7-Day Naples Itinerary — Autumn 2026 - Amalfi Coast Romance

Flight arrives from JFK. Proceed through customs and baggage claim. Look for pre-arranged private transfer or taxi to your hotel. The journey to the city center takes approximately 20–30 minutes depending on traffic.

Settle in and freshen up. If your room is not yet ready, the hotel will hold your luggage. Take advantage of this time to recharge after your overnight flight.

Enjoy your first authentic Neapolitan meal — try the spaghetti alle vongole or rigatoni al ragù. This beloved local spot is steps from the historic center. No reservations needed for lunch but arrive before 13:30 to avoid a wait.

Walk along Naples' iconic straight street that bisects the old city. Admire baroque churches, artisan workshops, and the vibrant street life of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Wear comfortable shoes — cobblestones throughout.

Explore the magnificent 13th-century cathedral housing the famous Cappella di San Gennaro. Free entry. Dress modestly — shoulders and knees covered required. Open until 17:30.

A fascinating guided tour through 2,400-year-old Greek-Roman underground tunnels beneath the city. Tours depart every two hours; book online in advance. Approximately 75-minute tour. Temperature underground is around 15°C — bring a light layer.

Celebrate your first evening in Italy with a classic Aperol Spritz or Negroni while watching the sun begin to set over the Bay of Naples and Mount Vesuvius. Dress code is smart casual.

A bucket-list Neapolitan experience — this legendary pizzeria has been making pizza since 1870 and was made famous by 'Eat Pray Love.' They serve only Margherita and Marinara. Arrive early (doors open at 19:00) or expect a queue. Cash only. The wait is absolutely worth it.

Join locals for a leisurely evening walk along Naples' beautiful seafront promenade with views of Castel dell'Ovo and the illuminated bay. A perfect romantic end to your first evening.

Rest well — tomorrow begins your journey down the Amalfi Coast to Positano. Set an early alarm to make the most of the day.

Fuel up with a classic Italian breakfast — cornetto and cappuccino. Check hotel breakfast hours; typically available from 07:00.

For romance and convenience, pre-book a private car transfer (approximately €90–€120). Alternatively, take the SITA bus from Napoli Centrale — scenic but can be crowded. The coastal drive along the SS163 Amalfitana is breathtaking; sit on the right side for the best sea views.

Note: Hotel Plaza is your base in Naples, so for this and subsequent coastal days you are day-tripping or you may wish to arrange an overnight stay in Positano for full immersion. Consult your agent about upgrading to a night in Positano for a more romantic experience.

Wander the steep, winding stairways and flower-draped lanes of Positano. Admire the iconic cascade of pastel-colored houses tumbling to the sea. Browse the boutiques selling hand-painted ceramics and locally-made sandals. Wear comfortable footwear — the steps are steep.

Don't miss the beautiful majolica-tiled dome of this charming church near the beach. Inside is a Byzantine Black Madonna icon. Free entry; modest dress required.

Enjoy some time on Positano's main beach with its colorful umbrellas and crystal-clear water. September is ideal — the summer crowds have thinned but the sea remains warm (approximately 24°C). Sun lounger rental available.

One of the Amalfi Coast's most magical dining experiences — a rustic seafood restaurant on a secluded beach only reachable by boat. The boat leaves from Positano beach. Try the grilled mozzarella wrapped in lemon leaves, fresh catch of the day, and house rosé. Reserve well in advance.

Hire a local gozzo boat (small wooden motorboat) for a private 2-hour coastal excursion. Cruise past the Li Galli Islands (once owned by Rudolf Nureyev), dramatic sea cliffs, sea caves, and the village of Praiano. Ask your captain to stop at Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto) — a sea cave with luminous green water. Approximately €80–€120 per boat for 2 hours.

Find a terrace bar or restaurant perched above the sea to watch the golden hour light transform the cliffs. Order a local limoncello spritz made with Amalfi Coast lemons. September evenings are warm and magical along this stretch of coast.

