Best Day Trips from Naples

The city of Naples, nestled on the southwest coast of Italy, is the perfect base for taking day trips to some of Italy’s most iconic attractions in and around the region of Campania. For keen explorers, some of the best day trips from Naples include visiting the ruins of Pompeii and exploring the stunning Amalfi Coast.

Naples offers endless opportunities for adventure. With easy-to-use and efficient transport links and plenty of tours starting in Naples, Italy, taking day trips is fairly simple and convenient. So, let’s uncover the beauty of Southern Italy beyond the busy city streets of Naples.

Pompeii

You might be surprised to find that many of the best day trips from Naples are only a stone’s throw away. The ancient ruins of Pompeii are one such treasure that you shouldn’t miss out on experiencing. 

Visiting Pompeii makes for one of the best Naples day trips because of its proximity to the city. The ancient city is only 30 minutes away by train. Hop onto the Circumvesuviana train (for €3) at Napoli Centrale or Piazza Garibaldi train station and hop off when the train stops at Pompeii Scavi – Villa dei Misteri. 

When you arrive in Pompeii, it’s just a short walk to the entrance of the ancient city ruins. Here are a few guided tours of Pompeii that we highly recommend.

Skip the Line Tour With Archaeologist Guide

Takewalks offers incredible tours of many archaeological sites in Italy. This 3-hour complete Pompeii experience includes a skip-the-line ticket and a qualified archaeologist as your tour guide. The tour group meets at Villa dei Misteri. Note that transport from Naples to Pompeii is not included in the fee. 

Tour Details: Takewalks Complete Pompeii Experience

Semi-Private Tour of Pompeii

This semi-private tour of Pompeii by Livtours is a fantastic way to get up close and personal with the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Limited to only six guests per group, this tour includes priority access and an archaeologist as your tour guide. The tour lasts 2.5 hours and stops at the Roman Bath House, House of Sallust, and other points of interest. This semi-private tour also begins at Pompeii’s train station, so transportation from Naples is not included.

Tour Details: LivTours Semi-Private Pompeii Tour

Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast stretches for 31 miles along the Sorrentine Peninsula and boasts crystal-clear turquoise waters, colorful cliffside towns, and dramatic coastal scenery. Taking a day trip from Naples to the Amalfi Coast is ideal if you’re seeking spectacular vistas and laid-back coastal vibes. 

The best way to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast is by taking the ferry. The 1.5-hour-long scenic ride across the Gulf of Naples is undoubtedly the most pleasant way to get to Amalfi. 

There are four daily ferries that leave Naples for Amalfi from 08:30 until 17:00. Note that the ferries are seasonal, which means they only run from June to October. You can expect to pay around €20 – €30 per person. 

If you happen to be in town from November to May (when the ferries aren’t running), you can opt for a driven tour or private transfer from Naples to the Amalfi Coast. While the drive is a little longer and costs about €150 per group of three, it’s a comfortable route, and the drivers are very knowledgeable.

Once you’re there, you can explore the Amalfi Coast towns by foot, hire a scooter, or take a tour of the Amalfi Coast. To truly enjoy the Amalfi Coast, you need to see it from the sea with a coastal boat tour from Naples.

Full-Day Tour of Amalfi Coast from Naples

Driving in Amalfi is definitely not recommended, as the roads are narrow and tricky to navigate. This chauffeur-driven full-day tour of the Amalfi Coast allows you to experience the best of the towns along the southwest coast of Italy, such as Amalfi town, Positano, Ravello, Sorrento, and more. The full-day tour begins with an early morning pick-up from your hotel in central Naples.

Tour Details: Semi-Private Full-Day Amalfi Tour

Capri

Capri island is a popular destination for day trips from Naples. To visit Capri, you need to take a ferry or hydrofoil boat. Once there, you can explore the charming town center, shop at high-end boutiques, and indulge in delicious Italian cuisine. 

Capri island is also known for its stunning natural beauty. This includes the famous Blue Grotto, a sea cave illuminated by the blue light reflected off the water, and the Faraglioni, three towering rock formations jutting out of the sea. 

If you’d like to explore the island of Capri independently, you can simply take a ferry from Naples to visit Capri. Ferries to Capri island depart several times a day from Beverello port in Naples. The ride lasts around an hour and will cost about €25 each way. 

Here is a recommended tour of Capri.

Full-Day Tour of Capri From Naples

Start your day with an early morning boat ride from Naples to Capri on this Capri full-day tour. An experienced local guide will take you through the Gardens of Augustus, the Axel Munthe Gardens, the Blue Grotto, Anacapri village, and more. This tour includes a delicious lunch at a restaurant loved by locals. 

Tour Details: Full-Day Tour of Capri From Naples

Mount Vesuvius

If you’re a thrill-seeker, you’ll be delighted to know that you can visit the famous Mount Vesuvius on your day trip from Naples, Italy. You can hike to the summit and witness stunning views of the Bay of Naples and surrounding areas. 

Visiting Mount Vesuvius independently is not advised; the hike can be challenging and dangerous. Besides that, having a knowledgeable guide is fantastic if you want to learn about the region’s interesting history and geology. 

Since you’re in the area, why not visit a few other attractions near Mount Vesuvius? We recommend combining your visit to the active volcano, Mount Vesuvius, with another site like Pompeii. 

Guided Tour of Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius

This guided tour from Naples to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius is a great combination of activities on your day trip from Naples. It includes pick-up from your hotel in Naples, transportation to and from Pompeii, and skip-the-line tickets to both Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius. You can also opt for either a pizza lunch or a wine-tasting experience on this tour.

