Naples + Amalfi Coast 5-Day — City, Ruins & Coast

Activities

1. 09:00 Spaccanapoli + breakfast sfogliatella 1h

   Start on Spaccanapoli, the dead-straight Roman-grid street that splits the Old Town (Europe's largest UNESCO historic centre, 720 hectares). Grab a warm sfogliatella and an espresso al banco to begin.

   Cost: Pastry + coffee €4 TIP: Walk the full length from Via Pasquale Scura toward Via Vicaria Vecchia, passing churches, nativity-scene shops, and tiny workshops. Keep your bag in front — the Old Town is busy and pickpockets work the crowds.
2. 10:00 Sansevero Chapel — the Veiled Christ 1h

   A small Baroque chapel housing the astonishing 'Veiled Christ' marble (the transparent marble veil looks like real cloth), plus other anatomical and sculptural wonders. Entry around €10; book a timed slot ahead.

   Cost: Admission ~€10 TIP: One of Italy's most jaw-dropping sculptures, and the chapel is tiny — reserve online in advance, especially in peak season, as same-day tickets often sell out. No photos allowed inside. A short walk off Spaccanapoli.
3. 11:30 Naples Cathedral + Treasure of San Gennaro 1h

   The Duomo holds the vials of San Gennaro's blood (watched for the liquefaction miracle three times a year) and the lavish gold-and-silver Treasure chapel. Cathedral free; Treasure museum a few euros.

   Cost: Cathedral free; museum ~€8 TIP: Cover shoulders and knees to enter. The San Gennaro chapel is one of the richest in Europe. The blood-miracle ceremonies fall around Sep 19, Dec 16, and the Saturday before the first Sunday of May.
4. 13:00 Lunch — pizza pilgrimage (Da Michele or Sorbillo) 1h30

   Lunch on a wood-fired Margherita at L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele (since 1870, Margherita and Marinara only, €5-7, cash only) or Gino e Toto Sorbillo on Via dei Tribunali (wider menu). The defining Naples meal.

   Cost: €5-12 per person TIP: Da Michele uses a numbered-ticket queue and is cash only — expect 30-90 minutes at peak times, so go for a late lunch (14:00). Di Matteo (Via dei Tribunali) is a quicker alternative with great pizza fritta. Authentic Neapolitan pizza is soft and foldable, not crispy.
5. 15:00 Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea) 1h30

   Descend 40 metres into the candlelit tunnels, cisterns, and Greco-Roman quarries beneath the Old Town — used as an aqueduct for centuries and as WWII air-raid shelters. Guided tour about €12-15, roughly 1.5 hours.

   Cost: ~€12-15 TIP: One of the city's most atmospheric experiences. Some passages are very narrow — not for the seriously claustrophobic. Entrances cluster around Via dei Tribunali and San Gregorio Armeno. Bring a light layer; it's cool underground.
6. 17:00 Via San Gregorio Armeno + Old Town wander 1h30

   Stroll the 'Christmas alley' of nativity-scene (presepe) artisans, open year-round, then wander the Old Town's lanes, churches, and craft shops as the light softens.

   Cost: Free; souvenirs extra TIP: The presepe workshops range from classic Holy Family pieces to satirical figures of celebrities — a genuinely local souvenir. Busiest and most magical from November to Christmas. A handmade figurine beats a fridge magnet.
7. 20:00 Dinner — Old Town trattoria + ragù or Genovese 1h30

   Dinner at a busy local trattoria — pasta alla Genovese (slow-cooked onion and beef) or ragù napoletano at Tandem, with a glass of Campania red (Aglianico or Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio).

   Cost: €15-30 per person TIP: Dinner is late in Naples (from 20:00). Tandem is tiny and popular, so arrive early or book. A coperto (cover charge) of €1.50-3 per person is normal. Tipping is just rounding up.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi 1h

   From Napoli Porta Nolana / Piazza Garibaldi, take the Circumvesuviana (EAV) to Pompei Scavi–Villa dei Misteri — about 35-40 minutes, roughly €3 one way, departing around every 30 minutes. Buy a round trip.

