mill at Porta Capuana into an exhibition space with a designer bar and restaurant (€5). And behind the Università metro station, the cloister of the Complesso dei Santi Marcellino e Festo , to which Luigi Vanvitelli also contributed , is a peaceful oasis with palm trees and fountains.

Tips for perfect shots

• Sunrise and sunset: the best light is in the first two hours of the morning and in the last of the evening, when the alleys are golden and empty
• Weekdays: the city centre is crowded on weekends, so it's best to visit the iconic sights from Monday to Friday.
• Respect for places: inhabited buildings (Sanfelice, Mannajuolo) and places of worship (Santa Luciella) are photographed without flash and with discretion
• Height: for giant murals and views, walk away or go up to the viewpoints (San Martino, Sant'Antonio a Posillipo)
• No filter needed: the colors of Naples speak for themselves, a slight contrast is enough

FAQ

What is the most beautiful panoramic viewpoint in Naples?

The Belvedere San Martino with Castel Sant'Elmo, on Vomero, is the most famous: from there you can take in the entire city with Vesuvius in the background, especially at sunset.

Where is the Maradona mural located?

The most famous mural dedicated to Maradona is located in the Spanish Quarter , in via Emanuele de Deo, created for the 1990 championship.

How do you get to Gaiola?

By sea, with boats departing from Marechiaro, or by land, descending over 200 steps from Posillipo hill, near Virgiliano Park.

How much does it cost to visit the Church of Santa Luciella?

The guided tour costs 6 euros and includes the small church and the hypogeum with the capuzzelle.

Is Toledo metro station free to visit?

Yes, Toledo station is a normal metro stop: a metro ticket is all you need to admire the mosaics of the Art Stations.

When is the best time to photograph Spaccanapoli?

Early in the morning, around 8:00-9:00, when the alleys are still half-empty and the grazing light illuminates the facades: the result is much cleaner than at midday.