Southern Italy: Amalfi Coast Tour From Rome
When people are planning an Amalfi Coast tour, they often fly into Rome and then take the train to Naples. But from there, things get difficult when they start trying to figure out how to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast.
Fortunately, taking a private car with Daytrip makes things easy since you can trust a single provider for door-to-door service on each leg of the trip. And even better, by taking a car from Rome to the Amalfi Coast, you’ll get to experience even more of Italy by stopping for sightseeing on the way!
Your Amalfi Coast Tour from Rome Itinerary:
Day 1: Rome to Naples (stops in: Anfiteatro Campano, Royal Palace of Caserta)
Day 2: Naples to Positano (stops in: Cantina del Vesuvio, Pompeii)
Day 3: Positano to Benevento (stops in: Ravello, Mount Vesuvius)
Day 4: Benevento to Rome (stops in: Abbey of Monte Cassino, Anagni Cathedral)
Day 1: Rome to Naples
After touching down in the capital, you can spend some time exploring its rich history or equally rich cuisine. No matter what you decide, the first step in any trip to the Amalfi Coast is to head from Rome to Naples.
Anfiteatro Campano
Rome’s Colosseum holds the title of the biggest amphitheater in Italy, but the lesser-known Anfiteatro Campano is the second largest, and older. In fact, it may have been the first amphitheater built by the Romans, and the Colosseum was likely modeled after it! Oh, and did we mention that it was also home to the first (and most famous) school for gladiators? Stop for an hour to soak up the history while you explore everything from the underground chambers to the tombs and the secret networks of trap doors.
Royal Palace of Caserta
Built in 1752 by Charles VII of Naples, the Royal Palace of Caserta is basically the Italian answer to Versailles. With 5 floors and over 1200 rooms, it’s actually several times larger than the famous French palace, and one of the largest palaces in the world! Take an hour and a half to explore rooms opulently decorated with gold leaf, magnificent paintings, and endless amounts of marble. With so much to see, you have the option to explore on your own or book a guided tour with an on-site expert.
Arrival in Naples
Naples, the capital of Campania is known for its rawness, a real grit that derives from its dangerous past and busy port. But it's also known for its amazing food, stunning architecture, and fascinating museums. And did we mention the food?
There’s architecture old and new, with many well-maintained historical buildings in the city’s UNESCO-listed old town and more modern high-rise buildings decorating the business district. The old town is dripping with historically and culturally significant buildings and monuments, that include more than 400 churches, 3 castles, and 2 royal palaces. It’s a popular spot for artists, writers, and creatives looking for inspiration in the chaos of the city. Naples represents untamed Italy and is buzzing with an energy you cannot replicate. At every turn you’ll find quirky bars and restaurants, stores and venues.
After a long day exploring this ancient city, you get to reward yourself with some of the best food in the world. Naples is, of course, the birthplace of pizza, but if you want to change things up, there’s divine seafood, fresh pasta, and wonderful traditional desserts and pastries. The coffee is also world-class in Naples - just remember, cappuccino should never be ordered after 11:00AM!
Duration: 5 hours and 23 minutes
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Day 2: Naples to Positano
When you’re ready to get out of the city, head from Naples to Positano for some sun, sea, seafood, and stunning views!
Cantina del Vesuvio
While Mt. Vesuvius has destroyed cities, it also blessed the region with fertile, volcanic soil. Experience the fruits of Southern Italy by spending 2 hours at this family-owned winery. They’re renowned for their Lacryma Christi, the first vines of which are said to have been watered with Christ’s tears upon Lucifer’s fall from heaven. Every year Cantina del Vesuvio produces a limited number of bottles. Book your 2-hour visit to the vineyard and taste the delicious wine paired with local foods!
Pompeii
One of the world’s most well-known ancient cities, the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD buried Pompeii under volcanic ash and debris. Before the blast, Pompeii was a thriving city, and the natural disaster, while devastating, left it frozen in time. Today, visitors can step back in time and see a well-preserved Pompeii, for an insight into the history of life in ancient Rome. The ruins are vast and with so much to see, we recommend you plan your visit in advance or hire a guide.
Arrival in Positano
Postcard-perfect Positano is one of the best places to stay on the Amalfi coast. Looking at this beautiful town perched on a steep cliff you’d never believe it once was a struggling fishing village. In 1953, John Steinbeck put a spotlight on Positano with a travel essay published in Harper’s Bazaar. Suddenly, everyone wanted to experience “a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”. Legend has it that Poseidon created Positano out of love for a nymph named Pasitea. And as you look at the cascade of pastel houses reaching the turquoise waters of the sea, it’s quite easy to believe this romantic story.
