Best Tours and Day Trips from Naples
If you feel like disconnecting from the city and immersing yourself in the natural beauty of its surroundings, here is a list of the best options
Panoramic view of Naples with Mount Vesuvius in the background | ©Andrea Schaffer
Naples is authentic, exciting and full of contrasts. But to stay in Naples alone is to only see part of its richness, surrounded by wonders such as the island of Capri, the fascinating Pompeii and Herculaneum or the Amalfi coast. Here are the best tours and excursions in Naples.
1. Guided walking tour of Naples in small groups
Naples is a city with a lot to see that can be easily explored on foot. It is somewhat chaotic, but that is precisely what makes it authentic and that is why a stroll through its picturesque atmosphere and magnificent monuments is so enjoyable.
With this guided tour of Naples, which costs £23, you'll see the main sights, led by a local guide and learn about must-see sights such as the Castel Nuovo, the Royal Palace and the bustling Spaccanapoli promenade. Plus, you'll get your energy back with a typical Neapolitan cake in Piazza San Gaetano.
What you'll see on this tour
- Royal Palace of Naples, one of the four residences used by the Bourbons.
- Teatro di San Carlo, one of the oldest and finest neoclassical theatres in Europe.
- Castel Nuovo, officially called Maschio Angioino, is an impressive medieval castle with an amazing legend behind its walls and one of the greatest symbols of Naples.
What is included in this guided tour
- 2.5 hour walking tour of Naples
- English speaking local guide
- Possibility to choose between a morning or an afternoon tour
- Small groups of 10 travellers maximum
- Flexibility of payment and refundable cancellation with 24 hours' notice
2. Guided walking tour of Naples and its underground ruins
This guided tour of Naples and its underground ruins, from £13, is a more comprehensive option than the above tour, although it does cater for larger groups.
It covers the major attractions of the historic centre of Naples, which you'll tour on foot and accompanied by a guide, such as the Galleria Umberto, Piazza del Plebiscito, Castel Nuovo and the Royal Palace. The best thing is that it also includes entrance to one of the most surprising places to see in the city, both for its content and the way to discover it: Underground Naples.
About Underground Naples
Underground Naples, hidden beneath the narrow streets of Naples is another city, an underground one, which hides a fascinating history and one of the largest network of tunnels in Europe. You will reach it after descending more than 100 steps and passing through narrow tunnels that will plunge you into the bowels of Naples, 40 metres deep.
Its origins date back to the Greeks, who dug it as an underground water reservoir, to be extended later in Roman times as a quarry to extract rocks for the construction of the city. It was used as an air-raid shelter during the Second World War and ended up as a giant rubbish dump that remained forgotten until the early 19th century, when it was rescued and became one of Naples' main tourist attractions.
What this tour includes
- 5-hour walking tour of Naples including entrance to the 'Underground Naples' attraction.
- Art historian guide in English
- Groups of 30 travellers maximum
- Cancellation refundable with 24 hours' notice
3. Gastronomic tour of the street food of Naples
Are you an attentive foodie and can't leave a place without tasting its most authentic dishes? Then you'll love this tasty gastronomic tour of Naples, which costs £30. For starters, because Naples is none other than the city that gave birth to one of the most iconic Italian foods, pizza.
And finally, because this tour will give you a real taste of the history and flavour of the real food of Naples, led by a local guide and tasting Neapolitan specialities such as folded pizza, meatballs, stuffed croquettes and the best espresso coffee.
What you will visit with this tour
- Via Toledo, where you will start your tour of Neapolitan flavours tasting its famous folded pizza, also called "pizza a portafoglio".
- Basilica dello Spirito Santo, where you will discover the popular cuoppo, symbol of Neapolitan street food since the 19th century, and the crocchè, its delicious potato croquettes with provolone or mozzarella heart.
What's included in this tour
- 3.5 hour tour of the gastronomic culture of Naples
- English speaking guide
- Neapolitan lunch and drinks
- Small groups of 10 people maximum
- Possibility of total cancellation with 24 hours' notice
4. Excursion to Herculaneum from Naples
If you travel to Naples, to stay in the city alone is to stay halfway there. The surrounding area is home to fascinating sites such as Herculaneum, the ancient Roman city that remained buried since the volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD until it was discovered in the 18th century.
