The scent of espresso and citrus drifts down Spaccanapoli as the city’s palms, peeling frescoes, and volcanic horizon blur into a single, lively color.

In Naples the sea, Mount Vesuvius, and centuries of street life fold together into a sensory collage – bright lemon stalls in Piazza del Plebiscito, the rattling of espresso cups in Quartieri Spagnoli, the clack of ceramics being packed along the waterfront.

Whether you’re hunting hand-painted pottery, bottles of sunny liqueur, or tiny handcrafted presepi, here’s what to buy in Naples to bring a piece of its heat, humor, and history home with you — perfect if you’re searching for souvenirs from Naples.

1. Limoncello

Why pick this up: A sip of Amalfi sunshine — limoncello captures the fragrant, bitter-sweet lemon peel that grows on terraced gardens outside Naples and Sorrento. It’s a liquid postcard of the coastline’s flavor.
What to look for: Bright-yellow, clear liqueur made from Amalfi or Sorrento lemons (not artificial flavoring). Look for producers listing hand-peeled zest and natural sugar syrup. Small artisanal bottles make great gifts.
Price bracket (2025): €8–€30 (€8 for mass-market, €20+ for small-batch artisan bottles).
Where to find it: Specialty enoteche and delis around Spaccanapoli, the stalls near Molo Beverello, and boutique shops in Chiaia; also in souvenir shops along the Amalfi Coast.

2. Vietri Sul Mare Ceramics (Majolica)

Why pick this up: The Amalfi Coast’s hand-painted majolica — wildly colored plates, tiles, and urns — brings Mediterranean pattern work into your home. Vietri is the historic ceramic center just east of Naples.
What to look for: Vivid blues, lemons, and baroque motifs; hand-painted brush strokes and a maker’s mark from Vietri or nearby workshops mean authenticity. Lighter pieces and tiles are easier to pack.
Price bracket (2025): €20–€200+ (small plates €20–€50; larger pieces €100–€200+).
Where to find it: Shops in the historic center, specialized ceramic stores on Via Santa Lucia, and direct from ateliers in Vietri sul Mare (day-trip purchases often ship home).

3. Presepe Figurines from San Gregorio Armeno

Why pick this up: Naples’ living nativity tradition is one of its most intimate arts – tiny, expressive figures (from shepherds to full-length kings and local characters) tell centuries of Neapolitan life.
What to look for: Hand-painted terracotta or papier-mâché with detailed faces. Traditional figures and bespoke commissions (you can order a figurine made to look like a friend).
Price bracket (2025): €10–€300 (small figurines €10–€40; elaborate custom pieces can be €100+).
Where to find it: The famous workshop-lined street of San Gregorio Armeno in the historic center; small artisan shops there and nearby alleys.

4. Pasta di Gragnano

Why pick this up: Gragnano, just outside Naples, is Italy’s storied pasta town – bronze-cut, sun-dried pasta that holds sauce beautifully and tastes like the region. It’s an edible souvenir that truly says Campania.
What to look for: “Pasta di Gragnano” denomination or artisanal labels, bronze extrusion marks (rougher surface), and whole-wheat or special shapes unique to the town.
Price bracket (2025): €2–€6 per 500g pack.
Where to find it: Gourmet delis and markets in Naples (Pignasecca, Via Toledo), pastifici in Gragnano (day-trip purchases), and specialty food shops in Vomero.

5. Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio (Vesuvian Wine)

Why pick this up: Grown in volcanic soils on Vesuvius’ slopes, Lacryma Christi (Tears of Christ) is a historic Campanian wine — red, white, and rosé — with mineral depth you won’t find elsewhere.
What to look for: Wines labeled “Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio”; younger, fruit-forward bottles for drinking soon and cru vintages for cellaring. Opt for DOC labels.
Price bracket (2025): €8–€30 per bottle (basic bottles €8–€15; reserve vintages €20–€30+).
Where to find it: Enoteche in Chiaia and Vomero, wine shops near the historic center, or directly from vineyards on Vesuvius/Ercolano.

6. Neapolitan Coffee (Beans and Ground Espresso)

Why pick this up: Naples worships espresso — dense roasts and a crema-forward style. Bringing back a bag of local beans means you can recreate the city’s morning ritual at home.
What to look for: Local roasters like Kimbo or Caffè Borbone, or artisan micro-roasters with roast dates. Choose whole beans or fine-ground for moka pots.
Price bracket (2025): €4–€12 per 250–500g bag.
Where to find it: Coffee shops and roasteries along Via Toledo, specialty stores in the historic center, and grocery markets like the Mercato di Pignasecca.

7. Cornicello (Red Horn Amulet) and Pulcinella Charms

Why pick this up: The cornicello — a red horn amulet — and Pulcinella (the floppy-nosed, mischievous mask) are quintessential Neapolitan talismans, tethered to folklore and local identity.
What to look for: Real coral or coral-colored glass for cornicelli, and hand-painted Pulcinella masks or small puppets made of wood or papier-mâché. Gold cornicelli exist for special keepsakes.
Price bracket (2025): €10–€150 (simple charms €10–€30; gold or crafted pieces €70–€150+).
Where to find it: Souvenir stalls around Spaccanapoli, artisan shops in San Gregorio Armeno, jewelry stores in Chiaia, and street vendors near Piazza Bellini.

8. Sfogliatella (Pastry) and Packaged Sweet Mixes

Why pick this up: The crunchy, layered sfogliatella is Naples’ famous pastry — ricotta, citrus, and flaky dough — a delicious emblem of the city’s pastry craft. Packaged mixes let you recreate the flavor at home.
What to look for: Fresh sfogliatelle from pastry houses like Pintauro or Scaturchio to eat now; boxed mixes or vacuum-packed pastries for travel. Look for ricotta-and-orange filling authenticity.
Price bracket (2025): €2.50–€5 each for fresh sfogliatella; €5–€20 for mixes or packaged boxes.
Where to find it: Historic pastry shops in the centro storico (Piazza San Domenico Maggiore, Via Toledo) and gourmet food stores.

9. Capodimonte Porcelain

Why pick this up: Capodimonte porcelain — delicate, sculpted figures and ornate ceramics — originated in Naples’ royal past and makes an elegant keepsake of the city’s baroque taste.
What to look for: The royal crown or Capodimonte mark, delicate floral detailing, and hand-painted gilding. Smaller figurines or decorative plates are easier to pack.
Price bracket (2025): €30–€400 (small pieces €30–€100; museum-quality pieces €200+).
Where to find it: Shops around the Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte, antique stores in Chiaia, and licensed porcelain ateliers.

10. Pulcinella Masks and Marionettes

Why pick this up: Pulcinella — the cheeky Neapolitan commedia dell’arte character — embodies Naples’ theatrical, irreverent spirit. A mask or puppet makes a colorful, storied souvenir.
What to look for: Hand-crafted papier-mâché masks or carved wooden marionettes with expressive features and traditional costumes. Painted by local artisans for authenticity.
Price bracket (2025): €15–€120 (simple masks €15–€40; hand-crafted marionettes €60–€120+).
Where to find it: San Gregorio Armeno workshops, artisan stalls in the historic center, and theatrical shops near Via Toledo.

Tip: Pack fragile ceramics and porcelain with extra bubble wrap or buy shipping from local shops, and buy foodstuffs like pasta, coffee, and limoncello in clear, sealed packaging to clear customs easily — happy hunting for authentic souvenirs from Naples! ✈️

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!