9 Best Day Trips from Naples, Italy + Helpful Tips

Naples isn’t for everyone. It’s loud and chaotic. Gritty, run-down, and unapologetically real. It’s also the birthplace of pizza, home to Europe’s largest historic center, budget-friendly, and the perfect base for exploring the Bay of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and beyond.

You could easily spend a week taking day trips from Naples and still not run out of incredible places to visit. (And better yet, you’ll return each night to Neapolitan pizza and fresh seafood pasta!)

With the Circumvesuviana trains, ferries, and guided tours at your fingertips, there’s no shortage of half- and full-day trips to take from Naples.

Within an hour or two, you can be wandering the remarkably preserved streets of Herculaneum, hopping off a ferry for a day in Capri, hiking up Mount Vesuvius, or exploring the medieval Aragonese Castle on Ischia.

In this guide, I’ve rounded up the best day trips from Naples that I’ve personally done and recommend. Some are iconic (like Pompeii and Positano), while others are underrated gems (like Procida and Paestum). But I can report that every one of them is worth your time!

Read on for everything you need to know – including which guided tours are worth booking, how to get to each destination, and practical tips to make the most of your Naples day trips.

Pompeii is the quintessential day trip from Naples. You cannot skip it.

One of the world’s most extraordinary archaeological sites, Pompeii is a Roman city that was buried in volcanic ash after the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D.

Today, walking this UNESCO site’s remarkably preserved streets feels less like visiting ancient ruins and more like stepping into a city that was suddenly frozen in time. The vibrant mosaics and frescoes totally blew my mind! 

As you wander past grand villas, bathhouses, temples, wine shops, and even ancient fast-food counters, it’s surprisingly easy to imagine what everyday life looked like nearly 2,000 years ago. You’ll also see haunting plaster casts of some of the people and pets who were unable to escape…

Best Guided Pompeii Tours from Naples

I’ve been to Pompeii twice, and I can’t imagine visiting without booking a Pompeii tour with an archaeologist guide. There’s simply way too much to see – and even more to understand.

Having an expert explain the history, point out details you’d otherwise miss, and navigate the vast archaeological park makes all the difference!

• Pompeii Small-Group Tour with an Archaeologist: This 2-hour small-group tour includes skip-the-line tickets and is led by an expert archaeologist. You’ll make your own way to/from Pompeii via the direct, 40-minute train. After the tour, you can uncover more on your own. This is my top recommendation!
• Pompeii Guided Tour & Lunch with Superior Wine Tasting: The volcanic soil of Mount Vesuvius produces spectacular wines – and even better tomatoes! This small-group tour combines Pompeii with wine-tasting, a delicious traditional lunch, and stunning volcano views.

How to Visit Pompeii Without a Tour

• Book your tickets from the official Pompeii Sites website in advance. They sell out in peak season!
• Take the direct Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi Station to Pompeii Scavi – Villa dei Misteri in about 40 minutes.
• Plan to spend at least 2 or 3 hours exploring the ruins.
• Visit in the morning or in the late afternoon for cooler temperatures and smaller crowds.

MADDY’S TIPS: Visiting April through October? Bring a hat, water, sunscreen, and especially an umbrella. There’s little shade at Pompeii, and it can be intensely hot and dehydrating. Wear sturdy closed-toe shoes – the ancient ground is incredibly uneven and hazardous. Also, bring an official photo ID that matches the name on your ticket!

2. Herculaneum

Herculaneum (Ercolano) is Pompeii’s smaller, less famous, and arguably even better-preserved little sibling.

When I took this Herculaneum tour with an archaeologist in late May, there was hardly anyone there – a stark (and welcome) contrast to Pompeii, which receives up to 20,000 visitors per day!

Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. But instead of being buried in ash, it was engulfed by a pyroclastic flow (a scorching mix of volcanic gas, mud, and ash) that preserved wooden beams, furniture, mosaics, pottery, frescoes, and even multi-story buildings in remarkable condition. 