With this excursion to Herculaneum from Naples, for around £60, you can visit and learn all about the history of this important archaeological area and its thermal spas and striking mosaics.
Places to visit
- Casa dei Cervi, the so-called House of the Deer was one of the richest private houses in Herculaneum.
- Casa del Tramezzo di Legno, known as the House of the sliding wooden panels.
What is included in this tour
- 3 hour tour from Naples to Herculaneum
- Pick up and drop off at hotel or port of Naples
- Local archaeological guide in English, Spanish and Italian
- Entrance to Herculaneum not included, €13 per person, but guaranteed access without queues
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus
- Bottled water
- Groups of 40 travellers maximum
- Possibility of cancellation with 24 hours' notice
5. Guided day tour to Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius from Naples
One of the must-see places to visit if you travel to Naples is undoubtedly the ancient and fascinating Roman city of Pompeii, declared a World Heritage Site. With this excursion to Pompeii and Vesuvius from Naples you can discover its thermal baths, the spectacular restored bodies of its ancient inhabitants, the daring paintings of its Lupanar or the luxurious residence known as the House of the Faun.
You can also meet the man responsible for the tragedy that devastated Pompeii 2,000 years ago, when the nearby volcano Vesuvius erupted and completely covered the city. Today, Vesuvius is the natural monument of the Gulf of Naples and you can explore it accompanied by a volcanologist guide and ascend to its crater, more than 1,000 metres above sea level. The tour is priced at £98
What is included in this tour
- 7 hour tour from Naples Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius
- Pick up and drop off at the hotel or port of Naples
- English, Italian and Spanish speaking guide
- Entrance tickets not included, but guaranteed access without queues. Pompeii: €15 per person and Mount Vesuvius: €10 per person.
- Transport by air-conditioned minibus.
- Lunch and bottled water
- Groups of 40 travellers maximum.
- Possibility of cancellation with 24 hours notice.
6. Private day tour to Herculaneum, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius from Naples
A really practical and comfortable way to get to know the major archaeological sites around Naples is with this private tour that will take you from Naples to Herculaneum, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.
This tour organises the journey and the tour with the possibility of including a guide to learn more about these interesting and exceptionally well-preserved Roman cities, as well as the volcano whose eruption buried them both, the majestic Vesuvius, which you will climb up to reach its crater.
What's included in this tour
- Private tour to Herculaneum, Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius from Naples for 9 hours.
- Pick up and drop off at your accommodation or place of arrival in Naples. Transport adapted for wheelchair users
- Entrance tickets not included, but guaranteed access without queuing. Pompeii: €15 per person and Mount Vesuvius: €10 per person.
- Possibility to include a guide in English and 3 other languages.
- Bottled water
- Cancellation available with 24 hours notice.
Places you will visit
in Pompeii
- Salone della Barca di Ercolano, where you will admire one of the latest discoveries made by archaeologists at Herculaneum, the incredible remains of a ship excavated in the marina area and where 300 skeletons were found.
- Teatro Grande di Pompeii, the exceptional auditorium of Pompeii built on the natural slope of a hill.
7. Guided tour to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast from Naples
A great way to see both sides of the area around Naples, its natural wealth and its historical importance, is with this tour. You will discover two World Heritage Sites: the famous and spectacular city of Pompeii and the magical Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful areas in Italy, where you will visit the idyllic village of Positano, where you will also enjoy a delicious typical Italian lunch.
You will be in a group of 40 people maximum, and what I like the most is that you will be able to see the highlights of the area around Naples, making the most of the time of the day and without having to worry about the organisation of your travels.
About Amalfi
Amalfi is the main city of the Amalfi Coast and the one that lived a period of greatest splendour when it was the first of the four Italian Maritime Republics together with Venice, Genoa and Pisa. This is why the Amalfi Coast is named after its name, and why it has such splendid sites and historic buildings such as the Duomo di Sant'Andrea, its beautiful medieval cathedral in the centre of the city, the Piazza del Duomo.
What is included in this tour
- 8 hours tour to Pompeii and the Amalfi coast from Naples
- Pick up and drop off at your accommodation or place of arrival in Naples.
- Entrance fees are not included, but skip the line access is guaranteed. Pompeii: 15€ per person
- Local guide (audio guide from November to March) in English, Italian and Spanish.
