Three Itineraries to Explore Malta, Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Rome from Johannesburg in April 2026

Day 1: Arrival & Malta Intro

Valletta, Malta on April 1, 2026

12:00pm

Arrival & Check-in

Arrive in Malta from Johannesburg and settle into your accommodation. For low budget, choose 1850 Hostel; for decent, try Palazzo Rollo; for flair, book a stay at The Phoenicia Malta.

Varies by accommodation, 1h30m

2:00pm

Enjoy a casual lunch. Budget travelers can eat at Cafe Jubilee with traditional Maltese platters; decent travelers can try Nenu the Artisan Baker for local specialties; flair travelers dine at The Harbour Club with a sea view.

€5-€30, 1h

3:30pm

Explore Valletta

Walk the fortified capital city visiting St. John's Co-Cathedral (open 9:30am–4:30pm), Upper Barrakka Gardens, and the National Museum of Archaeology for rich Maltese history.

St. John's Co-Cathedral €15, 3h

7:00pm

Dinner

Eat dinner near the waterfront. Budget: Legligin for hearty Maltese dishes; Decent: Trabuxu Wine Bar; Flair: Rampila for romantic dining inside historic bastions.

€10-€50, 1h30m

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Day 2: Malta Exploration

Gozo Island, Malta on April 2, 2026

8:00am

Breakfast

Start with breakfast at busy Lungomare Café in Valletta for quick pastries (Budget) or at Tasting Room for a refined menu (Flair).

€3-€15, 1h

9:30am

Day trip to Gozo

Take the ferry to Gozo Island to visit the Citadella, Azure Window site, and Ramla Bay. Budget travelers can self-explore; flair travelers may take guided tours.

Ferry ticket €4.65, 6h

4:00pm

Return to Malta

Travel back to Valletta and relax before dinner.

Included in ferry, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner

Choose Piadina Caffè for quick budget meals or Dinner at De Mondion for a Michelin-star flair experience overlooking Mdina.

€10-€70, 1h30m

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Day 3: Travel to Amalfi Coast

Naples & Amalfi Coast, Italy on April 3, 2026

7:00am

Fly Malta to Naples

Morning flight from Malta to Naples. Budget carriers available; book in advance for best prices.

€40-€100, 1h30m

10:00am

Naples Arrival & Breakfast

Enjoy breakfast at Gambrinus, a historic cafe offering Neapolitan pastries.

€5-€15, 1h

11:30am

Transfer to Amalfi Coast

Take bus or private transfer to Amalfi Coast (Amalfi town or Positano), approx 1.5h. Budget travelers take SITA bus; flair travelers prefer private car service.

€3-€60, 1h30m

2:00pm

Lunch at Amalfi Coast

Have pizza at La Zagara - affordable yet picturesque, or dine with flair at Ristorante Eolo for local seafood specialties.

€10-€50, 1h30m

4:00pm

Explore Amalfi Town

Stroll through Amalfi's cathedral, main piazza, and quaint streets. Open daily with free access to town; cathedral entry approx €3.

€3, 2h

7:00pm

Dinner

Low budget eat at Trattoria da Gemma for authentic specialties; flair travelers dine at Marina Grande with sea views.

€15-€60, 1h30m

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Day 4: Amalfi Coast Discoveries

Positano & Amalfi Coast on April 4, 2026

8:00am

Breakfast

Budget breakfast stop at Pasticceria Sal De Riso in Minori, or flair travelers enjoy breakfast on the terrace of Hotel Marincanto in Positano.

€5-€25, 1h

9:30am

Boat Tour / Hiking

Take a boat tour along the coast or hike the Path of the Gods for spectacular views. Tours cost from €30; hiking is free.

€0-€30, 4h

2:00pm

Lunch

Enjoy lunch at Chez Black in Positano for beachfront dining (budget-friendly) or luxury at Next2 for a refined menu.

€15-€70, 1h30m

4:00pm

Relax or explore local shops

Spend afternoon wandering artisanal shops or relaxing by the beach.

Free, 3h

7:30pm

Dinner

Budget diners try La Cantina del Vescovo; flair travelers book Chez Black for sunset seafood feast.

€10-€60, 1h30m

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Day 5: Naples History

Naples, Italy on April 5, 2026

7:30am

Travel from Amalfi to Naples

Return to Naples by bus or private car (approximately 1.5 hours).

€3-€60, 1h30m

9:30am

Breakfast

Taste authentic Neapolitan coffee and sfogliatella at Sfogliatella Mary near the waterfront.

€3-€7, 1h

10:30am

Visit Naples National Archaeological Museum

Explore one of the world’s best collections of Greco-Roman artifacts open 9am-7:30pm.

€15, 2h

1:00pm

Lunch at Sorbillo pizzeria

Famous for Neapolitan pizza, possibly the best budget lunch in Naples.

€7-€15, 1h

2:30pm

Naples Underground Tour

Tour ancient underground tunnels and Roman ruins beneath the city; pre-book ticket, open until 6pm.

€10, 1h30m

5:00pm

Strolling Spaccanapoli

Walk this vibrant street filled with shops, churches, and street food for a taste of local life.

Free, 1h30m

7:00pm

Dinner at Da Michele or Palazzo Petrucci

Budget option: Da Michele for iconic pizza; flair option: Palazzo Petrucci Michelin-star dining.

€10-€80, 1h30m

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Day 6: Rome Arrival

Rome, Italy on April 6, 2026

8:00am

Train Naples to Rome

Take a high-speed train to Rome (approx 1.1 hours). Book tickets early for best prices.

€20-€50, 1h15m

10:30am

Breakfast near Termini Station

Try Roscioli Caffè or pasticceria for coffee and pastries.

€5-€15, 1h

11:30am

Roman Forum and Colosseum

Visit iconic ruins and amphitheater. Tickets bought in advance recommended, open 8:30am-7pm.

€18, 3h

3:00pm

Lunch near Piazza Venezia

Budget: Pizzeria Ai Marmi; Decent: La Carbonara; Flair: Aroma Restaurant with Colosseum views.

€10-€60, 1h30m

5:00pm

Walk to Trevi Fountain and Spanish Steps

Evening walk around famous landmarks, free to visit anytime.

Free, 2h

7:30pm

Dinner

For budget try Trattoria da Enzo; decent at Roscioli; flair travelers enjoy Il Sanlorenzo seafood dining.

€15-€80, 1h30m

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Day 7: Vatican & City

Rome, Italy on April 7, 2026

7:30am

Breakfast near Vatican

Enjoy coffee and pastries at Caffè Vaticano.

€5-€10, 1h

8:30am

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel

Pre-book skip the line tickets to explore vast museums and Michelangelo's masterpiece ceiling, open 9am-6pm, closed Sundays except last Sunday of month.

€25, 3h