9 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Naples

Villa Comunale is a former royal park that stretches for more than 1 km along Naples's seafront. Locals and visitors alike come in the evenings to wander around the formal gardens, laid out with fountains, winding pathways, and plants from around the world. Its top attractions include a roller-skating rink, a tennis court, and a bandstand where musicians play in the evenings.

Several cafes with outdoor seating are dotted around the park, serving aperitivos (pre-meal drinks), cocktails, coffee, and ice cream. Via Francesco Caracciolo, which runs between the park and the ocean, is a popular place to stroll around at sunset. The street also has a good selection of bars and eateries.

Head up to Belvedere San Martino for an awe-inspiring panorama across Naples and all the way to Mount Vesuvius. It's easy to pick out some of the city's most famous monuments, including the Naples Cathedral and Santa Chiara monastery. The view is especially spectacular at sunset and during one of Naples' many festivals.

Take time to wander around the 14th-century fortress of Castel Sant'Elmo, situated just behind the viewpoint. A steep staircase leading up to the buildings starts on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, across from Parco dei Quartieri Spagnoli. If you don't want to climb all those steps, take the Montesanto Funicular up to Morghen Station, from where it's a short – and flat – walk.

Donnaregina Contemporary Art Museum is a contemporary art museum housed in a 19th-century palazzo. Its permanent collection includes artistic luminaries like Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Giulio Paolini, Rebecca Horn, and Anish Kapoor. You might find yourself gazing at an offbeat installation of skulls and mirrors or watching a live performance by a local theatre group.

The museum also has an ever-changing array of photography exhibitions, video and interactive art installations, as well as thought-provoking pieces tackling climate change and international politics. Outside the museum, take a moment to look up at the roof, decorated with an imposing horse sculpture by contemporary artist Mimmo Paladino.

The LAPIS Museum celebrates the underground history of Naples – it’s even hidden deep in the city’s ancient Roman cisterns. An eye-catching glass lift takes you 35 metres underground, where you can explore ancient cisterns and aqueducts which still flow with water, plus air-raid bunkers where thousands of Neapolitans sheltered during WWII.

Interactive multimedia installations delve into the thousands of years of history. You can take a guided tour in English or Italian. Part of the LAPIS Museum is the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which hosts numerous art exhibitions, including a retrospective of Andy Warhol’s work.

Palazzo Venezia is a former diplomatic residence in Naples that now hosts an extensive fine arts programme. Events include book readings by national authors, classical and jazz concerts, and exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, and photography. Its themed walks cover everything from the history of miracles in Naples to public works of art.

The richly decorated interior includes some beautifully restored ceiling frescoes. In the centre of the palazzo is a hidden 'hanging garden’ filled with palm trees and flowering plants. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings with a coffee or aperitivo at the garden cafe, or head upstairs for a cocktail at the rooftop bar.

The lavishly decorated Teatro di San Carlo is one of the oldest continuously active opera houses in the world. Its elegant surroundings host a programme of opera, ballet, chamber music and orchestral pieces. There are also guided tours for a closer look at the building's luminous frescoes and opulent royal box.

Visit between January and May to see quintessential opera staples by the likes of Wagner, Verdi, Mozart, and Puccini. Ballet season runs from April to June and ranges from classics like Swan Lake to more contemporary pieces. The onsite Cafè Teatro di San Carlo serves coffee, wine and cocktails before and after the show.

Piazza Bellini is a pretty, tree-filled piazza lined with pavement cafes and cosmopolitan bars. Its elegant 17th-century buildings are popular spots for students and young professionals in Naples. Don't miss the 4th-century ruins of the ancient city, which are visible in the middle of the piazza.

Try Caffè Arabo or Bar Lemmelemme for fun cocktails and bar snacks with a young, hip vibe. Primo Maggio does its own twist on the classics, featuring artisan beer cocktails and local seasonal ingredients. Head to Caffè Letterario for a leafy-covered terrace and live music every Wednesday.

Piazza San Domenico Maggiore is a delightful historic square in Naples and a favourite haunt of students from nearby universities. At night, it's crowded with people drinking and snacking on Neopolitan street food. The square's Baroque central monument commemorates the end of a 17th-century plague, while a 14th-century church to the north is home to frescoes and sacred relics.

Join the locals in drinking a classic Aperol spritz at San Domenico Café, where it's served with nuts and bar snacks. Gran Caffè Neapolis is a great choice for cocktails or indulging in after-dinner ice cream, while Palazzo Petrucci has a sizeable list of fine wines.

Santa Lucia is a charming seaside district that's home to humming clubs and cocktail bars with a view. Dance the night away to thumping tunes in the clubs or admire the sight of Mount Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples from bars along the seafront.

Two of the most popular clubs in Santa Lucia are Club 21 and Riviera Club, both of which play a mix of live music and DJ sets. For creative cocktails with sea views, try Parthenope Bar or have a drink in the gorgeous Caruso Roof Garden at Grand Hotel Vesuvio. Out on the Borgo Marinari, bars like Le Bar Narghilè and Bar Marsal offer sophisticated cocktails and outdoor seating.