Southern Italy rewards curiosity. In one compact region you can step into ancient Roman streets at Pompeii, hike a volcano at Vesuvius, wind along the Amalfi Coast’s cliff roads, walk prehistoric cave quarters in Matera, and finish the day with raw Adriatic seafood in Polignano a Mare. April brings spring blooms, mild hiking weather, and lighter crowds—perfect for an adventurous, mid-range road trip.

Naples, founded by the Greeks and adopted by Rome, is loud in the best way: espresso bars thrum, pizza ovens roar, and medieval lanes hide Renaissance chapels. Eastward, Basilicata’s Matera preserves cave dwellings (the Sassi) carved from soft tufa, while neighboring Puglia dazzles with whitewashed towns—Alberobello’s fairytale trulli, Ostuni’s “White City,” and Lecce’s flamboyant baroque. South across the Tyrrhenian, Calabria’s Costa degli Dei (Coast of the Gods) arcs past turquoise coves beneath Tropea’s cliff town.

Practical notes: You’ll rent a car—watch for ZTL (limited traffic zones) in historic centers and budget for tolls on A16/A2. Book Vesuvius time slots and consider reserving Pompeii entry to skip ticket lines. April seas are brisk, but coastal hikes and boat tours run, and dining is lively without high-season prices. Ferries to Capri operate in April if you decide to swap an Amalfi driving day for an island day.

Naples (Campania)

Naples is Italy turned up to eleven: baroque churches, Caravaggio canvases, subterranean aqueducts, and the world’s most opinionated pizza culture. Use it as your base to reach Vesuvius, Pompeii, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast’s glittering balcony towns—Positano, Amalfi, Atrani, and Ravello.

• Top sights: Spaccanapoli, Napoli Sotterranea, Cappella Sansevero (the Veiled Christ), Castel dell’Ovo, Piazza del Plebiscito, and the National Archaeological Museum (Pompeii’s finest finds).
• Food you’ll remember: Pizza at 50 Kalò or L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele; ragù at Tandem; sfogliatella at Antico Forno Attanasio; espresso at Gran Caffè Gambrinus.
• Stay: Search Naples stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Transport: You’re driving, but for alternative intercity options and airport links, compare Omio flights in Europe and Omio trains. For Capri ferries, see Omio ferries.

Valle d’Itria & Salento (Puglia)

Puglia’s Valle d’Itria is a limestone plateau dotted with vineyards, olive groves, and trulli (cone-roofed houses) in Alberobello. Nearby, Locorotondo, Cisternino, Monopoli, and Polignano a Mare offer photogenic alleys and serious seafood. South, the Salento peninsula blends baroque Lecce with Adriatic cliffs near Otranto and sea arches at Torre Sant’Andrea.

• Highlights: Alberobello’s Rione Monti; whitewashed Ostuni; Polignano’s Lama Monachile cove; Monopoli’s harbor; Lecce’s Santa Croce; Otranto’s seaside fortress; Grotta della Poesia near Roca.
• Where to eat: Alberobello’s Casa Nova (Apulian classics), Locorotondo’s U’ Curdunn (meat and local wines), Ostuni’s Osteria del Tempo Perso (cave dining), Polignano’s Pescaria (seafood panini), Monopoli’s La Vecchia Taverna (pasta & crudo).
• Stay: Base in Alberobello or Polignano. VRBO Alberobello, Hotels.com Alberobello or VRBO Polignano a Mare, Hotels.com Polignano a Mare.
• Transport: Driving offers maximum flexibility. Without a car, trains connect Bari–Polignano–Monopoli via Omio, and regional buses reach Alberobello.

Tropea & Capo Vaticano (Calabria)

Tropea perches high above a talc-white strand, onion-scented markets, and a Santa Maria dell’Isola sanctuary watching the cobalt Tyrrhenian. This is the famed Coast of the Gods: caves, sea stacks, and clear snorkel-friendly water near Capo Vaticano—glorious in shoulder season light.

