Italian Seaside Splendor: A 10-Day Journey Through Naples & Sorrento

To Be Determined — Airport Transfer by Taxi

Naples has one main airport, Naples Capodichino International Airport. Official taxis are available directly at the terminal exit, or you can arrange a private transfer for added convenience. Official Naples taxis are white, with registration numbers on the front doors and a taxi sign on the roof. Uber is not available in Naples.

Mid-Day/Afternoon — Naples Waterfront

As you walk along the historic Neopolitan waterfront you'll encounter two imposing yet stately medieval castle-fortresses. Built by Naples' former Spanish rulers, they command glorious views out over the Bay of Naples and Mt Vesuvius beyond. There's also the grand Palazzo Reale, a palace erected by the Bourbon kings that faces the monumental square of Piazza del Plebiscito on one side and the famous San Carlo Theater on the other.  You can cut right through the heart of Naples on the Spaccanapoli, a straight, narrow main street that has been that way since it was first built in Roman times is the straight and narrow main street that traverses the old, historic center of the city of Naples, Italy. The name is a popular usage and means, literally, "Naples splitter". TBut of course you'll want to wander of the many side streets amazing churches, and chaotic.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Naples Old Town

Slightly dilapidated and chaotic, but always energetic and effervescent, Naples's historic center has plenty of historic buildings and narrow alleys to keep you busy for several hours. Neapolitans often keep their front door open directly onto the street, exposing everyday life and family routines to passersby, making the experience all the more memorable and authentic.  Starting out from the Piazza del Gesù, with its fanciful Baroque plague column, you can cut right through the heart of old Naples on the crowded, chaotic Spaccanapoli. This straight, narrow main street was first built as the main thoroughfare of the original Roman town. Spaccanapoli is actually not an official street name but a popular term that literally means the "Naples splitter". It's full of life and noisy motorpeds at most times of the day, with some of the best street food on offer in Naples. It gets very crowded at certain spots in the evenings when the student population descends upon its favorite outdoor cafes and bars. But of course you'll want to wander into the warren of narrow lanes on either side of the Spaccanapoli, where you'll discover amazing churches, tiny little squares, and an abundance of restaurants, pubs, and cafes.

9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — Naples City Guided Walking Tour

Discover both the ancient and modern history of Naples as well as the real town: its people, the students, the food (the best pizzerias and pastry shops in Italy), and the craftsmanship on this three-hour private guided walking tour. Your personal guide will pick you up directly from your hotel.

Mid-Day to Evening — Ruins of Pompeii

Possibly the most fascinating and accessible archaeological site in the world, Pompeii has been slowly revealing its secrets to the world since excavations began in earnest back in the late 18th century. Even today archaeologists are still uncovering unexplored parts of the site and building up a more accurate picture of how Pompeians lived prior to the catastrophic explosion of nearby Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD. While the ruins are fairly easy to reach via the local train network, taking a guided tour from Naples can be a more comfortable experience. Since the site is so incredibly large, it is also helpful to see it with a good guide who will organize your time there, as well as tell you the history and stories behind what you see. On the other hand, traveling independently and using the very cost-effective Artecard for entrance allows you to see the ruins at your own pace.

Morning/Mid-Day — National Archaeological Museum

The greatest Italian archaeological museum outside Rome, the Neopolitan National Archaeological Museum is a mandatory stop for anyone planning to visit Pompeii and Herculaneum, boasting as it does the greatest treasures from those two fateful townships. It also contains some of the most jaw-dropping sculptures from antiquity, including the fabulous Farnese Bull and the muscle-bound Ercole (Hercules) that once graced the Baths of Caracalla in Rome.

Mid-Day to Late Afternoon — Vomero District

Spend time exploring Naples' more laid back district of Vomero, which is spread out on a hill above the city. You can ride to the top using Naples' excellent funicular rail services, the cost of which is covered by the highly recommended Arte Card. Once up to the top, you'll find yourself in the heart of the hill district, Piazza Vanvitelli, surrounded by four Neo-Renaissance palaces. It's a popular area for young people, who flock to its many bars, renowned ice-cream parlors, and pedestrianized cross streets. A stone's throw from both Piazza Vanvitelli you'll discover the Villa Floridiana, a beautifully sited public garden on a spur overlooking the sea, which is famous for its camellias. A five minute walk from the funicular will bring you to the Castel Sant'Elmo, where you can take in the views from the ramparts. Once done at the castle, you can visit one of the most beautiful cloisters in Italy next door at the Certosa San Martino monastery and see its superb repository of Neapolitan and Italian art.

