When we visited Italy, we did loads of day trips from Naples to the Amalfi coast and other nearby sites. We used Naples as a base as it has great train, bus, and ferry links to everywhere we wanted to see. Plus, hotels in Naples are much cheaper than Amalfi, so it was more affordable too.
In this article – we share the best day trips from Naples to Capri, Amalfi, Vesuvius, and more.
Here’s a quick overview of fun excursions you can do from Naples in just one day…
- Capri
- Sorrento
- Procida
- Amalfi
- Positano
- Herculaneum
- Vesuvius
- Pompeii
- Rome
- Astroni Crater
#1 – Capri
Capri was without doubt our favourite day trip from Naples. It has stunning azure beaches, incredible views of rocky outcrops, and interesting walks around its maze of tiny streets.
Travel time from Naples: We hopped on a ferry from Naples port and arrived 50 minutes later.
💙 You might also like: Perfect One-Day Capri Itinerary & 5 Top Tips for Visiting Capri on a Budget.
#2 – Sorrento
Sorrento was another highlight of our Italy trip – great food, charming architecture, and fun lidos for chilling by the water. We went there and back in a day by train and got to enjoy lovely views of the coast and Mount Vesuvius along the way.
Travel time from Naples: Both the ‘Campania Express’ and ‘Circumvesuviana’ trains should take 75 minutes (but the latter stops at every station along the way so tends to take longer than the timetable states).
#3 – Procida
Procida is a hidden gem of an island that most people don’t know about. It’s much quieter than neighbouring Capri but just as pretty. Think coloured houses, aqua beaches, and local markets brimming with fresh produce. If you want to escape the tourist crowds of the Amalfi Coast, then this is the place to go.
Travel time from Naples: The ferry takes 60 minutes each way.
#4 – Amalfi
Amalfi is a popular coastal town and gets pretty busy in the summer. But it’s easy to escape the crowds by venturing away from the port and exploring random side streets. There are loads of quirky little independent shops, bustling cafes, and an impressive waterfall walk (if you’re up for the hike).
Travel time from Naples: The ferry takes around 90 minutes and typically stops at Capri or Sorrento on the way.
💙 You might also like: How To Spend One Day In Naples [Itinerary & Walking Map].
#5 – Positano
Probably one of the most Instagrammed locations on the Amalfi Coast, we found Positano to be a mixed bag. The colourful buildings are incredibly pretty from a distance – it was these images that had drawn us to the town. But unsurprisingly, they lure every other tourist in too…
It was packed when we visited in September and didn’t feel particularly authentic. The Amalfi area is pretty touristy in general but this was next level. We tried to get off the beaten track and explore quiet side-alleys, but struggled to find any. Despite the hype, it was probably the most disappointing place we visited on the trip.
That said, the ferry ride there takes in some lovely coastal scenery – we really enjoyed the open-air boat back at sunset. And if you can go early in the day before the hoards arrive, then you’ll probably like it a lot more than we did.
Travel time from Naples: The ferry takes just under 90 minutes (you can also get tickets that allow you to stop at Amalfi too on the same day).
#6 – Herculaneum
Herculaneum is well worth a visit and super-easy to get to from Naples. It’s a similar historical site to Pompeii in that it’s the remains of a Roman town preserved by volcanic ash. But it’s slightly closer to Naples and spread over a much smaller area, which makes it easy to see it all in a day. Plus, you’ll still have time to explore Ercolano, the town where Herculaneum is located.
Travel time from Naples: The train to Ercolano takes around 30 minutes and it’s a 10 minute walk from the station.
#7 – Vesuvius
The crater of Mount Vesuvius is also accessible from Ercolano, so if you start early, you could combine a day trip here with Herculaneum. The volcano is famous for its devastating eruption that wiped out nearby towns in Roman times. But nowadays you can hike along it and enjoy views of the bay below.
Travel time from Naples: The train to Ercolano takes around 30 minutes and it’s a 25 minute taxi or 2.5 hour hike from there (or you can do organised tours directly from Naples).
#8 – Pompeii
Pompeii is renowned for its Roman remains. When Vesuvius erupted in 79AD, it covered Pompeii in volcanic ash which preserved numerous buildings and other artifacts. It’s a huge site covering over 12 square km (almost 5 square miles) so you can easily spend a whole day exploring the ruins.
Travel time from Naples: The train to Pompeii takes 30-40 minutes.
#9 – Rome
If you’re considering day trips from Naples, then Rome might not be your first thought. But it’s actually doable in less than an hour by train, so easily feasible in one day. Obviously there’s loads to see (what’s that saying?) so you’ll have to prioritise which sights to visit. But if you’re in Italy and Rome’s that close, it’d be rude not to…
Travel time from Naples: Fast trains take just 55 minutes to Italy’s capital.
#10 – Astroni Crater Nature Reserve
This nature reserve might not be well-known internationally, but it’s one of the highest reviewed attractions near Naples. This trip is ideal if you’re looking to get away from the crowds and enjoy some nature (without Amalfi’s sand) or bird-watching. Rumour has it there are some mighty fine dinosaur sculptures dotted around too – perfect for big kids and small ones alike.
Travel time from Naples: Just under 90 minutes by bus (you’ll need to change once).
Naples Day Trips To Remember
So, there you have 10 epic day trips from Naples that allow you to see more of the Amalfi Coast and Campania region. With great transport links and cheap hotels, it makes a convenient and cost-effective base for exploring the wider area.
