Are you looking to explore beyond Naples? Let us share with you our top day trips from Naples Italy, complete with everything you need to know to plan your own adventure!

Naples is extremely well connected to other popular areas of Campania, the Neapolitan islands, as well as Rome, Florence and other Italian destinations, making fun and fascinating day trips extremely easy.

If you know where you’d like to visit already, use the below buttons to jump to our day trip guide. If you are looking for inspiration, scroll down to start discovering our recommended day trips from Naples Italy:

You won’t find anywhere else that is more quintessentially Italian than Sorrento. The narrow streets, shops packed with local produce, incredible views of the Bay of Naples, delicious specialities and amazing hospitality all combine to make this our favorite corner of Campania!

Getting to and from Sorrento from Naples couldn’t be easier. There are three main options for your day trip:

1. If driving, use Google Maps to navigate to this car park – the journey time from Naples should take around 1.5-2 hours (allowing for traffic).
2. Use the Circumvesuviana train line to and from Napoli Centrale main station. This journey will take around an hour and you’ll arrive at Sorrento main train station.
3. Take a ferry from Napoli Molo Beverello to Sorrento’s Marina Piccola (and vice versa). This journey will take around an hour and a half.

Don’t forget that you can also use the Circumvesuviana line to get to and from Sorrento from Pompeii, Herculaneum, Castellammare di Stabia or anywhere else along the Sorrentine Peninsula.

If you are based in the Amalfi Coast, Capri or Ischia there are also direct ferries to and from Sorrento.

On arrival, make your way to Piazza Tasso (a short walk or bus ride from the port, train station or car park linked above). This is the heart of Sorrento, and a fantastic place to base your exploration around.

From Piazza Tasso, walk along via San Cesareo and explore the shops offering local and artisan produce. A couple of our favorite shops are:

1. Nicky’s – This small unassuming shop is our go-to place for authentic, handmade ceramics from Campania. The owner (Nicky) is always on hand to help you pick out something special, and the prices are extremely reasonable considering the artisan nature of the products on offer.
2. Vizi e Sfizi – In this shop you’ll find a huge ranges of gifts (for yourself or others), local produce including pasta, sauces, wines and beers, as well as high-quality homeware.

Once you’re done shopping, head to Inn Bufalito for lunch. This is honestly one of our favorite places to eat anywhere in Italy. Most of the meat and cheeses here come from the local buffaloes (hence the name) but they also have plenty of non-meat options.

After lunch, you can either continue shopping (like we normally do!) or visit Sorrento’s notable sites such as the Duomo or Marina Grande and soak up the local history and culture. For a full run down of what to do in Sorrento, check out our dedicated page.

Finish your day by heading to Hotel Continental for aperitivo where you’ll find their roof bar offers the best views of the Bay of Naples and Mt Vesuvius anywhere in Sorrento!

With multiple towns on the Amalfi Coast you are spoiled for choice! However, due to their location along the rugged Campania coastline, reaching them can be a challenge at certain points.

During the peak summer months road traffic between Naples and the Amalfi Coast is very heavy, with journeys sometimes taking hours.

A more efficient method of getting to the Amalfi Coast is via ferry, with regular departures from Naples as well as other locations such as Sorrento and Capri.

From Naples Molo Beverello port, take a ferry to Positano. This journey will take around two hours and we recommend you book your spot on the boat in advance, particularly during the busy months when spaces fill up fast.

On arrival in Positano, you have a few options as to how to spend your morning:

• History lovers should absolutely check out the Villa Romana under Positano’s Church of di Santa Maria Assunta.
• If you are looking to relax, head to one of Positano’s beaches and rent a bed and umbrella. While most beach clubs ask that you pay for a full day’s rental, some establishments offer half day options.
• If shopping is your thing, you are spoiled for choice in Positano; you’ll find no end of shops offering ceramics, fashion, gifts, food and drink produce and much more.
• Active types should head up the town’s famous steep steps that allow you to ascend the cliff. Up here your efforts will be rewarded with fantastic views of the town below, and the Tyrrhenian Sea beyond.

For lunch it’s hard to go wrong in Positano as competition is fierce; sit down wherever you fancy and enjoy!

After lunch, make your way back to the port and embark on your next ferry to Amalfi town (remembering to book in advance as recommended previously).

The journey from Positano to Amalfi will take around 20 minutes.

As you arrive in Amalfi you might be surprised to know that this was once one of Italy’s most powerful maritime cities, competing with Venice at points in history.