• Why go: Iconic cliff views, sunset aperitivi, easy boat access to hidden coves, and Calabria’s star ingredient: sweet Tropea onions.
• Food picks: Al Pinturicchio (Calabrian plates), Pimm’s (seaview dining), ‘A Ricetta (Tropea-onion specialties), and gelato at Tonino.
• Stay: VRBO Tropea or Hotels.com Tropea.
• Transport: From Puglia it’s a long but scenic drive on SS106/A2. Alternatively, compare Naples–Lamezia Terme options on Omio flights and take a regional train to Tropea via Omio trains.

Day 1 (Sun): Arrival in Naples

Afternoon: Land around 18:00, pick up your rental car. Drive into the center and check in. Note ZTL zones—park at a garage outside restricted streets and walk in.

Evening: Stretch your legs along Spaccanapoli and Piazza del Gesù. Pizza dinner at 50 Kalò (light, airy cornicione) or L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele (iconic Margherita and Marinara). Finish with sfogliatella at Antico Forno Attanasio and an espresso nightcap at Gran Caffè Gambrinus.

Day 2 (Mon): Vesuvius Hike + Pompeii

Morning: Drive 40–50 min to Parco Nazionale del Vesuvio. Pre-book crater entrance; the final trail is short but steep with black ash underfoot—bring a windbreaker. Views sweep the Bay of Naples.

Afternoon: 20 min drive to Pompeii. Enter via Porta Marina and follow a loop: Forum, House of the Vettii, Stabian Baths, Amphitheatre, and Villa of the Mysteries. For lunch, try Caupona (Roman-inspired plates) just outside the site.

Evening: Back in Naples, feast on slow-cooked ragù at Tandem or seafood at A Figlia d’‘o Marenaro (legendary zuppa di cozze). Stroll Via Toledo and Quartieri Spagnoli for photos.

Day 3 (Tue): Amalfi Coast Day—Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi, Atrani, Ravello

Morning: Leave by 07:30 to beat traffic. Stop in Sorrento for coffee and a look into the Vallone dei Mulini gorge. Continue to Positano; park in a paid lot above Spiaggia Grande and walk down the pastel lanes.

Afternoon: Drive to Amalfi (visit the striped Duomo), then stroll into tiny Atrani for a quieter beach vibe. Climb to Ravello (villa gardens and lofty vistas); grab a light plate at Cumpa’ Cosimo.

Evening: Return to Naples via Vietri sul Mare ceramics shops if time. Alternative: swap this drive for a Capri day (hydrofoils via Omio ferries) if seas are calm.

Day 4 (Wed): Naples → Matera → Alberobello (Puglia)

Morning: Drive ~3 h 15 min (250 km) via A16 to Matera. Park outside the Sassi and walk into the honeycomb of cave dwellings. Visit Casa Noha and a rupestrian church, then the belvedere at Murgia Timone for a canyon panorama.

Afternoon: Late lunch at Soul Kitchen (seasonal Basilicata dishes). Continue 1 h to Alberobello and check into a trullo stay if possible.

Evening: Blue-hour photography in Rione Monti. Dinner at Casa Nova (orecchiette alle cime di rapa, grilled meats) and a glass of Primitivo. Lodging ideas: VRBO Alberobello or Hotels.com Alberobello.

Day 5 (Thu): Valle d’Itria Loop—Locorotondo, Ostuni, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli

Morning: Coffee in Locorotondo (circular old town, white balconies). Continue to Ostuni’s blinding white lanes and the cathedral’s rose window.

Afternoon: Head to Polignano a Mare; admire Lama Monachile bridge and terraces. Lunch at Pescaria (raw seafood panini, fried shrimp) or Antiche Mura (sit-down seafood). Swim if the sun cooperates.

Evening: Sunset in Monopoli’s harbor, dinner at La Vecchia Taverna (homemade pasta, local fish). Overnight in Alberobello or Polignano: VRBO Polignano or Hotels.com Polignano.

Day 6 (Fri): Salento Highlights—or Calabria’s Coast of the Gods

Option A – Salento (Puglia, less driving):

Morning: Drive ~1 h 30 min to Lecce. Walk Santa Croce, Piazza del Duomo, and artisan paper-mâché workshops. Coffee with pasticciotto at Natale.

