6 Things to do in Naples With a Toddler
6 Things to do in Naples, Italy With a Toddler
My partner, toddler, and I traveled around Italy during the summer of 2024 and experienced many amazing sites and cities! One that we stayed in for a while was Naples. While this beautiful and must-visit tourist destination offers much to see, we found it a little less than kid-friendly.
Since I am the oldest sibling in my family and now a mom, I have vast experience traveling with kids. I typically live under the belief that kids can travel anywhere because they are easily entertained but we struggled a little bit in Naples to find places my two-year old was interested in.
Naples is still an exciting city to visit so I wanted to share some places your kids will enjoy. But first, I wanted to tell you what to expect and how to manage with a toddler!
For more on toddler travel try Surviving Air Travel with a Potty-Training Toddler!
What to Expect
Hilly Terrain
The winding roads and cobblestone steps that make up Naples’ beautiful city views can present a challenge with a toddler. The cobblestone sidewalk does not make pushing a stroller or dragging a suitcase easy. Not to mention the stairs that can only be avoided if you take the long way to get somewhere. You end up carrying your child more often than not. Instead of a stroller, we used a hip seat to assist in carrying our two-year-old around when she got tired of walking.
Travel lighter by renting baby gear at your destination!
BabyQuip
BabyQuip is world wide and has so many options for strollers, cribs, toys, and more!
Limited Play Areas
Despite numerous searches, I could only find one playground, which was under construction and has reportedly been that way for years. The lack of accessible parks with playgrounds was a bit disappointing. Later on, I’ll list some places to go instead.
Litter Everywhere
Even in the more picturesque areas, litter and cigarette butts are everywhere. This detracts from the overall experience and can be an eyesore at beaches, sidewalks, and historic buildings. Even so, Naples was still a beautiful city.
Public Transportation Challenges
Buses didn’t seem to follow any schedule I could find and taking the metro anywhere was more time-consuming. Due to the buses, we almost missed our tour to Capri. One day, we waited at a bus stop for an hour and a half! If you have a toddler you understand how taxing this is on the toddler and you.
Keep snacks and small toys on hand to distract your toddler when waiting for transportation. Using google maps was helpful but not up to date for when buses were scheduled or where they stopped. Pay close attention to the busses listed at each stop and if your destination is listed.
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SafetyWing
Great for short trips or long nomadic trips.
Naples Kid-Friendly Spots:
As promised, here’s a list of places to take your kids that they will enjoy and get a chance to run out some energy.
Mappatella Beach
Despite the litter, this beach provides a fun spot to play and relax. Just be aware that the fine sand tends to get everywhere and doesn’t wash off easily in the water. Mappatella Beach is conveniently located at the beach walk near the aquarium and cafes!
Aquarium Acquario di Napoli
This small, historic aquarium is a charming place to spend about an hour exploring aquatic life.
Castles
Many castles around to visit and explore. Castle Nuovo offers a great guided tour. Castle Sant’Elmo has breathtaking views of the city. The Royal Palace of Naples, beautifully restored, showcases the royal apartments and rich history.
Edenlandia
Enjoy a day at this amusement park featuring rides and restaurants.
Capri Island
We discovered a day tour on Viator and had an amazing experience. Our toddler enjoyed the ferry boat ride there, the small fishing boat to see the Blue Grotto, and the chair lift up the mountain.
We had an amazing time on our Capri Island Tour through Viator!
Click Here for more information!
Pompeii
Spend a day or two roaming around these vast historic ruins. Don’t forget to bring a large water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat or parasol. The sun is unforgiving and the ruins offer very little shade.
Conclusion: 6 Things to do in Naples With a Toddler
If you’re planning a trip to Naples with your little one, consider keeping the trip short and focusing on specific landmarks you want to see. Staying in the touristy areas may make for a better experience. Happy travels!
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