Southern Italy: The best Amalfi Coast tour
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most iconic drives on the planet. The narrow road winds past pastel fishing villages clinging to soaring cliffs in this UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s romantic, dramatic and exciting. There are stunning natural views and rich culture. It’s undeniably an unforgettable journey. Unfortunately, traveling the Amalfi Coast isn’t as easy as you’d expect. Public transport is complicated, limited, and oftentimes, crowded. And driving can be nerve-wracking for visitors. Luckily, there’s an easy solution: using Daytrip to travel in a private car with a local driver. You get all the convenience of going door-to-door, and can easily connect with local culture. We’ve even put together an itinerary of the best places to visit touring the Amalfi Coast!
Your Amalfi Coast tour itinerary:
Day 1: Naples to Sorrento (stops in: Pompeii, Positano)
Day 2: Sorrento to Salerno (stops in: Grotta dello Smeraldo, Cantina del Vesuvio)
Day 3: Salerno to Naples (stops in: Ravello, Mount Vesuvius, Herculaneum Archaeological Area)
Day 1: Naples to Sorrento
You could say that every trip to the Amalfi Coast starts in Naples, though you can also go directly from Rome! If you haven’t had your fill of pizza and palaces, you can get more at the end of this tour! For now, it’s on from Naples to Sorrento, the gateway to the Amalfi Coast!
Pompeii
Once a thriving city, the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD buried Pompeii in volcanic ash and debris. This tragedy left the city frozen in time. Today, visitors can see Pompeii preserved as it was for a glimpse 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 for a 2-hour stop.
Cantina del Vesuvio
While Mt. Vesuvius destroyed cities, it also blessed the region with fertile, volcanic soil. Experience the fruits of Southern Italy at this family-owned winery. They’re renowned for their Lacryma Christi, the first vines that 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 visit to the vineyard and taste the delicious wine paired with local foods!
Arrival in Sorrento
Sorrento by Christopher Pap de Pestény
Sorrento is a vibrant seaside city sitting on a cliff overlooking the Bay of Naples. Many travelers just think of it as the “Gateway to the Amalfi Coast”, but that’s doing the city a disservice. Historic and picturesque, horse-drawn carriages clop along the cobbled streets lined with pastel-painted buildings. Attractions such as the Cloister of San Francesco, a 14th-century monastery, Villa Pollio Felice, and the ruins of a Roman villa offering spectacular views. The Sorrento Archeological Museum showcases relics from the area’s long history. Take a stroll along the waterfront to watch the water glimmer in the sun's rays. Or dive off one of several piers into the water if you fancy a dip.
And, of course, this is Italy, so you know the food is to die for. Sorrento is renowned for its seafood, from spaghetti e vongole (spaghetti with clams) and Frittura di Calamari & gamberi (lightly floured calamari and fresh shrimps) to octopus casserole and spider crab soup. Then there are more rustic favorites like Gnocchi alla sorrentina, a simple gnocchi dish tossed with tomato sauce and mozzarella.
No matter what you eat, finish your meal with some limoncello. Sorrento is the epicenter of production for this classic Italian lemon liqueur. Nearly every shop and restaurant offers their own version, and you can even tour some of the factories!
Day 2: Sorrento to Salerno
Follow the winding road along the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento to Salerno!
Positano
Positano by Jorge Salazar.
A romantic paradise nestled on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast, Positano is one of the most desirable locations in the region. Pastel-colored houses cascade down the cliff to the turquoise sea, the postcard-perfect image you envision when thinking of the Amalfi Coast. Explore the narrow, winding streets. You’ll find boutiques and galleries and restaurants and endless beauty at every turn. And then you can cool off in the refreshing waters of the Mediterranean.
Grotta dello Smeraldo
Stop to experience the natural phenomenon of the “Emerald Cave”. Thanks to a quirk of refraction, the sunlight filtering through the water into the cave, creates a mystical green glow. You can only reach this natural spectacle by row boat. We’d recommend trying to time your visit for around 1 PM when the flow of sunlight is optimal.
