Campania Itinerary from Munich: Salerno, Amalfi and Naples

Arrival and transfer

After landing at Naples International Airport at 12:20, collect your luggage and aim to leave around 13:30. The easiest option is a pre-booked private transfer directly to Salerno—roughly 1 hour in light traffic, though August roads can add time. Public transport is cheaper: take the airport bus to Napoli Centrale, then a regional train to Salerno; allow about 1½–2 hours overall, including the airport connection. Salerno is easy on foot, so do not rent a car. Check in near the center and take a short break before sightseeing.

Late afternoon in the centro storico

Begin at Salerno Cathedral, whose Romanesque façade opens onto a peaceful courtyard. Allow around 45 minutes for the cathedral and atmospheric crypt; check the afternoon opening schedule locally, as church hours can pause between services. From there, walk a few minutes along Via Mercanti, the old town’s main pedestrian lane, where medieval alleyways, small shops, bars, and cafés make a pleasant first introduction to the city. Keep this unhurried—this is a good place to stop for an espresso or a cold granita rather than trying to cover too much.

Sunset and dinner

Continue downhill to Lungomare Trieste for an easy early-evening stroll beside the water. The promenade is especially enjoyable as the heat drops, with views toward the gulf and plenty of benches for a relaxed sunset pause. Walk back into the historic center afterward for dinner at Osteria Canali, a traditional choice in the Centro Storico; expect approximately €30–45 per person for a full meal, and reserve ahead if possible in August. Wear comfortable shoes for the uneven lanes, and keep a little cash for small cafés or occasional local payment quirks.

Morning

Take the early Travelmar ferry from Salerno Concordia/Manfredi pier, ideally around 07:30–08:00, to arrive in Amalfi before the main day-trip crowds. Ferries take roughly 35–45 minutes; check the August timetable the evening before, since rough seas can occasionally lead to cancellations. From the harbor, walk straight into Piazza Duomo for Amalfi Cathedral. Allow about an hour to see the striped façade, the cathedral interior, and the peaceful cloister; modest clothing is expected, and the complex usually opens in the morning with a small admission fee of roughly €3–5.

Late Morning and Afternoon

From the harbor area, take the SITA Sud bus toward Ravello—tickets must generally be bought before boarding at a tobacconist or newsstand—or use a taxi if the bus queue is long. The winding climb takes around 30–45 minutes, and buses can be crowded in August, so stand back from the curb and let passengers off first. Begin in Villa Rufolo, where the terraced gardens and sea views are especially lovely before midday; allow about 1½ hours and expect an entrance fee of roughly €8–10. Continue on foot through Ravello’s quiet lanes to Villa Cimbrone, another 10–15 minutes away. Its gardens take about 1½ hours, with the Terrace of Infinity providing the classic view over the coast. Wear proper shoes—the paths are uneven—and carry water, as shade is intermittent.

Late Afternoon and Evening

Return to Amalfi by SITA bus or taxi, allowing extra time for traffic on the coast road, and settle at Pasticceria Pansa in Piazza Duomo. Order a traditional delizia al limone or sfogliatella with an espresso or granita; €8–15 is plenty for a relaxed stop, though seating directly on the square carries the usual premium. Finish with dinner around Marina Grande, the waterfront stretch beside the harbor. Choose a seafood table with a view—reserve ahead for an outdoor seat in August—and budget approximately €35–60 per person for grilled fish, pasta with local seafood, and a drink. After dinner, take a short promenade along the water before returning to your accommodation; the streets quiet down noticeably once the last ferries and buses have departed.

Morning to Early Afternoon

Start at Amalfi harbor with a shared or private boat excursion along the coast toward Conca dei Marini and Praiano. Allow around 4–5 hours, ideally departing between 09:00 and 10:00. A shared cruise is usually about €50–80 per person, while a private boat costs considerably more but gives you flexibility for swimming stops. Bring water shoes, sunscreen, and a dry bag; the sea is the best way to appreciate the cliffs, and August boats fill quickly. Confirm the meeting point and weather conditions the evening before, as rough seas can alter the route.

