Naples: Choose Your Own Adventure

Naples is the cruise port with the hardest decision. You have one day and three world-class options: the ancient ruins of Pompeii, the jaw-dropping Amalfi Coast, or the chaotic, magnificent city of Naples itself. Each one alone would justify a trip to southern Italy. You can’t do all three in a day — so pick wisely, eat pizza no matter what, and don’t waste a minute.

Port Overview

Location: Stazione Marittima (main cruise terminal) in the heart of Naples. Walkable to the city center in 10-15 minutes Getting to Napoli Centrale Station: 20-minute walk or quick taxi (€10-12) to the main train station for Circumvesuviana trains to Pompeii and Sorrento Typical Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM (varies by ship) Currency: Euro (cards widely accepted at restaurants and shops, cash needed for small vendors, trains, and Pompeii area) Language: Italian (English spoken at tourist sites, less so in local neighborhoods) What’s Free: Walking Naples, Spaccanapoli, waterfront promenade, churches, street life What Costs Extra: Pompeii entry (€18), Circumvesuviana train (€4.20 each way to Pompeii), Amalfi Coast transport, museum entries, Underground Naples (€12) WiFi: Available at cafes. Less reliable than other European ports Getting Around: Walking is best in central Naples. Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii/Sorrento. Taxis for longer distances (agree on price first or insist on meter)

The Three Options

The biggest decision of your Naples day. Here’s how to choose:

Option A: Pompeii Day Trip

The ancient Roman city buried by Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, preserved under volcanic ash for nearly 2,000 years. One of the most extraordinary archaeological sites on Earth.

Getting There

• Circumvesuviana train from Napoli Centrale (Garibaldi station, lower level) to Pompei Scavi - Villa dei Misteri
• Cost: €4.20 each way
• Time: 35-40 minutes
• Frequency: Every 20-30 minutes
• Tip: Buy tickets from the ticket office or machines (not from people outside the station). The Circumvesuviana is old, hot, and crowded — don’t expect luxury. Guard your belongings

At Pompeii

• Entry: €18 per person. Buy tickets online in advance at ticketone.it to skip the line
• Hours: Open 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM (last entry 5:30 PM) April-October
• Allow: 2.5-3.5 hours minimum inside the site. It’s enormous — you can’t see everything
• Audio guide: €8, worth it for context. Or download a free app before you go
• Water: Bring plenty. There’s limited shade and it gets brutally hot in summer

Must-See Highlights

1. The Forum — The political, religious, and commercial heart of Roman Pompeii. Mount Vesuvius looms in the background
2. House of the Faun — One of the largest and most luxurious private homes in Pompeii. The famous Alexander Mosaic was found here
3. Plaster casts of victims — Haunting, preserved body shapes of people caught in the eruption. Found in the Garden of the Fugitives and near the Forum
4. Amphitheatre — The oldest surviving Roman amphitheatre (80 BC). Surprisingly intact
5. Lupanar — Pompeii’s ancient brothel with frescoed “menu” on the walls. Always has a line — interesting but small
6. Via dell’Abbondanza — The main commercial street. Walk it to feel the scale of the city
7. House of the Vettii — Wealthy merchant home with vivid frescoes (check if open — sometimes closed for restoration)

Pompeii Tips

• Enter at the Porta Marina entrance (closest to the train station)
• Go RIGHT first toward the Forum — most tour groups go left
• Wear sturdy shoes — the ancient Roman streets are uneven stone with deep ruts from chariot wheels
• There’s a cafe inside the site but it’s overpriced. Eat before or after
• Bring sunscreen and a hat — there’s almost no shade
• If you want a guide, book a licensed one at the entrance (€120-150 for a 2-hour private tour, split among your group)

Option B: Amalfi Coast

The most famous coastline in Italy. Vertical villages, lemon groves, winding roads above turquoise water. Stunning but logistically complex for a cruise day.