Chez Black is a Positano institution right on the beach with excellent seafood and a festive atmosphere. Il Tridente offers a more intimate terrace setting. Both require advance reservations in September. Order the linguine agli scampi and finish with a classic delizia al limone dessert.

Last bus departs Positano for Naples around 22:00 (verify timetable locally). Private car return is more reliable and comfortable for an evening journey. The coastal road is stunning even at night.

Rest and prepare for tomorrow's island adventure to Capri.

An early start is essential to visit the Blue Grotto before tourist crowds arrive. Pack swimwear, sunscreen, and a light layer. Bring cash for the Blue Grotto entrance and small purchases on the island.

Take a taxi or walk from the hotel to the main ferry terminal. The port is approximately 10–15 minutes from Piazza Garibaldi. Purchase your round-trip hydrofoil (aliscafo) tickets here or book online in advance with Caremar or SNAV. The hydrofoil is faster (45 min) than the ferry (80 min).

Sit on the outer deck if possible for stunning views of Vesuvius receding and Capri emerging from the sea. The crossing takes approximately 45–50 minutes. September seas are generally calm and pleasant.

Upon docking, hire a small motorboat at the marina to take you to the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) — this is the recommended approach to avoid the long queues that form by mid-morning. The boat ride takes approximately 20 minutes. Entrance to the grotto is €14 per person plus the boat fee.

One of the world's most magical natural wonders — a sea cave where sunlight refracts through an underwater opening, filling the cavern with an ethereal electric-blue glow. You enter lying flat in a small rowboat. The experience inside lasts only a few minutes but is utterly unforgettable. Note: The grotto closes in rough seas or if water levels are too high — this is rare in September.

The historic funicular (€2 each way) whisks you up the cliff from Marina Grande to Capri town in 3 minutes with spectacular views. Alternatively, taxis are available but more expensive.

Capri's famous outdoor 'living room' — the Piazzetta — is the beating heart of the island. Have a coffee at one of the café terraces and watch the world go by. Browse the elegant boutiques along Via Camerelle and Via Vittorio Emanuele for luxury brands and local artisan goods.

A scenic but moderately strenuous walk through lemon groves and bougainvillea-draped lanes leads to the ruins of Emperor Tiberius's grand cliff-top palace. The panoramic views from the top over the Bay of Naples and the Faraglioni rocks are among the best on the island. Wear sturdy shoes. Entry approximately €8.

A charming, vine-covered terrace restaurant serving excellent Capresi cuisine with sweeping sea views. Try the insalata Caprese (made with real buffalo mozzarella and heirloom tomatoes), grilled fish, and local Falanghina white wine. Reservation strongly recommended.

Beautifully terraced gardens with stunning views over the Faraglioni rocks and Via Krupp (the famous zig-zagging stairway carved into the cliff). A romantic and peaceful escape. Entry approximately €3. Open until 19:30.

Hire a small boat at Marina Piccola for a magical afternoon circumnavigation of Capri's famous sea stacks (Faraglioni). Swim in crystal-clear coves accessible only by boat, including the green-hued Grotta Verde. A private boat for 2 hours costs approximately €80–€120. One of the most romantic activities on Capri.

Watch the sun dip behind the horizon with a chilled glass of local Lacryma Christi wine or classic limoncello. The views of the Faraglioni at golden hour are extraordinarily romantic.

Check the last hydrofoil timetable carefully — last departures to Naples from Capri are typically around 20:00–20:30 in September (confirm with ferry operators Caremar or SNAV). Arriving back at Naples Molo Beverello around 21:00–21:15.

A beloved Neapolitan institution near the waterfront serving exceptional seafood. Try the frittura di paranza (mixed fried seafood) and finish with a delizia al limone. Perfect for a late dinner after returning from Capri.

A full and unforgettable day on Capri. Rest well — tomorrow brings the lemon groves and villages of the Amalfi Coast.

