Day Trip from Naples: Pompeii, Vesuvius, Amalfi Coast
Option A — Pompeii and Vesuvius in a single day
If you dream of walking through the ruins of an ancient Roman city and then climbing the smoking crater of a volcano, the combination of Pompeii + Vesuvius is the ideal day trip for you. Starting early in the morning from Naples (perhaps with the Circumvesuviana train from Porta Nolana or Piazza Garibaldi, in 40 minutes you are in Pompeii), you can dedicate the first few hours to visiting the Pompeii excavations. As soon as you cross Porta Marina, you will feel like you are stepping back two thousand years: you can walk along the Decumanus among ancient shops, frescoed domus and even the amphitheater where the gladiators once ignited the crowd. A tip from those who return to Pompeii often: bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water if it's summer, because the sun knows how to be relentless among those stone streets without many shady areas! To optimize time and avoid long queues at the entrance, book a skip-the-line ticket with a guided tour — in addition to entering quickly, you will have an expert guide who will show you the most significant places: the Forum, the casts of the bodies, Villa of Mysteries and much more, enriching the experience with vivid stories of daily life at the
time of the Empire.
After about 2-3 hours in Pompeii, recharge yourself with a quick lunch (perhaps a folded “booklet pizza” to take away or a sandwich with buffalo mozzarella bought outside the excavations) because the grand finale awaits you: the climb to Mount Vesuvius. Shuttles and organized tours leave from Pompei Villa dei Misteri station, which in about 45 minutes of panoramic hairpin bends take you to an altitude of 1000 meters above the volcano. From there, backpacking and comfortable shoes on your feet, you will set out on the path that leads to the Great Cone: a walk of about 20-30 minutes uphill, on black lava gravel, which is worth every drop of sweat. Arriving on the edge of the crater, an unforgettable spectacle awaits you: on the one hand, the crater of Vesuvius itself, immense and silent with a few fumaroles that recall its nature as an active volcano; on the other, the view of the Gulf of Naples that opens majestically below you, with the city, the blue sea and Capri on the horizon. On clear days, one can see all the way to Ischia and the Amalfi Coast. It's an exciting, almost mystical moment — up here you can sense the enormous power of nature and you think of that day in 79 A.D. when Pompeii was buried under lapilli and ashes by this very 'sleeping giant'. Take a sweatshirt or windbreaker with you: at this altitude the air can be cool even in summer, and the wind often blows strongly on the edge of the volcano
.
Take all the usual photos (maybe with the fluttering scarf like “NatGeo explorer”!) , return to Naples late in the afternoon satisfied: in a single day you have touched ancient history in Pompeii and the fiery heart of the earth on Vesuvius. A truly complete experience with an indescribable charm
.
Amalfi
Option B — Amalfi Coast: sea, villages and Dolce Vita
The equally tempting alternative for an excursion from Naples is to spend the day along the legendary Amalfi Coast. This tour will give you postcard-perfect views, romantic streets between pastel-colored houses and the scent of lemon in the air. To leave for the coast, there are various options: you can rely on an organized minibus tour departing from Naples (convenient because they avoid the stress of coastal traffic and act as your guide) see: Guided tour of the Amalfi Coast from Naples, or do it yourself by taking the train to Sorrento and from there a SITA bus or a ferry to Positano/Amalfi. However, consider that in high season the coast is very crowded and narrow streets get clogged up easily: private cars are not recommended unless you have an experienced driver, because parking and sheer curves could turn the trip into a nightmare! Much better to relax and let others guide you.
The classic day trip on the coast allows you to visit at least Positano and Amalfi (sometimes adding a stop in Ravello if you are on an organized tour). Positano welcomes you with its very famous glance: the multicolored houses climbing the hill that slope down to the beach and a crystal clear sea. Get ready to go down (and up!) many staircases: here there are no real internal streets, only picturesque stairways full of bougainvillea and boutiques selling handmade sandals and Positano fashion. Enjoy a beachfront espresso or maybe a lemon cream ice cream on the Spiaggia Grande, watching Li Galli's faraglioni in the
distance.