Getting There

By organized tour (€80-150 per person)

• The easiest option. Ship excursions or private tours handle all transport
• Typically visit Positano and/or Amalfi, sometimes Ravello
• Worth considering if you don’t want to deal with logistics

By public transport (€25-40 per person)

• Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (70 min, €4.20), then SITA bus to Positano/Amalfi (60-90 min, €2.50)
• Cheap but time-consuming. You’ll spend 3+ hours in transit round trip
• Buses are packed in summer and the cliff road is not for those with motion sickness

By ferry (seasonal, €20-35 per person each way)

• Ferry from Naples Beverello port to Positano, Amalfi, or Capri
• Faster and more scenic than the bus. Check schedules at alilauro.it
• Not always available and can be cancelled in rough seas

What You’ll See

• Positano — The iconic vertical village. Pastel buildings cascading down to a small beach. Incredibly photogenic, incredibly crowded, incredibly expensive
• Amalfi — Larger town with the stunning Cathedral of St. Andrew. More walkable than Positano
• Ravello — Hilltop gardens with panoramic views. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are the highlights. Quieter and more refined

Amalfi Coast Tips

• Be realistic: With one day from a cruise ship, you’ll see 1-2 towns at most
• Positano is enough if you just want the photos and the experience
• Budget warning: Everything on the Amalfi Coast is expensive. A simple lunch in Positano is €25-40 per person
• Return time: Give yourself a 2-hour buffer to get back to the ship. Transport delays are common

Option C: Stay in Naples

Naples is raw, loud, magnificent, and the birthplace of pizza. If you skip it for Pompeii or Amalfi, you’ll miss one of Italy’s most authentic cities.

Walking Naples

Spaccanapoli (Free)

• The ancient straight street that “splits Naples in half.” Narrow, chaotic, draped with laundry, lined with churches, shops, and pizza joints
• The beating heart of Naples. Walk it end to end for the full experience
• Start at Via dei Tribunali (the parallel street) and zigzag between the two

Naples Underground (Napoli Sotterranea) (€12, guided tour only)

• Descend 40 meters below the streets into Greek and Roman tunnels, WWII bomb shelters, and ancient aqueducts
• Fascinating 90-minute guided tour. English tours run regularly
• Located on Via dei Tribunali — easy to combine with Spaccanapoli

Cappella Sansevero (€10)

• A small chapel housing the Veiled Christ — a marble sculpture so lifelike the veil appears transparent
• One of the most astonishing sculptures in the world. The line moves fast
• No photos allowed inside

Waterfront (Lungomare) (Free)

• Walk the Naples waterfront promenade from Castel dell’Ovo to Mergellina
• Views of Vesuvius across the bay, Castel dell’Ovo (free to enter), and the island of Capri in the distance
• Beautiful, breezy, and a nice contrast to the intense Old City streets

Naples National Archaeological Museum (€18)

• If you visit Pompeii and have time, OR if you skip Pompeii, this museum houses the best artifacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum
• The Alexander Mosaic, the Farnese Bull, and the Secret Cabinet of Roman erotica are highlights
• Allow 2 hours

Best Strategies

For History Lovers

1. Pompeii — Take the first train possible (aim for 8:00 AM from Napoli Centrale)
2. Arrive by 9:00 AM — Enter right when it opens
3. Spend 3 hours hitting the major sites
4. Train back to Naples by 1:00 PM
5. Pizza lunch in Naples — You earned it
6. Afternoon: Walk Spaccanapoli or visit the Archaeological Museum
7. Return to ship by 5:00 PM

For Scenery Chasers

1. Amalfi Coast — Book an organized tour or take the ferry to Positano
2. Leave early — Every minute counts with Amalfi Coast logistics
3. Spend 2-3 hours in Positano or Amalfi
4. Return early — Build in a buffer for delays
5. Grab pizza in Naples on the walk back to the port

For Foodies

1. Stay in Naples — This city IS the food
2. Morning pizza at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele or Sorbillo (yes, pizza for breakfast is fine in Naples)
3. Walk Spaccanapoli and Via dei Tribunali — Street food heaven
4. Sfogliatella and espresso at a classic pastry bar
5. Naples Underground for a cultural break between eating
6. More pizza at Di Matteo — their fried pizza (pizza fritta) is legendary