Enjoy a leisurely Italian breakfast. Today's exploration along the coast is best done by private car or taxi for flexibility. Alternatively, the SITA bus connects Naples to Amalfi via Positano.

The drive along the SS163 Amalfitana coastal road is one of the most scenic in the world. A private car (€100–€130) allows stops at viewpoints along the way. Ask your driver to pause at Vallone di Furore, a dramatic fjord with a tiny beach, and the belvedere at Capo di Conca.

Amalfi's stunning Arab-Norman cathedral with its distinctive black-and-white striped façade and elaborate golden mosaics is a masterpiece. Climb the dramatic staircase to the entrance. Visit the Chiostro del Paradiso (Paradise Cloister) within the cathedral complex. Entry approximately €3. Open from 09:00.

Amalfi was once the paper-making capital of Europe. This small but fascinating museum in a 13th-century paper mill demonstrates the ancient craft. Guided tours run every 30 minutes. A unique and unexpected cultural gem. Entry approximately €5.

The Amalfi Coast's sfusato amalfitano lemons are legendary — enormous, intensely fragrant, and sweeter than any lemon you've tasted. Join a guided walk through a traditional terraced lemon grove, learn about the cultivation, and enjoy a tasting of fresh-squeezed lemonade and artisan limoncello. Book in advance; approximately €20 per person.

Just around the headland from Amalfi lies tiny Atrani — the smallest municipality in Italy and one of the most authentic villages on the coast, almost entirely free of tourist crowds. Eat at A'Paranza restaurant (book ahead — it's beloved by locals) for outstanding fresh seafood at very fair prices.

Ravello sits 350 meters above the sea and is one of the most romantic places in Italy. Wagner composed here; Gore Vidal lived here for decades. The views are absolutely staggering. Take a taxi or private car up the winding road from Amalfi.

The 13th-century Villa Rufolo's terraced gardens with their floral profusion and vertiginous views over the Tyrrhenian Sea are among the most beautiful in Italy. Wagner was inspired here to create Klingsor's magic garden in Parsifal. Entry approximately €7. Open until 20:00 in September — perfect for late afternoon light.

A short walk from Villa Rufolo, the Villa Cimbrone's 'Belvedere dell'Infinito' (Terrace of Infinity) — a balustrade lined with classical busts extending over a sheer drop to the sea — is one of the most photographed and romantically overwhelming spots in all of Italy. Greta Garbo hid here with her lover. Entry approximately €7.

Settle into a piazza café and watch the evening light dissolve over the mountains. Order a local white wine from the Furore or Tramonti vineyards nearby. Ravello at dusk, with its cathedral bells and mountain silence, is pure poetry.

One of Ravello's finest restaurants with a stunning terrace overlooking the coast far below. Serves elevated Campanian cuisine — scialatielli ai frutti di mare, slow-cooked lamb, and extraordinary local wines. The candlelit terrace at night is breathtakingly romantic. Reserve well in advance.

Pre-arrange your return transfer in advance. The evening coastal road is beautiful. Settle in for the ride and relive the day's extraordinary sights.

Your penultimate evening in Italy. Tomorrow is your last full day — make the most of Naples and the bay.

Your flight departs Naples at 07:40. You must check out of the hotel and be at the airport by 05:30–05:45 at the latest. Pack the evening before and request an early morning checkout and luggage service from the hotel.

Pre-arrange a taxi or private car transfer the evening before — at this hour, taxis must be booked in advance. The journey to the airport takes approximately 20–30 minutes. Confirm your transfer booking with the hotel concierge on day 4.

Proceed to check-in for your flight to JFK. Ensure you have all travel documents ready. Security lines can be quick at this hour but allow adequate time. Grab a last espresso at the airport bar — drinking it standing at the counter, Italian-style, one final time.

Estimated arrival at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) is 14:25 local New York time. Settle in, close your eyes, and let the memories of the Amalfi Coast wash over you — the blue grotto, the lemon groves, the candlelit dinners, and the infinite sea.