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Description
This 2 Week Italy Itinerary combines the beautiful Amalfi Coast with active volcanoes, the best Pizzas in the world and small tranquil villages in Sicily.
You can do all transfers by boat or train and will not need a car anytime.
| Our Two Week Amalfi & Sicily Itinerary |
|---|
| Day 1-2: Sorrento |
| Day 3-5: Amalfi Coast |
| Day 6: Pompeii |
| Day 7: Naples |
| Day 8-9: Stromboli |
| Day 10-12: Taormina (Sicily) |
| Day 13: Etna |
| Day 14: Taormina & Going back |
Gallery
Overall costs
$ 1000
Duration
14 days
Rating
Itinerary:
Sorrento
Sorrento is a small village in the north of the narrow peninsula on which the southern part is better known as Amalfi Coast. We stayed in Sorrento for the first week and visited the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Naples from there. It is well-connected to all tourist spots but less crowded than Amalfi or Positano.
So, if you are looking for a cheaper and more authentic spot than the main tourist villages definitely look for a place to stay here.
How to get there
By train: From Naples Train Station (Stazione di Napoli Centrale) take train number 11911 to Sorrento. The train ride takes around 50 minutes and has some nice views to the Gulf of Naples.
Get around
Sorrento is a small village, unless you want to go out-of-town you will just be fine to walk.
Things to do
Villa Comunale: It’s a park with many exotic plants, fountains and a beautiful view over the Gulf of Naples with Mount Vesuvius.
Leonelli’s beach: Not exactly a beach but a popular and packed place by locals to get a tan and to jump into the sea. The breakwaters are lined with sunbeds and umbrellas just next to the city center.
Puolo Beach: A small beach west of Sorrento with a few restaurants. We spent most evenings here since it’s quieter than other waterfront places in Sorrento.
Amalfi Coast
This little stretch of steep coast is one of Italy’s most visited tourist destinations. The small villages between sea and mountains look like the Cinque Terre in Northern Italy. Most tourists will stay in Positano or Amalfi and as soon as you leave these places it gets less crowded. Amalfi Coast is home of a sweet lemon which is used for pasta dishes, ice cream and liqueur. So yes there are many tourists but it has also a stunning landscape as well as awesome food and is a must visit place in Italy.
How to get there
By boat: From April to October there is a ferry from Sorrento to Positano.
By bus: Busses run regularly between Sorrento, Positano and many other villages on the Amalfi Coast. Only recommended if the ferry is not in operation since you will miss the views.
Get around
By boat: To switch between the villages I recommend to take one of the small ferries. It’s the most pleasant way to get around in a relaxed way with awesome views.
Walking: Inside the villages you can just walk to all sights.
Things to do
Hikes: We made a little hike into the lemon fields behind Amalfi. Just follow the valley inland and you will see the fields. You can either walk up the hill by yourself or stay in the valley and participate on a Limoncello tasting.
If you want to spent more time hiking check out the ‘Path of the Gods’ (Sentiero degli Dei) which is a hiking path above the coast with insane views.
Eat: Try the local lemon ice called Granita.
Pompeii
When visiting Pompeii most people refer to the archeological site instead of the small town next to it. The former roman settlement was once destroyed by the erupting volcano Vesuvius and buried dozens of people under the ash. The site is today one of the best conserved places to see a former roman town.
We spend half a day walking around the site and then went back to Sorrento. It would be possible to combine it with a visit to Mount Vesuvius but since we will get close to two more volcanoes on this trip, we skipped this one.
How to get there
You can reach the archeological site of Pompeii easily by train (no. 1092) from Sorrento in 30 minutes.
There’s also a direct train to Rome in case you want to visit Pompeii while being on a Europe trip.
Things to do
Archeological site: Walk around the site and explore the many well-preserved buildings, theatres, bath houses and mosaics. Tickets are €15 for an adult, €2 for EU citizens between 18-24 and free entry for EU citizens below 18. Walking is the only way to get around.
Mount Vesuvio: You can climb Mount Vesuvio anytime throughout the year. From Pompeii take an EAV bus (~ €3 each way) which stops opposite to the train station. Time schedules vary a lot and there is no reliable one online. The bus takes around 45 minutes and drops you off in front of the ticket office for the mountain (€10 for adults).
Naples
Naples is a chaotic and charmful place with way too many people in every street and some of the best food in the world. It’s home of the pizza and it seriously doesn’t taste as good anywhere in the world as in Naples.
We took the ferry from Sorrento to Naples with all our luggage and put it in a locker at the port.
