Planning a trip to Naples and wondering where else you can explore nearby? Good news – there are many amazing day trips from Naples. From sun-soaked islands to ancient ruins, Naples is the perfect base for adventures across Campania. You can sip limoncello on a cliffside, climb a volcano, or stroll through an ancient Roman city… all in a single day.
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1. Explore the Amalfi Coast 🍋
This stretch of coastline is pure drama: cliffs dropping into turquoise sea, towns that look painted on the hillsides, and lemon groves everywhere you turn.
Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello are the headliners, each with their own charm and more photo ops than your camera roll can handle.
Spend your day café-hopping, dipping your toes in the sea at Positano, or wandering the gardens of Villa Cimbrone in Ravello.
If you’re feeling energetic, the Path of the Gods hike gives you bird’s-eye views that genuinely live up to the hype.
🚍 Getting there: Take a ferry (summer only), SITA bus, or book a private transfer. Driving is scenic but parking is tough. Discover Cars are the best for car rentals.
🎟️ Tours: try a private tour of the Amalfi Coast, or this private day trip with lunch.
👉 Read more: 4 Day Amalfi Coast Itinerary | Things to do in Positano.
2. Sail to Capri 🛥️
Capri is all about glamour – think designer boutiques, chic cafés, and dramatic cliffs plunging into electric-blue sea.
Even just people-watching in the Piazzetta feels like stepping into a film set.
Once you’ve had your spritz, head up to Anacapri for sweeping views from Mount Solaro, or wander through the pretty Gardens of Augustus overlooking the Faraglioni rocks.
And yes, the Blue Grotto is touristy – but rowing into that glowing cave is a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
⛴️ Getting there: Ferries from Naples’ Molo Beverello take 40–80 minutes.
🎟️ Tours: Try a private Capri tour or a full day Capri cruise and sightseeing tour.
3. Discover Pompeii’s Ruins 🏛️
Pompeii is the big one – an ancient Roman city frozen in time by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. Walking through its streets really does feel like stepping back 2,000 years.
You’ll pass bakeries with ovens still intact, sprawling villas decorated with colourful mosaics, and a huge amphitheatre where gladiators once fought.
It’s vast, so wear comfy shoes, bring water, and maybe join a tour so you don’t miss the best bits.
🚆 Getting there: Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii Scavi station (30 mins). You can also drive, although parking may be limited.
🎟️ Tours: Half-day guided Pompeii tours with skip-the-line entry are best.
4. Visit Historic Herculaneum 🏚️
If Pompeii feels overwhelming, Herculaneum is its quieter, more intimate sibling.
The same eruption covered it in ash, but what survived here feels even more vivid – painted frescoes, charred wooden beams, and streets that almost look lived-in.
You can wander past once-grand villas, see colourful mosaics in the House of Neptune and Amphitrite, and peek into old shops and bathhouses.
It’s smaller, less crowded, and gives you a more personal glimpse of Roman daily life.
🚆 Getting there: Train to Ercolano Scavi station (20 mins). You can also drive, but parking may be limited.
🎟️ Tours: avoid transport issues and go for a group tour with hotel pickup, or combine Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius in one luxury tour.
5. Day Trip to Sorrento 🌇
Sorrento is all lemon groves, cliffside views, and laid-back Italian charm. It’s a bit bigger and busier than Amalfi Coast villages, but it makes up for it with atmosphere (and limoncello).
Spend your time wandering the narrow lanes of the old town, browsing ceramic shops, or chilling in Piazza Tasso with a gelato.
The views over the Bay of Naples are some of the best around – especially at sunset.
🚆 Getting there: Circumvesuviana train (1 hour) or ferry (45 mins), take private transfer, or you can drive to Sorrento from Naples.
🎟️ Tours: Sorrento & Amalfi Coast combo tours are ideal for a full day
👉 Read more: Things to do in Sorrento | How to Get From Naples to Sorrento.
6. Hike Mount Vesuvius 🌋
That looming volcano you keep spotting on the horizon? You can climb it. Mount Vesuvius is an active volcano, but safe to visit, and offers one of the most unique hikes in Italy.
The trail to the crater takes about 30–45 minutes. It’s a bit of a workout, but the payoff is huge – peering into the steaming crater while soaking up sweeping views across the bay.
Just remember, the path is dusty, so leave the white trainers at home.
🚐 Getting there: Take train to Ercolano, then shuttle bus to the trailhead. If you want to drive, get there early for parking. My preference is to take a guided hiking tour with pickup.
