Best Day Trips from Naples: Explore Italy’s Treasures
With its intoxicating street life, fascinating neighborhoods, abundant green spaces, and exhilarating sea views, urban Naples offers plenty of appealing activities. However, taking your foot off the pedal for a day trip promises a refreshing breath of fresh air.
Within a few hours, you could be out on the Amalfi Coast or relaxing on a Gulf of Naples island, while ticking some of Italy’s most iconic sights off your bucket list. The top day trips from Naples cover a wide range of interests, including hiking, boating, swimming, archaeology, architecture, and the glamour of Italian beaches.
This day-tripping excursion also provides a precious opportunity to dive deep into the captivating history of the Campania region and its Roman heritage, along with its authentic island culture. Here is our pick of the best day trips from Naples.
Climb Mt. Vesuvius to Gaze on Europe’s Most Explosive Volcano
An early-morning hike up Mt. Vesuvius—the only active volcano on mainland Europe—is one of Italy’s great adventures. Since its explosive eruption in AD 79, which buried the nearby towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum, Vesuvius has erupted more than 30 times, most recently in 1944.
Moreover, anyone with a reasonable fitness level, including children, can manage the steep 30-minute ascent from the car park to the ash-dusted crater rim. The bird’s-eye views from the summit of the city and bay of Naples are unforgettable.
Make a day of it by exploring the local flora and fauna on one of the nine marked walking paths winding through the surrounding Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio. For seasoned hikers, the moderately difficult 3.8 km (2.3 mi) ‘Gran Cono’ trail offers the best summit experience.
Getting to Mt. Vesuvius: From Naples, take the Circumvesuviana or seasonal Campania Express train (30 to 35 minutes) to the Pompeii-Villa dei Misteri stop, then hop on a public EAV bus to the summit car park (around 50 minutes).
Explore Pompeii and Herculaneum: Europe’s Most Compelling Archaeological Sites
Few archaeological sites offer such an intimate connection to the past, or such a chilling trip back in time, as the mammoth UNESCO World Heritage-listed ruins of Pompeii. The destructive force of Mt. Vesuvius buried the Roman town in volcanic ash and debris in 79 CE, and sections of the city are still being excavated today.
Walking along the elevated stepping stones that once allowed the prosperous Pompeiians to stroll the main street without getting mucked up is a surreal experience (and something children will love).
To understand the complete story, pair your Pompeii visit with a dig around its frozen-in-time twin, Herculaneum, which was also hit by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 CE. Presently, the site is a small fishing village, making it smaller and less overwhelming than Pompeii, allowing for a more intimate visit.
Getting to Pompeii and Herculaneum: From Naples, take the Circumvesuviana or seasonal Campania Express train to the Pompeii-Villa dei Misteri stop (30 to 35 minutes). The same train stops at Ercolano-Scavi train station (15 minutes from Naples and 30 minutes from Pompeii); from here, it’s a 500 m (0.3 mi) walk downhill along Via 4 Novembre to Herculaneum’s scavi (ruins).
Visit Capri for A-Lister Islander Vibes
If you can tolerate high-season crowds, a summertime visit to Naples’ most beautiful island will certainly impress. If crowds are not your cup of tea, we recommend visiting in spring or early fall for a calmer experience. Whenever you visit, the island offers ample temptations to fill several days if you have the time.
Float on the luminous azure waters of the popular Grotta Azzurra and take the Monte Solaro chairlift to reveal stunning views of the surrounding waters. Visit Axel Munthe’s eclectic Villa San Michele for more enchanting vistas, and relive poetic glories in art-nouveau Villa Lysis. Alternatively, escape to Augustus’ Gardens for views over the iconic Faraglioni rocks. At lunchtime, dining with Italian A-listers at La Palette or sophisticated Il Geranio is a rite of passage.
Getting to Capri: Board a high-speed hydrofoil (40 minutes) from Naples’ Molo Beverello port to Capri’s Marina Grande port, or opt for the slower, more scenic island ferry (75 minutes) from Naples’ Porta di Massa.