Amalfi’s significance dwindled a long time ago following a series of unfortunate events including earthquakes, but the town’s rich legacy is evident in the beautiful Duomo di Amalfi that sits at its heart.

If you want to see some of the other towns on the Amalfi Coast, why not book an overnight stay in Amalfi or Positano and use this as a base to explore further?

The so-called ‘Neapolitan Islands’ are little slices of heaven in our opinion. These rocks that circle the edge of the Bay of Naples encapsulate Italy’s famous La Dolce Vita, ‘the sweet life’ and for good reason.

All three of these islands are famous for their picturesque views, local delicacies and general good living, but each one offers visitors something unique.

They can all be reached easily from Naples port for a day trip via ferry or hydrofoil, and Capri and Ischia can also be accessed from other locations such as Sorrento.

While seeing all three islands in a single day is in theory possible, we don’t recommend doing this. You would have barely any time on any of these amazing islands, so instead, we would recommend dedicating a day (if possible) to one to experience it properly.

Let’s start with the largest island of the three. Ischia is located about 25km from Naples and can be reached by ferry from Molo Beverello in Naples’ main port.

For any trip to Ischia during high season we would recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance as the boats fill up fast with tourists and locals alike. This journey will take between an hour and an hour and a half depending on which ferry you take.

We’d recommend starting your day early to maximise your time on the island. When you get to Ischia port, take a leisurely walk through Ischia town to the Aragonese castle.

This imposing structure offers visitors not only an insight into Ischia’s history, but also breathtaking views of the island and wider Bay of Naples from the ramparts at the top.

At the end of your visit head for the castle’s Il Terrazzo Cafè to have lunch, where you’ll find a menu offering light options with unspoiled views of Capri across the bay.

After lunch, depending on your preference, you could either head back to Ischia town to shop (you’ll find locally produced ceramics, clothes and jewellery) with strategic gelato and coffee breaks, or visit Ischia’s renowned Giardini la Mortella botanical gardens.

The best way to get to the gardens is via taxi or bus. You can either take a bus (using Google Maps to check live departures) from the Aragonese castle to the port, or walk to the port and then take a direct bus. You should allow an hour to reach the gardens if departing from the castle.

Another option for a day on Ischia is to head to one of the island’s famous thermal spas to let the natural heated waters relax you.

If this sounds more your style, head to Giardini Poseidon Terme who offer fairly priced day passes which allow access to their thermal baths and grounds.

Note that Giardini Poseidon Terme also offer half day passes, meaning if you arrive early enough on the island you could explore Ischia town and visit the Aragonese castle in the morning and then relax in the afternoon.

Not many people realise that Ischia is home to an active volcano, part of the same volcanic system as Mount Vesuvius, and it is this volcano which creates the islands famous thermal springs.

Capri is synonymous with good living thanks to its reputation as a destination for the rich and famous across the ages.

Since ancient Roman times, VIPs have come to the island for the views and seclusion from the wider world.

These days it is a shopper’s paradise, but also offers activities for history enthusiasts, nature lovers, foodies and more.

Capri is reached easily via ferry from Napoli Molo Beverello (Naples Port) where regular ferries run from and to the island.

Capri makes for one of the best day trips from Naples in our opinion, but in the busy summer months, we strongly recommend booking your tickets in advance for the ferries and hydrofoils as this is one of the most popular destinations for visitors in Italy.

For us, a perfect day on Capri comprises a little of everything the island offers. Start off by enjoying a coffee when you arrive in Piazza Umberto I in the main town (also called Capri).

Once fuelled up, walk up the hill to Villa Jovis, passing through some of Capri’s charming narrow alleys (and noting any shops you like the look of for your return later in the day!).

Villa Jovis is what remains of a sprawling ancient Roman palace where some of Rome’s earliest emperors resided. When you visit this site you’ll understand why they liked the location so much – the views from here of the island and surrounding Tyrrhenian Sea are unmatched!

Villa Jovis is also a great picnic spot; depending on your travel style, you may want to bring lunch and enjoy it in the peaceful surroundings of the palace ruins and a sea view.

Alternatively for lunch, head back down the hill and head anywhere in Capri town that appeals to you. As this is a compact island, competition is high and therefore the quality of all restaurants is also high.

After lunch, head down to the Porto Turistico di Capri where you arrived via the ferry and join a boat tour which includes the famous Blue Grotto or one of the other beautiful spots on offer. There are numerous options, which, like the ferries, can get booked up fast so it’s worth considering planning a tour in advance.