4:15 PM - 6:15 PM — Walking Tour of Herculaneum

Herculaneum is often thought of as the poorer cousin to Pompeii, yet this ancient town is just as fascinating as its neighbor, the only difference being its relative size and the means by which it was preserved in such an extraordinary state. The great advantage of Herculaneum is that you can see much of it on a short visit and there are extant examples of Roman wooden furniture. On this two-hour private guided walking tour, you will discover its archeological ruins, learn about its extraordinary history, and see its most famous sites.

Evening/Late Evening — Dining Out, Spanish Quarter

You can experience the best pizza and famous Neopolitan pasta and seafood dishes in the Quartieri Spagnoli (Spanish Quarter), a bustling, colorful, crumbling, energetic, gritty, and crowded neighborhood that is the most densely populated part of the city. The tight grid of streets looks like graph paper on the map; reflecting the street network laid out in the 1600s when the Spanish ruled the Kingdom of Naples. It is, in short, the stereotype of Naples that is seen in movies. It was once a bedrock of support for the Camorra, the Neapolitan crime organization, but those days are long gone. Apart from being the self-styled home of pizza, Naples and Spanish Quarter restaurants in particular also specialize in spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with tiny local clams called vongole verace) and mountainous platters of frutti di mare ("fruits of the sea," a combination of crustaceans, shellfish, bivalves, calamari, and octopus - more or less any seafood that's not actually a fish). You can also find more great restaurants nearby in the adjacent Ferdinando quarter close to the seafront. If you still have room at the end of a meal, or simply want to try something sweet while on the go, try a sfogliatella. Small delicacies in the shape of shells, sfogliatellas are created by rolling a delicious filling of ricotta and almond paste into a rich number of dough layers. When baked, the layers become crisp and separate from each other, giving the sfogliatella its characteristic ridged look. Icing sugar sprinkled on top completes these heavenly bites.

Early Morning to Mid-Day — Ischia Island

The largest island in the Bay of Naples, Ischia is more interesting geographically than Capri, which makes it great for gentle hikes, especially to its summit of Mt Epomeo, and its volcanic soils make for the cultivation of fine wines. It also has some lovely sun-bathing spots and an exquisitely picturesque coastal fortress.

Evening — Dining Out in the Historic Quarter

Naples is rightly famous for its street food, the people's version, that of the “mangiamaccheroni” (pasta eaters), with its corner shop windows. But then there are also the more up-market recipes of the monzù (derived from the French word monsieur), the professional chefs who used to work for the lower nobility aristocracy in the more bourgeois parts of the city. You get can get to know both worlds using our detailed map and list of dining recommendations in the city's historic quarter.

Morning/Mid-Day — Capodimonte

Walk or catch a bus up the Capodimonte Hill to visit the fascinating early Christian catacombs beneath the churches of San Gennaro or Santa Maria della Sanità. Alternatively, continue further up the hill to visit the former residence of Bourbon King Charles III, Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte, to see one of the country's best art collections with works by Michelangelo, Titian, and Caravaggio.

12:45 PM — Transfer to Rail Station

Most trains depart from Naples Central Station (Napoli Centrale) station, the largest station in the city. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel is within easy walking distance, keeping in mind though that the pedestrian environment around the station is not the best. Also, consider that public transport is the cheapest and sometimes fastest option - there is a metro station co-located with the rail station. If staying at a hotel, they can order a reliable taxi. Some private transfers will even help with your bags.

13:43 - 14:33 — Train to Sorrento

2:33 PM — Transfer from Rail Station

All trains arrive in Sorrento's only train station located in the New Town. Before spending money on a transfer, be sure to check whether your hotel or apartment is within easy walking distance. If staying in the town of Sorrento itself, your place of stay should not be more than a 15-minute walk. Taxis can be found outside the station. Some private transfers can even meet you directly on the platform to help with bags. Uber is not yet available in Sorrento.