To me, a Herculaneum tour gives you an even more intimate glimpse into everyday Roman life than Pompeii does. It’s smaller, quieter, and way less crowded, so you can see the whole site in about two hours.

But enough comparing. If you’re trying to decide between Pompeii and Herculaneum, you don’t have to. I booked this Pompeii and Herculaneum combo day trip that included guided visits to both sites. It was a long (and very hot!) day, but it was worth it for everything we got to see.

Best Guided Herculaneum Tours from Naples

Like Pompeii, I think Herculaneum is best explored with a guide. There are fascinating details everywhere that you’ll miss without an expert’s eye.

• Herculaneum Small-Group Tour and Ticket With an Archaeologist: This 2-hour small-group tour includes tickets and a guide. You’ll make your own way to/from Herculaneum via the direct, 20-minute train.
• Herculaneum AND Pompeii Small Group Tour with an Archaeologist: If you want to see Herculaneum and Pompeii during the same day trip from Naples, book this. It includes tickets, a guide, a lunch break, transportation between the two sites, and optional round-trip transportation from Naples. This is what I did and highly recommend!

How to Visit Herculaneum Without a Tour

• Book your tickets from the official Ercolano website in advance.
• Plan to spend around 2 hours exploring the ruins.
• Take the direct Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi Station to Ercolano Scavi in about 20 minutes.

3. Capri

Capri is touristy. Busy. Expensive. And I’d still go back tomorrow. It’s one of the most popular day trips from Naples for good reason!

Think dramatic limestone cliffs, impossibly blue water, beautiful gardens, stunning views in every direction, and delicious Caprese food. Oh, and plenty of crowds.

I’ve day-tripped to Capri a few times now, and I love it. I love taking a peaceful private boat tour around Capri and cruising by the iconic Faraglioni rock formations. I love taking the chairlift up to Monte Solaro for incredible views, wandering quiet backstreets, and strolling through the Gardens of Augustus.

And most of all, I love sitting down for a long, lazy two-hour lunch – full of Caprese salad, Neapolitan-style pizza, fresh seafood pasta, and local white wine – while the streets are swarming with tourists.

Best Ways to Visit Capri from Naples

Whether you take the ferry or book a tour, your day trip to Capri will be unforgettable – as long as you plan well and expect crowds between April and October.

• Take the 50-minute ferry to Capri and explore independently. Read my Capri day trip guide for tips on what to see, do, eat, and how to get around the island.
• Join this small-group Capri boat tour from Naples, which includes the Blue Grotto, Anacapri, Monte Solaro, and Capri town.
• Book a private Capri boat tour from Naples, which covers the Blue Grotto, Anacapri, Villa San Michele, and Monte Solaro, plus Capri town and the Gardens of Augustus.

MADDY’S TIPS: Going by ferry? Make a solid plan first. To maximize your day, book the first ferry to Capri and one of the last ones back. Book your boat tour around Capri in advance. Make a lunch reservation. (My two favorite lunch spots are Sciue’ Sciue’ and Lo Sfizio.) And research how you’ll get from the port to Capri town and/or Anacapri, and back.  

READ MORE: How to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Capri, Italy 

4. Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most impossibly beautiful places in the world. It’s also notoriously expensive and difficult to get to.

The ideal way to experience magical towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Vietri sul Mare is with a dedicated one-week Amalfi Coast itinerary… But if time or budget don’t allow, you can still take an Amalfi Coast day trip from Naples!

Just expect a long day. 3+ hours in transit round-trip. Crowds. And high prices. 

But the tradeoffs are entirely worth it to soak up Positano’s colorful cliffside beauty over a long seafood lunch; to marvel at the Duomo di Sant’Andrea in Amalfi; and to stroll the lavish villas and gardens of Ravello, overlooking the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea. 

If you’ve never been to the Amalfi Coast before, it’s 1,000% worth the long day from Naples. The scenery is every bit as spectacular as you’ve imagined. And then some…

Best Guided Amalfi Coast Tours from Naples

Overall, I think a guided tour is the best way to visit the Amalfi Coast from Naples.