   Cost: ~€3 one way (€6 round trip) TIP: Go early to beat heat and crowds. The Circumvesuviana is basic and a known pickpocket spot — keep bags zipped and in front. A faster, more comfortable option is the reserved Campania Express tourist train (higher fare).
2. 09:00 Pompeii archaeological site 3h30

   The Roman city frozen by the AD 79 Vesuvius eruption (UNESCO 1997) — the Forum, bath houses, the brothel (Lupanare), frescoed villas, the famous body casts, and the Villa of the Mysteries. Entry €18. Allow 3-4 hours.

   Cost: Admission €18 TIP: It's vast (66 hectares) and shadeless — bring water, a hat, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. Download the official Pompeii app or hire a guide; the audio context transforms the visit. Don't miss the Villa of the Mysteries' frescoes at the site's edge.
3. 13:00 Lunch near Pompeii + return to Naples 1h30

   A quick lunch near the Pompeii Scavi entrance, then the Circumvesuviana back to Naples (35-40 min). Restaurants by the entrance are tourist-priced but convenient.

   Cost: €10-18 per person TIP: Modern Pompei town has better-value eateries than the site entrance if you have time. Keep your return ticket handy. Back in Naples, the National Archaeological Museum is the perfect pairing.
4. 15:00 National Archaeological Museum (MANN) 2h30

   One of the world's great archaeology museums, holding the finest mosaics, frescoes, and bronzes removed from Pompeii and Herculaneum — the Alexander Mosaic, the colossal Farnese marbles, and the Secret Cabinet of Roman erotic art. Entry ~€18-22.

   Cost: Admission ~€18-22 TIP: Seeing MANN the same day as Pompeii makes both far richer — the originals of the site's best art are here. It's also a cool, indoor refuge from summer heat. Allow at least two hours; the Farnese collection alone is worth the trip.
5. 18:30 Seafront sunset — Castel dell'Ovo & Borgo Marinari 1h30

   Head to the Santa Lucia seafront for sunset over the bay, the medieval Castel dell'Ovo, and the little harbour of Borgo Marinari, with Vesuvius across the water. Free to walk.

   Cost: Free; drinks extra TIP: Castel dell'Ovo (free entry to the terraces) gives a classic bay panorama. The seafront passeggiata at golden hour is a local ritual. A perfect lead-in to a seafood dinner at Borgo Marinari.
6. 20:30 Dinner — seafood at Borgo Marinari 1h30

   Dinner at a Borgo Marinari trattoria beneath the castle — spaghetti alle vongole (clams), fried anchovies, grilled calamari, and the day's catch, with a Vesuvius view.

   Cost: €25-45 per person TIP: Pricier than pizza, but the bayside setting is the point. Spaghetti alle vongole is the dish to order. For fresher, cheaper seafood, locals favour Pozzuoli (a short Cumana train west) — a great alternative.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:30 Hydrofoil from Molo Beverello to Capri 1h

   From Molo Beverello (central port), the hydrofoil to Capri takes about 45 minutes (~€25-28 one way). Take an early boat to maximise the island before the day-trip crush.

   Cost: ~€25-28 one way TIP: Book ferries ahead in summer and go early. Bring motion-sickness tablets if you're prone — the crossing can be choppy. Check the Blue Grotto's status before relying on it; it closes in rough seas or high tide.
2. 09:45 Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) 1h30

   The famous sea cave where sunlight turns the water an electric blue — entered by small rowboat. Take a boat tour from Marina Grande or a bus to the entrance, then transfer to a rowboat (separate fees apply).

   Cost: Boat + entry ~€18-30 TIP: Weather- and tide-dependent — it often closes, so have a backup plan and don't build the whole day around it. Go early to avoid long boat queues. If it's shut, the round-island boat tour past the Faraglioni is a great alternative.
3. 12:00 Capri town + Gardens of Augustus + Faraglioni view 2h30

   Funicular up to chic Capri town (the Piazzetta), then the Gardens of Augustus for the postcard view of the Faraglioni rock stacks and the Amalfi Coast beyond. Lunch in town.

