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Itinerary suggestions for Southern Italy

Hi,

We are family of 4 (18 and 21) planning to visit Italy in mid May 2024. This would be our second time in Italy. We covered 4 major cities last time Rome, Florence, Venice and Milan and loved it. This time would like to explore southern Italy especially Amalfi coast and maybe Sicily as well. We prefer best valued experiences meaning ready to splurge on some places and go on budget for others.

Having said that can I please get recommendations for places to visit and length of stay in each place. We are looking to spend 9 - 11 days (excluding travel days).

Thank you in advance for your time and help, really appreciate it!!

Posted by
5409 posts

https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Sorrento+amalfi&utf8=%E2%9C%93

You are fortunate as this question is asked here a few times a week. There is a wealth of info here in the Trip Reports, posts under Italy, and using the Search function. Dig in , review the carefully written posted answers, and get a feel for what interests you.

Southern Italy is much different than northern Italy, the infrastructure is so stressed and undeveloped, and things just don't work efficiently. The area is beautiful, but be prepared for the chaos and congestion. The AC is very crowded even in May.

Have a great trip!

Posted by
3127 posts

If you can fly into and out of different airports i.e., Naples and Palermo that would help. If arriving in Naples take an airport transfer to Amalfi and sleep there. To get from the Amalfi Coast to Sicily take a ferry to Salerno and an overnight ferry to Palermo. Heck, you must sleep somewhere so rent a cabin that sleeps four: https://www.directferries.com/global/index.html.

Posted by
6992 posts

8 to 10 nights

I don't see how you could fit Sicily on such a short trip. Most recommend at least 2 weeks there.

We spent 9 nights in Sorrento/AC region. If we could have added 2 more nights we would have.
We were there in May 2019

Sorrento 4 nights- visited Capri and Pompeii (with Mondo Guides www.sharedtours.com
Amalfi 2 nights- visited Positano by bus and returned by ferry
Ravello 1 night- this was our splurge
Salerno 2 nights- visited Paestum- budget lodging in Salerno and direct train access to Naples or Rome

With 2 more nights we would have added Naples

You will need to figure where best to fly in/out of- Rome or Naples
You will need to spend night before departure in your departure city whether that is Rome or Naples.

Getting to and around the AC is time consuming and chaotic so be sure to allow time for all that.

Use the Search function as this topic comes up a lot.
Filter Search by Type- Travel Forum
Date- 1 year or newer

Here is one result:
https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=1y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Getting+around+Amalfi+Coast&utf8=✓

Posted by
15768 posts

I spent about that much time in Naples and Salerno (and the AC), but in February when it wasn't crowded. From Naples you can visit Ischia if you want an island. Naples is sort of Rome on steroids without the amazing architecture. As one of our old forum members loved to say - the only subtle thing about Naples is its charm. There are some wonderful things to see, interesting places to explore, great food and an excellent archaeology museum. You can also visit Pompeii and other ruins easily taking the local Circumvesuviani train.

I love Salerno. It is connected to Naples (and rome if that's your gateway) by high-speed train. It's also the eastern terminus for the bus line to Amalfi town and the various ferries that sail the AC coast. Among other attributes, Salerno has a well-preserved historic center and a large sandy beach (I believe it's the only one on the AC - most towns have small, generally pebbly ones). A bonus for the budget is that both rooms and restaurants are cheaper than in the AC villages. You can spend days hiking the coast and then have a swim and a great dinner back in Salerno.

PS - be sure to stop at Sal de Riso in Minori. Their pastries are to die for. I'm told the gelato is exceptional but after a pastry I was so sated, I couldn't even bring myself to taste it :-)

Sicily needs at least that much time. It's the biggest island in the Med and there is so much to see and do.

Posted by
17 posts

Thank you all for your replies and recommendations!