Looking for the best day trips from Naples, in Italy? If so, you are in the right place 🙂 I was born and raised there, so I learnt a bit about the city and its beautiful surroundings.
In this blogpost I’ll take you through the best things to see around Napoli, from Unesco world heritage site, to roman ruins and guided tour to world famous archaeological sites.
DIANA BANCALE
Founder and author, travel blogger since 2014.
I suggest you first to visit the city of Naples and try the wonderful typical food in the best restaurants of Naples. After that, take some time to explore the best places close to Naples in Campania region.
Here are my tips for enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the Neapolitan city to the fullest.
1 Amalfi Coast Tour
Known and loved all around the world, stunning Amalfi Coast will enchant you with postcard-perfect views, sheer sea vistas of impressive beauty, and quaint seaside villages.
Visiting villages such as beautiful town of Positano, which is a real gem, will immerse you in a chic and relaxed atmosphere.
You will stroll through its flowery streets and lemon groves among fashion stores, traditional leather shoes stores, and bars and restaurants where you can taste the fabulous local dishes.
Ps: on the Amalfi Coast you can’t fail to taste limoncello and “delizia al limone”, a liquor and a pastry, both made with the area’s famous lemons.
And what about Ravello, with its elegant Roman villas overlooking the sea, Amalfi, the oldest of the Maritime Republics and largest town of the coast, and Sorrento with its elegant buildings?
To visit the best of the Amalfi Coast, the best option is to book a guided tour from Naples.
2 Tour of Pompeii and Mt Vesuvius
One of best day trips from Naples to learn more about the ancient city of Naples, its surroundings and the morphology of the area is definitely the excursion to the archaeological ruins of Pompeii. During the same tour you will visit also Vesuvius, the volcano that dominates the Bay of Naples and destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum some 2,000 years ago in 79 AD.
The two cities remained buried for centuries under layers of lava and stones, and only brought to light in modern times.
If you are short on time and want to see more locations in one day starting from Naples, you can join this tour of ancient ruins of Pompeii and Vesuvius in one day.
The Pompeii and Vesuvius tour will allow you to walk among what remains of the roman city after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. A local guide will walk you through the old streets, exploring the remains of houses, alleys, and all the historical traces that escaped the decline of time.
You can admire the ruins of frescoes, mosaics, works of art and monuments.
There are even plaster casts of some of the people who were in the cities at the time of the eruption of Vesuvius! You can read all the tour details here!
BOOK THE POMPEII AND VESUVIUS TOUR FROM NAPLES HERE
3 Mount Vesuvius Transfer with Entry Tickets
If you want to have more time to enjoy Mount Vesuvius, you’d rather pick a tour of Vesuvius National Park from Naples.
With this excursion you will travel with a transfer up to 1000meters in the national park. Then, you will have plenty of free time to enjoy the volcano and its crater, toghether with the amazing biodiversity and breathtaking views over the volcano and the bay of Naples and Amalfi Coast.
4 Tour to Capri Island from Naples
Another worth visiting place close to Naples is the island of Capri, the most elegant of the islands in the Campania archipelago. I have been there several times and it always has a magical atmosphere.
To visit it safely and with a guide, you can join an organized tour departing from Naples.
A private car will then take you to Piano di Sorrento, where you will take a traditional boat to get to Capri with a small group of people.
After a short boat ride, you’ll disembark on the island and you will admire the spectacular views of the island, from the beauty of the natural caves to the world famous Faraglioni.
Take advantage of snorkeling in its beautiful waters and beautiful beaches!
A tour of Capri would not be complete without taking a stroll around the isladnd center, looking at the windows of the luxurious boutiques or stopping at one of the fancy restaurants for lunch. Duringt the tour, you’ll have some free time to do that!
If you can, I suggest you to prefer Autumn and Spring, rather than high season in summer, to avoid big crowds and long queues.
BOOK YOUR TOUR TO CAPRI FROM NAPLES HERE
5 Tour to Procida island
Another great day trip is a trip to Procida island. This is the smallest of the islands in the Gulf of Naples and also the quietest and least touristy.
I was there often when I lived in Naples, and a few summers ago I treated myself to a small day tour of Procida by myself that made me rediscover its beauty and its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.I went solo and visited the island independentlly but if you don’t feel like thinking about organization or don’t like to travel alone, I recommend visiting Procida with an organized trip from Naples, with transfers and lunch included.