For Budget Travelers

1. Stay in Naples — Walking is free, pizza is €4-5, espresso is €1
2. Walk from the port — 10-15 minutes to the old city
3. Spaccanapoli and churches — Free and fascinating
4. Waterfront walk — Free views of Vesuvius and the bay
5. Lunch: Two pizzas and a drink for under €15 at a real pizzeria
6. If visiting Pompeii: The train and entry total about €26 — a bargain for a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Sample Day

Pompeii + Pizza Day

• 7:30 AM: Walk off ship to Napoli Centrale station (20 min walk or quick taxi)
• 8:00 AM: Circumvesuviana train to Pompei Scavi (35 min)
• 8:45 AM: Arrive Pompeii, enter via Porta Marina
• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Explore Pompeii (Forum, House of the Faun, plaster casts, Amphitheatre)
• 12:15 PM: Train back to Naples
• 1:00 PM: Pizza at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele or Sorbillo
• 2:00 PM: Walk Spaccanapoli, browse shops, see churches
• 3:00 PM: Espresso and sfogliatella at a pastry bar
• 3:30 PM: Walk the waterfront or visit Cappella Sansevero
• 5:00 PM: Return to ship

Naples Culture & Food Day

• 8:00 AM: Walk off ship into Naples
• 8:30 AM: Espresso and sfogliatella at a local bar
• 9:00 AM: Spaccanapoli and Via dei Tribunali — walking, exploring, soaking it in
• 10:00 AM: Naples Underground tour (90 min)
• 11:30 AM: Cappella Sansevero (the Veiled Christ)
• 12:30 PM: Pizza at Di Matteo (try the pizza fritta)
• 1:30 PM: Walk to the waterfront, Castel dell’Ovo
• 2:30 PM: Stroll the Lungomare toward Mergellina
• 3:30 PM: Gelato break, final shopping
• 4:30 PM: Walk back to ship

Amalfi Coast Day

• 7:00 AM: Off the ship as early as possible
• 7:30 AM: Ferry from Naples Beverello port to Positano (check schedule, ~60 min)
• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Explore Positano — walk down to the beach, wander the vertical streets, photos everywhere
• 12:00 PM: Lunch in Positano (splurge on the view)
• 1:30 PM: Ferry to Amalfi (30 min) or back to Naples
• 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM: Amalfi Cathedral, quick walk around town
• 4:00 PM: Ferry back to Naples
• 5:00 PM: Quick pizza near the port before boarding

Practical Tips

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes — Essential everywhere. Naples streets are uneven, Pompeii is rough stone, Positano is all stairs
• Cash (Euros) — For trains, street food, small vendors, and tipping
• Sunscreen and hat — Pompeii has zero shade. Naples in summer is hot
• Water bottle — Fill up at the ship. Water in Pompeii and on the Amalfi Coast is expensive
• Small daypack — Hands-free is important in crowded Naples streets
• Train ticket money — Have exact change or small bills for the Circumvesuviana ticket office

What NOT to Bring

• Visible expensive jewelry — Naples has a pickpocket reputation. Don’t make yourself a target
• A car — Do NOT rent a car in Naples. The traffic is legendarily chaotic and parking is impossible
• Tight pants for Pompeii — You’ll be walking 3+ hours in heat. Wear breathable clothes
• Only large bills — Break them at the ship or a restaurant first

Important Notes

• Pickpocket awareness: Naples is safe but has a reputation for petty theft. Keep your phone in a front pocket, use a crossbody bag, and stay aware in crowded areas (Circumvesuviana train, Spaccanapoli, train station)
• The Circumvesuviana: This train is functional but rough — old carriages, crowded, no AC on some cars. Hold your bags close. It’s safe but not glamorous
• Train vs. organized tour to Pompeii: The train is easy, cheap (€8.40 round trip), and gives you freedom. Organized tours cost €60-100+ and follow a fixed schedule. If you can navigate a subway, you can do the Circumvesuviana
• Don’t drive: Seriously. Naples driving would make a Roman charioteer weep. Walk, train, or taxi
• Tipping: Not required in Italy but rounding up is appreciated. Leave €1-2 at a restaurant, nothing at a coffee bar

