Naples, Pompeii, Salerno and Amalfi Coast Itinerary

Your Munich–Naples flight arrives at 12:20. Allow until roughly 13:30 for baggage and the airport, then take the Alibus to Napoli Centrale—about 15–25 minutes depending on traffic, with tickets around €5—or use an official fixed-fare taxi if you have luggage. After checking in, head toward Piazza del Plebiscito in Chiaia by taxi or Metro Line 1 to Municipio, then walk. Spend about 45 minutes beneath the huge sweep of the square, looking across to the Royal Palace of Naples and Basilica di San Francesco di Paola; the late-afternoon light is especially good here.

Continue on foot to the Galleria Borbonica, whose entrance is on Via Morelli. Tours usually last about an hour and must be booked for a specific time; expect roughly €15–20, with several route options and uneven steps underground. Wear sensible shoes—the tunnel is cool and damp even in August. Afterward, take a taxi to L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele in Forcella rather than walking with luggage or in the heat. It is deliberately basic and generally does not take reservations: join the queue, collect a number, and expect to pay around €10–20 per person for pizza and a drink.

In the evening, walk from the pizzeria toward Spaccanapoli, the historic east–west corridor cutting through the Centro Storico. Follow Via dei Tribunali and Via San Biagio dei Librai, pausing wherever a courtyard, church façade, or pastry shop catches your eye; this is best treated as a relaxed orientation walk rather than a checklist. Keep phones and wallets secure in the busiest stretches, and finish with a coffee or sfogliatella from one of the traditional bars before taking a taxi back to your hotel.

Morning: Naples to Pompeii

Leave Napoli Piazza Garibaldi around 08:00 on the Circumvesuviana, allowing roughly 35 minutes to Pompeii. Get off at Pompei Scavi–Villa Misteri, the most convenient station for the archaeological park; there are luggage-storage services near the entrance, which are useful if your accommodation in Salerno will not hold your bags. Buy your entry ticket from the official park office or website rather than from street touts. In August, arrive as close to opening as possible, carry water, a hat, and sturdy shoes, and expect very little shade.

Spend about 3½–4 hours exploring the Pompeii Archaeological Park, focusing on the Forum, major villas, bath complexes, and the remarkably preserved residential streets rather than trying to see every corner. The stone paving and heat make the visit tiring, so take a short break whenever you find shade. Afterward, walk to Pasticceria De Vivo near the site for a coffee and a pastry—allow around €5–10 per person. Keep the break fairly efficient so you can collect your luggage and continue onward; a Trenitalia regional train from Pompei is generally the more comfortable option to Salerno, taking about 40 minutes, while the Circumvesuviana connection is also possible.

Afternoon: Arriving in Salerno

After checking in and freshening up, head into Salerno’s historic center for Salerno Cathedral. The cathedral itself is usually free, while the atmospheric crypt may have a small entrance charge or donation; allow about 45 minutes. The surrounding lanes are pleasant for a first wander, particularly around Via dei Mercanti, with small food shops and bars tucked into the medieval streets. Opening hours can be split around services, so if the doors are closed, return later rather than rushing.

Evening: Seafront and dinner

As the heat eases, walk down toward Lungomare Trieste for an easy sunset stroll. The broad promenade is at its best in the early evening, when locals come out for a passeggiata and the lights begin to appear across the bay. Finish at Osteria dei Sapori in the historic center for Campanian dishes such as handmade pasta, vegetables, and local seafood; reserve ahead in August and budget roughly €30–45 per person before drinks. This is a deliberately relaxed evening after Pompeii—Salerno is best enjoyed slowly, with time for a gelato or a final drink along the pedestrian streets.

Morning

Start early for Castello di Arechi, above Salerno’s eastern hills. Take a taxi from the center—usually about 15–20 minutes—or check the local bus service, which can be infrequent in summer. The castle generally opens from around 9:00, with admission usually a few euros; allow roughly two hours for the ramparts, small museum, and exceptional views over the Gulf of Salerno. Go before the heat builds, and bring water: there is limited shade and the last approach is steep. A taxi back down is worth considering rather than waiting in the sun for a return bus.

