How to Spend One Day in Naples, Italy (+ Accessible Things to Do)

Colorful buildings scattered along green mountains down to the sea in the beautiful city of Naples, Italy.

Two Empty Passports contains affiliate links and is a member of Amazon Services LLC Program. If you decide to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Read our disclaimer for more information.

Wondering how to spend one day in Naples, Italy? You’re in the right place!

In 2015, my friend Kristin Secor, an accessible travel advocate, visited Naples, Italy during a Mediterranean cruise. This is her experience of exploring Naples and its surroundings with mobility challenges.

If you’re wondering how to spend one day in Naples, especially with a wheelchair or limited mobility, Kristen shares what worked for her… and what to know before you go.

Let’s do this!

Plan Your Trip with My Favorite Resources

🔹Book the best hotels: Booking.com
🔹Find great flight deals: Skyscanner
🔹Reserve a rental car: Discover Cars
🔹Purchase travel insurance: InsureMyTrip
🔹Book a day tour: Viator
🔹Easily stay connected: Airalo
➡️Check out all our Travel Resources here!

Spend a Day in Wheelchair Accessible Naples, Italy

Two cruise ships docked at port in the distance with smaller sailboats in the foreground. There is Mt. Etna is the distance and a colorful building on the right. Spending one day in Naples is perfect from a cruise.

Although I had visited Italy before, this was my first time in Naples, and I couldn’t wait to explore everything it had to offer.

To make the most of our 1 day in Naples, my friends and I booked a private excursion.

We didn’t want to worry about keeping up with a group. At the time, I could walk short distances with a cane, but I was slow and unsteady.

👉A private tour gave us flexibility to move at our own pace.

Our 1 day in Naples itinerary included stops at Pompeii, Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento. It was a full day of sightseeing with the added bonus of incredible coastal views.

Stop 1: Pompeii, the Ancient City

Ancient columns, broken pieces and a structure in the back right at Pompeii, one of the wheelchair accessible things to do in Naples, Italy.

There’s nothing quite like waking up and seeing Mt. Vesuvius rising in the distance from your cruise balcony. It felt magical and was a fantastic way to start to the day!

Our first stop was Pompeii.

Despite being an ancient site with very uneven terrain and large cobblestones, there are wheelchair accessible tours of Pompeii available.

These tours follow designated accessible paths that allow you to visit many of the main sights. It’s not perfectly smooth, but with the right guide and expectations, it’s doable.

Since I was still partially mobile at the time, we opted for a self–guided visit. We explored ancient homes (some with original frescoes still intact), walked past market squares, and admired the impressive layout of this once–buried city.

♿Join this Wheelchair Accessible Private Tour of Pompeii here!

What Can I See in Pompeii?

Three broken brick columns in the foreground with a stone structure behind and two very tall columns in the distance at Pompeii, one of the accessible things to do in Naples, Italy.

Don’t miss the display of pottery recovered from the ruins… or the haunting cast bodies on display.

During the excavation, archeologists found strange holes in the ground. When they poured plaster into these voids, they discovered they were the exact shapes of people who had died in the eruption.

These casts show remarkable detail, right down to facial expressions and body positions. It was an emotionally moving part of the visit.

Scenic Drive Along the Amalfi Coast

The beautiful Amalfi Coast under a bright blue sky with colorful buildings sprinkled along the green mountain that tumble down to the blue sea. Driving along the Amalfi Coast is a great day trip from Naples, Italy.

From Pompeii, we took a scenic drive along the beautiful Amalfi Coast.

The drive was incredible and full of rugged cliffs, sparkling blue water, and quaint towns built into the hillsides.

⛔Caution: the road is full of switchbacks & hairpin turns. If you get motion sickness, be prepared and bring medication.

I also recommend hiring a driver rather than attempting the drive yourself. You don’t want to miss the gorgeous scenery while focusing on the crazy, narrow roads!

There are several wheelchair accessible day tours that include the Amalfi Coast.

Many depart from Naples, but there are tours from Rome, though this is not recommended if you travel with fibromyalgia or fatigue.

♿Book your Amalfi Coast Wheelchair Accessible Tour here!

➡️Book this highly rated, budget friendly & accessible Full Day Amalfi Coast Tour here!

Stop 2: Amalfi for Gelato

Visiting the beautiful black and white tiled church in Amalfi is on of the best ways to spend one day in Naples.

We first visited the town of Amalfi, home to a beautiful piazza lined with cafés and shops.

The towering Amalfi Cathedral dominates the square. The many steps to the cathedral make it inaccessible, however, you will experience beautiful views of the piazza whether you climb the stairs or not!

This is a great place to shop, soak in the charm, and grab a cup of gelato.