The main stop is the Emerald Grotto, where you can visit the sea cave if it is open and conditions allow. Entry is generally around €7–10, sometimes separate from the boat fare, and the visit itself takes roughly 45 minutes. The cave is atmospheric rather than huge, so do not worry if the boat operator only allows a short stop. Continue toward Praiano before returning along the coast, with lunch either arranged on board or taken back in Amalfi; avoid committing to a long restaurant lunch if your excursion timing is weather-dependent.

Afternoon and Evening

In the mid-afternoon, arrange a road or boat-side stop at Fiordo di Furore for about 45 minutes. From the main coastal road, the viewpoint is reached by steps, and the narrow gorge is best photographed from above; swimming access may be restricted or crowded in August. A private boat can sometimes give you a better view from the water, while buses and taxis are slower and unpredictable on the coast. Continue east to Atrani, just a short walk from Amalfi along the coastal road, though use the pedestrian tunnel or a taxi rather than walking on the main road with luggage or beach gear.

Spend the late afternoon wandering Atrani’s compact lanes and relaxing in its central piazza, which feels considerably more local and tranquil than Amalfi. Dinner at A’Paranza is a good reason to stay: expect approximately €35–55 per person for seafood, more with wine, and reserve ahead for an outdoor table. After dinner, return to Amalfi on foot via the lit pedestrian route—roughly 10–15 minutes—or take a short taxi if you are tired; check the route before leaving, since some coastal-road sections are not pleasant for pedestrians after dark.

Morning — Amalfi to Naples

Take an early Travelmar ferry from Amalfi around 08:00–08:30, connecting through Salerno with a regional train to Napoli Centrale. Allow roughly three hours door to door, including the walk between the ferry pier and station; in late August, leave a little buffer for crowds and luggage. A direct ferry to Naples may operate, but services are seasonal, so check Travelmar, NLG, or Alilauro the evening before. After checking in or leaving bags at your accommodation, take a taxi or the Line 1 metro toward Toledo for the short walk to Galleria Borbonica. Tours last about an hour and usually run on a fixed schedule, so reserve ahead; expect approximately €15–20, and wear shoes with good grip because the tunnels can be damp and uneven.

Late Morning and Lunch

From Galleria Borbonica, walk five minutes to Piazza del Plebiscito, arriving via Via Gennaro Serra. Spend half an hour beneath the sweeping colonnade and outside the Royal Palace, then cross toward Gran Caffè Gambrinus on Piazza Trieste e Trento. This elegant 19th-century café is best for a standing espresso and a sfogliatella or baba rather than a full meal; table service costs more, roughly €8–15 per person. For lunch, keep it light nearby—pizza or a small plate in the Chiaia area—because the afternoon is better enjoyed at an unhurried pace.

Afternoon — Seafront and Castel dell’Ovo

Walk downhill toward Santa Lucia, following the broad seafront promenade for about 15–20 minutes. The route opens onto views across the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius, and is especially pleasant once the strongest midday heat eases. Continue to Castel dell’Ovo, where you can explore the castle grounds and panoramic terraces for around 1–1½ hours. Entry to the main exterior areas is generally free, though access can vary during restoration or events; check locally, and bring water because shade is limited. Afterward, linger along Borgo Marinari for a drink before taking a taxi or Line 1 metro back toward Napoli Centrale.

Evening

Have dinner at Mimì alla Ferrovia, a long-established Neapolitan restaurant a short walk from Napoli Centrale. Reserve in advance, particularly for a Friday or Saturday, and expect around €35–55 per person for classic dishes such as pasta, seafood, or meat with wine. It is convenient after a day by the bay, but do not mistake the station neighborhood for a late-night wandering area—return to your accommodation by taxi or metro after dinner, keeping valuables secure in crowded streets and on public transport.

Morning — Pompeii Archaeological Park

Take the Circumvesuviana EAV train from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi around 08:00 to Pompei Scavi–Villa Misteri; the ride takes about 35–45 minutes. Buy a ticket at the station or through the UnicoCampania app, and keep an eye on the platform because services can be crowded and informal in August. From the station, the archaeological entrance is only a few minutes away. Allow roughly four hours inside Pompeii Archaeological Park, beginning with the Forum, then the theaters, baths, and preserved houses. Arriving early is worthwhile: the exposed streets become intensely hot by midday. Bring at least a litre of water, a hat, sunscreen, and shoes with good grip; the ancient paving is uneven. Check the official website shortly before visiting for current opening hours and any temporarily closed houses.