You don’t have to worry about navigation (a huge plus!). And you’ll experience many of the best things to do along the Amalfi Coast in just one day. The only downside is you’ll have less than two hours in each destination. 

• Small-Group Amalfi Coast Boat Tour from Naples: This is the most scenic option and my top recommendation! From Naples, you’ll drive to Sorrento, then set off for the Amalfi Coast by boat – with time to swim and snorkel in beautiful coves – plus, you’ll have one hour of free time in Positano and up to two hours in Amalfi town.
• Amalfi Coast Tour: Positano, Amalfi & Ravello from Naples: Travel by minibus to experience the highlights of the Amalfi Coast. You’ll have free time in Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello.

How to Visit the Amalfi Coast Without a Tour

There are two good ways to visit the Amalfi Coast on your own. Each with pros and cons…

By Private Driver

Day-tripping from Naples to the Amalfi Coast with a private driver is the easiest way to see Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello in one day without feeling rushed. It’s expensive, but if your budget allows, it’s worth every penny. Book your round-trip Amalfi Coast private driver here.

By Ferry

If you want to take a self-guided day trip to the Amalfi Coast by ferry, it’s doable and cost-effective. But if you want to see more than one town, it’s not ideal. 

Positano and Amalfi are the two must-see Amalfi Coast towns connected to Naples by direct ferries (April through October only).

You technically could see both towns in one day, but I don’t recommend it because you’ll spend more time on ferries than land! I’d choose Positano or Amalfi (and still expect to spend up to 5 hours on the ferry round-trip).

• Choose Positano if you’re dreaming of colorful cliffside views, beach clubs, boutique shopping, and a long seafood lunch overlooking the sea.
• Or choose Amalfi to walk its medieval alleys, see the incredible Duomo, and spend time at the beach. For more sightseeing, you could visit the neighboring village of Atrani (it’s just a 10-minute walk) and perhaps even Ravello (bus up from Atrani, hike back down) if you have time.

MADDY’S TIPS: Know that ferries are occasionally cancelled due to poor weather and rough seas, and a last-minute cancellation could completely derail your day trip. This has happened to me before. To ensure you don’t miss out, consider this Amalfi Coast tour by minibus from Naples. Otherwise, research ferry routes from Naples, schedules, and prices on this ferry website.

5. Ischia

Capri is glamorous, but neighboring Ischia is the real deal. Authentic, beautiful, way less crowded, one of Italy’s most underrated destinations. 

This volcanic island is just a 50-minute ferry from Naples, but it feels a world away. 

Known as “The Green Island,” Ischia has everything I love in an Italian destination: beautiful sandy beaches, scenic hikes, natural hot springs, fantastic wineries, farm-to-table restaurants, colorful seaside villages, and a spectacular castle that dates back to 474 BC.

I’ll always make the case for spending at least three days on Ischia because I absolutely adore it – and because there are so many things to do in Ischia. 

But if you only have time for a day trip from Naples, it’s enough to experience a few of the island’s highlights.

Best Guided Ischia Tours from Naples

• Small-group Ischia boat tour: From Naples, you’ll travel by boat to Ischia to explore the Aragonese Castle and the gorgeous Bay of Sorgeto, before making your way to the island of Procida.
• Private Ischia day trip from Naples: Arrive by ferry, then go by private car to visit all of Ischia’s bucket-list stops, including the castle, Mount Epomeo, Lacco Ameno, and Forio.

Visiting Ischia Without a Tour

Ischia is a big island. It’s best traversed by rental car or scooter, though you can also get a daily bus pass. With just one day on Ischia, I would: 

• Book a ferry from Naples to Ischia Porto, arriving by 9 AM.
• Explore the Aragonese Castle and walk around Ischia Ponte.
• Then either: laze at Maronti Beach and visit the seaside village of Sant’Angelo; spend the day at Giardini Poseidon Terme, a thermal hot springs resort; or stroll around Lacco Ameno and relax at a beach nearby.
• If you love wine, add on this 3-hour wine tour of Casa d’Ambra.
• Book a ferry from Ischia Forio back to Naples, leaving around 6 PM.

