Unforgettable Southern Italy Road Trip Route And Itinerary

Get ready for an unforgettable journey through Southern Italy.

Our article will guide you through a 7-day road trip itinerary (easily extendable to 10 days), covering the best of Naples and Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, Capri, Matera, Alberobello, and Bari.

Expect stunning coastal landscapes, historical sites, and delicious local cuisine along the very route we traveled on our road trip.

Table of Contents

Southern Italy Road Trip At A Glance

Duration: 7 days (extendable to 10 days)
Best Way to Get Around: By car for maximum flexibility
Must-See Attractions: Naples and Pompeii, Amalfi Coast, Capri, Matera, Alberobello, Bari
Don't Miss: Street food in Naples, sunset on the Amalfi Coast, and a night in a cave hotel in Matera

Daily Highlights Table

DAY	DESTINATION	ATTRACTIONS
1	Naples	Street food, Old Town, Naples Underground
2	Pompeii	Ancient Ruins, Mount Vesuvius View
3	Amalfi Coast	Positano, Sunset Views, Beach
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, Basilica of Saint Nicholas

Day-by-Day Road Trip Itinerary Map

Day 1: Exploring Naples

View of the Galleria Umberto I arcade with the huge, round glass dome, where the blue sky enters the building. The dome is on top of several sand-colored buildings. — Galleria Umberto I in Naples

Start your Southern Italy road trip in Naples, the city of pizza and street food.

If you’re doing the 7-day version of this trip, read our Naples itinerary for one day that includes exploring the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and don’t miss our review of the Napoli Sotterranea underground tour.

It was one of our favorite experiences in Naples.

⭐️ Our Tip: Try Baba (local pastry) or Pizza Sfogliata (“folded Pizza”) in Via dei Tribunali for a taste of local life. You can read here more about whether a Naples Street Food Tour is worth it.

Visit Via S. Gregorio Armeno, where locals carve figures for nativity scenes.
Don’t forget to stroll along the Castel dell’Ovo, one of the best things to see in Naples, and the waterfront for stunning views of the Bay of Naples.

Light-gray rocks in the foreground, the dark-blue sea and in the background the dark brown Castel dell'Ovo surrounded by the sea. — Castel Dell’Ovo

Travel Time: Naples Airport to Napoli Centrale approx. 20 minutes
Where To Stay: Between Centro Storico and Napoli Centrale; we stayed next to the famous Pizzeria San Michele
Next morning: pick up your rental car (we recommend the comparison portal Discovercars) and start your road trip

Day 2: Explore The UNESCO Site Pompeii

How To Visit Pompeii For First-Time Visitors — The Forum in Pompeii

Visit Pompeii, the city frozen in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.

Are you a history nerd? Don’t miss the opportunity to visit both Pompeii and Herculaneum for a deeper historical insight. Here’s how to make the most of your visit:

⭐️ Our Tip: Book tickets for Pompeii in advance to avoid long queues. Consider a guided tour with an archaeologist to see the secrets of Pompeii’s ancient streets. For more information, including where to park, check out our detailed how to visit Pompeii guide.

Highlights of Pompeii: Don’t miss the Villa of the Mysteries, known for its colorful frescoes, and the plaster casts of the victims.

Did you know you can visit the famous Mount Vesuvius and take a peek inside the volcano? Read more about our experience of visiting Mount Vesuvius.

View of a wooden stair leading along the crater rim at Mount Vesuvius with Capri Island and the bay in the background. — View from the top of Mount Vesuvius

From Pompeii, drive to the Amalfi Coast and enjoy a sunset in Positano.

Travel Time: Naples to Pompeii – 20-30 minutes by car | Pompeii to Positano 1 hour

Where to Stay: During our Southern Italy road trip, we stayed at an apartment with a private parking spot. But you’ll also find hotels from mid-range to luxury in Positano with amazing views of the sea.

View from a car with greenery in the front, the Gulf of Naples and Mount Veusius in the backgound. — View from the road to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast with the Gulf of Naples and Mount Vesuvius in the background.

Good To Know: The roads in Positano and along the Amalfi Coast are narrow. Make sure to book a smaller car.

It makes it way easier to navigate. There are no parking spots in Positano. The best is to use the filter option “parking” here to find a suitable accommodation.

For a full overview, check out our Amalfi Coast travel guide.

Day 3: Positano At The Amalfi Coast

View of Positano and the coastal region at the Amalfi Coast at sunset. — Positano, the famous village on the Amalfi Coast, at sunset.

Enjoy your day in Positano. You can relax at the beach and shop for souvenirs in the village.

Alternatively, you could hike a part of the famous Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.

Or you can take the public bus to Amalfi and enjoy views of the ocean, or enjoy a sunset boat trip along the Amalfi Coast.

You can purchase bus tickets for the bus at local cigarette shops.

⭐️ Good to know: While driving along the Amalfi Coast seems like the best idea ever, from our own experience, we don’t recommend it.

The streets are very narrow and crowded. Buses and trucks will pass by, there are no places to stop, except for the crowded villages, and you don’t have time to enjoy the views.

We are used to narrow and winding roads at home in the Alps, but driving the Amalfi Coast was stressful, and it takes a long time, because locals and tourists use this road.