This way you will enjoy the best of Procida without any worries.
Departure is from Naples by ferry and once you arrive you will visit the island’s villages, the historic centre, Terra Murata and its castle, the delightful port of Corricella and Marina Grande. Lunch will be at a typical Procida restaurant, with 3 courses meal and wine.
CLICK HERE TO BOOK THE PROCIDA TOUR FROM NAPLES
6 Day trip to the Royal Palace of Caserta
Another day trip you can easily take from Naples is the day trip to the Royal Palace of Caserta, one of the most famous attractions in Campania region.
The marvelous palace, which is modeled after the Palace of Versailles, was the residence of the Bourbon royal family and the haunt of famous artists and writers who were captivated by this splendid structure.
On this tour, you will depart from Naples and you will get to visit the royal apartments, the beautiful gardens with their fountains, the bedroom and the huge ballrooms of the palace.
Departure is from Naples by bus, and the duration of the tour is 5 hours.
If you also hate the long line tickets, with this getyourguide tour you will be entitled to priority entry that will allow you to skip the line and quickly access the attraction.
BOOK THE TOUR TO THE ROYAL PALACE OF CASERTA FROM NAPLES HERE
7 Gulf of Naples boat tour
Gulf of Naples is a real marvel. I am not saying this because I am from Naples, but you’ll notice yourself as soon as you’ll arrive there 🙂 Maybe the best way to enjoy it is a boat tour around the gulf. With this tour by Getyourguide you will leave from Naples and get to Capri by ferry, admiring the beauty of the bay. Then, once in Capri you will embark on a boat tour to explore the best parts of the island: Punta Carena, Faraglioni passing through the arch of love, Villa of Curzio Malaparte and the famous white and green grotto.
Then, you’ll also have the option to visit the island on tour for a 3/4 hours free time, before going back to Naples.
8 Ischia Island Poseidon thermal baths
One of the best and biggest thermal baths in Campania is for sure Poseidon Thermal Gardens, in the island of Ischia. If you want to spend some relaxing time, this is the best place to be. By booking this tour you will get to Ischia from Naples with public transport (fast ferry) and once in Ischia, you’ll jump on a transfer all the way to the wonderful thermal gardens.
Poseidon is right on the beach, nested amidst Mediterranea vegetation, with a nice beach and a huge variety of thermal pools and jacuzzi, each one with different mineral compositions and temperatures, saunas, turkish baths and relaxation areas.
I have been there quite a few time and I can’t remember of a thermal bath more beautiful than this!
BOOK HERE THE ISCHIA ISLAND POSEIDON THERMAL BATHS
9 Tour of Naples, Pompeii and Sorrento
Short on time but want to get the most of your day trip from Naples? Well, this guided tour could be the most suitable for you!
Naples, Pompeii, and Sorrento will be your destinations. You’ll have 2 hours to explore Naples combining walking tour and minibus, later you’ll go to Pompeii. Here, you’ll get the chance to stroll through one of the most important roman ruins in the world.
Of course, you can’t leave Naples without trying the world famous neapolitan pizza, before continuing your trip to Sorrento, in the Amalfi Coast. During the trip, you’ll be amazed by the wonderful views of the coast and the pictoreque villages all around. Finally, you are in Sorrento, with its nice narrow streets, the artisan shops and panoramic views.
​Do you like this plan? Then, book your tour on advance online.
10 Tour to Ercolano
If you love history and fancy getting in tiuch with Ancient Rome times, you need to visit Ercolano and its ruins. Here, you will admire well preserved houses and rooms, romand columns and even public buildings and shops! Join a guided tour to this Archeological Unesco world heritage site from Sorrento and spend the day stepping back in time!
BOOK HERCOLANEUM TOUR HERE ON CIVITATIS
11 Boat tour in Naples bay with aperitivo
If you like traveling by boat, don’t miss this fun tour starting from Castel dell’Ovo, in Naples, with a sunset ride and aperitivo!
During the ride, you will enjoy the beautiful views of the bay, listen to nice music and enjoy a delicious aperitivo with drinks and food!
What will you see during the boat tour? The fancy area of Posillipo, with its historic and elegant mansions, the small island of Nisida, with its crystal waters, where you can take a dip, if you like! After 2 hours of sailing, it’s time to go back home. Do you like the plan? Then, book the tour here and don’t miss your spot!
Let me know in the comments if you liked this tour and your favorite part of Naples and its surroundings!
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