When you’re in Naples, it’s tempting to just stay for the pizza (and honestly, fair enough). But the truth is – some of the most incredible places in Italy are just a short ride away. From ancient ruins to dreamy coastlines and volcano hikes, there are so many amazing day trips from Naples that it’s hard to choose where to start.
We tried a few ourselves and learned a lot along the way – including that some roads in Italy can literally make you dizzy, and that not all tour guides are created equal 😅.
Here are our favorite (and most realistic!) day trips from Naples, with everything you need to know: how to get there, what to expect, and our personal do’s and don’ts.
👉 If you’re planning your time in Naples itself and you are short on time, check out our One Day in Naples itinerary for a full, personal guide to exploring the city’s chaos, culture, and incredible food.
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Pompeii – Step Back in Time
Distance from Naples: 25 km (around 30 min)
How to get there: Train (Circumvesuviana line) from Napoli Centrale to Pompei Scavi – Villa dei Misteri – about 30–40 min
Best option: Train – it’s fast, cheap, and drops you right by the entrance
What to expect: Ancient streets, villas, mosaics, and a hauntingly preserved Roman city
Pompeii is one of those places that sticks with you. It’s huge, yes, but it’s also strangely quiet – like you can still feel the weight of history in the air. You walk through entire neighborhoods frozen in time after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
If you’ve seen the Pompeii movie, it’s wild to stand there. Some bodies are still preserved in the exact positions they died – eerie, but totally fascinating.
We combined Pompeii with a visit to Mount Vesuvius, and honestly, that combo worked perfectly. You don’t need a full day here – after about 3-4 hours, it starts to feel like too much, especially under the sun.
Our tips:
➜ Get a good guide. Otherwise, it’s just “old stones” and you miss the fascinating stories behind everything. (Our guide’s English was pretty bad, so we definitely learned the hard way 😅.)
➜ Wear comfy shoes and bring water. It’s a lot of walking on uneven ground.
➜ Go early or late. Midday heat here hits differently.
Here are some tours that might interest you – from guided experiences just at Pompeii itself to full-day tours from Naples that include everything.
Pompeii is one of those day trips from Naples that makes you realize how fragile and fascinating history is – it’s eerie, beautiful, and unforgettable.
Mount Vesuvius – The Sleeping Giant
Distance from Naples: 25 km (around 45 min)
How to get there: Bus or group tour from Naples or Pompeii – about 30–45 min
Best option: Combine it with Pompeii in one day
What to expect: A short but steep hike to the crater and breathtaking views over the Bay of Naples
Climbing Mount Vesuvius feels surreal. You’re literally standing on the volcano that buried Pompeii. The last stretch of the road takes you up through lava fields, and from the parking area, it’s a 20–30 min uphill walk to reach the top.
The view from the crater is unbelievable – the blue sea, the city below, and smoke still gently rising from the volcano.
Pro tips:
➜ Bring a light jacket – it’s windy even when it’s hot.
➜ The hike is dusty and steep, but not long. Sneakers are totally fine.
➜ Start early if you’re doing both Vesuvius and Pompeii – it’s a packed day.
If you have time, grab a glass of wine from one of the small vineyards on the volcano’s slopes. They grow grapes in volcanic soil, and the taste is something else.
Here some of the best rated day tours from Naples in case you want to go with a local guide and to have everything planned for you:
Amalfi Coast – The Iconic Coastal Drive
Distance from Naples: Around 60 km to Positano (2–3 hours depending on traffic)
How to get there: Car, bus, or day tour
Best option: Organized day tour if you don’t want to drive (trust us on this one)
What to expect: Jaw-dropping views, curvy roads, pastel villages, and the real-life postcard of Italy
We did a full-day trip to the Amalfi Coast – and let us tell you, it was a lot. Beautiful, yes. But also twisty, long, and exhausting. The road goes through the mountains, full of sharp turns and narrow lanes hanging over the cliffs. By the end, I was completely motion sick and wiped out.. but when we finally saw Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento – it was worth every turn.
If you have the time, we’d honestly recommend staying a night or two on the coast instead of squeezing it all into one day. You’ll actually have time to enjoy it instead of rushing from one stop to the next.
👉 Heading towards Positano or Amalfi? Make sure to read our Best Food on Amalfi Coast post – it’s your ultimate foodie checklist after Naples!
Our tips:
➜ If you get car sick, sit in the front seat and avoid heavy breakfast.
➜ Try a limoncello in Amalfi – it’s the place for it.
➜ Positano is stunning but super touristy, so go early in the morning or late afternoon.
➜ Sorrento has great food options and is the best spot to relax at the end of the trip.
It’s one of the most scenic day trips from Naples, but also one of the most tiring ones – totally worth it though if you’ve never seen the Amalfi Coast before.
Driving the Amalfi Coast is no joke – narrow roads, sharp turns, and twists everywhere. If that sounds stressful, a day tour from Naples is the way to go. They handle everything, so you can just relax, take in the views, and hit Amalfi, Positano, and Sorrento in one day. We’ve rounded up the best-rated tours below:
Capri – Glamour Meets Nature
Distance from Naples: About 35 km (1 hour by ferry)
How to get there: Ferry from Molo Beverello Port
Best option: Ferry round trip + local boat tour around the island
What to expect: Crystal-clear water, caves, designer shops, and the kind of views that make you gasp
Capri feels like another world – a mix of Italian luxury, wild cliffs, and turquoise water that’s straight out of a dream. The ferry ride from Naples is super easy, and once you arrive, you can either explore Capri Town, take the chairlift to Anacapri for panoramic views, or do a boat tour around the island (highly recommend it!).