Continuing towards Amalfi along the Nastro Azzurro road (or by sea by ferry, a highly recommended option in summer to avoid traffic and enjoy breathtaking views of the coast), you will reach the city of Amalfi, an ancient maritime republic with a glorious past. The center of Amalfi is gathered around the scenic square with the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea: climb the monumental staircase and admire the Arab-Norman façade with black and white stripes, then visit the Cloister of Heaven next to the cathedral for a dive into medieval history. Amalfi is the right place for lunch: why not try a plate of scialatielli with seafood in a typical trattoria? For dessert, a delicious lemon treat, the local dessert par excellence, so fresh and citrusy that it feels like summer in the mouth
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If you have time (and a means at your disposal), a visit to Ravello is worth it: this hilltop village is quieter and offers unparalleled views. Enter the gardens of Villa Rufolo or Villa Cimbrone, places that have enchanted musicians and writers, and overlooking the Terrace of Infinity: understanding why Wagner and Gore Vidal loved Ravello so much will be immediate, with that balcony overlooking the infinite blue. All around silence, flowers, and the shimmering sea over there: pure magic
.
The return to Naples in the evening, perhaps as the sun sets behind Capri that you can see in the distance, crowns a dream day. The Amalfi Coast in one day leaves behind a sense of a lived fairytale: few places in the world concentrate so much natural beauty and charm. Sure, you'll have to deal with tight deadlines and maybe a few crowds, but those views will stick in your soul
.
Trekking on Vesuvius with a Guide
How to choose between Pompei+Vesuvius or the Amalfi Coast?
The choice is not easy, it depends a lot on your interests and also on the period in which you visit Naples. If you love history and archeology, Pompeii and Vesuvius will give you a unique satisfaction: it's a journey through time and space, ideal in all seasons (except for the scorching hot days of August, when Pompeii can be really tiring under the scorching sun). In addition, in autumn/winter, when the sea doesn't call for a swim, visiting cultural sites such as Pompeii is more appropriate, while the coast on a rainy or gray day would lose some of its panoramic magic. If, on the other hand, you are looking for postcard landscapes, a relaxing atmosphere and maybe a dip in the blue sea, then the coast in summer or late spring is the right choice: you can live the beach life in Positano or simply enjoy a lunch in front of the sea with the summer breeze. Also consider that in the middle of August Pompeii will be scorching hot (and without shade), while on the coast you will at least have the opportunity to cool off with a lemon slush or a bath
.
The weather and the season play a crucial role: in winter, various activities on the coast (such as maritime connections and some shops) reduce hours or close, and the atmosphere can be a bit sleepy — Pompeii, on the contrary, is always accessible and fascinating, and Vesuvius on a clear winter day offers exceptional visibility. In summer, the opposite situation: the coast is teeming with life, events, clubs open late and bright colors, while Pompeii below 35°C may not be for everyone (even if with an expert guide and starting early in the morning you can do very
well).
How many days do you have available? If you only stay in Naples for a weekend and you have to choose only one day trip, follow your instinct and your personal must: there are those who cannot give up seeing Pompeii at least once in their lives, and those who have always dreamed of that selfie in Positano with the colorful houses behind them. If, on the other hand, you have 4-5 days in total, why not do both excursions on two different days? At MeTour, we can help you fit everything together perfectly, perhaps dedicating a full day to the Amalfi Coast (with a guided tour or a comfortable private transfer with driver to take you around at your own pace (Car rental with driver for Amalfi Coast), stopping wherever you want) and another day in Pompeii &
Vesuvio.