   Cost: Gardens €1-2; lunch €20-40 TIP: Capri town is glamorous and pricey — a panino or a simple trattoria off the main square saves money. The Gardens of Augustus give the iconic Faraglioni shot. The walk down Via Krupp's switchbacks is scenic (check it's open).
4. 15:00 Anacapri + Monte Solaro chairlift 2h

   Bus up to quieter Anacapri, then the single-seat chairlift to the summit of Monte Solaro (589m) for a 360° panorama over the whole Bay of Naples. The island's best view.

   Cost: Chairlift ~€13 round trip TIP: Anacapri is calmer and cheaper than Capri town. The Monte Solaro chairlift is a highlight — bring a layer, as it's breezy at the top. Villa San Michele nearby has lovely gardens and views if you have time.
5. 17:30 Return hydrofoil to Naples 1h

   Catch a late-afternoon or early-evening hydrofoil back to Molo Beverello (about 45 minutes). Check the last-boat time before you settle in for the afternoon.

   Cost: ~€25-28 one way TIP: Don't miss the last ferry — schedules thin out in the evening and shoulder season. Buy the return when you arrive, or book round trip in advance. Avoid the absolute last boat in case it's full.
6. 20:00 Farewell dinner — final Naples pizza or trattoria 1h30

   Back in Naples, a relaxed last dinner — a final pizza at a neighbourhood pizzeria, or a trattoria in Chiaia or the Old Town, with limoncello (Amalfi/Sorrento lemons) to finish.

   Cost: €10-30 per person TIP: If you missed Sorbillo or Starita earlier, now's the time. Finish with a chilled limoncello, the classic southern-Italian digestivo. Cash for the small, cash-only spots.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:30 Circumvesuviana to Ercolano Scavi 45min

   Take the Circumvesuviana from Naples to Ercolano Scavi (about 20 minutes, ~€2.50) for Herculaneum, the smaller, better-preserved sister city to Pompeii. Same line as Vesuvius, so you can combine them.

   Cost: ~€2.50 one way TIP: Go early to combine Herculaneum and Vesuvius comfortably in a day. Keep bags secure on the train. The site entrance is a 10-minute downhill walk from Ercolano Scavi station.
2. 09:15 Herculaneum archaeological site 2h30

   A Roman town buried by the AD 79 eruption and superbly preserved — intact upper floors, wooden furniture, vivid frescoes and mosaics, and the boat-house skeletons. Entry €13. More compact and less crowded than Pompeii.

   Cost: Admission €13 TIP: Many visitors find Herculaneum more vivid and manageable than Pompeii — the preservation is extraordinary. It's smaller, so 2-3 hours is plenty. Less shadeless than Pompeii but still bring water and a hat.
3. 12:00 Lunch in Ercolano 1h

   A quick lunch in Ercolano before heading up the volcano — simple trattorie and pizzerias near the site and station.

   Cost: €10-18 per person TIP: Eat before the Vesuvius trip — options at the volcano car park are limited and pricey. A pizza or panino keeps it light for the crater walk.
4. 13:30 Vesuvio Express to Mt. Vesuvius 1h

   From outside Ercolano Scavi station, the Vesuvio Express bus runs up to the Vesuvius car park (about €20 return, or ~€30 combined with crater entry). Mt. Vesuvius last erupted in 1944 and is still active.

   Cost: Bus ~€20 return TIP: Confirm the bus and entry options at the kiosk; a combined bus + crater ticket saves hassle. The road up is winding. Book the crater entry timed ticket ahead in peak season.
5. 14:45 Mt. Vesuvius crater rim hike 2h

   From the car park, a roughly 30-40 minute walk on a gravel path leads to the crater rim (€10 timed entry), with steaming fumaroles and a spectacular panorama over the Bay of Naples, Pompeii, and Herculaneum below.

   Cost: Crater entry €10 TIP: Wear proper shoes — the path is loose gravel and steep in places. Bring water and sun protection in summer, and a windproof layer at the top, where it's cold and breezy year-round. The bay view is the reward.
6. 17:30 Return to Naples + evening rest 1h30

   Vesuvio Express back to Ercolano Scavi, then the Circumvesuviana to Naples (about 20 minutes). A relaxed evening after a big day of ruins and volcano.