As you make your way through the excavations, include the Thermopolium of Regio V, the remarkably preserved ancient street-food counter, which takes about 20 minutes to appreciate. After leaving the ruins, walk into Pompeii town for lunch at Pizzeria Reginè—a relaxed choice for a traditional Neapolitan pizza, usually around €12–20 per person. It is best to go straight after the site, when you will want shade and a proper seat; allow some flexibility in case there is a short wait.

Afternoon and Return to Naples

After lunch, stroll through central Pompeii to the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Rosario, the town’s imposing pilgrimage church. Set aside about 45 minutes to see the grand interior and devotional artwork; dress respectfully, with shoulders and knees covered if possible. The sanctuary is generally open during the day, though services can limit access temporarily. From there, return to Pompei Scavi–Villa Misteri and aim for a train between 16:30 and 17:30 back to Napoli Piazza Garibaldi, allowing around 40 minutes. Keep your phone and wallet secure on the platform and train, and avoid relying on the very last service—late-afternoon delays are common.

Morning

If you are still in Pompeii, take the early EAV Circumvesuviana from Pompei Scavi–Villa Misteri to Napoli Piazza Garibaldi, ideally around 07:30–08:00. The journey takes roughly 35–45 minutes; from Garibaldi, allow another 20–25 minutes by Metro Line 1 to Museo station, followed by a short walk to the Naples National Archaeological Museum. Leave luggage at your accommodation if possible, as the museum’s galleries are much easier to enjoy without bags. Spend about 2½ hours with the Farnese sculptures, mosaics, frescoes, and Roman objects from the Vesuvian towns. Check the museum’s official website for the August 2026 opening schedule—typically it opens in the morning and closes on Tuesdays—and expect admission to cost around €15–20, with reduced prices for eligible visitors.

Early Afternoon

Walk downhill through the Centro Storico toward Piazza Bellini, a pleasant 15-minute route through university streets and small bookshops. Sit among the surviving Greek walls for about 45 minutes; Libreria Berisio is a good nearby stop for a coffee or cold drink if the square feels too busy. Continue toward the Spanish Quarter for lunch at Trattoria da Nennella. It is deliberately lively rather than refined, with shouted greetings, quick service, and inexpensive Neapolitan plates—allow roughly €15–25 per person. Arrive before 13:00 or after 14:00 to reduce the queue, and keep valuables secure in the crowded lanes.

Afternoon and Evening

From Trattoria da Nennella, walk back toward Spaccanapoli, following the long, straight historic axis through the Centro Storico. Take your time around the churches, artisan workshops, and narrow side streets rather than trying to cover every landmark; the area is at its most atmospheric in the late afternoon, when the harshest heat begins to ease. Continue to the Santa Chiara Monumental Complex, where the peaceful majolica cloister is a welcome pause from the noise outside. Allow about an hour, and verify the day’s final admission time before setting out, as the complex may close earlier than the surrounding churches. In the evening, walk or take a short taxi ride toward Forcella for L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. Expect a queue and a simple menu focused on margherita and marinara; a pizza usually costs around €10–20 per person. After dinner, return to your accommodation by taxi or on foot if staying centrally, rather than lingering in the quieter lanes around the station.

Early Morning — Naples to the Airport

Leave central Naples around 06:00 for Naples International Airport. A pre-booked taxi is the easiest option with luggage: allow 20–30 minutes in light traffic, but build in extra time for August traffic. From Napoli Centrale, the Alibus is the cheaper alternative, taking roughly 15–25 minutes to the airport; check the first departure the evening before, as the earliest service may be tight for a 09:00 flight. A taxi usually costs about €20–30, while the Alibus is around €5. The airport is compact, but aim to be inside by 06:45–07:00 for check-in, security, and the walk to the gate.

Departure — Naples to Munich

After security, keep breakfast simple at Naples International Airport; cafés open early, though the selection is better landside than airside. For a 09:00 departure, avoid relying on a last-minute train or bus connection—road delays and a crowded terminal are the main risks. Once checked in, settle in for your flight to Munich and allow extra time on arrival if you have a connection or checked luggage.