Afternoon: Continue 40 min to Otranto: seaside ramparts and cathedral mosaic. Loop via Torre Sant’Andrea’s sea stacks and Grotta della Poesia near Roca for photos (caution: wet rocks). Quick west-coast dash to Gallipoli or Porto Cesareo for golden-hour harbor views.

Evening: Dinner back in Lecce at Le Zie (home-style Salento cuisine). Overnight Lecce or return toward Polignano/Alberobello depending on how much you drove.

Option B – Calabria (adventurous long drive):

Morning: Early start. Drive ~4 h 45 min (360 km) from Alberobello/Polignano to Tropea via SS106/A2. Check in and grab a seafood lunch by the marina.

Afternoon: Take a small-group boat along the Coast of the Gods with swim stops, caves, and snorkel time:

• Boat Tour along the Coast of the Gods with Snorkeling — explore Grotticelle pools and Bay of Riaci.

  

Evening: Chase sunset with a golden-hour cruise and aperitif:

• Sunset excursion from Tropea to Capo Vaticano with aperitif — new, comfy boats and multiple swim stops.

  

Dinner at Al Pinturicchio (Calabrian pastas, local fish) and gelato at Tonino. Overnight: VRBO Tropea or Hotels.com Tropea.

Day 7 (Sat): Return to Naples and Departure

Morning: Aim to be within 1–1.5 hours of Naples Airport if your flight departs around noon. If you slept in Lecce or Polignano, leave very early (4–4.5 h). From Tropea, plan ~5.5 h (A2 → A30/A3). Factor in rental car return and security.

Afternoon: Fly out. If you have extra time in the city, grab one last slice of pizza or a cuoppo (paper cone of fried seafood) near the port.

Evening: —

Practical Driving Notes & Alternatives

• Distances & tolls: Naples→Matera ~3h15 (tolls ~€15–20); Matera→Alberobello ~1h; Alberobello→Tropea ~4h45; Tropea→Naples ~5h30. Expect total fuel ~€200–250 for this loop, depending on the exact route and vehicle.
• ZTL and parking: Historic cores (Naples, Alberobello, Lecce, Amalfi towns) have restricted zones. Park in marked garages outside the ZTL and walk in.
• Public transport backups: For flexibility or last-minute changes, compare Omio trains and Omio buses. Ferries to Capri/Amalfi run on Omio ferries. For intra-Europe flights, see Omio flights.

Food & Coffee Shortlist (by Spot)

• Naples: 50 Kalò (award-winning pies), Da Michele (old-school), Tandem (ragù), Pasticceria Attanasio (sfogliatella), Gran Caffè Gambrinus (historic café).
• Amalfi Coast: Da Vincenzo (Positano), Pasticceria Pansa (Amalfi sweets), Cumpa’ Cosimo (Ravello).
• Matera: Soul Kitchen (seasonal Basilicata), Pane di Matera from local bakeries.
• Valle d’Itria & Coast: Casa Nova (Alberobello), U’ Curdunn (Locorotondo), Osteria del Tempo Perso (Ostuni), Pescaria & Antiche Mura (Polignano), La Vecchia Taverna (Monopoli).
• Lecce & Otranto: Le Zie (home-style), LaltroBaffo (seafood tasting menus), Pasticceria Natale (pasticciotto).
• Tropea: Al Pinturicchio, Pimm’s, ‘A Ricetta (Tropea-onion specials), Gelateria Tonino.

Optional/Alternate Viator Picks near Tropea

• Tour of the Costa degli Dei by boat, 3 hours with aperitif included

  

• Shared 3-hour sunset tour from Tropea to Capo Vaticano

  

• Tropea Gelato Making Experience

  

What We Trimmed (and Why)

Civita di Bagnoregio, Grotte di Frasassi, Tempio del Valadier, and the full Calabrian coast (Diamante, Scilla, Reggio di Calabria) are spectacular but too far for a 7-day loop from Naples. With an extra 3–4 days, you could add a Lazio/Marche arc or extend deeper in Calabria.

In one week, you’ll hike a volcano, walk Roman streets, and weave between Adriatic and Tyrrhenian coasts. This itinerary prioritizes high-impact sights with reasonable drives, plenty of local food, and unforgettable photography. If you add a couple days next time, we’ll fold in Capri and Calabria’s northern coves with time to linger.