Ravello
Perched on a cliff more than 365 meters above the Mediterranean sea, Ravello offers breathtaking views of the Amalfi Coast. You have two “must-do’s” on your 90-minute stop. First, the 13th century Villa Rufolo. The Arabic-influence manor is now a museum, and its lush, colourful gardens were Wagner’s inspiration for the garden of Klingsor in his opera Parsifal. The 11th century Villa Cimbrone is Ravello’s other gem. Now a 5-Star hotel, its English-style garden leads down to the famous Terrace of Infinity, which Gore Vidal described as the most beautiful place on the planet.
Arrival in Salerno
The beautiful, bustling port city is backed by the soaring green mountains of the Amalfi Coast. And as an ancient city that once was the epicenter of medieval medical city, and even Italy’s capital (for about 6 months in the mid-1900s) there’s plenty of culture.
The historic center is well-maintained and teeming with monuments. The standout is the stunning Salerno Cathedral, widely considered the most beautiful medieval church in Italy. Even from a distance, you can see its striking, 12th-century bell tower, covered with small arcades and mullioned windows. Its interior is aesthetically stunning, with intricately painted frescoes, detailed mosaics, and tons of holy relics. The Museum of the Salerno Medical School educates visitors through interactive displays about the significance of the city’s medical past.
Also, don’t miss the hilltop Arechi Castle. From atop this imposing medieval fortress you’ll get breathtaking views over the Gulf of Salerno. And if you’d rather see the waterfront up close, the 2-kilometer-long promenade runs along the beach from the historic center to the harbor.
Day 3: Salerno to Naples
Time to head back to Naples, but not before we take you to a couple of the Amalfi Coast’s top tourist spots!
Mount Vesuvius
Most famous for its eruption in 79 AD that buried the Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, today, visitors are invited to the now National Park where a short walk will take you directly to the rim of the crater caused by the fateful blast. Spend two hours at the peak, where the moon-like landscape of the gigantic crater contrasts with the views of the Bay of Naples.
Herculaneum Archaeological Park
Like Pompeii, Herculaneum was buried by volcanic debris when Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. And like Pompeii, the town now offers a fascinating glimpse of ancient Roman culture. You can explore pretty much the entire excavated area in about 2 hours, peering into the buildings to see everything from mosaics to fossilized remains of the city’s inhabitants.
Arrival in Naples
Naples by Gianluca Cinnante
Italy’s third-largest city and one of the oldest in Europe, Naples is packed with character, historic charm, and rugged grittiness. One of our favorite things about Italy is - no surprise - the food, and Naples is a world-class destination for pasta, coffee, and perhaps most importantly, pizza.
A hybrid of historic architecture and high-rise modernity, Naples mixes old and new as much of the city was rebuilt after the bombings of World War II. The historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, packed with over 400 churches, 3 castles, and 2 royal palaces. Start at the main central square, Piazza del Plebiscito, for grand architecture at the likes of the Royal Palace, Palazzo Salerno, and the Church of San Francesco di Paolo. The shopping gallery Galleria Umberto I is an impressive arcade recognizable for its domed glass roof, and a favorite with shopaholics.
Then there’s Naples’ many museums. After having visited Pompeii and Herculaneum, you can’t miss the Museo Archeologico Nazionale. Among its exhibits is an astounding collection of ancient Roman artifacts, including artifacts from those cities. At the Galleria Borbonica, you can explore Naples’ secret underground tunnels, and the Museo di Capodimonte is Southern Italy’s largest art gallery and museum.
When you’re ready for some refreshment, find a cafe and relax for a moment with a fine Italian coffee and sfogliatella (lobster tail). The pastry originated in the Campania region and is a favourite with locals. Just remember, a cappuccino is never ordered after 11:00 AM! Lastly, no trip to Naples is complete without a pizza, and the hardest decision you’ll need to make is which pizzeria to try. You’ll be spoiled for choice - from tiny hole-in-the-wall establishments to big restaurants catering to the masses. Buon appetito!
Ready to book the best Amalfi Coast tour?
Here’s each leg of the trip:
Book a car from Naples to Sorrento
Book a car from Sorrento to Salerno
Book a car from Salerno to Naples
