Are you wondering what to wear In Naples Italy? This guide tells you exactly what to wear in Naples for sightseeing, beaches, dinner and more.
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Where is Naples?
Naples, or Napoli as the Italians call it, is a city in Southern Italy, the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan and is often seen as the gateway to the Amalfi Coast and towns such as Positano, Sorrento and Capri.
As such you can expect traditional Italian city wear alongside beachwear and sightseeing outfits.
Naples Dress Code
As with many places in Italy, Naples doesn’t really have a dress code per se. As with many cities in Italy, you will find that many people opt for muted color palettes.
However I would say you will see more casual clothing on the streets than you would in the Northern cities such as Rome, Milan and Venice.
The only real place in Naples that has a strict code is of course in the churches of Naples. All Italian churches have strict dress codes so be sure to read up on what to wear here if you plan to visit a church while in Naples.
Also, Naples is the gateway to many of Italy’s great archaeological sites such as Pompeii and Herculaneum. If you plan on visiting these amazing sites, which I don’t think any Naples itinerary is complete without, you will want to have good shoes that can cope with uneven pathways.
What to Wear in Naples in Summer (June, July and August)
Summer in Naples is characterised as June, July and August, although peak tourist season runs longer than this.
During the Summer in Naples you can expect lots of sunny days and very little rain. In terms of temperatures, in the summer you can expect to see highs of 85F/29C and lows of 64F/18C.
As such we would recommend putting the below on your summer Naples packing list:
Maxi Dresses and Maxi Skirts
One of our favorite things to wear are Maxi Dresses. Loose and flowing clothes are better for the summer in Naples as they will help to keep you cool in the hot temperatures.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring towns and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit.
Linen trousers are popular with the locals and are good in the hot weather.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
These are perfect for out exploring Naples and can be paired with skirts or shorts. If you are wearing tank tops and want to visit churches be sure to have a top layer or pashmina with you to meet church dress codes.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Italy without a pashmina. It is great in the evenings in case you get chilly dining al fresco and can also be used to make an outfit more modest for visiting churches in Italy.
Although churches won’t be the primary activity you do in Naples, I am sure you will head into one so having at least one church outfit is a good idea.
Shorts
Although we don’t tend to recommend wearing shorts in the cities in Italy, I would say Naples is the exception to my rule.
Short are perfect for visiting Pompeii and beaches and other Naples tourist attractions, besides churches.
This are particularly great for archaeological sites and other places where you will be doing lots of walking.
Swimwear
If you are visiting Naples in Summer chances are you will be spending time on the beach or on a boat. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
As there are no dress codes on Naples Beaches you can choose whatever swimwear you feel most comfortable in whether that be one pieces or bikinis.
Note: I personally head to the Amalfi Coast or Capri for a beach visit rather than in Naples city but there are beaches within the city.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on the Italian Coast depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need.
I would recommend packing at least two swimwear pieces so one can be drying while you are wearing the other.
Beach Cover
You will find in the wider Naples region that most people will use a beach cover for walking along the boardwalk etc.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Naples packing list. Be sure to pick a wide brimmed straw hat instead of a baseball cap to fit more in with the locals.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
We recommend packing lightweight PJs as not everywhere in Naples will have air conditioning. You may want to check out whether or not your accommodation has air conditioning before booking.
And if you are visiting other areas of Italy in Summer be sure to check out our other Italian Summer packing Lists:
- what to wear to Venice in Summer
- What to wear to Cinque Terre in Summer
- What to wear in Lake Como
- What to wear in Milan in June
- What to wear on the Amalfi Coast
- What to wear in Positano
- What to wear to Rome in August
- What to wear to Rome in July
- What to wear to Italy in August
- What to wear to Italy in July
What to Wear to the Naples Italy in Spring (March, April, May)
Depending on what time you are visiting Naples in Spring will depend on how hot the temperatures are.
April really kicks off peak season in Naples and you may find March too cold to be spending too much time on the beaches.
May is obviously the warmest month in Spring with high temperatures around 79F/26C.
For this reason we recommend packing the same as the summer, though you may need less in terms of swimwear as the weather may be too cold.
And we also recommend adding the following additions to your packing list
Cardigan
Naples evenings in Spring can be cold so be sure to add a cardigan or two to pair to your dress and trousers outfits.
