Top Naples Day Trips

You have many fantastic options to choose from when traveling in this area. Recent travelers have given the highest ratings to these day trips:

• Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi Day Trip from Naples with Pick Up
• Pompeii Vesuvius Day Trip from Naples + Italian Light Lunch
• From Naples: Pompeii Entrance & Amalfi Coast Tour with Lunch
• Day Trip from Naples: Amalfi Coast Tour Including Ravello
• Capri and Blue Grotto Day Tour from Naples or Sorrento

You can’t go wrong—both are excellent and easy to reach from Naples on an archaeologist-led tour. If you’re visiting for the first time and can only choose one archaeological site, go to Pompeii, which is much larger than Herculaneum and known for its preserved city grid and plaster casts of the deadly eruption’s victims. If you’ve already been to Pompeii or want a less crowded experience, visit Herculaneum, which is much smaller but showcases extraordinarily well preserved villas, frescoes, and mosaics.

Day trips from Naples are reasonably priced, starting at US$60 for a half- or full-day tour. The most expensive options include private yacht charters at upwards of US$600, but even with a US$100 budget, you will find guided excursions to Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, and more. Gratuities are typically not included in the price but are greatly appreciated.

There are lots of great places to visit near Naples. The ancient city of Pompeii is only half an hour away, or you can travel farther south to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, lined with picturesque towns including Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. The islands of Procida, Ischia, and Capri are also within easy reach.

Yes, the Amalfi Coast is a very popular day trip from Naples. You’ll need about 90 minutes to drive there along the clifftop Amalfi Drive, or you can book a guided day trip to avoid navigating the narrow, winding route on your own. Day trips run by boat or shuttle and typically include stops in the towns of Positano and Amalfi, with free time to swim or explore on your own.

While inclusions vary by tour, a typical day trip from Naples covers round-trip transportation, a local tour guide, and entry to ticketed attractions, such as the Pompeii Archaeological Site. Some day trips also include a restaurant meal and drinks, while others give you free time to buy lunch on your own.

There are tons of fun tours and excursions in Naples aside from day trips. According to previous travelers, these are the best activities to book for your next trip:

• Cooking Classes
• Food Tours
• Water Tours
• Archaeology Tours
• Bike Tours

Yes, booking ahead is strongly recommended. The archaeological site accepts a limited number of visitors per day, and timed-entry tickets may sell out during peak season. Reserve online for the best choice of entry times and to avoid waiting at the entrance, or make things easy by booking a Pompeii day trip that includes tickets, a guided tour, and transportation from Naples.

Naples day trips range from archaeologist-led tours of Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius to boat cruises along the Amalfi Coast, so you should be able to find an experience that aligns with your interests and budget. Read the tour description carefully to see how involved your guide will be—maybe you’d like a detailed description of historical sites such as Herculaneum Archaeological Park, for example, or perhaps you’d prefer round-trip transportation to Capri with free time to explore on your own.

The best way to enjoy Naples day trips is to dress for the weather and activity. Wear lightweight clothing, a hat, and sunglasses to explore the hot, non-shady archaeological site in Pompeii, for example, and bring a towel and swimsuit if you plan to join a boat cruise in Capri or the Amalfi Coast. While some day trips include a meal, others don’t, so make a lunch reservation in advance or ask your guide for a recommendation.

That depends on the destination and activities. March–May is a great time for most Naples day trips, as daytime temperatures in southern Italy typically hover between 60°F (16°C) and 80°F (27°C). Spring is ideal for exploring Pompeii and Herculaneum, where there’s little shade, while summer is best for full-day boat tours of Capri and the Amalfi Coast with swimming and snorkeling.

Yes, you can easily visit both sites on a one-day trip. The Pompeii Archaeological Site is about a half-hour drive or train ride from Naples, and you can reach Mt. Vesuvius via bus, taxi, or shuttle from Pompeii. For the most convenient, informative experience, book a guided day trip that includes transportation from Naples, entry tickets, and tours. For example, the top-rated Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Elite Tour & Lunch From Naples, which runs eight hours and starts at US$140, features a walking tour of the Pompeii ruins, a pizza lunch or wine tasting, and a guided hike to the top of Mt. Vesuvius. Round-trip transportation from Naples is included, which saves you from navigating on your own.

That depends on your interests. Pompeii is one of the closest day trips to Naples, and you can visit on a half-day guided tour that leaves you the rest of the day to sightsee in Naples. If you’re up for a longer day, you can combine the archaeological site with the Amalfi Coast on the top-rated Amalfi Coast & Pompeii Deluxe Group Tour From Naples. Starting at US$105 per person, the 8-hour day trip includes an archaeologist-led tour of Pompeii, a boat ride and free time in Amalfi, and a round-trip drive with scenic stops from Naples.

All three islands are different and well worth visiting. Procida is the smallest and closest to Naples, so it’s best for a low-key day of admiring the colorful marina and enjoying a seafood lunch. Neighboring Ischia is larger and has more attractions to visit, including its thermal spas, botanical gardens, and Aragonese Castle. Capri needs no introduction—its beaches, Faraglioni rock formations, and luxurious piazzas are worth the hour-long ferry from Naples, but it’s by far the most popular and crowded of the three islands.

For an easy day trip without the crowds, head to the Royal Palace of Caserta, which is less than an hour from Naples and has bigger gardens and royal apartments than Versailles. Paestum, known for its ancient Greek temples, is a lesser-known alternative to Pompeii and Herculaneum. You can also explore quieter spots along the Amalfi Coast, such as Praiano and Atrani instead of Amalfi or Positano.