Southern Italy has always been Italy with the volume turned up: louder street markets, brighter tomatoes, deeper histories. In one week, you’ll taste Naples in its birthplace of pizza, ferry to Capri’s limestone cliffs, and sleep among Matera’s honey-colored cave districts (the Sassi), inhabited since the Paleolithic. This route threads coastal drama with ancient wonder.

Naples, once the jewel of the Bourbon kingdom, still carries a joyous anarchy—Vespas weaving past Baroque churches and pastry counters piled with sfogliatelle. Day trips open doors to Pompeii’s frescoed villas and Vesuvius’ crater. Capri adds Mediterranean dazzle: switchbacks of bougainvillea, sea caves, and aperitivo views worth lingering over.

Matera is the quiet counterpoint. Its rock-hewn churches and cave homes tell a 9,000-year story of resilience and revival. Practical notes: trains and ferries are reliable but busy in summer (July–August); reserve key meals and ferries in advance. Watch for ZTL restricted zones if you rent a car, and in Naples keep valuables secure in crowded areas. The payoff: unforgettable food, sea, and stone.

Naples

Naples is a living museum of appetite and archaeology. Under the Bourbon palaces and Spanish Quarter laundry lines lie Greek walls and Roman roads—and above them, the world’s most opinionated pizza culture. It’s the gateway to Vesuvius, Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast, and the island of Capri.

• Top sights: National Archaeological Museum (Pompeii’s finest treasures), Spaccanapoli, Naples Underground, Castel dell’Ovo, and the seaside promenade to Mergellina.
• Iconic bites: Pizza Margherita at L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele or Gino Sorbillo; sfogliatella at Sfogliatella Mary; espresso at Gran Caffè Gambrinus.
• Local vibe: Pignasecca market for fried cuoppo and produce; Spanish Quarter murals; sunset along Via Partenope facing Capri on the horizon.

Where to stay: Browse apartments and cave-cool historic flats on VRBO Naples or compare hotels with sea views and Centro Storico boutiques on Hotels.com Naples.

Getting in: Fly into Naples (NAP) or Rome (FCO) and connect by train. For Europe flights, check Omio Flights. From Rome Termini to Napoli Centrale takes ~1h10–1h20 on high-speed trains (€20–€45) via Omio Trains. Long-haul flyers can also compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival, Spaccanapoli, and Pizza Night

Afternoon: Arrive and drop bags. Start with a slow walk along Spaccanapoli—peek into Santa Chiara’s cloister and the nativity-carving workshops on Via San Gregorio Armeno. Coffee stop: Gran Caffè Gambrinus for a textbook espresso and a sfogliatella riccia.

Evening: Pizza pilgrimage. Book (or queue) for L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele (two-choices-only classic) or Gino Sorbillo (creative toppings, quick turnover). Nightcap at AlterEgo in the Spanish Quarter for a spritz among locals, or stroll Via Partenope for Castel dell’Ovo lit against the bay.

Day 2: Museums, Markets, and the Seafront

Morning: National Archaeological Museum—allow 2 hours for the Farnese sculptures, mosaics from Pompeii, and the Secret Cabinet. Cappuccino and cornetto at Caffè Mexico (Via Scarlatti) before you go.

Afternoon: Snack your way through Pignasecca Market: try cuoppo di mare (paper cone of fried seafood) at Passione di Sofì and a slice of frittatina di pasta at Di Matteo. Then seaside: walk from Piazza del Plebiscito to Castel dell’Ovo and Borgo Marinari.

Evening: Dinner at Trattoria Nennella (singing waiters, soulful pasta e patate con provola) or Osteria della Mattonella (genovese sauce slow-cooked onions and beef). Gelato at Gay-Odin (chocolate legacy since 1894).

Day 3: Pompeii and Vesuvius Day

Morning: Train to Pompeii: Circumvesuviana or Campania Express from Napoli Porta Nolana/Garibaldi (~40–50 min; €3–€8). Enter at Porta Marina. Don’t miss the Villa of the Mysteries, Forum, Stabian Baths, and the bakeries with lava-millstones.

Afternoon: Lunch at Caupona (ancient-Rome inspired plates) or a simple panino near the Amphitheater. Continue to Mount Vesuvius: bus or shuttle to the trailhead, then a 20–30 minute climb to the crater rim with sweeping Bay of Naples views.

Evening: Back in Naples, feast at Pizzeria Starita (montanara fritta starter is a must) or La Masardona (the city’s fried pizza maestro). Digestivo limoncello at Leopoldo Infante.

Prefer a fully guided option (if you’re overnighting in Rome before heading south)?

Pompeii, Amalfi Coast and Positano Day Trip from Rome: a small-group day covering ruins plus coastal panoramas—handy if your flight lands in Rome and you haven’t yet based in Naples.

Day 4: Capri by Ferry

Morning: Ferry from Molo Beverello to Capri (~50–60 min; €25–€50 each way). Take the funicular to Capri Town, wander the Piazzetta, then the Gardens of Augustus for cliff-and-Faraglioni views.

Afternoon: Head to Anacapri by bus. If seas are calm, the Blue Grotto is a photogenic detour; otherwise walk the Pizzolungo trail or chairlift to Monte Solaro for the island’s best panorama.

Evening: Early dinner on Capri at Da Gelsomina (country views; shuttle available) or casual seafood spaghetti at Ristorante Verginiello, then return ferry to Naples. Night gelato at Casa Infante near the port.

Matera

Matera feels carved from time itself. The twin ravines of Sasso Barisano and Sasso Caveoso are stacked with cave dwellings, rock-hewn churches, cisterns, and terraces that glow gold at sunset. Once a byword for poverty, the city’s careful restoration made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a European Capital of Culture.

• Top sights: Sassi cave districts, Rupestrian churches (Santa Maria de Idris, San Pietro Barisano), Casa Grotta di Vico Solitario, MUSMA contemporary sculpture museum in a cave-palazzo.
• Flavors: Pane di Matera DOP (ancient semolina loaf), orecchiette with cruschi peppers, local Aglianico del Vulture wines.
• Tip: Bring grippy shoes—alleys can be slick. Sunsets from Belvedere Murgia Timone (short taxi) are otherworldly.

Where to stay: Seek atmospheric cave suites and terrace views on VRBO Matera or compare boutique hotels carved into the rock on Hotels.com Matera.

Getting there from Naples (Day 5 morning): Easiest is train to Salerno or Bari then onward to Matera (3.5–5 hours total, ~€20–€45) or a direct coach (~4 hours, ~€15–€25). Search times and tickets on Omio Trains and Omio Buses.

Day 5: Travel to Matera, First Walk in the Sassi

Morning: Depart Naples by train or coach to Matera Centrale (aim for a 08:00–09:00 start). Snack kit: a warm sfogliatella from Scaturchio and fruit from Pignasecca for the ride.

Afternoon: Check in and meander the lanes between Sasso Barisano and Caveoso. Visit Casa Grotta to see a furnished cave-home, then San Pietro Caveoso church perched over the ravine. Coffee with a view at Caffè Tripoli or Ridola.

Evening: Dinner at Trattoria del Caveoso (orecchiette with cruschi peppers) or Ristorante L’Abbondanza Lucana (modern Lucanian tasting menus). Gelato at I Vizi degli Angeli.

Day 6: Rupestrian Churches, Caves, and Bread

Morning: Explore Santa Maria de Idris (rock church with frescoes) and the hypogeum beneath San Pietro Barisano. MUSMA offers an eye-opening contrast: contemporary sculpture in a cave-palazzo.

Afternoon: Taste Pane di Matera at Panificio Paoluccio or Schiuma; then walk to the Cathedral (Duomo) for the best terrace over Sasso Barisano. If you fancy a countryside interlude, arrange a quick taxi across the ravine to Belvedere Murgia Timone for the cinematic skyline.

Evening: Wine bar time at Enoteca Dai Sassi for Aglianico del Vulture by the glass with local cheeses. Dinner at Osteria Pico for slow-cooked lamb and seasonal antipasti.

Day 7: Slow Morning in Stone, Departure

Morning: Sunrise photos as the caves glow amber, then a relaxed breakfast—try caffè leccese (iced espresso with almond milk) and a pasticciotto at a local bar. Pick up edible souvenirs: cruschi peppers, olive oil, and dried orecchiette.

Afternoon: Depart for your onward flight or train. Bari Airport (BRI) is the nearest major hub (~1–1.5 hours by bus/train; €6–€12). Check routes on Omio Trains and Omio Buses, and for Europe flights see Omio Flights. For long-haul options compare on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional Amalfi Coast Add-On from Naples (DIY)

Morning: From Napoli Centrale to Sorrento (Campania Express ~45–55 min; €8–€15) or ferry from Molo Beverello (~40–60 min; €20–€35). Coffee and delizia al limone at Bar Rita in Sorrento.

Afternoon: Ferry-hop to Positano or Amalfi for cliffside lanes and beach time. Ferries are more pleasant than buses in peak months; compare routes on Omio Ferries.

Evening: Dinner in Positano at Da Vincenzo (reservations recommended) or family-style feast at La Tagliata in Montepertuso (shuttle available), and return to Naples.

Restaurant and café cheat sheet

• Naples breakfast/coffee: Gran Caffè Gambrinus (belle époque), Caffè Mexico (neon sign, stellar crema), Sfogliatella Mary (inside Galleria Umberto I).
• Naples lunches: Pignasecca Market bites; Tandem for slow-cooked ragù; Antica Trattoria da Carmine for spaghetti alle vongole.
• Naples dinners: Da Michele, Sorbillo, Starita; seafood at Trattoria da Dora (classic local favorite).
• Matera breakfasts: Caffè Tripoli, Caffè Ridola; pastries at Paoluccio.
• Matera lunches: Dimora Ulmo Bistrot (contemporary), Trattoria Lucana (hearty regional standards).
• Matera dinners: Trattoria del Caveoso, L’Abbondanza Lucana, Osteria Pico; wines at Enoteca Dai Sassi.

How to book transport quickly

• Europe flights: Omio Flights
• Trains in Italy: Omio Trains
• Buses in Italy: Omio Buses
• Ferries on the Amalfi/Capri routes: Omio Ferries
• Long-haul or multi-city flight searches: Trip.com Flights and Kiwi.com

In seven days you’ve tasted Naples’ bold flavors, walked Pompeii’s streets, sailed to Capri, and slept in Matera’s otherworldly Sassi. Southern Italy lingers on the palate and the camera roll—equal parts sun, stone, and stories. You’ll leave plotting your return for Puglia’s beaches or a slower Amalfi week.