Sweater
This is great for exploring in March and Early April in Naples.
Jacket
This may be needed if you are visiting the Naples in March.
What to Wear to the Naples in Fall (September, October and November)
What to wear to the Naples in Fall is very similar to what to wear in Naples in Summer.
In particular, if you are visiting Naples in September you can pretty much select the same outfits as you would in August.
However the later in Fall you visit the cooler it becomes and peak season tends to end in mid–October.
If you are visiting in late October and November you probably wont be needing lots of swimwear as it will be too cold to get in the water everyday.
Also you will want cardigans and sweaters on your packing list, and in November you may even need a jacket.
What to Wear to Naples in Winter (December, January and February)
Naples can be cold in Winter. So cold in fact that it is unlikely you will be able to swim and use the beach in Winter.
And as Naples gets all the season you can expect to experience some rain if you are traveling to Naples in Winter.
Therefore we recommend abandoning the summer packing list and wearing the below to Naples in Winter instead.
Jacket, waterproof
You will definitely want a warm jacket for Naples in Winter. If possible we recommend a waterproof one as you can get rainy.
And if you don’t have a waterproof top layer we recommend packing a compact umbrella with you instead.
Cardigans, Sweaters and Top Layers
We recommend packing a few different types of top layers with you for instance a combination of cardigans, sweaters and hoodies of different weights so you have enough variety in case of a very cold snap.
Long Sleeve Tops
It is unlikely you will be wearing short sleeve t shirts in Naples in Winter so we recommend packing a variety of long sleeve tops and blouses with you including some smarter ones for dinners.
Jeans
Although linen trousers are perfect for Positano in Summer and the shoulder seasons, they are simply too lightweight in Winter. WE recommend going with heavier weight trousers in Winter. We tend to recommend packing jeans for Positano in Winter
Pashmina
I never go to Italy without one no matter the time of year you are visiting.
Underwear
Goes without saying
Pjs
A slightly heavier weight pair are better in Winter than a lightweight pair.
Best Shoes for Naples Italy
Sneakers
There are many rumours online that runners aren’t appropriate for Italy. However this is simply not true.
In fact we think sneakers are the perfect shoe for Naples. They work in the city for museums and castles and can cope with the terrain at Pompeii.
They are also a great choice no matter the season you visit Naples. However if you are visiting in Winter a pair that are water proof or water resistant may be best.
Sandals
These are an absolute must for summer in Naples. If you plan on doing lots of walking then we recommend packing a pair with good arch support.
Water Shoes (optional)
Only really required if you plan to visit one of the rocky beaches on the Amalfi Coast.
Flip Flops
If you decide against water shoes and are planning on spending time on the beach in Amalfi I recommend taking a pair or flip flops.
However I would not wear these around Naples as they aren’t very supportive and are quite dangerous at archaeological sites such as Pompeii.
What I always take to Naples
Crossbody bag
Now I am not saying this to scare anyone as I have been to Naples many time and have never had any issues. However it is quite well documented that Naples does have a pick pocket problem.
To make yourself less of a target and to feel more comfortable as you are walking around town I recommend taking a crossbody bag with lots of zips that is designed to deter pickpockets.
What Else to add to your Naples Packing List
- Sunscreen
- Aftersun cream
- Phone / Camera
- Charger
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat – for summer
- Reusable Water bottle
- Toiletries
- Beach bag
FAQS About Naples Packing List
What to wear in Naples for Guys
If you want to know what to were in Naples for men I recommend packing a mixture of chinos and linen trousers and some smarter shorts alongside plain t shirts and polos and short sleeve shirts for summer.
In winter jeans and t shirts or shirts paired with a jumper and jacket is the perfect combination.
What to wear to dinner in Naples?
Dinner in Naples doesn’t have a special dress code unless you go to a restaurant that stipulates one.
Naples is famous for being the birthplace of pizza and we tend to stick to pizzerias when we are in Naples itself and you will find that these don’t tend to have any dress codes.
Should I pack Swimwear for Naples in Winter?
I personally do not find winter in Naples warm enough for swimming. For this reason we always leave swimwear at home when traveling to Naples in December, January or February.