Ready for a week of stunning coastlines, ancient cities, and food that’ll make you want to move to Italy forever?
Our Southern Italy itinerary for 7 days is the trip you’ve been dreaming about!
It’s actually one of our favorite Italian road trip routes.
From our own experience, the best way to explore is by car, unless you’re willing to book guided day tours from major cities.
Using public transportation is doable, but it takes a lot longer.
Southern Italy Itinerary For One Week At A Glance
Trip Length: 7 days (you can easily extend it to 10 days)
Best Way to Get Around: By car (read our tips for renting a car in Italy) for maximum flexibility, or public transport if you’re not comfortable driving
Must-See Attractions: Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Matera, Alberobello, Bari
Don’t Miss: Street Food in Naples, the Sassi of Matera, and a sunset on the Amalfi Coast
Our Tip: Book tickets for major attractions in advance, especially Pompeii
Southern Italy Itinerary: Daily Highlights
| DAY | DESTINATION | HIGHLIGHTS |
| 1 | Naples | Street Food, Old Town, Underground Tour |
| 2 | Pompeii | Ancient Ruins, View of Mount Vesuvius |
| 3 | Amalfi Coast | Positano, Sunset Views, Ferry to Capri |
| 4 | Capri | Blue Grotto, Gardens of Augustus |
| 5 | Matera | Sassi, Cave Hotel, Canyon Views |
| 6 | Alberobello | Trulli Houses, Local Products |
| 7 | Bari | Old Town, Pasta Street, Basilia, Sea View |
Day 1: Naples: Pizza, Old Town, And The Underground
Start your Southern Italy itinerary in Naples, the city of pizza, street food, and great attractions.
You can wander the historic center (UNESCO World Heritage), and if you’re feeling brave, join the underground tour of Napoli Sotterranea to see ancient aqueducts and WWII bunkers. We thought it was mind-blowing!
⭐Our Tip: Don’t miss the Spanish Quarters for a taste of local life. And you need to try street food like Baba or Pizza Sfogliata, specialties from Naples.
Check out our one-day in Naples itinerary for more details and hidden gems.
Traveling by car? Check out our Southern Italy road trip itinerary!
Public transport: Read our guide on how to visit Pompeii. We share in detail on how to get from Naples to Pompeii (without getting confused or taking the wrong train).
Day 2: Pompeii
Pompeii is a must-visit when traveling in southern Italy.
The ancient city was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.
⭐ Our Tip: Bring water, sunscreen, and comfy shoes. The ruins are huge, and the sun is relentless.
Also want to see Herculaneum? This is how you can visit both Pompeii and Herculaneum in one day.
If you want to extend your Southern Italy trip, you can add visiting Mount Vesuvius to your vacation.
We’ve been there and share everything you need to know about how to visit Mount Vesuvius (including a video with a sneak peek into the volcano).
Public transport: You can take the train from Pompeii to Sorrento. From there, take the bus to Positano.
Pro Travel Tip: For a more pleasant experience, you can book a transfer from Naples to Positano and visiting Pompeii on the way.
Day 3: Amalfi Coast With A Sunset In Positano
After visiting Pompeii, head to the Amalfi Coast.
It will take you about 1 1/2 hours to reach Positano.
You can alternatively book a ferry from Naples, or take the train to Sorrento, and from there take a bus to Positano, if you’re uncomfortable driving in Italy.
Enjoy a sunset in Positano with a view of the dramatic cliffs, the colorful buildings, and the sparkling blue sea.
The next day, you can enjoy Positano, and in the afternoon, take a ferry to Capri.
Check into your hotel in Capri and enjoy an evening on this glamorous and famous island.
⭐ Photo Tip: The Gardens of Augustus in Capri.
Good to know: An alternative is to take the ferry from Naples or Sorrento to Capri and then a ferry from Capri to Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Simply switch Day 3 and Day 4 of the itinerary.