Late Afternoon/Early Evening — Marina Piccola

At the edge of Sorrento you'll find a cliff overlooking the sea, and below the cliff you'll find the port of Marina Piccola situated in a small cove. It is home to a number of restaurants and lido swimming spots, and is also the port from which ferries to Capri depart.  Adjacent to the port are the swimming and sunbathing platforms (the lidos), which are used by both locals and tourists throughout the summer months. Since the nearest strip of sandy beach is very small, the lidos were built to stretch into the sea on stilts to accommodate a larger number of swimmers. Exposure to the north and the cool water below effectively alleviate the summer heat. The lidos are great for lounging in the sunshine (although shady until the afternoon) and often have cafes within easy reach on the promenade. A lot of coastal hotels will have their own private platforms with a safe section of the sea to enjoy swimming in. The entrance fee varies from a minimum of 10,00 € to a maximum of 15,00 € per person for a sunbed and entrance. There are three ways to reach the Marina Piccola. First, you can take the elevator down from the Park Comunale. From the same park, there is also a zig-zag path all the way down. The third way is via the Porta Marina which opens next to the Basilica of Sant’Antonino.

Early Evening/Evening — Sorrento Old Town

The center of Sorrento is quite compact and closed to traffic. Its grid-like layout makes the old town of Sorrento easy to navigate on foot and a joy to explore. Spend time pottering around its pedestrian lanes and streets, home to a number of interesting sights, little tourist boutiques, limoncello tastings and restaurants.

Morning to Late Afternoon — Capri Island

There is no question that Capri is one of the most impressive spots in Italy. Surrounded by crystal clear waters, shimmering grottos and dramatic cliff-faces, it’s what dreams are made of. Made famous as the vacation hideaway of Roman emperors Augustus and Tiberius, the beautiful island of Capri is a fantastic day trip option from Sorrento by ferry. Spend your day exploring its two towns, Capri & Anacapri, take a boat trip to Capri's famous Blue Grotto or take a thrilling ride on the chairlift to Monte Solaro for beautiful views over Capri and the Bay of Naples.

Morning to Early Evening — Amalfi Coast

The wildly scenic Amalfi Coast that runs from Sorrento to Salerno is infamous for its coastal road which is known as one of the best white-knuckle scenic rides in Europe. Given the hairy driving, impossible parking and traffic, and overcrowded public buses, the Amalfi Coast is best explored by private boat or public ferry, where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the coastline and hop from town to town in comfort and without any delays. Unfortunately, the boats do not run all year, so depending on when you travel, your best bet for exploring the area may be with a guided tour by vehicle. The guide's local knowledge can help you avoid some of the traffic and cover the most beautiful spots. Of course a private tour at your own pace, by boat or car, is the ideal option.

7:30 AM - 4:30 PM — Hike of the Gods, Guided

Enjoy a 9-hour alpine guided climb up the ancient path that used to connect Nocelle (Positano) to Bomerano (Agerola) also known as the "Path of the Gods". Named after the beauties that characterize its views, this trail is considered one of the most beautiful hiking trails in the world.

Early Morning to Mid-Day — Mount Vesuvius

Mount Vesuvius, the volcano renowned for the disaster that caused the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum, is a popular day trip from Naples and Sorrento. Rising up over the Bay of Naples, a visit to the active volcano offers an opportunity to get up close with its crater and witness the beautiful views over Naples and the surrounding area. The volcano and it's immediate surroundings are now a national park. You can take the train to the base, and then from the station catch a shuttle to the park entrance. If you prefer, you can also take a more comfortable tour directly to the park. Reasonably fit visitors should reach the summit within about 20 minutes (30-45 if you stop for photos). The trail is approximately half a mile in length and there are numerous points with benches where you can rest and enjoy the breathtaking view over Monte Somma and the Bay of Naples.

2:00 PM - 5:00 PM — Guided Tour of Herculaneum

On this two hour private guided tour, you will discover the archeological ruins of Herculaneum. Learn about its history and see the most famous archaeological ruins.

To Be Determined — Private Transfer to Naples Airport

A private transfer service will pick you up from the N/A and take you directly to Naples Capodichino Airport. This is a private transfer for you and your travel party. You do not need to pay the driver as the cost of the transfer is included in your itinerary.   IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please be aware the car service can fit up to 1 checked item of luggage and 1 personal item per person, such as a purse or small backpack. If you think you will have more baggage, please inform your travel consultant as this may result in an additional fee.