Three days and Two Nights in Naples

Many parts of Naples can get very dodgy at night, with lots of pickpockets. Also, crossing the road can be very hectic, so cross when locals cross. Some of the exits to the Museo metro station are very dirty (this is right underneath the Archaeological Museum).

To get to Pompeii, the Circumvesuviano leaves Piazza Garibaldi station every 30 minutes. It takes about 40 minutes to get to Pompeii Scavi, which is about 100 metres down the road from the main entrance to Pompeii, and a one-way ticket costs 2.8 Euros. That same Circumvesuviano route also stops at Ercolano (Herculaneum) station, but the entrance to that site is more than 500 metres from the station. There are reasonably-priced traditional eateries (because the meals are 2 course) at both the main and the Villa of Mysteries entrance/exit to the Pompeii archaeological site. It took us about 5 hours at the Pompeii Archaeological site - it would probably take 7 hours if you also decide to go all the way to the amphitheatre.

You can try some great Vera Pizza at Hostaria Mediterraneo, at the corner of Corso Meridionale and Via Brindisi. However, you should probably allocate at least 1 hour to every meal.

Thank you for the suggestions. Am thinking a half day tour of Pompeii may be all the 5 year old can handle.

In the city, don't forget the Capella Sansevero (tickets sold online if you want to skip the ticket line) and a visit to the street of presepi (Nativity scene) makers on Via San Gregorio Armeno.

The only way that I can see for you to do everything on your list is this.

Day 1.
Arrive Napoli Centrale, drop your luggage here.
Since you probably won't be able to check into your apartment until later.

https://www.napolicentrale.it/en/service/detail/left-luggage. Check last pick up time.

Take the Circumvesuvian to the Pompeii Scavi stop. There are guides at the gate, you'll understand the site much better by hiring one. With a 5 year old, 2-3 hours will probably be your max time.

Timetable here.

https://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule

I really don't recommend Vesuvius, it's 2 hours R/T for about 1/2 hour at the summit. But if this is a must, take this bus. It's located by the train. Please note return times.

https://www.visitpompeiivesuvius.com/en/bus-schedule?timetable_route=vesuvius_pompeii

Train back to Napoli Central pick up luggage.

Day 2.
Day trip to Capri.

Ferry timetable.

https://www.positano.com/en/ferry-schedule

Day 3.
Naples. Archeological Museum, Capella Sansevero, Castle dell Ovo, (great views over the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius) The Royal Palace and Galleries Umberto.

I'm assuming you are leaving Naples this afternoon.

Gerri, thanks so much for this information. I agree 3 hrs would be the limit for our little sweetheart in Pompeii. For some reason my DIL and I both want to do Vesuvius. Not sure my son, husband and grandson are onboard for that adventure so it may be just the two of us on that segment. Have to confer with my DIL but your timeline looks good and I think we can do it. Laura, thank you for mentioning the Nativity Scene artisans. I recall seeing a segment about these artists on an episode of "Dream of Italy" and am grateful to have been reminded.

I'm also one of those who believes that Vesuvius is a dry, sun-baked waste of time. But you should read up on just how much sun exposure and walking each of your top choices involve, and how hot they can be in May. Capri is magical, but it's a long boat ride, it's hilly, it's highly pedestrianized, it has long distances, and it's crowded. You need a plan, and some fallback rest places for a five year-old. This is a grueling program.

It has been 25 years since we took our 5 and 6 year old sons on their first overseas trip. We spent a month in the UK.

With such young children, we saw (no, EXPERIENCED) every playground and toy store. They lasted in the British Museum for only an hour. We thought they'd be good in the Tower of London - such interesting weapons, jewels, dungeon - they were hungry WAY to soon and there was no food sold there, so we left.
Our 5 year old grandson is now reminding me of how young our sons were!
We had a great month but the next visit, about 5 years later, was much easier.

The point - have one person ready to entertain the 5 year old if the rest of you want to spend hours at sany site.

Tim and Evan I get what you are saying and already figured we may need increased flexibility and fallback plans because of our Sweetheart. I may be spoiled because 6 years ago my daughter and 6 year old grandson joined us in a rental villa in northern Lazio. Everyone (including my daughter) was concerned about bringing this kid but he turned out to be the most game and adventuresome individual in our group. At 12 he still talks about the long walking bridge to Civita di Bagnorigio (sp?) and how cool the town was. Granted this was in late October, in a rural area and we did lots of outdoorsy things. Writing about this now makes me see the contrast in temperature and activities between then and what we are planning now. We'll be there in the first few days of May so I don't think it will be too hot. However, the thought of the word "grueling" is making me conscious of having a having a plan and maybe designating myself to stay behind and just do some fun things with her.

Consider going to Herculaneum instead of Pompeii. It's a smaller site and much easier to walk through. A lot of what you will see there is very similar to what you'd see in Pompeii. Besides more distance between parts of Pompeii, some of the streets are difficult to walk along. Here are a few photos that will give you an idea of the streets and "sidewalks" in Pompeii. After your visit, on the way back to the train you may want to visit the MAV. I didn't have time for it, but others told me they enjoyed it. Reviews on TA seem mixed but mostly positive.

Plan to use the metro to get around the city. Street traffic can be really slow.

Thanks for the suggestions. This forum is certainly comprised of "people in the know" who are so willing to share their expertise and knowledge. Am very appreciative and will update on how things turned out.

Oh my gosh...my husband just handed me an article he printed out of todays NYT called Rome in Ruins. Am so looking forward to my stay there but boy was this a downer!

Hello,
We will be traveling to Naples from Rome in April. My husband and I are very fit, but have opted out of Vesuvius. I think the Mount from a distance will be more impressive and it will take out of an already packed timeline. We found Rome in April to be seasonally warm for us, so I would think Pompeii has the potential to be a hot day.

Can I make the suggestion to visit Ischia from Naples. There appears to be an interesting castle that the 5 and 15 year old might enjoy. We will be taking the ferry from the port in Naples and spending some time there. Also, if you are not aware yet, there are some sites that are closed on Tuesday. As well others are only open Fri-Sat-Sun. There are two websites that I like to use for assistance, which are Rome 2 Rio and Visit a City. Below is my tentative items that I would like to see. Nothing is ever in stone. We will be taking the early train from Rome to Naples where we will transfer to the regional train straight to Pompeii. I plan to store our backpacks at the train station at Naples Centrale during our visit to Pompeii. I have read they have luggage storage at Pompeii but the train station sounds more secure. Any other suggestions is greatly appreciated!

May 7 ~ Train from Roma Termini to Naples
Roma Termini 0700 Napoli Centrale 810 (Frecce Train)

Napoli Piazza Garibaldi to Pompeii (Regional Train)
Pompeii to Napoli Centrale (pick up luggage)

May 8 ~ Ishia (Ferry)
Castello Aragonese
Giardini La Morella (taxi ride or bus)

Naples

Capella Sansevero
Catecombe di San Gennero
Castel dell Ovo
Castel Nuovo

May 9 ~ Naples
Capri
AnaCapri
Sorrento