Food & Drink

Must-Try Foods

• Neapolitan pizza — This is where pizza was invented. Margherita (tomato, mozzarella, basil) or marinara (tomato, garlic, oregano, no cheese). Thin, charred, foldable, perfect. €4-7 for a whole pizza
• Pizza fritta — Fried pizza dough stuffed with ricotta, provola, and cicoli. Street food perfection. Di Matteo on Via dei Tribunali is the spot
• Sfogliatella — Crispy layered pastry filled with ricotta and candied citrus. The signature Naples pastry. €1.50-2.50
• Espresso — Stand at the bar, order a caffè, drink it in two sips. That’s how Naples does it. €1-1.50
• Fried cuoppo — A paper cone filled with fried seafood, arancini (rice balls), or mixed fried vegetables. €3-5 from street vendors
• Limoncello — Lemon liqueur made from Amalfi Coast lemons. Sweet, cold, potent. Often offered free after a meal

Must-Try Drinks

• Espresso — An art form in Naples. Stand at any bar and order “un caffè.” It will be the best espresso of your life
• Limoncello — Ice cold, sweet, served in a frozen glass after dinner
• Spremuta d’arancia — Fresh-squeezed orange juice from Sicilian blood oranges. Available at most bars

Where to Eat Pizza

• L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele — The most famous pizzeria in Naples (featured in Eat Pray Love). Only two options: margherita or marinara. Cash only. Line out the door — arrive early or be prepared to wait 30-60 minutes. Worth it
• Sorbillo — On Via dei Tribunali. Also famous, also a line, slightly more menu variety. Excellent pizza
• Di Matteo — Via dei Tribunali. Less of a line, amazing pizza fritta, and Bill Clinton once ate here. Great choice if you don’t want to wait
• 50 Kalò — Near the waterfront. Many locals consider this the best pizza in Naples currently. Less touristy

Where NOT to Eat

• Restaurants right at the cruise terminal — overpriced and mediocre
• Any pizzeria with photos on the menu aimed at tourists — find where the Neapolitans are eating
• Anywhere charging more than €10 for a basic pizza — you’re being tourist-priced

Don’t Miss

1. Neapolitan pizza — You are in the city that invented it. Eat at least one, ideally two
2. Pompeii — If you choose this option, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Forum with Vesuvius behind it is haunting
3. Spaccanapoli — The chaotic, beautiful, laundry-draped heart of Naples
4. Sfogliatella and espresso — Stand at a bar like a local, pastry in one hand, tiny cup in the other
5. The Veiled Christ at Cappella Sansevero — If staying in Naples, this sculpture will stop you cold
6. The view of Vesuvius from the waterfront — Free, beautiful, and a reminder that you’re standing next to an active volcano

Skip If Short on Time

• Trying to do Pompeii AND the Amalfi Coast in one day — You’ll spend the whole day in transit and enjoy neither
• The Naples National Archaeological Museum (unless you skipped Pompeii) — Good but time-consuming
• Herculaneum — Better preserved than Pompeii but farther on the train. Save for a return trip
• Capri — Lovely island but the ferry time eats your day. Not feasible with a short port stop
• Shopping at the cruise terminal — Tourist prices for generic souvenirs

Naples forces you to choose, and every option is incredible. Pompeii is a frozen moment of Roman life. The Amalfi Coast is a postcard come to life. And Naples itself is loud, messy, magnificent, and home to the best pizza on planet Earth. Whichever you pick, end the day with a margherita from a wood-fired oven, an espresso at a standing bar, and the knowledge that you’ve tasted something authentic in one of Italy’s most unforgettable cities.