6 Best Day Trips to Sorrento and Amalfi Coast from Naples

There is a lot to see and do in Naples, but if you have more than three days, I recommend booking one of the best excursions from Naples to discover the spectacular Amalfi Coast. This region, famous for its dreamlike landscapes and exquisite cuisine, is ideal for a day trip.

Among all the possible stops, Sorrento stands out as the most popular and accessible entry point to the coast. In this article, you will find different ways to visit Sorrento and other gems of the Amalfi Coast on an excursion from the capital of Campania.

Guided tours are the best option for seeing more than one destination in a single day and making the most of your time. Tours are usually conducted in a small bus and pick you up at your hotel or another central location in Naples.

When you book a tour to Positano, Amalfi and Sorrento from Naples, you will have time to see the main attractions of each town and have a drink. At the first destination, I recommend Piazza Tasso, having a coffee at the Bar del Carmine, the Cloister of San Francesco and Villa Comunale (Via San Francesco).

The second stop is Positano, a village between the sea and the hills that is famous both for its wonderful nature and for the clothing style of the same name. Walks usually start in Piazza dei Mulini, which stands out for its main church and typical colourful houses.

The last destination is Amalfi, Italy's first maritime republic. The fountain of Sant'Andrea and the cathedral bear witness to its glorious past.

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• Duration: From from 7 to 8 hours
• Price: Approximately €120
• Transport: Bus

This day trip from Naples to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello allows you to discover three unique gems of the Amalfi Coast. Aboard a comfortable boat, you will sail through Mediterranean waters with breathtaking views of cliffs, hidden beaches and picturesque villages, all framed by a landscape declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The visit to Ravello is what makes this excursion special compared to other similar excursions. While most focus only on the coastal towns, this option gives you the opportunity to ascend to one of the most elegant and best-viewed villages in the entire region. Known as "the balcony of the Amalfi Coast", Ravello is perched on top of a hill and offers incredible panoramic views of the coastline.

During your free time there, you can visit Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, two spectacular residences with hanging gardens and viewpoints, or the modern Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium, a jewel of contemporary architecture that hosts the prestigious Ravello Festival of music and performing arts every summer.

This combination of sailing, cultural visits and beautiful scenery makes the tour one of the most complete and memorable ways to discover the Amalfi Coast.

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• Duration: From 10 hours
• Price: Approximately €94
• Means of transport: Cruise

If you prefer to travel by land and explore every corner in depth, this bus tour from Naples is an ideal option for discovering the three most famous destinations on the Amalfi Coast: Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. Unlike boat trips, this road trip allows you to appreciate the beauty of the landscape from the top of the cliffs and access the heart of each village directly.

The tour, which lasts about 8 hours, includes pick-up from your hotel and gives you the option of choosing between a shared tour or a private experience. In both cases, you will travel in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy free time to explore each place at your own pace.

From the colours of Positano and its iconic church of Santa Maria Assunta to the imposing Duomo of Amalfi and the panoramic gardens of Ravello, you will have the opportunity to discover the best of southern Italy in a single day. In addition, snacks and drinks are provided during the tour to keep you energised.

In summer, weather permitting, you can add a boat trip between Positano and Amalfi, a very special way to see the coast from the sea.

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• Duration: From from 8 to 9 hours
• Price: Approximately €105
• Transport: Air-conditioned bus (option of boat trip between Positano and Amalfi, depending on the season and conditions)

If you're in Naples and want to discover one of the most impressive historical sites in the world, this excursion to Pompeii and Sorrento is ideal for you. In about 7 hours, you'll visit the ruins of the ancient Roman city, buried by the eruption of Vesuvius, and then explore the Mediterranean atmosphere of charming Sorrento.

The first stop is Pompeii, where an expert guide will take you through its cobbled streets, temples, forums and thermal baths. This site is the best preserved in the Roman Empire and offers a unique insight into everyday life in the 1st century. You'll see iconic sites such as the Forum, the Lupanar and the thermal baths, while listening to the fascinating stories that surround them.

After the visit, you will have free time to enjoy an Italian meal before continuing on to Sorrento. You will stroll through its stone streets, admire its balconies overlooking the Gulf of Naples and, if you wish, you can buy local specialities such as limoncello or handmade ceramics.

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• Duration: 7 hours
• Price: €93
• Transport: Air-conditioned vehicle

In this case, before reaching the coast, the bus will take you to the most important archaeological excavations in Europe. The guide will explain the history behind the Stabian thermal baths, the forum, the Temple of Jupiter and other survivors of the eruption of Vesuvius.

The tour ends near the Duomo of Amalfi, the symbol of the city, which has an eclectic style that blends Romanesque, Baroque and Rococo elements. Admission is free, but if you want to visit the Museum and the Cloister of Paradise, you will have to pay around £3.

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• Approximate duration: 8 hours
• Estimated price: £120
• Means of transport: Air-conditioned bus

The ideal option for vintage car enthusiasts. The driver will take you to Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Pogerola and Ravello. Pogerola is a hamlet of Amalfi located high up in the hills. From here you can enjoy beautiful views of the Gulf of Salerno.

