BEST DAY TRIPS FROM NAPLES
Full Guide From A Local!Naples is full of things to see and places to explore, and you will never run out of things to do!
Being Naples my birth town, I still enjoy spending the summer there and I often bring some friends with me, and show them the city. Day trips are often the best options for visiting Naples and its surroundings while staying on a budget. In this article, you will find the best day trips from Naples to explore the city to the fullest!
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Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
The visit to the suggestive and fascinating ruins of Pompeii is definitely worth a day of your holiday. The remains of the city after the explosion of the 79AC have been in the dark until the 18th century, therefore keeping all the rests intact.
Visiting Pompei can be extenuating, especially during the hottest months. You need to walk A LOT, and it can take up to 5 hours to visit it all. Remember to bring water and comfortable shoes with you. Despite being a bar inside the site, it is always very busy with queues lasting over 1 hour, so make sure you bring snacks and all you need with you.
Once you’re there, it would be convenient to visit Mount Vesuvius as well, one of the most dangerous volcanoes of the world and the symbol of Naples. In fact, the Vesuvius is not really far from Pompeii’s ruins and definitely doable all in one day.
How to get there
To get there from Naples to Pompeii by train, you can get the Circumvesuviana from Piazza Garibaldi and get off to Pompeii Scavi. The ticket costs just a few euros and you can buy it at the train station. After your visit to Pompeii, you can reach Mount Vesuvius by taking the Circumvesuviana again and getting off at Ercolano Scavi, just a few stops away. From Ercolano Scavi you can easily catch the Vesuvio Express that will bring you to the crater. Although you will spend some time trying to catch the train and the shuttle, this is surely the best option for you if you are planning a low-cost holiday.
Editor’s note: With the new COVID-19 rules, they are letting only a limited number of people visiting the crater. Make sure you book in advance on the official website. The fee to access the crater and enjoy the great panoramic view from the top is about €10-12.
Organised day tour
If you really want to make sure to get the best from your holiday and the budget is not a problem, then the day tour is definitely worth it. I will never stop saying this: public transports in Naples are unreliable, and you can spend hours waiting for a bus. I know, it sucks.
There are many day-tours available that will get you from Naples to Pompeii. However, many of them cost a lot of money and are often not worth the price.
One of the best day-tours out there is this one because it allows you to visit Pompeii AND Mount Vesuvius from Naples, and it also includes a visit to the “new” Pompeii, the centre of the city.
A few months ago I brought my boyfriend with me to Naples for the first time, and we did do this tour and really, it was great. We just had a few days, and I wanted him to explore the “City of the sun” as much as possible. The guide was really nice, and we saved so much time that would have gone wasted waiting hours for public transports!
Amalfi Coast
If you are on holiday with your loved one, you CAN’T miss one of the most romantic spots on Earth.
The charming Amalfi Coast, famous worldwide for its stunning landscapes and its characteristic villages, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Italy. I can’t help but going there AT LEAST once every time I go back home. And trust me, every time I would get surprised by its breathtaking beauty which resembles a perfect painting.
You will not get disappointed by the Coast and, instead, you will regret not having spent more time there. Believe me, you have to see this paradise!
The Amalfi Coast comprehends many small villages which, even though would be worth visiting them all, is not always possible (unfortunately), as it would take so much time. The must-sees are Vietri sul mare, Maiori and Minori, Amalfi, and Positano. Take your time to get lost in the small alleys full of traditional boutiques and colourful constructions.
The best way to visit the suggestive Coast is by car or, as the tradition wants, with an Italian Vespa. Oh yeah.
However, if you don’t have your own wheels and are travelling on a budget, there are public transports available.
How to get there
To get to the Amalfi Coast by public transports, you first have to reach Sorrento. You can do so by taking the Circumvesuviana from Piazza Garibaldi, which takes around 70 minutes and the ticket cost is around €3-5. From Sorrento, catch the bus to Positano (€10-12). Check the timetables and plan your journey in advance.
Unfortunately, bear in mind that if you are going to use public transports, you will spend at least half the day on buses and trains. There are almost never available seats and the trips can last for quite some time. When I went to the Coast last month, the queue for getting on the bus was CRAZY, and people had been waiting for more than one hour under the sun with over 40 degrees.
Another option is to reach the Amalfi Coast by ferry. This is obviously more expensive, and it will leave you in Amalfi, from where you will have to catch the bus anyways if you wish to visit the other villages as well. I wouldn’t suggest this option, but if you are interested, you can check the timetables and prices here.
Some people also suggest private transfer. However, if you are not in a big group, this can be way more expensive than a day-tour (about €100, and it will only bring you to a certain town, therefore not having the possibility to explore the other villages of the Coast).
Full-day Amalfi Coast tour from Naples
The tour option would give you the possibility to avoid spending half a day on public transports and visiting the most important villages on the Coast. Obviously, this option is more expensive than going there by yourself, so if you are planning a very low-cost holiday, then this option is not for you. However, there are different tours offering various options for any pocket.
In my opinion, one of the best full-day tour options is this one, as it would take you to three of the most stunning towns and it includes the transportation from and to Naples.
Otherwise, other good options for any budgets are:
If you wish to hike the famous Path of the Gods instead, have a look at my guide in which I give all the info you need to walk the Amalfi Coast!
Royal Palace of Caserta
Caserta Royal Palace and Park were designed in the 18th century by Luigi Vanvitelli and are considered a symbol of the Italian Baroque. The amazing Park covers 11 acres, with its suggestive pools, cascades and fountains.
