Naples & Amalfi Coast - 5 Days

Day 1: Welcome to Naples!

Welcome to Italy! Arrive in Naples Airport and transfer to your accommodation in the city center. Naples sits on the Bay of Naples near the still-active Mount Vesuvius, which buried nearby Pompeii in 79 CE. Naples has been continually settled for millennia and is renowned for its art, architecture, and religious frescoes. 

There's a lot to see, so make the most of your time in Naples with these suggested activities: 

• Visit the Naples Archaeological Museum to see Roman, Greek, and Renaissance-era ruins, including artifacts from nearby Mount Vesuvius, 
• Tour the Castel dell'Ovo, a seaside castle located on the former island of Megaride, 
• See the 16th-century Museo Cappella Sansevero, which houses thousands of veiled sculptures, 
• Go underground to see the network of tunnels and passageways built under the city streets, 
• Get outside in nature and see the dormant Solfatara volcano, located a half-hour drive west of Naples.

In the evening, go for a stroll along the Caracciolo e Lungomare di Napoli, a waterfront walking promenade, then head to the Quartieri Spagnoli, a lively commercial hub, for dinner at a small trattoria. On the way stop to see the Toledo Metro station, the Stazione della Metropolitana dell'Arte, to see beautiful mosaic inlays.

Day 2: Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius

Spend the day exploring two of the area's most notable attractions, Pompeii and nearby Mount Vesuvius, on a full-day group tour. 

Start with a tour of the ruins of Pompeii, a bustling seaside city which was buried underneath 13-20 ft (4 to 6 m) of ash and volcanic debris after the 79 CE eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The ash, which killed many of the city's residents, acted as an archaeological time capsule by preserving many of the city's original buildings and features completely intact. 

The walking tour of Pompeii's ancient streets will show off an astonishing number of preserved villas, shops, public buildings, and plazas. Afterward, stop in a local workshop to see the production process for various regional handicrafts, such as cameos and coral jewelry. 

After lunch, visit Mount Vesuvius, designated as a UNESCO Biosphere World Reserve. The hiking trails at the top offer unique views inside the crater, as well as panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes and the Tyrrhenian Sea. 

In the afternoon, head back to Naples by bus, then spend a relaxing evening enjoying the nightlife.

Day 3: Explore Naples, Transfer to Maiori

Spend the day exploring the city on foot. From your hotel, head out on a guided tour to see the city's elegant historic and cultural center. 

Start with the Piazza del Plebiscito, the main square, to see the Basilica di San Francesco, built as a tribute to the emperor, and the 17th-century Royal Palace, which houses a museum and two theaters. View the Teatro di San Carlo, one of the Royal Palace's theaters, then head across the plaza to see the beautiful Galleria Umberto, a massive 19th-century glass-roofed shopping mall.  

From here, walk next-door to the 13th-century Castel Nuovo, located across the street from the Naples port. Make a stop at a cafe to enjoy a caffè Napoletano, a typical Naples coffee which has gained worldwide fame. After enjoying your coffee, head for a walk along historic Via Toledo, the main shopping street. 

Stop here for lunch at a fast food joint to sample to local seafood. Try the montanare—small fries pizzas served with tomato sauce, cheese, ricotta, and anchovies—and the Neapolitan cuoppo, a cone of assorted fried seafood. Finish your meal with a glass of local white wine and enjoy the people watching on the piazza. 

In the afternoon transfer to Maiori, a small tourist town on the coast famous for its colorful houses. In previous years Maiori was a major port thoroughfare, housing the Admiralty, customs checkpoint, and arsenals. These days it welcomes visitors eager for the turquoise blue sea and Mediterranean climate. In the evening go for a short walking tour of the city to see the main sights: 

• Hike up to the Castello di San Nicola,  a 15th-century fortress which offers great views of the coast,
• See the 13th-century Church of Santa Maria a Mare, 
• Enjoy the peaceful serenity, coastal views, and several thousand varieties of plants in the terraced gardens of the Giardino Esotico Beniamino Cimini, 
• View the marble halls and Renaissance art of the Mezzocapo Palace,
• Visit the Santa Maria de Olearia, an ancient abbey built into the cliffside, famous for its 10th-century frescoes. 

Enjoy dinner with a view in a small cafe in the city center, then head to the beach for a late evening walk along the water.

Day 4: Visit Amalfi & Positano

Start your morning with a quick bus ride up the coast from Maiori to Amalfi. The tourist town of Amalfi is a jewel of the Mediterranean coast, famous for its white-washed buildings, historical churches, and paper-making industry. 

Go for a walk through the town to see the sights and soak up the atmosphere. Stop by La Piazzetta di Sant'Andrea—the square at the heart of the city—to see the Duomo and the Romanesque-baroque Cattedrale di Sant'Andrea. Once one of the four main Maritime Republics of Italy, Amalfi is now primarily a resort town. Stop by the Paper Museum to learn about the local flourishing paper industry, which brought a stream of wealth and skilled craftsmen to the area. 

From Amalfi, enjoy a nice 3-hour walk to the village of Ravello, above the Amalfi Coast. Reward yourself with lunch and a coffee at a cafe in the main plaza, then head to Positano, a colorful and romantic seaside town. Explore the city and its narrow streets, shop for souvenirs and the local fashion—flowy bohemian flower-print dresses—then walk down the hill to a small beach for a quiet evening. 

Popular with hikers, Positano is also the beginning of Amalfi's most famous hiking path, the Path of the Gods, which leads from Agerola. If you choose, take the bus up to Aregola, then hike down to Positano, an easy 3.5-hour downhill walk. 

In the evening, take a bus or boat back to Maiori.

Day 5: Depart Naples

Time to say goodbye to Italy for now! Transfer to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!