Must-do: The Blue Grotto. Yes, it’s touristy, but the glowing blue water is unreal.
Pro tips:
➜ Book ferry tickets in advance – they sell out on weekends.
➜ Grab a lemon granita near the main square (it’s a Capri classic).
➜ Wear light clothes and comfy shoes – it’s hilly and sunny.
If you’re into photography, this is hands down one of the most photogenic day trips from Naples.
If you want to make the most of your day in Capri, we highly recommend this tour with amazing reviews. You’ll get to visit the legendary Blue Grotto, and if the sea isn’t cooperating, they’ll whisk you on a scenic boat tour around the island instead – equally stunning! On top of that, a local guide will share insider stories and history, so you’ll see the real Capri without missing a thing.
👉 If you’re still planning your time in Naples, check out our other post: What to Do in Naples, Italy where we share all our favorite local spots, food tips, and things you shouldn’t miss before heading out on these adventures.
Procida – The Colorful Hidden Gem
Distance from Naples: 20 km (40 min by ferry)
How to get there: Ferry from Molo Beverello or Porta di Massa
Best option: Ferry (easy and frequent)
What to expect: Colorful houses, quiet beaches, local vibes, and no crowds
While everyone rushes to Capri, we’d actually recommend Procida if you want a more authentic, relaxed island experience. It’s small, charming, and totally walkable. You can spend the whole day just wandering the pastel streets and watching fishermen fix their nets by the harbor.
It’s peaceful, local, and very photogenic – perfect if you want to escape the chaos of Naples for a bit.
Our tips:
➜ Go to Terra Murata for the best viewpoint.
➜ Try lemon sorbet or seafood pasta by the port – everything’s fresh and affordable.
➜ Bring sunscreen – there’s little shade and lots of reflection from the sea.
Caserta Palace – The “Italian Versailles”
Distance from Naples: 35 km (40 min by train)
How to get there: Train from Napoli Centrale to Caserta
Best option: Train – fast, cheap, and drops you right near the palace
What to expect: Massive royal palace, fountains, gardens, and way fewer tourists
If you’re into history, this is one of the most underrated day trips from Naples. The Reggia di Caserta is enormous – with grand staircases, chandeliers, and endless gardens that stretch for kilometers. It’s often compared to Versailles, but with a Southern Italian twist.
You can easily spend half a day here, especially if you rent a bike to explore the gardens.
Pro tips:
➜ Buy your tickets online to skip the queue.
➜ Rent a bike or golf cart to see the whole park.
➜ Grab coffee in the town before heading back – Caserta has a cute local feel.
If you want a fully organized experience and to dive into the fascinating history of the Bourbon Royals, we highly recommend this guided tour to the Royal Palace of Caserta – skip the lines, enjoy expert local guides, and explore the palace like a VIP.
Herculaneum – The Better-Kept Secret
Distance from Naples: 11 km (around 20 min)
How to get there: Train (Circumvesuviana line) from Napoli Centrale to Ercolano Scavi – about 15–20 min
Best option: Train – quick, cheap, and just a short walk from the entrance
What to expect: Smaller, better-preserved ruins than Pompeii, colorful mosaics, frescoes, and even ancient wooden structures
Herculaneum (Ercolano) is Pompeii’s quieter sibling – and honestly, we kind of liked it even more. It’s smaller, easier to explore, and in many parts, even better preserved. The volcanic ash here carbonized wood and furniture, so you can still see doors, beds, and even food remains.
You get this eerie feeling that people just got up and left minutes before the eruption. Unlike Pompeii’s wide streets, Herculaneum feels more intimate – it gives you a real sense of what daily life looked like in a Roman seaside town.
Pro tips:
➜ You can easily do Herculaneum in 2 hours, so it’s perfect for a half-day trip.
➜ Combine it with Vesuvius if you want a full day of exploring – it’s really close.
➜ There’s a cute café near the exit with great views of the ruins – perfect for a quick break before heading back.
If you loved Pompeii, you’ll find Herculaneum fascinating – less crowded, more preserved, and just as powerful.
We highly recommend this guided tour of Herculaneum – with skip-the-line access and an expert archaeologist, you’ll explore one of the best-preserved Roman cities, learn about its dramatic history, and see incredible mosaics, paintings, and buildings like the House of Neptune and thermal baths.
Our Honest Advice
After doing a few of these day trips from Naples, we learned that trying to do too much in one day can ruin the fun. The roads are long, the sun is strong, and tours can feel rushed.
If you can, plan one or two relaxed days instead of packing everything together. And if you’re doing the Amalfi Coast (which you should!), seriously – consider staying a night there. It’s magical after the day-trippers leave.
Final Thoughts
Naples is wild, loud, and unforgettable – but the places around it? They’re what make this part of Italy truly special. From walking through ancient ruins to sailing around dreamy islands, these day trips from Naples show just how much beauty sits right beyond the city.
So pack some snacks, charge your camera, and go explore. Just.. maybe take motion sickness pills before the Amalfi Coast 😅.
