Start your Naples trip with Naples National Archaeological Museum in the Museo area, which is one of the best places in Italy to get oriented before you head down the coast. If you’re arriving today, this works especially well because the museum is compact enough to do in about 2 hours, but dense enough to feel like a proper “we’re really in Campania” moment. Expect major finds from Pompeii and Herculaneum, plus mosaics, sculptures, and the famously strong Farnese collection. Tickets are usually around €20, and it’s smart to check the latest opening hours online before you go; it’s generally open through the afternoon, which suits a first-day landing pretty well. From Napoli Centrale, take the Metro Line 2 or a taxi if you’re tired and carrying bags.
From the museum, wander into Spaccanapoli, the long, narrow historic spine that slices through Centro Storico and gives you the real texture of Naples: laundry lines, tiny churches, scooter noise, pastry shops, and locals moving fast through streets that feel almost impossibly old. Don’t try to “do” everything here; the joy is in drifting past Via dei Tribunali, peeking into courtyards, and letting yourself get slightly lost for an hour or so. If you want a quick stop, look for a coffee at a standing bar or a sweet bite from a bakery like Scaturchio if you pass near Piazza San Domenico Maggiore. This is the part of the day where Naples starts to feel alive.
For dinner, head to Pizzeria Gino Sorbillo on Via dei Tribunali for a classic first pizza in the city that invented the style as people usually talk about it. Go with a simple Margherita or Marinara if you want the cleanest read on the dough and tomato sauce; a meal here usually lands around €15–25 per person depending on drinks and extras. Lines can build, especially in the evening, so if you arrive a little before the main dinner rush you’ll do better. The walk from Spaccanapoli is easy, and this whole stretch is one of the best areas in Naples to eat without overthinking it.
End at Caffè Gambrinus near Piazza del Plebiscito, which is exactly the kind of grand old Naples café you want on day one: mirrored walls, marble tables, and the feeling that half the city has passed through here at some point. It’s perfect for a final espresso, a sfogliatella, or a short digestivo before you head back to your hotel. Expect prices to be a little higher than a neighborhood bar—roughly €8–15 depending on what you order and whether you sit at a table—but the setting is the point. If you still have energy, take a slow walk toward the waterfront after; Naples is best when you don’t rush the last 15 minutes of the night.
Arrive and let Piazza Tasso do the work of orienting you: this is Sorrento’s social center, ringed by cafés, scooter noise, and the kind of everyday energy that makes the town feel lived-in rather than just scenic. Grab a quick espresso at Fauno Bar or Bar Ercolano if you want a proper sit-down, then spend about 20 minutes noticing the layout before you head into the old lanes. From here, it’s an easy wander into the historic core; the streets around Corso Italia and Via San Cesareo are where Sorrento’s rhythm really starts to make sense.
A few minutes on foot brings you to Chiostro di San Francesco, one of the calmest corners in town and a beautiful counterpoint to the bustle outside. The cloister is usually open during the day and is often free or donation-based, so it’s a low-effort, high-reward stop. After that, continue toward the cliffs for Villa Comunale di Sorrento: this is the classic place to pause for views over the Bay of Naples, and on a clear day you can pick out Mount Vesuvius across the water. It’s especially nice in the late morning when the light is bright but not yet harsh.
For lunch, head down to Marina Grande and settle in at Ristorante Bagni Delfino for seafood right on the water. This is one of those Sorrento meals that feels worth planning around: expect around €35–60 per person depending on whether you go for pasta, fritto misto, or a full fish course with wine. Book ahead if you can, especially for a waterside table, because it’s popular with both visitors and locals. If you’re walking down from the center, give yourself a little extra time—the descent is easy, but you’ll want to arrive unrushed and hungry.
After lunch, linger in Marina Grande for a slow harbor stroll. This is the older fishing-village side of Sorrento, with colorful boats, nets drying, and a more relaxed pace than the town center; it’s a good place to just wander, take photos, and let the day slow down. Later, head back up toward town for a final stop at Bar del Carmine. It’s a nice low-key place for a gelato, an aperitivo, or a quick spritz before dinner plans, with a more local feel than the obvious tourist bars. Expect roughly €8–18 depending on what you order, and if you sit outside, it’s one of the easiest ways to watch Sorrento wind down without over-scheduling your evening.