This is the smallest island of the three and if you have only a few hours available for your day trip, it’s a great option for an excursion outside of Naples.

Like the other islands, to reach Procida you’ll need to get a ferry from Naples Molo Beverello. Just as with Ischia and Capri, these can fill up fast in the busy months so I’d recommend booking your seats in advance if you know when you’ll be travelling.

One of the highlights of a trip to Procida is the view of the island’s famous colored houses as you approach from the sea. Try and get a seat on the deck of your ferry to get the best view on arrival!

On arrival at Procida’s port, take a walk around the lovely town and soak up the atmosphere, pausing for a coffee and/or cocktail for a spot of people watching. Be sure to wander around Marina Corricella and visit the Abbazia San Michele Arcangelo for more incredible views.

A great way to spend a day visiting Procida is to opt for a boat tour. By doing so you’ll be rewarded with unique views of the island, and access to swimming areas that are normally difficult to reach.

If you are interested in ancient Roman or Greek history (or history generally), you will find some of the most iconic and best preserved archaeological sites anywhere in Campania. Click through to find out how to visit each of them as a day trip from Naples:

• Pompeii – Easily the most famous and popular historical site in Campania
• Herculaneum – A more intimate and condensed experience compared to Pompeii
• Stabian Villas – See how the ancient Roman people of the Bay of Naples lived beyond Pompeii and Herculaneum
• Capua – The ancient Roman capital of Campania is still visitable, and is the site where the infamous gladiator Spartacus started his revolt against Rome
• Paestum – The best preserved ancient Greek colony in mainland Italy
• Pozzuoli – Visit for great examples of ancient Roman provincial architecture
• Baiae (Bacoli) – The Las Vegas of ancient Rome where the rich and powerful came to play

It is easy to combine some of these locations with others to create a more in depth experience, and we have included our recommendations below.

It’s more than likely that you’ve heard of Pompeii, the Roman town entirely buried by the eruption of Mt Vesuvius nearly 2000 years ago. The layers of volcanic material deposited on Pompeii preserved everything to an incredible standard, providing us with a window back in time after its rediscovery.

Pompeii is one of Italy’s most visited sites, and therefore if it is in your itinerary, you should book your entrance ticket in advance no matter what time of year you go. This will guarantee you entrance on your chosen day, and reduce the time spent queuing at the site entrance.

Reaching Pompeii from Naples couldn’t be easier. Make your way to Napoli Centrale train station where you’ll find the Circumvesuviana/Campania Express train line (the same line that goes to and from Sorrento and Herculaneum).

The journey time from Napoli Centrale to Pompeii Scavi Villa dei Misteri is around 30 minutes with trains running regularly.

If you are driving, set Google Maps to this car park right by the entrance of the archaeological park.

On arrival at Pompeii Scavi station follow the signs for the archaeological park. You’ll need around 3 hours at the minimum to do this site justice, and once you are inside, use our guide to make sure you see the principle sights within this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Alternatively you can join a full day tour to explore the site in-depth!

You can easily combine a visit to Pompeii with Herculaneum or Vesuvius as part of a day trip.

If you are looking to do this, we would recommend leaving Pompeii for the afternoon as both Herculaneum or Mt Vesuvius require only a couple of hours. These can therefore be done comfortably after breakfast and before lunch, leaving the afternoon dedicated to the more expansive Pompeii.

Herculaneum was completely buried by the famous eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 CE that also destroyed Pompeii.

Like its bigger neighbor, the ancient city of Herculaneum is incredibly well preserved. The site provides a glimpse into the past, with the ruins detailing what it was like 2000 years ago in this part of the world.

The infamous eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE also buried swathes of the Campania countryside along with Pompeii and Herculaneum.

During the Roman period, Campania was home to all classes of people, from peasant farmers through to the members of the Imperial family.

Within the Castellammare di Stabia area you can easily visit four well-preserved Roman villas, showcasing life for these different classes during ancient times.

The simplest way to visit these is by driving, parking in any blue-bordered parking space near the sites. However it is also possible to visit these villas as part of a combination ticket with Pompeii where a shuttle service runs between each site at regular intervals. Visit the official website here for full information.

Starting with the humblest of these villas, Boscoreale is what remains of an ancient vineyard.

Visiting this site details how the lower classes lived in ancient Campania, and will take around an hour if you also visit the accompanying museum.

These two large villas, within 15 minutes walk of each other, were homes to upper class families during the ancient Roman period.

Both villas feature extremely well preserved frescoes, mosaics and classical architectural elements.