We then spend the day walking around the streets of Naples and had a Pizza Napoletana at a small restaurant called Sorbillo. You normally have to wait around two hours for a table but we arrived at 11am and got one right away.
In the evening we went back to the port where we boarded the overnight ferry to the little island of Stromboli.
How to get there
By boat: We took a small ferry from Sorrento to Naples, check the timetables once you’re in Sorrento.
By train: As mentioned on the way to Sorrento, take train number 11911 back to Naples (around 50 minutes).
Get around
By foot: If you’re okay with walking you will reach every point of interest by foot. The city center is not that big and traffic can slow you down almost any time of the day.
By train: There are two metro lines in Naples and several suburban trains if you want to go to Pompeii, Herculaneum or Salerno.
Things to do
Pizza: If you only have half an hour in Naples, just go for a pizza. You will find them everywhere but try to go to Sorbillo or Da Michele.
Possillipo Hill: The walk up this little hill is well worth the sweat if you go there in the summer time. You have some of the best views over Naples, the Gulf and Mount Vesuvio.
Spanish Quarters: Avoid at night but safe during the day. The quarters landmark are the narrow alleys with small food stores, restaurants and laundry hanging from the windows.
Stromboli
Did you know that Italy has an active Volcano that shoots junks of lava in the air roughly every 20 minutes? That’s exactly what’s happening on the small island of Stromboli which is in fact just the volcano with a small town on its foothill. Stromboli is part of the Aeolian islands north of Sicily.
We took an overnight ferry from Naples to Stromboli. The ferry arrives early in the morning at Stromboli so make sure to go on one of the outer decks at sunrise to see the beautiful islands in the dusk.
How to get there
By ferry: Take a ferry from Naples and preferably one that travels the route overnight (Tuesday and Friday with Siremar Lines).
You can choose between a cabin, sleeper seats or just the ticket and you squeeze yourself in any corner with a sleeping pad. Reservations are not mandatory but I would recommend it since the ferry was pretty packed when we were on it.
Get around
Stromboli is just a small island without taxis or trains. You can walk everywhere or take a water taxi to any of the other islands.
Things to do
Boat tour: We made a full day tour around the island with one of the small boats from the harbor. You will visit the lava slide where hot lava stones roll down into the sea.
Night walk: You should also make a night walk up the volcano to see the glowing lava. You have to join an organized group for this activity and make sure to bring a warm jacket and proper hiking boots. It’s a tough walk but you will be rewarded with magnificent views of glowing lava!
Taormina (Sicily)
Taormina is a small village above a beautiful bay with stunning views to Mount Etna. A small island inside the bay called Isola Bella is the landmark of the city and its main attraction. The island is surrounded by crystal-clear water and a perfect spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Taormina has also amazing sea food restaurants so for us it was the perfect spot to stay while visiting Mount Etna and to enjoy the nearby beaches. We stayed in a little hotel in the upper part of town with awesome views.
How to get there
By ferry / train: The journey from Stromboli to Taormina takes around 4-6 hours. You first have to take the fast ferry to Milazzo and then a train to Taormina.
By plane: The closest airport is in Catania from where we flew back home.
Get around
Inside the city you can walk and if you want to avoid the steep stairs to the beach you can take the cable car which runs every 15 minutes from 8 am to 1 am between Taormina and the beach at Mazzaro (€ 3 one-way).
Things to do
Teatro Antico: The former Greek and then Roman theatre is well-preserved and has beautiful views from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Etna.
Spiaggia Isola Bella: The small beaches on both side of Isola Bella are the best places around Taormina for snorkeling. You can rent equipment close to the beach and many stores sell cheap sets if you want to get your own.
Etna
Mount Etna is Europe’s biggest active volcano with an altitude of 3329 meters. The whole area around the mountain is a National Park with special safety regulations. You have to take a guided tour for the upper slopes and as far as we know it’s not possible to reach the summit.
We booked a day tour to Mount Etna in Taormina which included transfer, entry fees and a guide. Make sure to bring warm clothes according to the altitude even in summer.
Another option would be to start in Catania which is also a great place to stay a bit longer before you leave from the city’s airport.
How to get there
I would recommend to take a guided tour that picks you up at your place since you have to take a guide on the mountain anyway.
Things to do
Hiking: We hiked with our guide to some of the newer craters and lava fields while he explained about animals, plants and recent eruptions in the park.
Skiing: The mountain has two ski areas in the winter time.
Mountain biking: It’s also possible to make a mountain biking tour at the slopes of the mountain.