Continue into the old town for Giardino della Minerva, a beautifully restored medieval botanical garden on the hillside. Its terraces are compact but atmospheric, filled with medicinal plants and framed by views across the rooftops. It typically opens in the morning and costs around €4–5; check the day’s hours before setting out, as seasonal opening times can vary. From the castle, allow about 15 minutes by taxi to reach the historic center, then walk the final uphill streets. Afterward, browse Mercato di San Benedetto, where locals shop for fruit, vegetables, seafood, and pantry staples. It is best around late morning, before stalls begin winding down; this is a lively working market rather than a sightseeing attraction, so a quick snack or takeaway seafood lunch fits naturally here.

Afternoon and Evening

Spend the afternoon walking Via dei Mercanti, the old town’s main pedestrian artery, branching into quieter lanes around the cathedral quarter. Take your time with the small food shops, ceramics, churches, and shaded cafés rather than treating it as a straight shopping street. From here, stroll downhill toward Piazza Flavio Gioia and continue along the seafront to Santa Teresa Beach—about 15–20 minutes at an easy pace. Settle in for a swim or an aperitivo and stay through sunset; the waterfront is at its most enjoyable when the heat fades and families come out for their evening passeggiata. For dinner, book Ristorante Cicirinella in advance, particularly in August. Expect roughly €35–50 per person for seafood and regional dishes; ask about the daily catch and consider sharing several plates rather than ordering heavily. It is a short walk from the beach, though the narrow old-town streets can be uneven.

Morning

Take the morning Travelmar ferry from Salerno to Amalfi, ideally around 08:30–09:30. The crossing takes about 35–45 minutes; arrive at the waterfront 20–30 minutes early, especially with luggage, and check the sailing that morning because August services can change with sea conditions. On arrival, leave bags with your accommodation or a luggage-storage service near the port, then walk straight into Piazza Duomo.

Start with Amalfi Cathedral, whose striped façade and broad staircase dominate the square. Allow about an hour for the cathedral, crypt, and Cloister of Paradise; opening hours can vary around religious services, but it is generally open from the morning, with a small admission fee of roughly €3–5. Afterwards, wander the narrow lanes behind the square toward the Paper Museum, following the gently rising Via delle Cartiere. The museum usually opens in the morning and admission is around €10; give yourself an hour to see the old machinery and water-powered paper-making displays.

Afternoon

Have a light lunch in Amalfi before heading uphill to Ravello. The SITA Sud bus leaves from near the waterfront and takes roughly 30–45 minutes in summer traffic; a taxi is faster and more comfortable but commonly costs around €35–50 one way. In Ravello, visit Villa Rufolo first, allowing about two hours for its gardens, medieval tower, and terraces overlooking the coast. August is hot, so carry water and take a slower pace—the gardens are much more enjoyable when you pause in the shaded sections rather than rushing between viewpoints.

Continue on foot through Ravello’s quiet lanes to Villa Cimbrone, around 15–20 minutes from Villa Rufolo. The route is uphill in places, but the reward is the Terrace of Infinity, one of the finest viewpoints on the coast, with sea and mountain scenery stretching far beyond Amalfi. Allow about 1½ hours, and aim for late afternoon when the light softens. Check the final bus times back before entering the villa; if buses are crowded or infrequent, arrange a taxi from Ravello in advance.

Evening

Return to Amalfi for dinner at Trattoria da Gemma, right in the historic center. Reserve ahead for August, particularly if you want an outdoor table, and expect approximately €45–65 per person for a full meal. This is a good evening to keep unstructured after dinner: stroll along the waterfront, browse the illuminated lanes around Piazza Duomo, and pick up a lemon granita or gelato before turning in.

Morning: Amalfi to Positano and Spiaggia Grande

Take an early Travelmar or NLG ferry from Amalfi to Positano, ideally between 08:30 and 09:30. The crossing takes about 25–35 minutes and gives you the best first view of Positano’s pastel houses climbing the cliffs. Services are frequent in August but can sell out, so reserve ahead and arrive at the pier at least 20 minutes before departure. On arrival, leave larger bags at your accommodation or a luggage-storage point near the waterfront before walking up to Spiaggia Grande. Spend about an hour here admiring the town from the pebbled beach; go early, as the beach clubs fill quickly and a daybed can cost roughly €25–50.

A short uphill walk through the main lanes brings you to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. The church is free to enter, although modest clothing is expected, and it is worth stepping inside to see the Byzantine icon of the Black Madonna and the brilliantly patterned majolica dome. Around the church and Via dei Mulini, browse the linen shops and ceramic boutiques, but keep some energy for the afternoon—the route ahead is considerably more demanding than Positano’s stairways.