Budget: Even the wallet plays its part: the Pompei+Vesuvius option is generally cheaper if done by yourself (train ticket+Vesuvius bus+tickets, in total you could stay under 50€ per person). A guided tour increases the cost but makes your life easier. The coast, especially on its own, involves various costs: transportation (train+bus, or ferry, or private car with fuel and salty parking), any entrances (such as Villa Rufolo in Ravello) and meals in tourist places that are not exactly cheap. A group tour from Naples can be convenient because with about 80-100€ it includes transportation and a guide for the whole day. So if you have a small budget and you like to get by, Pompeii-Vesuvius can be tackled with little; the coast, on the other hand, tends to be more “luxury” unless you venture out with crowded buses and a packed sandwich (which is very feasible anyway, depending on the
travel style!).
Amalfi Coast
Practical tips for your day trip
- Book in advance: both a visit to Pompeii (especially with a guide or skip-the-line) and a possible tour of the coast must be booked in advance, especially in high season. On our site you will find options for guided tours and private transfers, but also tickets for coastal ferries thanks to the partnership with Grimaldi Lines if
- you want to travel by sea.
- Departure time: get out early! To Pompeii, take one of the first trains in the morning to avoid the crowds at the entrance and enjoy the ruins relatively calmly in the early cool hours. For the coast, the ideal is to leave Naples by 7:30-8:00, so you arrive in Positano before the big daily flows and enjoy the uncluttered streets (relatively speaking...)
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- Clothing and accessories: in both cases, comfortable, non-slip shoes. In Pompeii you will walk on uneven and dusty ancient basolates; on Vesuvius a mini-trek on lava gravel; on the coast you will face stairs and descents. Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen in summer, and a light jacket for the wind at the top of the volcano or the evening breeze on the coast. Don't forget your costume if you go to the coast during the summer: maybe a dip in Positano will escape us (carry a small towel in your
- backpack).
- Water and snacks: Always carry a water bottle. In Pompeii there are scattered fountains where you can fill it (a precious resource under the sun). On Mount Vesuvius you'll find a kiosk near the crater for fruit juice or mulled wine (in winter), but it's better to have something with you. On the Coast you can stock up on local delights, but having some snacks (taralli, dried fruit) in your backpack can buffer
- any waits at the restaurant.
- Weather: Check the forecasts the day before. If there is heavy rain, Vesuvius could be closed for safety and the view would still be nil — in this case it falls back to the coast or to floor B (Herculaneum and museum, for example). Conversely, rough seas or storms on the coast would make the trip less pleasant, while Pompeii, even with a little rain, has its reason (a raincoat is enough). In short, be flexible if you can, and choose the last one based on the sky.
- Avoid the stress of transport: if the idea of jamming trains, buses and schedules sends you into a tailspin, trust those who do it by profession. There are great day tours that start from Naples and combine Pompeii and Vesuvius with a guide and transfer included, or minivan excursions around the coast with a local driver. This allows you to relax and listen to anecdotes without worrying about the navigator. On MeTour you will find both solutions: from the Pompei-Vesuvius all-inclusive package with pickup from the hotel, to the coastal tour by boat or bus. If you prefer total independence but don't want to drive yourself, we can organize a rental with a dedicated driver: a private driver will take you wherever you want, will stop on request for panoramic photos and will wait patiently for you while you explore (NCC Amalfi Coast from Naples). It is the most comfortable solution (and the only one to reach perhaps even less accessible places in a day, like Ravello, without running)
- .
- Don't forget... your camera or smartphone charged! Whether in front of the smoking Vesuvius or on the terrace of Positano, you'll definitely want to capture those moments. And maybe then share them with us by tagging #MeTour in your best photos — we'd love to see your smiles around Campania, and who knows, you
- might inspire other travelers.
Whatever your choice, Pompei+Vesuvius or the Amalfi Coast, will be a memorable day. Each option has its own special charm: “fire and history” the first, “sea and sweet life” the second. In both you will find the authentic soul of this land: generous with beauty, culture and strong emotions. Get ready to love Naples and its surroundings even more — and we'll always be here, as local friends, ready to make your experience perfect with advice, services and direct assistance on site, Booking safely and easily, and even paying in cryptocurrencies if you like!
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