Amalfi Coast Drive: Naples to Paestum

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The route · 6 stops

1
Naples
2 nights
Southern Italy's chaotic, magnificent gateway. Two nights in the Centro Storico give time for Spaccanapoli, Castel Nuovo, and the National Archaeological Museum. The museum's Pompeii collection is essential viewing before the site itself.
Southern Italy's chaotic, magnificent gateway. Two nights in the Centro Storico give time for Spaccanapoli, Castel Nuovo, and the National Archaeological Museum. The museum's Pompeii collection is essential viewing before the site itself.
Park at a hotel garage on arrival and leave the car there. Naples city centre is poorly suited to driving; walk or use the metro instead.
2
Pompeii
1 night24m · 29 km from previous
The Roman city frozen in 79 AD by Vesuvius covers 44 hectares and takes a full day to explore properly. Arrive before 9 am to beat the coach groups. Stay one night so you can reach Sorrento the following morning without rushing.
The Roman city frozen in 79 AD by Vesuvius covers 44 hectares and takes a full day to explore properly. Arrive before 9 am to beat the coach groups. Stay one night so you can reach Sorrento the following morning without rushing.
Book timed entry tickets online in advance at pompeiitickets.org. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water; there is little shade inside the site.
3
Sorrento
2 nights18m · 22 km from previous
The cliff-top town at the peninsula's tip is the most practical base on this route. Two nights allow a full day exploring the old quarter and lemon groves, plus an easy morning ferry to Capri. The town has the best transport links on the coast.
The cliff-top town at the peninsula's tip is the most practical base on this route. Two nights allow a full day exploring the old quarter and lemon groves, plus an easy morning ferry to Capri. The town has the best transport links on the coast.
The Circumvesuviana train connects Sorrento to Naples (1 hr) and Pompeii (30 min). Use it to return a rental car in Naples first if you find coastal driving stressful.
4
Positano
2 nights10m · 12 km from previous
The most photographed village on the Amalfi Coast: pink and ochre houses stacked up a steep hillside above Marina Grande beach. Two nights give time to wander the narrow lanes, hire a small boat, and take the ferry to Amalfi town for the day.
The most photographed village on the Amalfi Coast: pink and ochre houses stacked up a steep hillside above Marina Grande beach. Two nights give time to wander the narrow lanes, hire a small boat, and take the ferry to Amalfi town for the day.
Parking costs around €4-5 per hour; book hotel parking in advance or use the car parks above the village and walk down. Expect a significant number of steps.
5
Ravello
1 night12m · 14 km from previous
The quietest stop on the route and arguably the most memorable. Perched 350m above Amalfi town, Ravello has two famous gardens (Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone) and the Terrace of Infinity, which offers the finest coastal panorama on the drive.
The quietest stop on the route and arguably the most memorable. Perched 350m above Amalfi town, Ravello has two famous gardens (Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone) and the Terrace of Infinity, which offers the finest coastal panorama on the drive.
Drive down to Amalfi town (10 min) for the cathedral and lunch; Ravello itself is tiny. The road to Ravello is narrow; arriving by bus from Amalfi is a practical alternative.
6
Paestum
1 night45m · 54 km from previous
A low-key, unhurried end to the route. Paestum holds three Doric temples (6th-5th century BC) in better condition than anything in Athens. The site museum's Tomb of the Diver fresco is the highlight of a final morning before heading north.
A low-key, unhurried end to the route. Paestum holds three Doric temples (6th-5th century BC) in better condition than anything in Athens. The site museum's Tomb of the Diver fresco is the highlight of a final morning before heading north.
The site opens at 9 am; arrive early for golden-hour light on the temples. The museum closes on Mondays. Budget 2-3 hours for both site and museum.

Amalfi Coast Drive: Naples to Paestum

The route · 6 stops

Naples

Pompeii

Sorrento

Positano

Ravello

Paestum

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