Start early at Spiaggia Grande, before the beach fills up and the village turns into a photo carousel. This is the best place to feel Positano’s vertical layout all at once: the stacked pastel houses, the boats tugging at the shore, and the way the whole town seems to spill straight down into the sea. A quick coffee and cornetto from a nearby bar is enough here; you’re not trying to linger long, just get the classic first look. From the beach, head up Via Cristoforo Colombo—it’s the postcard walk, but it also gives you the real physical sense of Positano, because every few minutes the view changes as you climb. Take your time, since this road is where the town reveals itself most clearly.
At the top, step into the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, the little center point that anchors all the drama around it. The tiled dome is the star, and the interior is usually a quick visit—about 20 to 30 minutes is plenty unless there’s a service. After that, keep the momentum going uphill toward Montepertuso for lunch at La Tagliata. This is one of those places people remember for years: big terraces, generous portions, and a very homemade feel, with a set menu that usually lands in the €40–65 per person range depending on drinks. Book ahead if you can, especially in spring and summer, because this is a favorite for long, lazy lunches.
After lunch, switch from town mode to trail mode with a shorter scenic section of the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) starting from Nocelle. You do not need to do the full route to get the payoff; even a 2–3 hour out-and-back or partial segment gives you those huge cliff-and-sea views without exhausting the day. Wear proper shoes, carry water, and don’t overcommit—this is one of those walks where the scenery is the point, not the mileage. If you’re moving on foot from La Tagliata, the transition feels natural: you’re already high above the coast, and the trail just opens the landscape up even more.
Come back down and make your way to Le Sirenuse Bar for an easy final drink above the village lights. This is the sort of place where you pay for the view as much as the cocktail, so expect roughly €20–35 per person depending on what you order. Go a little before sunset if you want the best light, then settle in once Positano starts glowing below you. It’s an elegant end to the day, but not a rushed one—this is the night to let the town do the work and simply watch it change after dark.
Arrive in Amalfi with enough time to enjoy the town before the day-trip crowd peaks, then head straight to Amalfi Cathedral (Duomo di Sant’Andrea) in Piazza Duomo. This is the emotional center of the town: the dramatic staircase, striped façade, and the long climb up to the church make it feel properly grand without being stuffy. Go inside if it’s open when you arrive; entry to the cathedral complex is usually around €3–€5, and mornings are the best time for softer light on the steps and fewer tour groups. From the square, it’s an easy, natural flow into Chiostro del Paradiso, tucked right beside the cathedral, where the arched cloister and quiet garden are a nice reset after the busy piazza.
From the center, continue on foot toward Paper Museum (Museo della Carta) in Valle dei Mulini. The walk takes you slightly uphill and away from the waterfront, and that short detour is worth it because it shows a completely different side of Amalfi: the old mill valley, cooler air, and the town’s paper-making history. The museum is usually a quick, worthwhile stop at about €4–€6, and it pairs nicely with the cathedral because it gives you both the religious and practical history of the town. Afterward, wander back down toward the center slowly rather than rushing—this is one of those towns where the in-between streets are half the point.
Settle in at Lido Azzurro on the waterfront for lunch, ideally with a table looking toward the harbor. It’s one of the better spots in town for a proper seafood meal without wandering far, and the menu is exactly what you want here: grilled fish, pasta with seafood, fried starters, and a glass of something cold while the boats move in and out of the marina. Expect roughly €30–€55 per person depending on what you order. After lunch, take an easy stroll along the Amalfi seaside promenade on the lungomare—no agenda, just gelato, sea air, and a slow loop past the harbor edge and ferry pier. If you want a sweet finish, stop at Pasticceria Pansa back in Piazza Duomo for a lemon cake or a small pastry; it’s the classic Amalfi break and a very good excuse to sit for a while and watch the square settle into the afternoon.
Everything today is very walkable, but Amalfi gets crowded quickly, so try to do the cathedral and cloister first, then the paper museum, then lunch before the main midday crush. Most places in the center are easiest to reach on foot from the square, though the museum involves a short uphill walk. If you have extra time, just linger in Piazza Duomo—this is one of the few places on the coast where doing less actually feels like doing the right amount.
Arrive in Ravello with enough of the morning left to enjoy the town before it gets busy, then start at Villa Cimbrone. Go straight for the gardens and the Terrazza dell’Infinito because that’s the whole point early on: the views are cleanest before the heat haze builds, and the paths are still quiet enough that you can actually hear the fountains and birds. Plan on about 1.5 hours here, and if you like wandering, the side paths around the rose gardens and shaded corners are worth a slow loop. Admission is usually around €10-€12, and the walk from the center is short but uphill, so wear decent shoes.
