Florence or Naples

Florence, for the architecture, history, art and more!

Florence is played out, cliche touristy/
This is your chance to check out the area South or Naples: the Amalfi Coast Campania area

https://www.amalficoast.com/

Florence gets my vote too. Nope, not "touristy" in my book if you've any interest at all in the cradle of the Italian Renaissance.
Save Naples for another trip where you can explore more of that region over more than a couple of days.

You say "a couple of days". Florence would be ideal for a very short visit like this if you have any interest at all in the Italian Renaissance. It's one of our favorite Italian cities. Not sure exactly what interests you in Naples, but it too could be done in 2 days, by itself. But most people would visit Naples as part of a longer visit that would include the ruins at Herculaneum and Pompeii , and Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, and possibly Capri. But thats not possible in just a couple of days.
If you're flying home from Rome, you would want to spend the night before departure there, unless your flight is a late afternoon one.

This is hard, because I do agree with Rick when he says:

If you like Italy as far south as Rome, go farther south. It gets better.
If Italy is getting on your nerves, don't go farther. Italy intensifies as you plunge deeper.

And no place I've been in Italy (yes including Palermo) is as intense as Naples. So if you haven't been to Rome, you won't know how you'll feel about a more intense place. I personally find Rome very relaxing (not a joke - I just love being there). As for Naples, I agree with the comment in my old Cadogan guide - "the only thing subtle about Naples is its charm." It did grow on me, but if you're unsure, you would do better to stick to Florence (which will certainly fill all the time you have for it).

And while it's true that Naples can be seen as part of a larger Campagna itinerary, it's also possible to spend a few days in Naples with a day trip to Pompeii and/or Herculaneum, and then see Sorrento, Capri, Amalfi, et al on another trip.

Where are you flying home from?

haven't been to Naples yet- we are going next month- but we loved Florence and would happily go back - 3 days (if no day trips) is a decent amount of time to enjoy Florence.

David makes a good point- will you want to relax are will you be up for a more intense few days?

I think the "intensity" of Naples is often overstated on this forum. In fact, the degree of summer crowding in Florence makes it quite an intense experience, even with (as contrasted with southern Italy) adequate government funding and social services. Naples is not inherently more stressful than Rome, unless you insist on having a car, as if you are home in California, or think that cities should be as tidy as exclusive, wealthy, American suburbs. (All that said, we did have to wait almost an hour for a seat for lunch at a "name" pizzeria in Naples.) As an "add on", I think Naples is a richer choice than Sorrento. (Opinion.)

The distinction between Renaissance and Baroque periods is an important discriminator in the OP's decision, as well as the opportunity to visit Pompeii and/or Herculaneum as a trivially easy daytrip from Naples. In fact, access to Pompeii is easier than access to Tivoli or Civitavecchia from Rome. It's reasonable to say that Western Art has been affected almost as much by the discovery of Pompeii and Herculaneum as by the Renaissance in Florence.

The OP might also wish to consider adding rural Tuscany instead of Florence, if they aren't big on "art on the wall".

It depends on your interests. We love Florence. Easy to walk anywhere to see so much beautiful art and architecture (and we are not art smart). That said, we are going back to Sorrento for 2nd trip as we love that area as well. Amali coast is breathtaking. Pompeii is a must. Many other things to see. Not too crowded.

With just a couple days, I would choose Florence and cross that off the ol’ list. Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast et al beg for a full dive. I enjoyed Naples itself more than Florence honestly, but the treasures of Florence are simply second to none. I would keep it simple, and consider Naples for its own trip.

Thanks to everyone for your insightful thoughts. Will need to decide in a couple of weeks.

If you agree that "we never see everything we want on a 'few day' visit
THEN choose either place based upon what you want to see.
and figure you'll go back another year to see the other stuff.

We are going to the Naples area in less than 2 weeks and I've discovered twice as many things to 'really' see and do than we have time for. Oh, Well.

We went to Florence for art. Even the palaces are as much 'art' as 'architecture'. (and Duomo, Boboli garden)
We are going to Naples for ruins: Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum (only 1 or 2 of those 3) and the archaeology museum (we have other days planned also, but ...).

Something Rick didn't mention in his guide book is Caserta - it is a beautiful park and palace that's perhaps 30 miles north of Naples. http://www.reggiadicaserta.beniculturali.it/
It may be a stop on the way down to Naples.?

Either is a good choice. I see that the tours end on Saturday morning. Expect Florence to be significantly more crowded on the weekend than weekdays. I don't know if that makes a difference in Naples.

I love Florence for its Renaissance art and architecture, not so much for anything else. One of our regulars, Harold, told me "there's nothing subtle about Naples except its charm." It's definitely in-your-face Italy, but I enjoyed my 5 nights there a couple years ago. The National Archaeology Museum is a Wow. The RS self-guided walk is very good. The food and wine are great (but that's everywhere in Italy - even Florence). You can day-trip to Pompeii or Herculaneum for the ancient Roman ruins, or Caserta's royal palace (not quite Versailles, but not that far away either). If you've learned to cross a street in Rome, you can hone that skill in Naples - but avoid corners and ignore traffic lights - the drivers to.

Naples. You might love it, you might find it a little intense. But it’s something to experience, I think adding something different to your trip/life is always worth it. And you can easily go to Pompeii or Herculaneum. Those sights alone make Naples a great choice. If you are very concerned about the intensity of Naples (don’t be, it’s a little challenging but fine!!) you could stay in Sorrento and day trip in. I don’t love that idea, Sorrento is lovely and in sine ways more “pleasant” but Naples is more interesting.

Odd thing - I spent 4 nights in Naples. Found it a bit intense but still liked it. I am normally good with intense cities - I love Rome, Palermo, Mexico City - Naples is just different. Anyway this was last summer, now I look back on my visit more fondly than when I was there. It’s just a valuable experience to have had. At the time I might have enjoyed a day trip for resting in Sorrento. In hindsight I am so glad I spent that time in Naples.

That said, if Renaissance Art is a passion for you that would tip the scales to Florence.

patmccloskey2:

I have a feeling that Florence might be the better option for you, given that you have just a "couple of days to see more of Italy." Naples would seem a destination for another trip because it invites day trips to surrounding spots, including Sorrento, Capri, Pompeii, Paestum, etc., and you won't have the time for that.

I've been to Florence more than once and now, in three weeks, I'm going to Naples for the first time. From what I've read and what people have said here, I expect a different level of intensity in Naples. For one thing, as opposed to Venice especially, I expect to see more residents in Naples than tourists.

I enjoy Firenze for art, Napoli for its Italianess! Napoli has a greater vibrancy, and better food than Firenze as well as great views of the Bay Of Naples, the Isle of Capri and Vesuvius.