What are your suggestions for visiting Naples and the Amalfi Coast?

Hi there, We’re planning a trip for October to visit Naples (6 nights) and the Amalfi Coast (5 nights). We’ve already got the historic center and the Lapis Museum in Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Procida, Sorrento, and Ravello on our list. Any suggestions, addresses, or tips? Thanks for your help.

Hello, We’re planning a trip for October to visit Naples (6 nights) and the Amalfi Coast (5 nights). We’ve already got the historic center and the Lapis Museum in Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Procida, Sorrento, and Ravello on our list. Any suggestions, addresses, or tips? Thanks for your help.

Hi! Five nights on the Amalfi Coast is quite a lot. Do you have a detailed itinerary?

And in Naples, don’t miss the Metro—its walls are works of art!

Cheers

Hi Hélène, I’m doing the same trip from May 1st to 10th, though we won’t be rushing around (ages 77 and 82). We’re staying in the historic center of Naples and in Amalfi on the Amalfi Coast. For now, I’m studying the Michelin, Gallimard, and Voir guides, and I’m looking for as much info as possible on transportation and getting around. I’ve seen that some metro stations are stunning. I plan to visit the Certosa di San Martino using the funicular, and for Procida, I have the boat schedules—there are two bus lines on the island. I’ll try to remember to update this post with info once we’re back.

We’ve already planned the historic center and the Lapis Museum in Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Procida, Sorrento, and Ravello.

Hi there,

Don’t forget to check out the Vomero district up on the hills—it offers a great view of the city.

For street art lovers, there’s plenty to see in the Spanish Quarters, the Sanità district, and if you take the train to Pompeii, there’s a stop in Barra, a Naples suburb, where you can see some amazing murals by Jorit. They’re right across from the station and visible from the train. Jorit is the artist who painted San Gennaro in the city center.

Didn’t you plan to visit Capri? I haven’t been there myself, but I’ve heard it’s worth it, even though it’s very touristy.

We’ve already planned the historic center and the Lapis Museum in Naples, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Procida, Sorrento, and Ravello.

You haven’t planned Capri? I hadn’t been there either, but I was told it’s worth it even though it’s very touristy.

Capri is nice, but it’s really geared toward a luxury crowd! All the big fashion designers and jewelers are there!

And watch out for the restaurants! 18 € for a pizza in 2018—ouch! 😎

There are some charming little streets, but you’ll have to walk.

Your itinerary is already packed honestly :) Maybe a few extra little ideas without overloading: In Naples, if you have time, the archaeological museum is really worth it (especially after Pompeii/Herculaneum, it complements things nicely). On the Amalfi Coast, Positano is nice even just for half a day, or Amalfi for the atmosphere and a relaxed stroll. We also took a few boat trips between the towns—super pleasant to avoid the roads and enjoy the views (we checked the options here). And keep at least one "off" day with no plans, just beach and restaurants—it’s a nice break in the middle of the trip :)

Hi, Thanks for your reply. For the Amalfi Coast, we’re planning to take a boat to Capri, and we also want to visit the small villages along the coast, explore the hinterland, and spend a day at the site of Paestum... and why not a "chill-out" day too!!!! I’ll make a note to check out the Naples Metro.

Hi Noëlle, Thanks for your reply. We’re roughly the same age (we’re two couples, 71 and 73). Our accommodation is in the Chiaia district in Naples, then we’ll rent a car for one night in Sorrento and four nights in Ravello. While we’re in Ravello, we plan to visit the Paestum site. If you don’t mind, I’ll note to contact you at the end of May to get your impressions and good tips from your trip. Have a wonderful stay in May. Best regards,

Hello, Thanks for your reply and suggestions. I didn’t know about the street art—I’ll make a note of it (we went to Valparaiso, and it was an amazing discovery to see all those works of art). As for Capri, we’ll head there from Ravello if the sea isn’t too rough!!!!

Hi there Thanks for your message. The museum is planned. I’m noting down the boat tour ideas, and you’re right—a lazy day is a great idea.