Travel Time: –
Where To Stay: Positano

Day 4: Capri And The Blue Grotto

Take a ferry to Capri and explore its breathtaking landscapes.

Don’t miss a boat trip to the Blue Grotto, a natural wonder known for its stunning blue waters. Visit the Gardens of Augustus and enjoy the view of the sea and the island.

Travel Time: Positano to Capri – ferry ride, approximately 1 hour from the beach in Positano.

⭐️ Our Tip: Enjoy a leisurely walk in Capri’s charming streets. Take a chairlift ride to the top of Monte Solaro for a panoramic view of Capri.

The easiest way to enjoy Capri to its fullest is by joining this guided day tour to Capri from Positano.

Travel Time: approx. 1 hour with the ferry
Where To Stay: Positano or Capri

Day 5: The Cave City Matera

The historic city center with the Sassi di Matera during sunset. — The historic city center with the Sassi di Matera.

Drive to Matera, which is famous for its ancient cave dwellings. Spend the night in a cave hotel for a unique experience.

Visit the Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, a museum showcasing traditional cave life. Take a guided tour to discover Matera’s hidden corners and enjoy the stunning views of the Gravina di Matera canyon.

⭐️ Our Tip: Explore the Sassi districts at sunset and early in the morning to avoid crowds and enjoy the special atmosphere.

Have dinner in an underground restaurant (we had dinner in a cave restaurant) for a memorable culinary experience.

Christina from italythingstodo enjoying a morning cup of coffee in the accommodation next to the canyon in Matera. — Enjoying breakfast in Matera with a view of the canyon.

Travel Time: Positano to Matera, approximately 3 ½ to 4 hours.
Where to Stay: In a cave hotel in Matera

Day 6: Trulli Houses In Alberobello

A traditional Apulian trullo house in Puglia, Italy, with its distinctive conical roof and white-washed walls standing against a clear blue sky. Red flowers adorn small window ledges, and a sign on the wall indicates a museum. — Trullo house in Alberobello

Enjoy the morning in Matera, and then head to Alberobello. The little town is famous for its unique Trulli houses.

Don’t miss local shops selling olive oil, handmade pasta, pistachio liquor, and limoncello.

⭐️ Our Tip: Spend the night in a Trulli house for an immersive experience. (I wish we had stayed there.)

Visit the Trullo Sovrano, the only two-story trullo, and explore Alberobello’s charming streets.

Try some local wines and cheeses at a traditional enoteca. If visiting in July, don’t miss the Festa dei Trulli.

Travel Time: Matera to Alberobello – approximately 1.5 hours by car.

Parking spot with a gray van under an olive tree next to the entrance of Alberobello. — Our parking spot under olive trees next to the entrance to Alberobello.

Day 7: Exploring Puglia’s Capital Bari

Christina standing on the ferry with a view of the harbor in Bari and the old town in the background. — Harbor in Bari with a view of the old town in the background.

After waking up in a Trulli house, drive to Bari, the capital of Puglia, and end your trip at this coastal town.

You can explore its old town and culinary delights. Watch local nonnas (grandmothers) make orecchiette pasta by hand in the famous pasta street.

⭐️ Our Tip: Take a street food tour or a pasta-making class to dive deeper into Bari’s culinary scene. Visit the Basilica of Saint Nicholas and stroll along the waterfront promenade.

Explore the Castello Normanno-Svevo, a medieval fortress with stunning sea views. Don’t miss the Mercato di Bari, a marketplace filled with local produce and seafood.

Travel Time: Alberobello to Bari – approximately 1 hour by car.

Stay overnight in Bari or return your rental car at Bari airport and take your flight home.

Essential Tips For Your Italian Road Trip

View of driving along the Amalfi Coast road to Matera. — Driving in Italy along the famous Amalfi Coast

• Best Cities in Southern Italy: Besides the ones on your itinerary, consider visiting Sorrento or Maratea for their stunning landscapes and historical charm.

• Essential Driving Tips for Italy: Always drive defensively, as Italian roads can be unpredictable. Be aware of ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones) in city centers, and ensure you have the necessary permits. For more info on how to avoid fines and drive safely, check out our article about driving in Italy as a tourist.

• What to Know When Renting a Car in Italy: Choose a car suitable for narrow Italian streets, and consider renting from a reputable company (you can find all of them on the comparison site Discovercars) that offers insurance options. Don’t forget to check for any additional fees or requirements

• Best Italian Road Trip Routes: This Southern Italy road trip is just one of many incredible routes. Explore other options like the Tuscany Wine Route or the Amalfi Coast Drive for more scenic adventures.

Final Thoughts About The Southern Italy Road Trip Route

Southern Italy offers an incredible mix of history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes.

From the vibrant streets of Naples to the stunning Amalfi Coast, and from the ancient ruins of Pompeii to the unique Trulli houses of Alberobello, this road trip is packed with unforgettable experiences.

Ready to start planning? Check out our travel guides and resources on italythingstodo.com for more tips and insider advice.

Not sure if you want to drive or enjoy this South Italy itinerary by train and public transport? Read our Southern Italy itinerary for 7 days.