Sail to Ischia for Beach Relaxation and Thermal Springs
A short boat ride from Naples leads to the rocky outcrop of Ischia, the bay’s largest island, under the shadow of Monte Epomeo. The interior is filled with chestnut forests, vineyards, and volcanic rock formations, while luxury thermal spas, manicured gardens, and private beach clubs trim the busy coastline. Ischia Porto offers the best selection of bars and restaurants (ensure to reserve a table for a seafood risotto lunch at La Pantera Rosa).
On the more relaxed south coast, hop on a water taxi from car-free Sant’Angelo to secluded Baia di Sorgeto, where free thermal waters spill into rock pools. Select a spot with the optimal temperature (the water can be scalding in places), and simply unwind. Back in Ischia Porto, don’t miss Castello Aragonese, then wander along boutique-lined Corso Vittoria Colonna before catching the last ferry back to Naples.
Getting to Ischia: High-speed hydrofoils (45 minutes) run to Ischia’s main ferry terminal in Ischia Porto from Naples’ Molo Beverello port.
Ride the Rails to Sorrento for Quirky Shopping and A Touch of Grand Tour Nostalgia
A must-visit destination on every Grand Tour in the 19th century and a favored gathering place for the likes of Byron, Dickens, and Tolstoy, this romantic town on the Amalfi Coast hasn’t lost any of its old-world charm. Start your day early, meandering through the cobbled shopping alleys of the old town, brimming with independent boutiques and artisan studios selling handcrafted leather goods, ceramics, zesty limoncello, and crafts made from Sorrento’s famous inlaid wood.
After lunch, explore the cloistered Chiesa di San Francesco and enjoy breathtaking sea views from Villa Comunale park atop the town’s famous cliffs. From there, take a quick elevator ride down to Marina Piccola with its pebbly beach clubs. Alternatively, stroll to a deckchair-speckled jetty to sunbathe in tranquil Marina Grande. A spritz aperitivo before departure at the well-known Fauno Bar is highly recommended.
Getting to Sorrento: Sorrento is the last stop on the Circumvesuviana rail line from Naples. Trains depart every 30 minutes from Naples (70 minutes), also stopping in Pompeii and Ercolano.
Head West to Campi Flegrei: Explore Volcanic Hillsides and Unsung Roman Ruins
Just west of Naples, explore the city’s best-kept secret: the hidden collection of bubbling mud pits and steaming fumaroles known as Campi Flegrei or the ‘Phlegrean Fields.’ Scattered throughout this cinematic geothermal landscape are several Graeco-Roman ruins, promising a highly rewarding day of exploration.
Walk through well-preserved underground passageways at the Flavian Amphitheater in Pozzuoli, seek out the chamber inhabited by the oracle of Aeneid amid Greek ruins in Cuma, and imagine Roman emperors luxuriating in the lavishly decorated thermal baths in the Roman seaside resort of Baia. Arrive early to fit in some snorkeling, diving, or a glass-bottom boat trip to see Baia’s underwater archaeological area.
Getting to Campi Flegrei: The Flavian Amphitheater sites in Pozzuoli can be easily reached via Naples Metro Line 2 or the Cumana train. The rest of the Campi Flegrei area is spread out and not well served by public transport; fixed-rate taxi fares are available for Baia and Cuma, or a hire car is recommended.
Scoot to Reggia di Caserta for Awe-Inspiring Views of Italy’s Answer to Versailles
No royal palace in Italy dazzles quite like the baroque beauty of the UNESCO-listed Reggia di Caserta. Founded in 1752 by Bourbon king Charles VII, who sought a palace to outshine Versailles, the result is a mirage-like, 250 m-long structure featuring 1,200 rooms, 1,790 windows, and 34 staircases—according to local lore, the largest building in 18th-century Europe.
The admission fee covers the lavish royal apartments, the Palatine chapel, the royal court theatre, and a wonderful collection of traditional Neapolitan Christmas cribs. When you finish touring the interiors, breathe in the fresh air in the palace’s equally sumptuous grounds, which can be explored on foot, by bus, bike, or horse-drawn carriage. Don’t miss the English Garden with its seductive Bath of Venus.
Getting to Caserta: Regular trains connect Naples with Caserta train station (50 minutes); from there, it’s a five-minute walk to the palace.
This article was last updated on January 25, 2022.