⭐️ Enjoy our travel tips? Sign up for our free VIP Insider, where you only receive the best travel tips and travel discounts.
You’ll also receive our travel planning checklist:
Day 4: Capri And The Blue Grotto
Enjoy your morning by joining a boat tour to the Blue Grotto. In the afternoon, head back to Positano.
⭐️ Travel Tip: You're not driving? Switch Day 3 and 4. Take the ferry from Naples to Capri, and the next day from Capri to Positano.
If you’re traveling by public transport, the SITA buses and ferries connect the towns on the Amalfi Coast.
Alternatively, you can take a ferry to Sorrento.
In Salerno, take the bus to Matera.
The easiest way to find the fastest connections is to check out the comparison site Omio. They show you the available bus and train connections.
Or drive from Positano to Matera. While you can drive along the relatively short coastal road along the Amalfi Coast, you can save time by driving inland.
We drove along the Amalfi Coast, and while it seemed like a good idea, it was a stressful experience.
The streets are very narrow, and there’s a lot of traffic.
Trucks and buses will pass you, because it’s the only road connecting the small towns.
Day 5: Matera – Sassi And Canyon Views
Next stop is Matera, the city of caves, one of Europe’s cultural cities, and one of the most beautiful cities in Southern Italy.
The Sassi districts are ancient, mysterious, and totally unique.
You can wander the winding alleys, pop into a cave house (we had pizza in an underground restaurant), and soak up the views from the canyon.
⭐ Our Tip: Stay overnight in a cave hotel. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience! We stayed at the Casa Festa Rooms, where we enjoyed our breakfast at the edge of the canyon.
Day 6: Alberobello – The Trulli Houses
On to Alberobello, home of the famous trulli houses, and a must-visit on any Italy itinerary.
These whitewashed, cone-roofed homes are a must-visit in Apulia.
You can walk the UNESCO-listed old town, step inside a trullo house, and maybe even spend the night in one.
What I wish we’d done: staying overnight in a Trulli House
⭐ Don’t Miss: Local shops selling olive oil, handmade pasta, pistachio liquor, and limoncello.
Driving Time: 1:15 hours by car
Public transport: The easiest and fastest option is by taking the SITA bus (approx. 2 1/2 hours).
Day 7: Bari – Old Town And Pasta Street
End your Southern Italy trip in Bari, a lively port city.
You can stroll the old town, visit the Basilica of Saint Nicholas, and head to the “pasta street”.
Local nonnas (grandmothers) make orecchiette pasta by hand right on the sidewalk.
You can also grab a gelato and walk along the water promenade.
⭐ Pro Tip: Take a street food tour or a pasta-making class. It’s a flavor explosion you’ll never forget!
Travel Time: 1 hour by car
Public transport: 1:10 hour by bus
Southern Italy Itinerary Map
Here’s our Italy trip route, which is one of the best Italian road trip routes:
FAQs About 7 Days In Southern Italy
Is 7 days enough for Southern Italy?
Seven days is enough to see the highlights (Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Matera, Alberobello, and Bari). If you want to travel slower, consider 10 days.
Can I do this itinerary without a car?
Yes. Trains and buses connect all major stops. Ferries are great for the coast and islands. Just allow more time for transfers.
What’s the best time to visit Southern Italy?
Spring, from April to June, and fall, from September to October, are ideal with fewer crowds, mild weather, and lower prices.
What should I eat in southern Italy?
Don’t miss Neapolitan pizza and street food, fresh seafood, pasta, and local wines. Each region has its own specialties.
Final Thoughts About Southern Italy In One Week
There you have it—your ultimate southern Italy itinerary for 7 days!
From ancient ruins to fairytale villages, and drool-worthy food.
A vacation in Southern Italy, combining the best cities, coastal regions, and historic sites, is something you’ll never forget.
Final tip: Check out our linked articles inside this itinerary for more tips on the specific cities, areas, and historic sites.