- Lunch
- Groups of 40 people maximum
- Cancellation refundable with 24 hours notice.
8. Group day tour from Naples to the Amalfi Coast
One of the most pleasurable things about travelling to Naples is making time to wander along its beautiful World Heritage-listed Amalfi Coast and the idyllic villages that meander along it.
With this group tour to the Amalfi Coast, you can explore one of its most impressive regions: the Sorrento Peninsula, home to the towns of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, and stop for an Italian lunch on the Conca dei Marini hillside overlooking the sea.
If you choose this tour, don't miss a visit to the Emerald Grotto, a natural grotto known for the unique emerald glow of its waters. The whole tour is priced at £85
What's included in this tour
- 8 hour drive to the Amalfi Coast from Naples
- Pick up and drop off at your accommodation or place of arrival in Naples. Transport adapted for wheelchair users
- Driver and guide in English, Spanish, Italian and Spanish.
- Lunch and bottled water
- Entrance fees not included to optional attractions: Villa Rufolo: 5€, Amalfi Cathedral: 3€, Emerald Grotto: 5€, Boat cruise from Amalfi: 15€.
- Groups of 40 travellers maximum
- Possibility of cancellation with 24 hours' notice
About Ravello
Ravello, a World Heritage Site, is believed to have been founded in the 5th century as a refuge for some of Amalfi's high society families during a time of conflict between the town's most powerful dynasties. From this it remains to comprise majestic sites such as Villa Rufolo, a wonderful villa famous for its beautiful cascading gardens and the 14th century cloister that marks its entrance.
9. Day trip to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi from Naples
This smaller group tour of Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi is ideal for those travelling to Naples who want to see the Amalfi Coast but don't have much time. It is also one of the few bus tours from Naples that guides you and leaves you enough time to enjoy the beautiful town of Positano.
In addition, you'll tour the peaceful Sorrento coast with free time to explore the beautiful villages of Sorrento and Amalfi and enjoy a typical lunch on a terrace overlooking the sea. The tour is priced at £106
What's included in this tour
- 9 hour drive to Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi from Naples
- Air-conditioned vehicle with live commentary on board in English, Italian and Spanish.
- Pick up and return to hotel / port.
- Small groups of 18 passengers maximum
- Light lunch and bottled water
- Groups of 18/20 passengers maximum
About Positano
Positano is one of the most famous tourist towns on the Amalfi Coast. It is known as 'the town of stairs', because they are the way to get around this town, which is perpendicular to the sea and is perpendicular to the sea, and perched on the side of a mountain.
It is a delight to walk up and down these stairways and alleys dotted with craft shops, houses with colourful facades built on the stone, amidst rich vegetation and to climb to the highest points to admire the extraordinary views.
10. Guided excursion to the island of Capri from Naples.
Capri is one of the greatest wonders near Naples, a small island big in beauty and not to be missed. To get there, unlike other places on the Amalfi Coast, you'll have to take a boat.
This excursion, for £80, simplifies your arrival from Naples to Capri and includes a guided tour of the island learning about the artists and writers who lived and worked in the town of Capri and exploring the beautiful gardens of Augustus; the artisan shops and luxury boutiques of Anacapri; the Faraglioni rocks and a funicular ride to Capri's main Piazzetta.
What's included in this tour
- Guided tour to the island of Capri from Naples for 8 hours.
- Round trip transfer to the hotel/port and transfer to and from the island
- Professional guide in English, Italian and Spanish
- Light lunch and bottled water
- Optional activity: Blue Grotto boat trip (open if the sea conditions allow, otherwise it will be replaced by a boat trip around the island).
- Groups of 40 people maximum
What you will visit in Capri on this tour
- Piazza Umberto, the charming "Piazzetta" is the main square of Capri, also known as "the little theatre of the world".
- Monte Solaro, the highest point of the Italian island, which you will ascend by chairlift to get the best views of the island of Capri (ticket not included).
- Faraglioni Rocks, Capri's most spectacular site, three gigantic rock formations jutting out of the Mediterranean Sea.
Other interesting activities in Naples
If this post about the best tours and excursions from Naples interested you, you may also find this article about the best tourist buses in Naples helpful.