This ten-day Southern Italy itinerary maps a smooth route through Naples, Amalfi, Matera, and Puglia with trains, ferries, and easy day trips.
Ten days cover Naples, the Amalfi Coast, the cave city of Matera, and the white towns of Puglia. The route uses direct trains and seasonal ferries, cuts backtracking, and leaves time for sunsets and long lunches.
Ten-Day Southern Italy Route With Trains And Ferries
Here is the arc in brief. Start in Naples for street food and archaeology. Base next on the Amalfi Coast. Swing across to Matera’s stone quarters. Drift through the Valle d’Itria for trulli cones and olive groves, then finish in Lecce and Bari for an easy flight out.
| Day | Base | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naples | Old center, Spaccanapoli, pizza crawl |
| 2 | Naples | Pompeii by train, espresso on Piazza Bellini |
| 3 | Amalfi Coast | Check into Positano, sunset on the beach |
| 4 | Amalfi Coast | Capri day trip or Path of the Gods |
| 5 | Amalfi Coast → Matera | Morning ferry to Salerno, train to Matera |
| 6 | Matera | Sassi cave churches, viewpoints at dusk |
| 7 | Alberobello / Locorotondo | Move into the Valle d’Itria |
| 8 | Ostuni | White lanes, olive oil tasting |
| 9 | Lecce | Baroque squares, paper-mâché workshops |
| 10 | Bari | Seafront stroll, fly out |
Why This Order Works
The sequence reduces long transfers. Naples sits by the rail hub for Pompeii and the ferry piers for Capri. From the coast you can slide to Salerno by boat, step onto a regional train, and reach Basilicata with one tidy switch. Puglia’s towns sit on a web of rail lines that funnel into Bari for an easy exit.
Arrival, Trains, And Ferries
Fly into Naples or Rome, depending on fares. From Rome, the fast service to Naples runs often and lands you in the center. For planning and tickets, the national rail operator’s site is clear and simple to use, with live platforms and offers. Use it for the hops to Salerno, Bari, and Lecce.
Local Moves Along The Coast
Between Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno you can ride seasonal ferries or SITA buses. Ferries dodge traffic; buses reach villages above the shore. In high season, add buffer time for queues.
Day 1–2: Naples With A Pompeii Sprint
Street Energy, Art, And Pizza
Base near the historic lanes so you can walk to everything. Start with Spaccanapoli and Santa Chiara. Drop into tiny fry shops for cuoppi, then sit for a slow pie at a classic pizzeria. End with a view from Castel Sant’Elmo.
Pompeii Made Simple
Take a morning train to the ruins, enter through Porta Marina, and loop the Forum, House of the Faun, the theaters, and the casts. Bag checks limit large items, so travel light. Book timed entry in busy months.
Day 3–4: Amalfi Coast Base
Pick A Town That Fits
Positano is scenic and steep with a lively shore. Amalfi is central and flatter by the Duomo. Praiano is calmer with sea-view sunsets. Ravello sits above it all with gardens and concerts. Choose based on stairs tolerance and ferry pier access.
Two Easy Plans
Capri day trip: Morning hydrofoil from Positano or Amalfi, bus up to Anacapri, chairlift to Monte Solaro, stroll the lanes, and return by late afternoon. Path of the Gods: Ride to Bomerano, hike the cliff trail to Nocelle, and descend by steps or bus to the beach for a swim.
Day 5–6: Matera In Stone And Light
Getting There Smoothly
Ride a morning ferry to Salerno, then take a train toward Basilicata. A short final leg brings you to Matera Centrale. Aim to arrive by late afternoon for golden light on the caves.
What To See
Stroll Sasso Barisano for rock-carved facades and twisting lanes. Step into rock churches to see faint frescoes. Pause at Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio for the classic skyline. After dark the caves glow, turning the whole ravine into a lantern.
Day 7–8: Valle D’Itria Towns
Choose A Base
Pick Alberobello for trulli clusters, Locorotondo for quiet balconies, or Ostuni for white steps above olive groves. Moving once keeps transfers short while you pick day trips by whim.
Great Little Day Trips
Bike between dry-stone walls, taste burrata in a masseria, or dip in the sea. Polignano a Mare adds cliff terraces and gelato. At night, find a tiny osteria and share plates.
Day 9–10: Lecce And Bari Finish
Lecce’s Warm Stone
Barocco Leccese lives in every carving. Facades ripple with leaves and saints. Step inside Santa Croce, then linger on Piazza del Duomo at sunset. Grab pasticciotti warm.
Easy Exit From Bari
Wrap the trip with a night near Bari Vecchia or the seafront promenade. Taste orecchiette with cime di rapa and a glass of good local red. Flights and long-range trains fan out from Bari.