From there, it’s an easy stroll back toward the center to Villa Rufolo, which feels very different even though it’s only minutes away. This one is smaller and more compact, tucked right into the heart of Ravello, so it works perfectly after Cimbrone without repeating the same experience. Give yourself about an hour to move through the courtyards, gardens, and terraces, and keep an eye out for the layered views over the coast that made this place famous with Wagner. Entry is typically around €8-€10, and it’s usually quieter than the better-known coastal stops down below.
For lunch, settle into Trattoria Da Cumpa’ Cosimo, which is exactly the kind of no-fuss, generous Ravello meal you want in the middle of the day. This is old-school Campania cooking: expect big portions, slower service, and dishes that lean hearty rather than delicate, with a lunch budget around €25-€45 per person depending on wine and how many courses you order. If it’s open and you’re feeling local, ask what’s cooking that day rather than overthinking the menu. It’s the kind of place where lunch easily becomes part of the afternoon rhythm, so don’t rush it.
After lunch, head over to Duomo di Ravello at Piazza Vescovado for a quieter, more contemplative stop. It’s a compact visit—about 30 minutes is enough—but it gives you a nice shift in pace after the villa gardens and a long lunch. Step inside for the pulpit and the marble details, then pause in the square itself, which always feels a little calmer than you expect in a town this famous. From there, let the day soften into a wander through the Ravello Belvedere walk: follow the lanes, little balconies, and side viewpoints rather than trying to “do” anything specific. The best part of Ravello is often just turning a corner and finding another overlook, another church façade, or a lemon grove peeking over a wall. Keep this unstructured, and give it about an hour.
Wrap up with coffee or an aperitivo at Caffè Calce in the center, which is a good place to sit down after all the walking and watch the town ease into evening. Budget roughly €8-€18 per person depending on whether you go for an espresso, spritz, or something stronger, and it’s one of those places where staying a little longer than planned is the right move. If you’re still full from lunch, just order a coffee and let the square do the rest—the light gets soft, the crowds thin out, and Ravello starts to feel like a hill town again instead of a sightseeing stop.
Arrive into Praiano and keep the first part of the day loose: this is the right place to slow down a bit after the bigger-name stops earlier in the week. Head first to Marina di Praia, a tiny cove tucked between cliffs, where the mood is more local and less performative than the postcard beaches. It’s a good 45-minute stop if you want to sit with a coffee, watch the fishing boats, and just let the coast feel a little quieter for once. From there, take the road up toward the upper village for Church of San Gennaro in Praiano centro; the tiled square here is lovely in the morning light, and the sea views from the church forecourt are among the best in town. If you want a quick reset before moving on, this is the spot to pause, since everything here is compact and walkable but the incline is real.
Drop back down to Marina di Praia for lunch at Il Pirata, which is exactly the kind of place this cove was made for: seafood, rock walls, boats bobbing nearby, and that slightly dramatic Amalfi-Coast energy without the full Positano markup. Expect roughly €35–60 per person depending on whether you go light or order the full spread, and it’s worth lingering a bit because the setting is half the experience. If you’re eating outside, ask for a table as close to the water as possible; it’s the sort of lunch that makes the whole afternoon feel unhurried. Afterward, give yourself some walking time rather than rushing straight back out.
For the afternoon, follow the Sentiero dei Limoni access toward Praiano, which gives you the pleasure of a lemon-path walk without committing to a demanding hike. This is more of a scenic ramble through coastal hills and stairways than a strenuous trek, so wear proper shoes and keep water with you — the path can feel deceptively steep even when it’s short. Plan on 1.5–2 hours depending on how often you stop for views, which you absolutely will, because the whole point is to see Praiano from above and get that layered look of terraces, rooftops, and open sea. Later in the day, head to Cala Gavitella viewpoint for one of the best sunset angles on this stretch of coast; it’s especially good because you’re looking west, so the light tends to soften beautifully over the water. Bring a light layer if you’re staying until dusk, since the breeze picks up once the sun drops.
Finish with dinner at Kasai, which is a smart, polished contrast to the casual lunch by the water. It’s one of the better places in Praiano for a relaxed but refined meal, with enough style to feel like a proper evening out without turning fussy; budget around €40–70 per person depending on wine and ordering. After dinner, don’t over-plan the rest of the night — this is a good town for a short stroll back through the quieter lanes, then an early turn in so you can wake up rested for the next leg of the coast.