👉Pro tip: it’s customary to mix flavors of gelato. I always get at least one scoop of pistachio.

You can also explore the Amalfi Coast after an accessible visit to Venice!

Stop 3: Visit the Beach in Positano

Orange sunbeds and closed umbrellas lined up along the empty rocky beach in Positano. There is a green rocky mountain behind and beautiful sea below.

Next, we made our way to Positano, made famous in the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun.

Built into the cliffs, Positano is full of very steep inclines, countless stairways and winding paths.

It’s very beautiful but can be challenging for wheelchair users, depending on your mobility level.

There’s also a beach here. In summer, small ramps are installed and amphibious beach chairs are available to rent.

⛔Be Aware: Getting to the beach involves descending several steep paths and coming back up at the end of the day!

During our visit, we didn’t stay long, but we did enjoy wandering the lanes, popping into shops, and admiring the colorful hillside homes.

Just like towns in Puglia, not all stores are accessible due to their location on sloped streets.

Stop 4: Shop & Stroll in Sorrento

A narrow alley in Sorrento flanked by tall brick buildings, some colored yellow or orange. There are two motorbikes on the left, one behind the other, and a shop with purple fabrics on the right side.

Our final stop was Sorrento, the largest and flattest of the towns we visited.

The level terrain made it much easier to explore with limited mobility, much like the smaller Amalfi town of Maiori.

We visited an outdoor market, wandered through the main square, and enjoyed views over the bay.

From Sorrento, we boarded the wheelchair accessible ferry back to Naples, where we rejoined our cruise ship. It was a long but rewarding day!

More Accessible Things to Do in Naples

An adorable alley with light peach and brick buildings in Naples, Italy full of flowered plants and pots at different shops running the entire length. Taking a stroll is one of the best ways to spend one day in Naples, Italy.

Even with one day in Naples, you can’t leave without trying the pizza!

Naples is where it all began. It was originally created as an affordable meal for workers, it didn’t take off in the U.S. until the 1940s.

✔️ Lungomare Promenade: A mostly flat waterfront with stunning views of Mt. Vesuvius, plenty of benches and gelato stops.

✔️ Piazza del Plebiscito: This is wheelchair accessible Naples’ grandest square, with the Royal Palace and Basilica of San Francesco di Paola.

✔️ National Archaeological Museum: Home to Pompeii artifacts, this museum offers ramps and elevators, though older areas may be less accessible.

Not up for the long coastal drive? Sage Travel offers accessible options, including tours of Naples, Pompeii, and even trips to the island of Capri. The founder is a wheelchair user himself, so accessibility is a top priority.

➡️Continuing your Italy trip? Here are the best accessible towns in Northern Italy

How to Plan Your Visit to Naples, Italy

How to Get to Naples

Just like a 3 day trip to Venice, you need to plan how to spend one day in wheelchair accessible Naples, Italy.

A round historic marble building with 8 columns in a grand piazza in Naples. There are two lion sculptures in the foreground and a yellow building in the distance under a blue sky.

🚢 Cruise

Like Kristin did, you can stop in Naples as part of a Mediterranean cruise. It’s convenient and ensures wheelchair-accessible accommodations and restaurants, but your time in the city will be limited.

👉Many cruises also include a day trip to Venice!

🚊Day Trip from Rome

If you’re visiting Rome, a day trip is possible, but time will be tight. Choose an accessible tour provider to make the most of your visit. This option isn’t ideal for slow travelers like us.

🚗 Road Trip

If you’re doing a two week Puglia road trip, you can drive to Naples from Matera in under three hours. This gives you more time to explore Naples and even continue on to the Amalfi Coast.

If you rent a car in Puglia, consider a one way rental, and drop your rental off in Naples.

Bright yellow, blue, and peach historic buildings along the waterfront in Naples, Italy. More colorful buildings are stacked behind.

Where to Stay in Naples, Italy

Naples offers a range of great accommodations to choose from. Here are my recommendations:

📍Mid–Range: Domus Duomo B&B Napoli
A highly rated B&B in the historic center with an elevator, spacious, comfortable rooms, friendly host, and delicious homemade breakfast.

➡️Book your stay at Domus Duomo B&B Napoli now!

📍Luxury: Gold Tower Lifestyle Hotel
A luxurious stay with spacious, elegantly designed rooms, spa, restaurants, panoramic terrace, shuttle service to center, and buffet breakfast.

➡️Book your stay at Gold Tower Lifestyle Hotel now!

♿Accessible: Renaissance Naples Hotel Mediterraneo
This upscale waterfront hotel with a restaurant, bar, roof terrace, and buffet breakfast offers spacious room with roll-in shower with grab bars, and raised toilets.

➡️Book your stay at Renaissance Naples Hotel Mediterraneo now!