Timing Pivots By Season
Spring and fall bring soft light and pleasant temps. July and August add energy and beach days, yet also thicker queues and higher rates. Winter stays quiet with short days and some ferry cuts.
Booking Windows And Tickets
For fast trains, grab seats in advance for deals. Regional trains do not sell out the same way, yet buying online saves time. In peak months, book early ferries. For Pompeii, a timed slot speeds entry and keeps the day on track.
Typical Travel Hops And Durations
Below are common moves you’ll make on this route. Times vary by season, line, and stops, so check live schedules close to travel dates.
| Route | Typical Mode | Usual Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rome → Naples | High-speed train | 1–1.5 hours |
| Naples → Pompeii | Regional train | 35–40 minutes |
| Positano → Salerno | Ferry (seasonal) | 70–80 minutes |
| Salerno → Matera area | Train + short link | 3–4 hours |
| Matera → Alberobello | Regional train/bus | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Ostuni → Lecce | Regional train | 40–55 minutes |
| Lecce → Bari | Regional or fast train | 1–1.5 hours |
Where To Stay By Stop
Naples
Look near Toledo or Piazza Bellini for an easy walk to sights and the metro. If you prefer quieter lanes, check the Spanish Quarter outskirts for small guesthouses.
Amalfi Coast
Pick a spot with few stairs to the road or pier nearby. In Positano, lower levels cost more yet save energy. In Praiano, many stays include sunset balconies.
Matera
Stays inside the Sassi bring stone walls and cave suites. If mobility is a concern, pick places on the rim near flat lanes and parking.
Valle D’Itria
A trullo stay feels special. Many sit just outside town among olive trees, so ask about transfers or parking if you won’t have a car.
Lecce And Bari
Near Lecce’s old town you can walk to every sight. In Bari, the blocks by the seafront make early flights painless.
Eating Well Along The Way
Naples hands you sfogliatella for breakfast and fried pizza by noon. On the coast, order spaghetti alle vongole and local lemons in every shape. In Matera, try pane di Matera with cheeses and a slow stew. Puglia brings burrata, orecchiette, bombette, and olive oil with peppery bite.
Budget Tips That Stretch
- Ride high-speed trains at off-peak times and split fares with friends.
- Carry a small backpack; many sights restrict large bags.
- Book Capri ferries early in summer and aim for the first boat.
- Eat the set lunch menu, then snack at dinner with a view.
- In the Valle d’Itria, base near a station to skip car rental.
Safety, Etiquette, And Access
Stations have clear signage and frequent staff. Stamp regional paper tickets at the green machines before boarding if you bought them at the kiosk. Dress codes are modest inside churches. Many lanes use worn stone, so wear shoes with grip.
How To Use This Plan
Think of the days as building blocks. Swap Capri for an Amalfi boat ride if seas look rough. Trade Alberobello for Monopoli if you want more coast. Keep two anchors: one base on the Amalfi Coast and one in the Valle d’Itria. Everything else bends to weather, energy, and food cravings.
Quick Planning Tips
Pack carry-on only to skip stairs with heavy bags. Start days early to beat crowds and heat. Keep small coins for buses and espresso bars. In seaside towns, book stays near a pier if you plan on boats. In Matera, use a light daypack and leave wheeled luggage at your hotel during cave walks.
Helpful Official Resources
Check live train schedules and buy tickets through Trenitalia. For the ruins, read visiting rules and ticket options on the Pompeii Archaeological Park. For Capri boats, browse company timetables such as Caremar during your dates.
Sample Daily Plan, Expanded
Day 1
Arrive in Naples, drop bags, and walk the old lanes. Visit the Duomo and Sansevero Chapel. Sunset view from Castel dell’Ovo, then a late pizza.
Day 2
Train to Pompeii at opening time. Return for espresso on Piazza Bellini, then the National Archaeological Museum if you have energy.
Day 3
Transfer to Positano or Amalfi. Beach time, lemon granita, and a seafood dinner with sea breeze.
Day 4
Capri or the cliff trail, depending on the sea. Back to base for a swim.
Day 5
Ferry to Salerno and catch the train east. Check into a cave-style room in Matera. Blue hour photos from the belvedere.
Day 6
Rock churches and viewpoints. Long lunch and a slow loop at dusk.
Day 7
Move into the Valle d’Itria. Trullo stay or a balcony in Locorotondo. Wine bar crawl.
Day 8
Ostuni’s white steps, coast swim, and olive oil tasting.
Day 9
Train to Lecce. Baroque facades, gelato, and aperitivo under the arches.
Day 10
Morning train to Bari. Old town stroll and a seafood lunch before departure.