Ease into Salerno with Giardino della Minerva, tucked up in the old town on the slope above Via Tasso. It’s one of those places that feels almost secret if you arrive early: terraced medicinal gardens, shaded paths, and wide views that open toward the bay. Give yourself about an hour here, and if you like a quiet start, this is the best place to linger before the city fully wakes up. The climb is a little steep in parts, so wear shoes you can actually walk in, and expect a small entrance fee of roughly €3–5 depending on the season.
From there, walk back down into the center and follow Lungomare Trieste for a long, easy waterfront stretch. This is Salerno in its everyday rhythm: joggers, school kids, retirees on benches, and plenty of sea air. It’s a good reset after the hilltop garden, and it gives you a real feel for the city’s more lived-in side rather than just the postcard corners. Keep it unhurried, grab a coffee if you want, and then make your way uphill again toward Arechi Castle.
Arechi Castle sits high above the city, so treat it as your best viewpoint stop of the day. The setting is more important than the interiors: the panorama over Salerno, the coast, and the curve of the gulf is the payoff, especially on a clear day. Budget about an hour, and if you’re using public transport for the final stretch up, check local bus times in advance because service can be irregular. Otherwise, a taxi from the center is the easiest low-stress option and usually worth it if you want to save time before lunch.
Head back into the Centro Storico for lunch at Trattoria Pizzeria Reginè, which is the right kind of place for this day — straightforward, local, and reliable. Order a pizza if you want something quick, or go for a simple pasta or seafood dish if you’re leaning more leisurely; expect around €15–30 per person. After lunch, let the meal settle with a slow wander through the old town streets before continuing to the cathedral.
Spend the afternoon at Duomo di Salerno, the city’s most important landmark and one of the best historic stops on the coast when you want a break from the more famous Amalfi villages. The complex is compact enough for about 45 minutes, but don’t rush the crypt area or the cloister if they’re open — this is where Salerno really shows its depth. Entrance is usually modest, and the cathedral is generally open in the morning and afternoon with a midday break on some days, so it’s smart to check hours if you’re arriving close to closing time.
For dinner, end the day back by the water at Mare Nostrum Salerno, where the mood shifts naturally from sightseeing to evening. This is a good place for seafood and a longer sit-down meal, with plates typically landing in the €30–55 range depending on what you order. Ask for a table with a view if possible, go a little later than lunch hour, and enjoy the fact that Salerno gives you an actual city evening — promenade lights, people out walking, and a calmer finish than the more hectic coast towns.
Back in Naples, keep this last day focused and compact so you’re not racing the clock. Start at Castel Nuovo (Maschio Angioino) by the waterfront, where the dark stone walls and triumphal arch give you that classic “this is Naples” arrival moment. It’s usually open in the morning until mid-afternoon, and an hour is enough if you just want the main halls and exterior photos; tickets are typically around €6–€8. From there, it’s an easy stroll toward the center to Galleria Umberto I, which is really about the architecture more than the shopping — look up at the glass dome, mosaic floor, and the polished old-world feel that makes it one of the city’s prettiest quick stops.
Settle into Gran Caffè La Caffettiera on Piazza dei Martiri for one last proper Neapolitan coffee break. This is a good place to slow down, people-watch, and have a final pastry or sfogliatella if you still want a sweet bite; expect roughly €8–€15 per person depending on whether you keep it to coffee or add food. After that, take your time along Via Toledo, which is the easiest last walk for souvenirs, window-shopping, and a final dose of Naples street life. If you want practical shopping, this is where you grab anything you forgot: packaged pastries, limoncello, coffee, or a small ceramic piece without wandering too far off route.
If your timing allows, go for one last Naples classic at Da Michele in Forcella. It’s simple, famous for a reason, and still one of the most reliable “one final pizza in Naples” choices if you’re happy to keep lunch unfussy. Expect about €12–€20 per person, and try to get there a little before the main lunch rush if you can; even when the line looks intimidating, it moves faster than it seems. Since it’s such a straightforward room and menu, it works well as a final, low-effort meal before departure. If you’re cutting it close on time, this is the one stop I’d compress first.
Before you leave the city, make one calm final stop at Libreria Berisio in the historic center. It’s a lovely place to decompress for a bit — part bookshop, part café, and exactly the kind of stop that gives Naples a more intimate last impression than another viewpoint or museum. Order a coffee, a spritz, or a light drink and let the afternoon slow down for a moment; budget around €8–€18 depending on what you order. From here, you’ll be well positioned to head out for your onward train or final night arrangements without feeling like you’ve wasted the day.