itineraries
Amalfi Coast & the Bay of Naples
7 days — Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri.
Curatorial note
The most intense coastal trip in Italy. Naples for the pizza and the chaos, Pompeii and Herculaneum for the ruins, then Sorrento as base for the Amalfi Coast and a day trip to Capri. Go shoulder season; August is a traffic jam.
Coastline · Campania
Amalfi Coast
The UNESCO cliffside coast — Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, with the lemon groves and the blue sea. Worth a few days; avoid July-August (the crowds and the SS163 traffic are punishing).
Archaeological Site · Campania
Herculaneum
Herculaneum is worth a half-day and is the better archaeological site than Pompeii if you can only do one. It is smaller, shaded, less crowded, and the preservation is more intimate.
Town · Campania
Sorrento
Sorrento is worth a night or two as a base, not as a destination. It is the logistical hub for the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Pompeii. It is pleasant and touristy; stay here for the connections, not the charm.
Archaeological Site · Campania
Pompeii
Pompeii is worth a full half-day from Naples. Go early, bring water and a hat — there is little shade. Herculaneum is smaller, better preserved, and less crowded; do both if you can.
Coastline · Campania
Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is worth two or three nights if you base in one town and ferry to the others. Driving the coast road in season is miserable — use the ferries. Positano is the photograph; Amalfi is the town; Ravello is the view.
Island · Campania
Capri
Capri is worth a day trip or one night. It is extraordinarily crowded in season — the day-tripper crush from 11am to 4pm is intense. Stay overnight to see it empty, or ferry in early and leave by late afternoon.
Town · Campania
Naples
Naples is worth two nights and rewards the traveler who doesn't need things tidy. It is the gateway to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and Capri, and it has the best pizza in Italy. Skip it only if you need order and calm.
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