   Cost: Train ~€2.50 TIP: Mind the last bus down from Vesuvius (afternoon). Back in Naples, a casual pizza or a glass of wine in the Old Town caps the day. Keep bags secure on the evening train.
7. 20:00 Dinner — Spanish Quarter trattoria or pizza 1h30

   Dinner in the lively Spanish Quarter — the fun, rowdy Trattoria da Nennella (fixed-price menu, singing waiters) or a neighbourhood pizzeria.

   Cost: €12-25 per person TIP: Da Nennella is loud, chaotic, and great fun — cash only, no real bookings, so arrive around 19:30. Keep valuables secure in the busy Spanish Quarter. A bargain set menu of hearty Neapolitan home cooking.

Meal Recommendations

Activities

1. 08:00 Circumvesuviana to Sorrento 1h15

   Take the Circumvesuviana to its southern terminus, Sorrento (about 1 hour, ~€4), the gateway to the Amalfi Coast. From here, the SITA bus or a seasonal ferry connects the coastal towns.

   Cost: ~€4 one way TIP: Start early — the coast is a long day from Naples. Doing the whole Amalfi Coast in a day is tight, so focus on Positano and Amalfi. Keep bags secure on the train.
2. 09:30 Sorrento → Positano (SITA bus or ferry) 1h

   From Sorrento, the SITA bus winds along the cliffside Amalfi Drive to Positano (about 50 min), or in season a ferry runs the same route by sea — often the calmer, more scenic option.

   Cost: Bus ~€2-4 / ferry ~€15-20 TIP: The seasonal ferry avoids the famously narrow, nerve-wracking coast road and gives the best views of Positano from the water. Buses are cheap but crowded and slow in summer traffic. Buy bus tickets before boarding.
3. 10:30 Positano — the vertical cliffside village 2h30

   Explore Positano's pastel houses tumbling down to the sea, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its majolica dome, the beach, and the boutique-lined lanes. The most photographed village on the coast.

   Cost: Free; lunch €20-40 TIP: Positano is steep — it's a lot of stairs down to the beach and back up. It's beautiful but pricey and very busy in summer. Lunch with a sea view is a treat; side-street spots are better value than the beachfront.
4. 13:30 Positano → Amalfi 1h

   Continue along the coast to Amalfi town (about 40 min by bus or ferry) — the historic maritime republic that gave the coast its name.

   Cost: Bus ~€2-4 / ferry ~€10-15 TIP: The ferry between Positano and Amalfi is scenic and skips the bus traffic. Sit on the seaward side for the cliffside views.
5. 14:30 Amalfi town + Cathedral of Sant'Andrea 2h

   Amalfi's striking Arab-Norman cathedral and its grand staircase dominate the main piazza. Wander the lanes, try a limoncello (from the local lemons), and see the small harbour. Ravello (with its garden villas) is a short bus ride up the hill if time allows.

   Cost: Cathedral ~€3; tastings extra TIP: The Cathedral of Sant'Andrea and its Cloister of Paradise are worth the few euros. Limoncello and lemon products are the local specialty. Ravello, high above, has the famous Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone gardens if you have an extra hour.
6. 17:00 Return to Naples via Sorrento 2h30

   Ferry or bus back to Sorrento, then the Circumvesuviana to Naples — a long but rewarding return. Check the last connections carefully.

   Cost: ~€6-25 total TIP: Plan the return early — last ferries and the Circumvesuviana's final trains can be earlier than you expect. The direct Amalfi–Salerno ferry plus a train back is an alternative routing. Don't leave it to the very last connection.
7. 20:30 Farewell dinner in Naples 1h30

   A final Naples dinner — a beloved pizzeria you've been saving, or a Chiaia trattoria, with limoncello to close out the trip.

   Cost: €12-30 per person TIP: A fitting last meal in the birthplace of pizza. If you're flying out early, keep it close to your hotel. Cash for the small, cash-only spots.

Meal Recommendations