This masterpiece of architecture is the largest palace built in the 18th century in Europe, and it is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The palace is full of bas-reliefs and suggestive paintings and sculptures, and the Gardens are really stunning, so make sure to take a trip to Caserta before the end of your holiday!
Editor’s note: The Palace is enormous and it takes many hours to visit it all. It took us three hours to visit the Gardens only! Make sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring water with you!
How to get there
Getting to Caserta Palace from Naples is really easy. Simply take the train from Piazza Garibaldi train station get off to Caserta. The Royal Palace is only 5 minutes walking from there!
Day tour from Naples
Getting to the Royal Palace from Naples is completely doable, so in this case, I would not suggest an organised tour from the city. You can definitely save the money and get there by yourself and then, eventually, hire an audio guide at the entrance!
However, if you don’t feel like taking the public transports and want to know more about available tours from the city centre, check out this 4 hours day trip which includes transportation from and to Naples, a skip-the-line ticket and a guided tour.
Capri Island
The enchanting and super romantic island of Capri can’t be overlooked when planning your day trips from Naples. Its amazing blue waters and its wonderful landscapes are something you will not forget so easily.
If you decide to take a day trip from Naples to Capri, make sure to plan a visit to the Grotta Azzurra (Blue Grotto), the blue-lighted sea cave, the famous symbol of the island. Take also some time to explore the historic centre of Capri and Anacapri, with its boutiques and colourful houses.
How to get there
Differently from the other day trips mentioned before, Capri is pretty easy to reach. Just take the ferry from Molo Beverello (Naples) and it will get you straight to the island. However, you have two options: either take the ferry for 40-45 euros (return) which will take around 50 minutes to arrive or the slow ferry for 35-37 euros which will take around 1 hour 30 minutes. Usually, the ferries run between 5am and 11pm, so you will have plenty of time to explore the Island!
Full-day tours from Naples to Capri
As always, if you don’t want the troubles of getting there and going back to Naples by yourself and spending much time on public transports, there are many organised tours from the city to the island which would solve your problems for just a few euros more.
For example, this 8 hours tour departing from Sorrento will give you the chance to take a boat tour around the island and explore the naturally savage bay of Ieranto as well. This particular tour you would also be left to explore the island by yourself and do whatever you like. The price is 40 euros with transportation included, which is less than what you would pay by going by yourself by ferry. The only downside is that it does not include the Blue Grotto, so you can either go visit it by yourself in the 6 hours you will spend on the island before meeting the group to head back to Naples, or you can check the other tours suggestions below.
If you can’t be bothered to reach Sorrento for starting your tour, this one will pick you up from Naples and offer you an 8 hours tour of the island.
Otherwise, if you want an all-inclusive tour from Naples to Capri and a guided visit to the Grota Azzurra, this 11 hours guided day-trip is for you!
Ischia Island
Whether you are looking for some relaxation in the numerous thermal parks or for an adventurous day exploring the medieval Aragonese Castle and the historic centre, you will surely enjoy a day trip to Ischia.
The best thermal parks to visit are Poseidon and Negombo, but remember that is always better to book in advance, especially if you are visiting in the busier summer months. Moreover, try to visit the parks during the week as it can get busier at the weekend and some thermal pools only accept a certain number of people, thus creating long queues.
The Aragonese medieval Castle is really worth a visit. I visited it twice and each time I just loved to get lost in the medieval paths, imagining people’s lives centuries ago. The visit lasts for around 1 hour and a half and the ticket price is €12 per person.
Once arrived at the island, you can easily take the buses to move around, even though they can be very busy at certain times of the year. Just like in Naples, AVOID taxis which often ask for exaggerated sums, especially if you are a tourist!
How to get there
Just like Capri, getting to Ischia from Naples is not difficult at all. Just get the ferry from Molo Beverello (Naples), which will get you to the island in 50 minutes costing you about €40, while the slower ferry takes around 1 hour and a half and costs about €30-€35.
Full-day Ischia tours from Naples
Obviously, different day tours options are available for Ischia as well. Some tours, like this one, offer you full transportation from and to Naples and a three courses lunch in a typical restaurant for just €10 more than what you would spend by booking the ferry by yourself, so maybe it’s worth having a look at.
Procida Island
The smaller island of Procida, with its picturesque port area, is really fascinating. Nominated “Capital of the Italian Culture” for 2022, the island continue to improve and to be a chosen destination for many tourists.
Procida is a very small area which can be visited in less than a day. Points of interest are the fortified village of Terra Murata, built on the island’s highest point, and Procida’s oldest picturesque village of Marina Della Corricella.
How to get there
Just as for the other islands, you can catch the ferry from Molo Beverello in Naples and choose from the faster one (40 minutes, about €40-€45 for a return) and the slower one (1 hour, about €40 for a return).
Day tours from Naples to Procida
Again, if you prefer to take an organised day tour for visiting the island, one of the best options would be this full-day tour, which besides the transportation from and to Naples, includes a three courses lunch in a typical restaurant!
If you are looking for a cheaper way to explore Naples and its surroundings, check out this card; it allows you access to 5 sites of your choice throughout the Campania region and a 50% discount on the 6th one, plus all public transports are included!
Want to know more about city tours in Naples? Check my article, where you can find all the info about the best attractions and organised tours in the city!
Did you take any day trip from Naples? Tell me all about it! Comment below and let me know which one you liked the most!
Do you have further questions about day trips from Naples or about travelling to Naples in general? Feel free to drop a comment below or email me at contact@kikkasvoyage.com!
Kikka
EDITOR IN CHIEF