Hi Hélène, I chatted this week with the Italian woman who runs a "sapori d'Italia" shop near my place. She went to the Amalfi Coast at the end of September. She’d rented a small car because she had to visit suppliers in the hinterland. She confirmed that traffic was a nightmare—jams everywhere, parking was scarce and ridiculously expensive... and her husband had thanked her for renting a small car instead of a medium-sized one! This backs up what all the guidebooks and tourist offices say: avoid driving, use public transport. There are bus services, and you can combine buses and boats to make the most of it.

I’d already seen this advice on travel forums, so I planned accordingly. When we arrive at Naples Airport, we’ll take a taxi at the regulated rate to our accommodation in the historic center. During our stay in Naples: public transport, walking, or a taxi if we’re too tired. For Herculaneum, we’ll take the Circumvesuviana train from Porta Nolana station.

We’ve decided to visit Pompeii on the way to Amalfi: we’ll go to Pompeii by prepaid taxi with our luggage, which we’ll leave in a locker. We’ve booked a guided tour. Then, we’ll take the train to Sorrento, followed by a bus or boat to Amalfi, where we’re staying near the port and bus station.

From Amalfi, we’ll visit Ravello by bus, and Positano and other villages by boat or bus.

We’re training for the walking—there are hills in Naples, and we’ve got mountains back home.

Don’t hesitate to get in touch after I return.

Oh, and one more thing: you *must* see the Sansevero Chapel in the historic center for its Veiled Christ, a masterpiece of sculpture. It’s a three-star highlight in all the guides, but you *have* to book ahead because the site is small.

True, about the car—they did warn us... We're only renting it to get from Naples to Sorrento. Maybe in October there'll be fewer cars!!!!

Hi there,

You can take the EAV Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii—no need for a taxi.

They’ve announced the reopening of the Fontanelle Cemetery for April 19th, so that’s worth checking out, along with the Sanità neighborhood around it.

Hi Karl, I’m not looking for the cheapest option but the least tiring one. We’re 77 and 82, and we don’t want to walk 30 minutes with rolling suitcases to the station, then stand in a crowded train before arriving in Pompeii where we’ll already be walking for 2–3 hours. ...and then the rest of the day to get to Amalfi. We might also find shuttle buses from Pompeii to Amalfi—something to check out once we’re there.

I’m noting the Naples Metro to see.

I went to Naples in December 2021, and at a newsstand in Garibaldi Station, I bought a little box with explanatory leaflets (authors, works, etc.) about the art in the Naples Metro. I think there were guided tours of the metro with the tourist office. Since 2021, the number of stations involved has increased—Toledo Station is the most famous and it’s right in the city center.

thanks

Hi,

I saw below that you mentioned Capri...

but it’s not the "Capri" level (too flashy) that you should see—it’s ANACAPRI, the level above. That’s where it’s peaceful, photogenic, and home to the stunning Villa San Michele to visit! Here’s my travel journal:

https://blogs.crespel.me/italie/2010/09/17/naples-jour-4/

There are other interesting pages on the same blog too.

See you around!

Hi, Thanks, I read your blog—really interesting!

Hi there, Thanks, I read your blog—it was really interesting!

Hello Hélène,

My blog, created back in 2010, is definitely a bit dated now, but you’ll find our detailed 6-day itinerary with photos.

I hope it gave you some ideas and was helpful!

Thanks for stopping by, and happy travels! Jean

PS: This was our 3rd trip to Italy, and soon it’ll be our 7th (Pisa-Cinque Terre-Florence-Pisa in 2 weeks).

Hi Jean,

Yes, I’ve found all the day plans and I’ll use them as inspiration to organize our trip—thanks so much for that! We visited Florence in 2023 (we loved it) and in 2024, we traveled with our grandkids (ages 7 and 13) to Pisa and the Cinque Terre. They had a great time discovering those places. Wishing you a wonderful 7th trip to Italy!

Italy is amazing...

And by typing the start of my blog reference, you’ll get ALL of them... including Tuscany, Puglia, Sicily, each in 2 weeks!

See you!

Thanks, I’ll jot all this down—we’ve got family in Italy, and every time we visit them, we take the chance to explore different regions.

Hello,

Taxi to Porta Nolana, then take the Campania Express train—no stress...

Hi Noëlle,

I hope you enjoyed your stay in Naples and along the Amalfi Coast. As agreed, I’m reaching out to hear your thoughts, favorite spots, and any great tips you might have—whenever you have a little time. Thanks,