The last stop is the Grotta dello Smeraldo, a karst cave partially occupied by the sea. The best time to visit is around 1 p.m., when the sun's rays penetrate the cave, making the water sparkle.

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• Approximate duration: 8–9 hours
• Estimated price: Over £300
• Transport: Classic Fiat 500 with driver

In addition to organised excursions, you can get to Sorrento from Naples on your own using different means of transport. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, depending on your budget, comfort and the type of experience you are looking for. Below, I will tell you about the most common options for making the journey and what you can expect from each one.

By car

A flexible and scenic option, ideal if you want to stop along the way or explore other towns such as Meta or Sant'Agnello. However, in high season, traffic can be very heavy and parking in Sorrento is difficult and expensive.

• Price: around £10 in tolls + petrol and car hire
• Duration: between 1 and 1.5 hours
• How to get there: A3 Napoli–Pompei–Sorrento motorway, exit at Castellammare di Stabia
• Advantages: maximum autonomy, possibility to explore at your own pace
• Disadvantages: frequent traffic, difficult and expensive parking, especially in summer and on public holidays

By train

One of the most convenient and economical ways to get there. The Circumvesuviana line connects Naples with Sorrento very frequently. Just bear in mind that it is a commuter train, so it is usually full and has no space for luggage.

• Price: between £3 and £4
• Journey time: just over 1 hour
• Advantages: frequent service, departs from the city centre
• Disadvantages: not very comfortable if you have luggage, often very crowded

By boat

If you fancy a picturesque and relaxed journey, the ferry is the ideal option. It departs from the Beverello pier and allows you to enjoy the Tyrrhenian Sea as you reach your destination. Ideal if you are travelling light.

• Price: adults from £14, children from £10
• Journey time: approximately 45 minutes
• Advantages: the most scenic and pleasant route
• Disadvantages: less frequent departures and dependent on the weather

By bus

The easiest option if you arrive by plane. Curreri Viaggi offers direct transfers from Naples Airport to Sorrento station, without passing through the city centre.

• Price: from £10
• Journey time: approx. 1 hour and 15 minutes
• Advantages: direct from the airport, ideal if you are travelling with luggage
• Disadvantages: less comfortable than the train, possible traffic en route

There are multiple ways to get from Naples to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, all with their own advantages and disadvantages. If you are still undecided, here is a summary to help you make up your mind:

Finding a spot in Sorrento without spending money is no easy task. However, you can try your luck on Via Rota or Via Parsano, two streets where you can park for free. You'll see that the lines are white, not blue.

If you can only find a spot in the blue zone, you'll have to pay £1 for the first 30 minutes and £2 per hour for longer stops, approximately.

Alternatively, you can opt for one of the following secure car parks:

• Parcheggio Achille Lauro, £2 per hour or a daily rate of £24 (Via Correale)
• Garage Marina Piccola, a perfect option if you decide to take a ferry to Capri. Check their website for more information on hourly and daily rates. By the way, if you want to visit the island, I recommend reading the post that explains how to get from Naples to Capri (Via Luigi De Maio 60/62).
• Parcheggio Vallone dei Mulini, open 24 hours a day and with video surveillance. In addition to prices, you can check the number of available spaces on their website (Via Fuorimura 16)
• Parcheggio Stinga, a car park a short distance from the old town. Here too, the hourly rate is €2 (Via degli Aranci 25).

The scooter

As you know, most tourists choose Sorrento as a base for visiting the surrounding area. If you plan to stay here for a few days, renting a scooter might be a good option.

The terrain and small roads make motorbikes the ideal means of transport. Fortunately, there are dozens of rental agencies in Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi.

You will always find a place to park your scooter - the same cannot be said for cars - and you will enjoy roads with beautiful views, such as the SS163 state road that connects Sorrento with the picturesque town of Vietri sul Mare.

The sea taxi

Another alternative is the Taxi del Mare, a sea transfer service that serves the towns of Sorrento, Positano, Capri, Amalfi, Sorrento, Maiori and Cetara.

The trips are made on board a yacht with a maximum capacity of 11 passengers. The ticket usually includes luggage transport.

It depends on the season. During the summer, the coastal roads are full of cars and buses. A half-hour journey can easily turn into an hour-long queue. However, if you visit Naples in winter, you won't find many traffic jams on the Amalfi Coast.

In this case, the bus is an economical alternative that can be taken into consideration. You can find all the routes and timetables on the official website of the local transport company. Simply enter the name of the town you are departing from in the "Comune di partenza" field and click on the "Ricerca" button.

Opting for an organised excursion from Naples to Sorrento is the most convenient and efficient way to visit this charming coastal town without worrying about logistics. It is especially recommended if you are short on time and want to make the most of your day.

• Save time and effort: all transport and itinerary are planned by experts.
• Professional guides: you'll get historical and cultural context during the tour.
• Access to other destinations: many tours combine Sorrento with Pompeii, Amalfi or other nearby places.
• More convenience: no need to rent a car, check timetables or change transport.

Whether you choose to book an excursion to the Amalfi Coast or travel on your own, I recommend wearing comfortable shoes.

The terrain in this area is mountainous, and the villages along the Amalfi Coast are beautiful but dotted with hills that are best climbed in trainers.

If you are travelling in summer, don't forget to wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun.