Southern Italy glows in July: cobalt seas, whitewashed towns, and evenings that stretch like a Verdi aria. This six-week itinerary trades rushing for lingering—think late swims, long lunches, and sunsets from breezy terraces. You’ll base in three hubs—Sorrento, Lecce, and Siracusa—for easy day trips, beach time, and a relaxed rhythm that respects both your budget and the summer heat.

From the Roman echoes around Naples to Lecce’s Baroque facades and the Greek soul of Siracusa, this is the heartland of Magna Graecia. Expect sfogliatella and Neapolitan pizza in Campania; orecchiette and fresh ricotta in Puglia; granita, arancini, and swordfish in Sicily. Beaches range from pebbly coves under limestone cliffs to powder-soft stretches with turquoise shallows.

Practical notes for July: book ferries, beach clubs (lidi), and a few key restaurants in advance. Carry a refillable bottle—public fountains are common—and plan sightseeing early or late, leaving the hottest hours for the sea. Most historic centers have ZTL (limited traffic) zones; trains, buses, and ferries (via Omio and Omio) make car-free travel easy.

Sorrento

Cliff-perched Sorrento is your easygoing gateway to Amalfi, Capri, Pompeii, and Ischia. It’s flatter than many coast towns, great for strolling the passeggiata along Corso Italia, then slipping down to Marina Grande for swims by bobbing fishing boats.

Why base here? Frequent ferries, better value than Positano in high season, and plenty of budget-friendly trattorie. Lemon groves scent the air; limoncello was born here—sip it chilled after dinner.

Arriving & getting around

• Fly into Rome (FCO) or Naples (NAP). Search flights on Omio. Typical July fares to NAP vary widely; aim to book 3–5 months out.
• Rome to Naples high-speed train: 1h10–1h20, ~€25–€55 on Omio. Naples to Sorrento: Campania Express ~55–60 min (€15, air‑conditioned) or Circumvesuviana ~65–75 min (~€4).
• Ferries to Capri/Amalfi/Ischia run frequently in July; compare on Omio. Expect €20–€35 each way; depart early on weekends.

Where to stay

• Search apartments and villas near Marina Grande or Sant’Agnello (better value): VRBO Sorrento
• Compare hotels across budgets by the station (easy transit) or historic center: Hotels.com Sorrento

Days 1–5: Settle in & swim the Sorrentine Peninsula

• Old town & cloister: Wander the 14th‑century Chiostro di San Francesco for shady arches and impromptu string quartets. Sunset at Villa Comunale for Vesuvius views.
• Beaches: Marina Grande’s platforms are budget-friendly (look for “spiaggia libera” to swim free). For a cove, walk to Bagni Regina Giovanna, a Roman‑era sea pool under ruins—arrive by 9:30am.
• Nerano bay day: Take a boat or bus to Marina del Cantone, a pebbly beach with calm water; try spaghetti alla Nerano (zucchini, Provolone del Monaco).
• Coffee & breakfast: Il Leone Rosso Bar for sfogliatella and cappuccino; Bar Fauno for people‑watching on Piazza Tasso.
• Lunch ideas: Raki gelato (inventive flavors), Pizzeria Da Franco (wallet‑friendly pies, go early), Porta Marina seafood shacks in Marina Grande.
• Dinner picks: Bagni Delfino (seafood, jetty tables), O’Parrucchiano “La Favorita” (citrus‑garden dining; birthplace of cannelloni), Trattoria da Emilia (family‑run, classic fritto misto).

Days 6–9: Capri and the Amalfi Coast

• Capri (day): Early ferry Sorrento→Capri (20–30 min, ~€25–€30 one way on Omio). Swim at Marina Piccola; take the chairlift to Monte Solaro for island views. Skip the Blue Grotto queues in July unless it’s a must.
• Positano & Amalfi: Sorrento→Positano ferry (40–50 min). In Positano, Spiaggia Grande lido sets from ~€35–€60/pair in July; budget alternative: Fornillo Beach via coastal stairs. Continue to Amalfi for the Duomo and a lemon granita from the kiosks.
• Food en route: In Positano, grab a panino at Collina Bakery; in Amalfi, try delizia al limone at Pasticceria Pansa.

Days 10–14: Ischia, Pompeii & a cool escape (optional Rome overnight)

• Ischia (day): Hydrofoil Sorrento→Ischia (~1h15). Maronti Beach has both public stretches and simple lidos (~€25–€35 for two beds + umbrella). Thermal dips at Sorgeto Cove are free and fun at sunset.
• Pompeii + Vesuvius: Circumvesuviana to Pompeii Scavi (~35–40 min). Enter early; shade is scarce. Pair with an afternoon winery on Vesuvius (Lacryma Christi tastings).
• Paestum (quieter antiquity + mozzarella): Train to Paestum (~1h30–2h). Visit Greek temples, then a buffalo mozzarella farm lunch.
• Optional 1–2 nights in Rome (easy by train, 1h10–1h20) for cooler evening touring. Three traveler‑friendly, skip‑the‑line picks:

• Rome: Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour

  

  Walk the arena floor and the city’s ancient core with an expert guide—best in the late afternoon to avoid peak heat.
• Skip-the-Line Group Tour of the Vatican, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica

  

  A time‑efficient sweep of the Vatican highlights with priority entry—ideal in high season.
• Winner 2025 Rome Twilight Trastevere Food Tour by Eating Europe

  

  Evening tastings and stories in Rome’s most atmospheric district—low‑effort, high‑flavor.

Travel to Lecce (Salento)

• Sorrento → Naples (Campania Express), then Naples → Lecce via Frecciarossa/Intercity (usually 1 change in Bari or Caserta). Total 5.5–6.5 hours, ~€35–€80 on Omio.

Lecce (Salento)

Lecce is the “Florence of the South,” a honey‑colored Baroque jewel set between two seas. It’s the perfect base for Salento’s beaches: dramatic cliffs on the Adriatic, Caribbean‑blue shallows on the Ionian.

Evenings here are for piazza concerts, chilled rosato, and pasticciotto warm from the oven. Days are for beach‑hopping and lazy seafood lunches under straw umbrellas.

Where to stay

• Historic‑center palazzi and airy apartments: VRBO Lecce
• Hotels near Piazza Sant’Oronzo or Porta Napoli for easy walking: Hotels.com Lecce

Days 15–19: Adriatic side (cliffs, coves, and cool mornings)

• Torre dell’Orso & Baia dei Turchi: Pine shade, pale sand, clear water. Lido sets typically €25–€40/pair; arrive before 10am. Short coastal walk between coves.
• Otranto day: Visit the mosaic floor in the Cathedral (a medieval “Tree of Life”), then swim at the town beach. For lunch, try grilled octopus and frisella (toasted bread with tomatoes).
• Breakfast & coffee: Caffè Alvino for pasticciotto and caffè leccese (espresso over ice with almond milk). Later, gelato at Natale (pistachio and fig are standouts).
• Dinner in Lecce: Le Zie (home‑style Salento plates), Alle Due Corti (ciceri e tria, a local pasta with chickpeas), Osteria degli Spiriti (seasonal seafood and orecchiette).

Days 20–23: Ionian side (shallow turquoise, long beaches)

• Porto Cesareo & Torre Lapillo: Calm, shallow water ideal for long swims. Lido Tabù and Bacino Grande offer mid‑range daybeds; public stretches abound if you bring a towel and umbrella.
• Punta Prosciutto: Powdery sand and luminous water—arrive early for parking. Pack a picnic and plenty of water.
• Gallipoli afternoon: Wander the island old town and swim from Purità Beach. Aperitivo with local taralli and olives; sunset along the bastions is sublime.

Days 24–28: Slow days & white towns

• Nardò & Santa Maria al Bagno: Elegant baroque squares, small sandy coves; less crowded than the headliners.
• Ostuni/Alberobello (Valle d’Itria) day: Whitewashed hill towns and trulli. Lecce → Alberobello by train+bus ~2–2.5h each way on Omio.
• Food notes: Seek burrata made that morning, tiella (rice–potato–mussels bake), and spumone (layered gelato). For wine, ask for Primitivo or Negroamaro by the glass.

Travel to Siracusa (Sicily)

• Fastest: Fly Brindisi (BDS) → Catania (CTA), ~1h flight + transfers; door‑to‑door ~4–5h, ~€60–€140 in July on Omio. From Catania Airport, Interbus to Siracusa ~1h15.
• Scenic alternative: Lecce → Villa San Giovanni by train, short ferry to Messina, then train to Siracusa; 9–11h total on Omio and ferry tickets via Omio.

Siracusa (Ortigia, Sicily)

Siracusa was once the mightiest city of the Greek world. Today, the island of Ortigia is a labyrinth of limestone lanes, baroque balconies, and sea‑spray vistas. It’s intensely atmospheric—and a superb base for Sicily’s southeast beaches.

Mornings at the open‑air market, afternoons at Fontane Bianche or within the Plemmirio marine reserve, evenings on the seafront with grilled fish and almond granita: the rhythm writes itself.

Where to stay

• Ortigia island apartments for sea breezes and market proximity: VRBO Siracusa
• Hotels on Ortigia or Santa Lucia for quieter nights: Hotels.com Siracusa

Days 29–33: Ortigia life & nearby beaches

• Ortigia Market morning: Grab a legendary sandwich at Caseificio Borderi (cured meats, ricotta, herbs) or antipasti at Fratelli Burgio. Espresso at Caffè Apollo on Piazza Archimede.
• Beaches: Fontane Bianche (sandy, family‑friendly), Arenella (mix of lidos and free zones), and the coves of Plemmirio (bring water shoes). Lido sets ~€25–€40/pair in July.
• Dining: Don Camillo (elegant Sicilian classics), Le Vin de L’Assassin Bistrot (French‑Sicilian plates), Locanda Maniace (sea‑forward, tucked near the fortress), A Putia delle Cose Buone (hearty, casual).

Days 34–38: Noto, Vendicari & Marzamemi

• Noto: A baroque stage set. Pair the Cathedral visit with granita at Caffè Sicilia (almond or mulberry when in season).
• Vendicari Nature Reserve: Walk to Calamosche or San Lorenzo beaches for crystal shallows and dunes; limited shade—bring an umbrella and arrive early.
• Marzamemi: Fishermen’s village turned sunset haven; tuna‑based antipasti and local white wines (Grillo, Carricante).
• Optional peaks & bays: Day trip to Taormina/Giardini Naxos for Isola Bella snorkeling; or a guided Etna morning followed by seaside lunch back south.

Days 39–42: Free days & farewell flavors

• Boat day: Hire a small boat with skipper around Plemmirio for swims in sea caves; July rates vary, expect ~€40–€70 pp in a small group.
• Food crawl: Cannoli and pistachio gelato, panelle (chickpea fritters), and swordfish involtini; finish with almond granita on the Lungomare.
• Final market shop: Pack edible souvenirs—almonds from Avola, capers, bottarga, Modica chocolate.

Getting onward

• Siracusa → Catania Airport bus ~1h15; summer frequencies are good. For flights, search Omio.

Budget & season tips (July)

• Beach costs: Public “spiagge libere” are free; lido sets average €25–€40 (two beds + umbrella). Bring reef‑safe sunscreen and a foldable umbrella to save.
• Meals: Excellent seafood pastas €12–€18; pizza €6–€12; house wine €3–€5/glass. Splurge once per hub; keep lunches light with panini, fruit, and gelato.
• Transit: Intercity trains are cheaper than high‑speed and only modestly slower on some routes; book advance fares on Omio.

Optional add-on before/after

• If you route via Rome and want a single day to sample the city, pair the Colosseum with a Vatican morning and an evening food walk (see the Viator picks above). All three are skip‑the‑line, ideal for summer timing.

Quick reference: intercity travel times & estimates

• Rome → Naples (HS train): 1h10–1h20, €25–€55 on Omio
• Naples → Sorrento: 55–75 min, €4–€15
• Sorrento → Lecce (via Naples/Bari): 5.5–6.5h, €35–€80 on Omio
• Lecce → Catania (flight via Brindisi): ~1h flight; 4–5h door‑to‑door, €60–€140 on Omio
• Catania Airport → Siracusa: ~1h15 by bus

Food & drink cheat sheet

• Campania: Pizza margherita, delizia al limone, spaghetti alle vongole, Lacryma Christi wine.
• Puglia: Orecchiette with cime di rapa, burrata, frisella, Primitivo/Negroamaro.
• Sicily: Arancini, panelle, pasta alla Norma, swordfish, cannoli, granita with brioche; Etna whites (Carricante), Nero d’Avola.

Six weeks by the Mediterranean gives you permission to slow down: linger over lunch, choose coves by water color, and measure days by sunset. From Sorrento’s lemony breezes to Salento’s transparent bays and Siracusa’s storied stones, this itinerary balances beach time, culture, and easy logistics—exactly the kind of relaxing summer in Southern Italy you’ll daydream about long after you’re home.