🎟️ Tours: Vesuvius hiking tours with wine tasting? Yes please. Book here
7. Relax on Ischia Island 🌿
Ischia is Capri’s more chilled-out cousin – lush, green, and known for its thermal spas and sandy beaches.
It’s where locals escape for a proper holiday, and it feels more authentic than its glitzy neighbour.
Spend the day soaking in hot springs at Poseidon Gardens, exploring the fairytale-like Aragonese Castle, or enjoying seafood with sea views in the fishing village of Sant’Angelo.
It’s easygoing and gorgeous, with plenty of space to slow down.
⛴️ Getting there: Ferries/hydrofoils from Naples (40-60 mins).
🎟️ Tours: Options include Private Luxury Ischia Trips, Small Group Boat Tours, and Hydrofoil Ticket Plus Lunch.
8. Wander Colourful Procida 🎨
Tiny Procida is pure pastel perfection. Its fishing harbour, Marina Corricella, is one of the most photogenic spots in the Bay of Naples, with houses stacked in rainbow shades.
The island is small enough to explore in a day: wander the cobbled streets, climb up to Terra Murata for sweeping views, and eat fresh seafood by the water.
It’s quieter than Capri and Ischia, which makes it the perfect slow-travel escape.
⛴️ Getting there: Ferries from Naples (20-40 mins).
🎟️ Tours: Options include Mini Cruises of Procida and Ischia, Full Day Guided Tour of Procida, and simple Hydrofoil Tickets Plus Lunch.
Map of day trips from Naples.
The Google map below shows all the day trips from Naples as listed in this post. Click the blue icons to see more information about each place, or click the star to add to your own Google Maps.
FAQs about Day Trips from Naples 💡
Planning your Naples itinerary? Here are some of the most common questions travellers ask before heading out on day trips.
What are the best day trips from Naples?
The most popular picks are Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, and Mount Vesuvius – but don’t overlook smaller gems like Procida or Herculaneum if you want fewer crowds.
Can you do Capri as a day trip from Naples?
Yes! Capri is just 40-80 minutes away by ferry, so it’s totally doable in a day. Many people spend a few hours between Capri Town and Anacapri, then squeeze in a boat tour to the Blue Grotto before heading back.
How do I get to Pompeii from Naples?
The quickest way is the Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Centrale to Pompeii Scavi – it takes around 30 minutes and drops you right by the entrance.
Is it worth visiting Herculaneum as well as Pompeii?
Definitely. Pompeii is bigger, but Herculaneum is better preserved and much less crowded. If you have time, visiting both gives you the full picture of Roman life before Vesuvius erupted.
Do I need a car to do day trips from Naples?
Not really. Ferries, trains, and buses cover most places easily, and tours are handy for more complicated spots like the Amalfi Coast. Driving is possible, but parking is scarce and the roads are not for the faint-hearted.
Can I visit Mount Vesuvius on a day trip?
Yes – it’s one of the easiest Naples day trips. You can take a train to Ercolano and a shuttle up to the trailhead, or book a guided tour that includes Pompeii or Herculaneum as well.
What’s the easiest island to visit from Naples?
Procida is the quickest and most compact, making it perfect for a relaxed day out. Capri has the glamour, and Ischia offers spas and beaches – so it depends on your vibe.
Q: What are the best day trips from Naples?
A: According to tour operator Viator, the best day trips from Naples are:
- Capri and Blue Grotto Day Tour from Naples or Sorrento
- Sorrento, Positano, and Amalfi Day Trip from Naples with Pick Up
- Pompeii Vesuvius Day Trip from Naples + Italian Light Lunch
- From Naples: Pompeii Entrance & Amalfi Coast Tour with Lunch
- Day Trip from Naples: Amalfi Coast Tour Including Ravello
Final Thoughts on Naples Day Trips ✨
Naples is wild, gritty, and full of soul – but it’s also a gateway to some of Italy’s most jaw-dropping spots. Whether you’re up for Roman ruins, island hopping, or mountain views, there’s a perfect choice for every traveller.
The best day trips from Naples really come down to mixing the big names with the hidden gems – classics like Pompeii or the Amalfi Coast balanced with a slower escape to Procida or Ischia. However you plan it, you’ll end the day full of sunshine, history, and probably a scoop (or three) of gelato.
Related Reading for Naples 📚
If you’re planning more adventures around Campania, these posts will help:
🍋 Amazing Things to do in Sorrento.
🏛️ 10 Unusual and Unique Things to do in Naples
🚗 A 2 Day Itinerary for Naples, Italy
🗓️ Planned Road Trip for the Amalfi Coast
Pin This for Later 📌
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Tags: Day trips, Europe, Italy, Naples
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