With hundreds of steep stairs and winding streets, this vertical city is best explored on foot. It won’t be easy but the beauty awaiting you at every turn will be well worth it. And trust us, you’ll be taking lots of breaks because the town’s art galleries, restaurants, and shops are hard to pass up. Make sure to visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta with its colorful majolica-tiled dome and a 13th-century Byzantine icon of a black Madonna.
If you choose to stay in Positano for a few days, we recommend going on a boat tour to Capri. The island’s magnificent villas and the iconic Blue Grotto won’t disappoint.
Duration: 5 hours and 43 minutes
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Day 3: Positano to Benevento
After enjoying the scenery and some limoncello, head from Positano to Benevento!
Ravello
When it comes to history and beauty, it’s hard to beat Ravello. Spend 90 minutes at this hilltop town perche 365 meters above the Mediterranean. The 13th century Villa Rufolo is a must-see, with Arabic-influenced decor and lush, colourful gardens that inspired Wagner for the garden of Klingsor in his opera Parsifal. 11th century Villa Cimbrone is Ravello’s other gem, with an English-style garden leading to the famous “Terrace of Infinity”, which Gore Vidal described as the most beautiful place on the planet.
Mount Vesuvius
You’ve already visited Pompeii and seen the effect of the massive eruption in 79 AD. Now take 2 hours to walk around the infamous volcano. At the rim of the giant crater created by the blast, you’ll see a lunar landscape to one side, and the beautiful Bay of Naples on the other.
Arrival in Benevento
When it comes to ancient Italian history, Benevento is hard to beat. The city is so old that even the Romans argued about its origins. Even today, well-maintained Roman monuments dot the city.
The Arch of Trajan is a triumphal monument constructed in honour of the emperor between 114 and 117. Just a few years later, Emperor Hadrian constructed the city’s theatre. This amazingly well-preserved monument remains in use to this day! If you’re lucky, there may be a concert or production happening while you’re in town!
Surprisingly, the Roman monuments aren’t even the most historically significant buildings in Benevento. That honor goes to the 8th century Santa Sofia Church. Within this UNESCO World Heritage Site, you can still see fragments of 8th- to early 9th-century frescoes.
Duration: 7 hours and 13 minutes
Book a private car from Positano to Benevento
Day 4: Benevento to Rome
Once you’re done with the monuments, it's time to hit the road back to Rome from Benevento.
Abbey of Monte Cassino
This beautiful monastery was founded by St. Benedict in the 6th century, after he destroyed a Roman shrine. Not only was it the first monastery of the Benedictine Order, it was also the first hospital in Europe! The abbey was also the site of a fierce battle during World War II that left it in ruins. Take 75 minutes to explore the rebuilt grandeur of one of Italy’s largest monasteries. From the artwork to the Polish cemetery, there’s fascinating history at every turn.
Anagni Cathedral
The town of Anagni was an early adopter of Christianity, so you know there will be some amazing art and architecture in its cathedral. The 11th century structure paints an imposing picture with its castle-like facade. But you’ll want to spend an hour admiring the interior. Fine marble and 13th century paintings adorn the walls. And in the crypt, nearly every surface is covered with medieval frescoes depicting biblical stories. Not to mention there are the tombs of multiple saints.
Arrival in Rome
Back in the “Eternal City”! Rome got its nickname in the 1st century BC because even though it was already several hundred years old at the time, it continued to prosper. With so much history, there’s more to see and do than we could possibly write about.
The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with palaces, ancient monuments, and historic churches. There’s the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, the Vatican and the one and only Colosseum, Italy’s largest amphitheatre. We recommend starting early to get to the Colosseum before the crowds.
As Italy is famous for its coffee, you can always grab an espresso on the way! Make sure you have some change ready when you head to the Trevi Fountain, as it’s customary to toss a coin into the water. Make sure you use your right hand, and throw over your left shoulder, to ensure you return to Rome!
Piazza Navona is a huge public square often hosting markets and events. Even on a quiet day, it’s a great place to visit to spy some wonderful architecture and watch the world go by. The city’s packed with museums and galleries, including the most famous National Museum of Rome, which focuses on archaeological findings from Ancient Rome. The Galleria Borghese, houses excellent collections of Renaissance and Baroque artwork, and the Vatican Museums cover everything from ancient Egypt to the utterly incredible Sistine Chapel.
Make your way to Campo de’ Fiori, a beautiful (albeit touristy) market selling everything from fresh fruit and vegetables to cooked dishes like homemade pastas. Carbonara is a Roman classic, as is the simple yet delicious Cacio e Pepe. You doubtlessly had pizza in Naples, so give its Roman counterpart a try as well!
Duration: 6 hours
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Ready to visit the Amalfi Coast from Rome?
Here’s each leg of the trip!
Book a private car from Rome to Naples
Book a private car from Naples to Positano
Book a private car from Positano to Benevento
Book a private car from Benevento to Rome