Afternoon: Path of the Gods

After a light lunch in Positano, take a local bus or pre-arranged taxi up to Bomerano, the starting point for the Path of the Gods. Allow roughly 30–45 minutes depending on traffic; taxis are the more reliable option in August, while buses can be crowded. Hike a manageable section toward Nocelle, allowing about three hours including photo stops. The trail is exposed, rocky, and hot in summer, so carry at least 1.5–2 liters of water per person, wear proper shoes, and avoid setting out too late. If you prefer not to hike the full route, turn around from Bomerano or arrange a taxi from Nocelle rather than tackling the long staircase down to Positano.

Evening: Montepertuso dinner and upper Positano

For dinner, take a taxi from Positano to Ristorante La Tagliata in Montepertuso; book in advance and confirm whether the restaurant’s shuttle is operating. The fixed farm-to-table menu—usually abundant antipasti, pasta, grilled meat or vegetables, and dessert—typically costs around €50–70 per person, and the terrace has sweeping views over the coast. Afterward, return to Positano and wander the quieter upper lanes and stairways above the busy waterfront. The boutiques around Via Cristoforo Colombo and the residential lanes toward Chiesa Nuova are especially atmospheric once the day-trippers have left, though wear comfortable shoes: nearly every route home involves stairs.

Morning: Positano to Naples and the Archaeological Museum

Leave Positano around 08:00–08:30, aiming to reach Naples Beverello by late morning. The ferry is the most pleasant option, but August sailings can be canceled in rough seas; if that happens, arrange a private transfer early through your accommodation rather than relying on several bus connections with luggage. From the port, take a taxi or walk about 20 minutes to the Naples National Archaeological Museum. Allow roughly 2½ hours here—don’t miss the Farnese collection and the Roman mosaics and frescoes from Pompeii and Herculaneum. The museum is generally open Tuesday–Sunday, approximately 09:00–19:30, with last entry around 19:00; check the official calendar and reserve a timed ticket, usually about €18–25.

Early Afternoon: Piazza Bellini and Santa Chiara

From the museum, walk downhill through the Museo and Dante area to Piazza Bellini, around 15–20 minutes. This is a good place for a relaxed drink among the cafés and the remains of the ancient Greek walls—order a caffè or a cold drink and take 45 minutes to absorb the atmosphere rather than rushing straight on. Continue along Via San Sebastiano and into Spaccanapoli to Santa Chiara. Its cloister, with bright majolica-tiled columns and orange trees, is one of the city’s calmest corners. Allow about an hour; the complex usually opens in the morning and again in the afternoon, with admission around €7–8, though hours can vary around religious services.

Late Afternoon and Evening: Pastry and San Carlo

Walk toward Galleria Umberto I—roughly 15 minutes from Santa Chiara—for a coffee and sfogliatella at Sfogliatella Mary, a tiny, longstanding counter beside the gallery. Expect about €5–10 per person; standing service is quick, and the riccia pastry is best eaten warm. Then cross toward Teatro di San Carlo for the early-evening guided tour, usually about an hour and commonly priced around €12–15. Tours are timetable-dependent, so book ahead and arrive 10–15 minutes early. Afterward, you are perfectly placed for dinner around Chiaia or Santa Lucia; avoid committing to a restaurant too far across town, since summer traffic and the narrow historic-center streets make short distances surprisingly slow.

Early Morning: Naples to the Airport

For your 09:00 Naples–Munich flight, leave central Naples around 06:00 by official taxi, especially if you are staying near Napoli Centrale, Centro Storico, or Chiaia. Ask your accommodation to reserve one the night before; the airport is only about 5–8 km away, but early-morning traffic and roadworks can still affect the journey. The ride usually takes 20–30 minutes and costs roughly €20–€25 on the fixed airport fare, with supplements possible for luggage or extra passengers. Confirm the fare before leaving and use only a licensed white taxi.

Aim to reach Naples International Airport (Capodichino) by 06:30–06:45. Check-in and security are generally straightforward at this hour, but August travel can bring queues, particularly if you have checked baggage. If you have time after security, the airport cafés are convenient for a quick espresso and pastry; otherwise, have breakfast before leaving your accommodation, as the airport is functional rather than atmospheric.

Departure

Keep your passport, boarding pass, and any liquids easily accessible, and check the airline’s baggage deadline rather than relying solely on the flight time. The airport is compact, so once through security you will not need much time to reach the gate. For the return to Munich, allow for possible summer congestion and be at the gate well before boarding begins—then enjoy one last view of Naples from the aircraft as you head home.