Tour Details: Naples to Mount Vesuvius and Pompeii

Herculaneum

If you’re looking for educational and family-friendly Naples day trips, a tour of the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum is a great idea. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was another victim of Mount Vesuvius, the volcano that destroyed Pompeii. 

The Circumvesuviana train runs several times a day from Napoli Centrale to Ercolano Scavi station, and the trip only takes around 25 minutes. You need just a few hours to explore Herculaneum, so it’s best to combine it with other activities when creating your Naples itinerary.

Alternatively, you can book a day trip tour from Naples to Herculaneum.

Full-Day Tour of Herculaneum and Pompeii

This small group, full-day tour from Naples stops at both the historical sites of Herculaneum and Pompeii. The guided tour also includes round-trip transportation to and from Naples and a light lunch. It’s important to note that this tour doesn’t include entrance tickets to Pompeii and Herculaneum, but you can purchase them at the ticket office or online.

Tour Details: Tour of Herculaneum and Pompeii

Ischia

Take a day trip off the beaten path to Ischia, an island often missed by international tourists. This island in the Tyrrhenian Sea boasts pristine beaches, natural thermal baths, idyllic vineyards, and the Aragonese Castle.

You can spend your time on Ischia roaming the beautiful gardens, relaxing by the sea, or exploring historic buildings. Plus, there’s a direct ferry from Naples to Ischia that departs several times a day. It’ll take around one and a half hours to get there and costs between €13 and €25. 

To make your day trip easier, opt for a Naples to Ischia tour. 

Naples to Ischia tour

This tour to Ischia island from Naples is perfect for tourists who appreciate the convenience of a tour but enjoy independent sightseeing. Included in this tour are round-trip tickets to and from Ischia and a delicious three-course lunch. You’ll have plenty of free time to explore the island’s attractions, such as Sant’ Angelo Village, the Aragonese Castle, and the thermal baths.

Tour Details: Ischia Island Day Trip

Procida

Procida is another stunning island off the coast of Naples that makes for a lovely day trip. Known for the brightly colored buildings that line its coast, Procida is a picture-perfect destination that you don’t want to miss.

The ferry from Naples to Procida island takes about an hour and a half, and there are several departures from Beverello port every day. It’ll cost around €20 each way, but the ferry ride alone is a scenic experience. 

Procida is very popular, especially in the summer months. Here, you can lounge around on Chiaia beach, indulge in delicious seafood dishes, visit Santa Maria delle Grazie church, and snap plenty of pictures in front of the island’s stunning backdrops. 

Trip to Procida Island from Naples

Because the island is so small, there are limited guided tours of Procida island. However, for some peace of mind, this day trip to Procida from Naples includes transport to and from the island and a delicious two-course lunch. You can spend your free time exploring Procida before heading back to Naples. 

Tour Details: Procida Island from Naples

Caserta Palace

When visiting Naples, Caserta Palace makes for a wonderful day trip destination. The royal palace in Caserta, which is larger than the Palace of Versailles, is an impressive sight to behold. It was built in the 18th century by the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies as the kings’ main residence. It features stunning architecture and impressive landscaping.

Caserta Palace is less than an hour away from Naples and is very easy to reach via the direct train. The train to Caserta costs €3 each way.

The royal palace of Caserta will take you a few hours to explore. Entrance costs about €20 and includes entry to the gardens and royal apartments. There are also special online tickets available for small groups and even a package that includes transport to and from Naples. 

Royal Palace of Caserta Half-Day Trip

This half-day trip from Naples to Caserta includes transport to and from Naples and priority access tickets to the royal palace. The popular half-day trip does not include a guided tour, but you can purchase an audio guide at the royal Palace of Caserta.

Tour Details: Royal Palace of Caserta from Naples

Sorrento

One of the most popular day trips from Naples, Italy, is a visit to the coastal town of Sorrento. There is so much to do and see in Sorrento that you could easily spend a day or two enjoying everything it has to offer. The good news is that there are a few public transport options to choose from when traveling to Sorrento from Naples. 

The most scenic way to get to Sorrento is by ferry. There are a few ferries that depart from Beverello for Sorrento each day. The ride is a short 45 minutes and will cost around €15. The only downside to taking the ferry is that the last ferry leaves Sorrento as early as 16:45. 

Traveling by train between Naples and Sorrento is also a great option. The Campania Express is a high-speed train on the Circumvesuviana line. It’s also very comfortable compared to most public transport, and the train is air-conditioned. 

The Campania Express costs €8 per ticket and takes about 50 minutes to reach Sorrento. Circumvesuviana offers a cheaper option (€4.90). However, this journey takes an hour and a half and is less comfortable.

Sorrento is one of the best day trips from Naples, and an organized tour is the best way to see the town’s highlights in a day.

Trip From Naples to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi

This multi-destination full-day trip to Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi town is a fantastic way to see the gems of Italy’s southwestern coast. From Naples, the tour drives to the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast’s most popular towns. You can enjoy a simple day of strolling through the streets, indulging in delicious treats, and shopping. 

Tour Details: Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi from Naples

Ready For the Best Day Trips from Naples, Italy?

So, there you have it, the best day trips from Naples, including how to get to the must-see destinations independently or on tour. 

Now that you know where to go and how to get there, all that’s left to do is to pack your bags and get ready for a memorable time exploring destinations near Naples

Wondering how to get around Italy? Have a look at this guide on transportation in Italy.

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