Amalfi Coast, Sorrento & Pompeii Day Trip from Naples

Summary

Positano colors, Sorrento scents, Pompeii ruins in a single day

You’ll wander Positano’s winding streets with free time to explore, breathe in Sorrento’s citrus air, and follow a local guide through Pompeii’s haunting ruins—all with port pickup and return guaranteed. From artisan shops to ancient stones, every stop feels personal and close-up.

What’s the experience like?

Hands waving out the minibus window—someone (I think her name was Lucia?) pointed at the first glimpse of Positano tumbling down toward the sea. The driver laughed and said something about “la dolce vita,” which made us all smile, even if we weren’t sure why. That first hour wandering those steep, narrow alleys felt like being inside a painting that had come alive: little shops with lemon soaps stacked in wobbly towers, old men arguing softly over coffee, the smell of salt and sugar drifting up from somewhere I never found. I bought a ceramic tile with a lopsided fish painted on it. Still have it.

Sorrento came next—just an hour, but somehow slower. You could smell oranges everywhere; even the stone walls seemed to hold onto that scent. Our guide Marco told us how the cliffs used to be pirate lookout points (he winked when he said it, so who knows). I sat on a low wall for a while just watching locals argue over parking spaces in rapid-fire Italian. There was this old woman selling limoncello shots in plastic cups; she handed me one without asking and said “for good luck.” It burned my throat but tasted like sunlight. The view across to Capri was hazy but real—I kept squinting as if I could reach it.

The last stop was Pompeii, and honestly, I thought I’d be tired by then—but stepping through those ancient streets with our guide (Anna? She had this way of making history sound like gossip) just woke me up again. Stones still warm from the afternoon sun under my shoes. She showed us graffiti scratched into a wall—something about bread prices—and joked that some things never change. There was this weird silence sometimes between tour groups; you’d hear birds or your own footsteps echoing off broken columns. It hit me how much life had happened here before everything stopped. I still think about that moment standing in what used to be someone’s kitchen.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and Pompeii tour

• Drive to Positano
• Explore Positano for 1 hour
• Drive to Sorrento
• Explore Sorrento for 1 hour
• Drive to Pompeii
• Guided tour of Pompeii ruins for 2 hours
• Return to Naples port

Top questions

How long is the Amalfi Coast & Pompeii day trip from Naples?

The tour lasts a full day, including stops at Positano (1 hour), Sorrento (1 hour), and Pompeii (2-hour guided visit), plus travel time.

Is port pickup included for cruise passengers?

Yes, port pickup and drop-off at Naples Cruise Terminal are included.

How much free time do we get in Positano and Sorrento?

You’ll have 1 hour of free time in both Positano and Sorrento to explore on your own.

Is there a guide at Pompeii?

Yes, you’ll have an English-speaking guide for a 2-hour tour of Pompeii’s ruins.

What type of vehicle is used for transport?

An air-conditioned minivan or minibus is provided depending on group size.

Are entry fees or meals included?

The description does not mention entry fees or meals being included; check directly for details.

Will I return to my cruise ship on time?

The tour is scheduled around cruise arrival and departure times; timely return is guaranteed.

Can infants join this tour?

Yes, infants and small children can join using a pram or stroller.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup right outside Naples’ cruise terminal by air-conditioned van or minibus, an English-speaking driver throughout the excursion (and guide for larger groups), plus a guided two-hour visit inside Pompeii before you’re dropped back at your ship on time.