MADDY’S TIPS: If you’re visiting independently, don’t try to see the whole island in one day. Pick one side and enjoy it at a slower pace. My perfect day would be exploring the Aragonese Castle in the morning, followed by a long lunch and beach time at Maronti Beach, then hopping on a water taxi to Sant’Angelo for an aperitivo and a little shopping. And finally, I’d take the ferry back from Forio.

READ MORE: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Ischia Island

6. Procida

Procida is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. And my favorite day trip from Naples. Period.

Ridiculously charming and refreshingly authentic, Procida is where Italians escape for a beach vacation – and where I hope remains a secret for many years to come. Keep this gem between us, okay?

With its pastel-colored fishing harbor (Marina Corricella), relaxed atmosphere, beautiful beaches, and fabulous food (from fresh seafood to local lemon pastries), it’s the ideal candidate for a DIY day trip from Naples.

My husband and I couldn’t have had a better day trip here! We wandered the quaint villages, enjoyed an unforgettable seafood lunch over Ischitana wine and beautiful views, relaxed on Spiaggia della Chiaia, sipped a few spritzes, and made it back to Naples on an evening ferry.

Best Ways to Visit Procida from Naples

• Want to take it slow? Good choice! Take an early 30-minute ferry from Naples and take in Procida on your own. This island is so small that you can experience all the best things to do in Procida entirely on foot. 
• Can’t choose between Ischia and Procida? (I don’t blame you!) Book this small-group Procida and Ischia boat tour from Naples, which includes the best of both islands in one day.

READ MORE: Best Things to Do in Procida, Italy: A Curated Day Trip Guide

8. Vesuvius National Park

If you need a dose of nature in between bites of pizza and frittatina, head to Vesuvius National Park.

Mount Vesuvius is the infamous – and still active – volcano that buried Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 A.D.

Today, you can hike to the rim of its crater (A.K.A. the Gran Cono del Vesuvio), usually done in combination with a tour of Pompeii.

The hike is easy to moderate and takes about an hour round-trip. On a clear day, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views over Pompeii, the surrounding countryside, and the sparkling Bay of Naples all the way to Procida, Ischia, and Capri. (And I do mean on a clear day. The summit is often shrouded in clouds.)

Best Mount Vesuvius Tours from Naples

The most common way to visit Mount Vesuvius is in combination with a tour of Pompeii. 

• Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvius Tour & Lunch From Naples: If it’s your first visit, this is the tour I’d recommend. You’ll discover Pompeii with an expert guide before hiking up to the crater of Mount Vesuvius.
• Pompeii Guided Tour & Horse Riding on Vesuvius with Lunch: Looking for something truly unforgettable? This tour combines a guided visit to Pompeii with a horseback ride through Mount Vesuvius’ volcanic landscapes. After, you’ll sit down for a wine tasting and traditional lunch featuring ingredients grown in the volcano’s incredibly fertile soil.

Visiting Mount Vesuvius Without a Tour

I personally wouldn’t visit Mount Vesuvius without a guided tour or a rental car. It’s too much effort to get there independently for such a short hike! If you still want to, here’s what you need to know:

• You must reserve your crater tickets in advance from the official Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio website. There is no ticketing office at the park.
• Tickets have designated time slots on them. The early morning tickets sell out.
• Plan to spend around 1.5 hours at Mount Vesuvius, not including travel time.
• From Naples, you can take the direct Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Garibaldi Station to Ercolano Scavi (20 minutes), then hop on the Vesuvius Express shuttle service (30 minutes), which leaves every ~30 minutes.

MADDY’S TIPS: You don’t need hiking boots for this hike; sturdy, closed-toe shoes are enough. There is no shade along the trail, so breathable clothing, a hat, natural sunscreen, and water are musts. Weather on the volcano is also notoriously unpredictable, so be prepared for sudden fog, strong winds, and dramatic drops in temperature – especially between October and April.