Naples, Italy
Pompeii in the shadow of Vesuvius, the cliffside towns of the Amalfi Coast, Capri across the bay and the pizza that started it all. Here’s how to choose your one day ashore.
Three great days, one stop
Naples is the port where the hardest part is choosing. The city itself is loud, layered and full of character, with a historic center that’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and some of the best pizza you’ll ever eat. Within reach of the pier you also have Pompeii and Herculaneum, the Roman towns buried by Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the cliffside towns of the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri.
Each of those is a full day on its own, so pick one and do it well. Below are the shore excursions we’d book, the ship tours worth knowing about and the details that keep a Naples day easy, especially when it comes to timing, crowds and walking.
Where you’ll dock
Cruise ships in Naples use the main cruise terminal on the city waterfront. Confirm your arrival details on your itinerary a few days before you arrive.
Stazione Marittima
The historic cruise terminal on Molo Angioino puts you right in the middle of the city. Castel Nuovo, the medieval castle also called Maschio Angioino, is a short walk from the pier, and most ship and independent tours meet just outside the terminal. On busy days several large ships share the port, so expect crowds at the terminal in the morning.
Used by: Celebrity, MSC, Oceania, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Viking and Windstar.
Excursions we’d book
Hand-picked shore excursions from local operators, bookable through our partner Project Expedition. Every tour here carries Project Expedition’s Back to Ship Guarantee. Prices are per person and can change; check the live price when you book.
Pompeii And Herculaneum Private Shore Excursion
Pompeii and Herculaneum in one private day, led by an archaeologist. Pompeii shows you the scale of a Roman city; Herculaneum, smaller and better preserved, shows you the detail.
View on Project ExpeditionFrom Naples: Sorrento, Positano, & Amalfi Lunch Included - Shared Tour
A shared tour of Sorrento, Positano and the Amalfi Coast with a limoncello stop and a light pasta lunch, starting at the cruise terminal. It’s a long day of about eight hours, so check it fits your all-aboard time.
View on Project ExpeditionPrivate Driving Tour: Pompeii, Sorrento, & Positano
A private full day that pairs Pompeii with Sorrento and Positano, with pickup and return at the Naples cruise terminal. The best way to see the most in one day.
View on Project ExpeditionPrivate: Ravello, Amalfi, Positano Tour
A private day along the Amalfi Coast to Positano, Amalfi and hilltop Ravello, with pickup and return at the cruise terminal.
View on Project ExpeditionFull-Day Guided Tour in Pompeii, Sorrento and Amalfi Coast
Pompeii, Sorrento and Positano in one guided small-group day, designed around cruise schedules. It meets at Naples’ Stazione Marittima.
View on Project ExpeditionGroup Tour From Naples: Pompeii with Tickets and Guide
A guided walk through Pompeii with skip-the-line tickets, about four hours door to door. It leaves time for lunch in Naples afterward.
View on Project ExpeditionThe Back to Ship Guarantee and refunds if your ship skips Naples are covered by Project Expedition’s shore excursion terms. Your advisor can walk you through them.
Cruise line favorites
Book these in your cruise planner. Ship-sold tours cost a bit more, but the ship waits for you if the tour runs late.
- Pompeii guided tour. The classic Naples excursion: a guided walk through the forum, villas, baths and the plaster casts. Many versions pair it with a stop in Sorrento or a pizza lunch.
- Capri & the Blue Grotto. A fast boat across the bay, then the island’s villages and viewpoints. The Blue Grotto is a bonus that depends entirely on the sea that day.
- Amalfi Coast drive. Positano, Amalfi and the coastal road in one long day. Traffic on the coast can be heavy in summer, which is a good reason to let your cruise line handle the timing.
- Herculaneum & Vesuvius. A smaller, less crowded Roman site plus the volcano that buried it. A strong choice if you’ve already seen Pompeii.
Exploring without a tour
Prefer to explore at your own pace? These are the highlights to know, wherever your day takes you. Keep an eye on the clock.
Castel Nuovo & the waterfront
The 13th-century castle with its five round towers sits a short walk from the pier, with the Royal Palace, Teatro di San Carlo, Galleria Umberto I and the grand Piazza del Plebiscito all close by.
The historic center
Spaccanapoli, the long, narrow street that slices through old Naples, is lined with churches, bakeries and the nativity-scene workshops of Via San Gregorio Armeno. Below it lies Napoli Sotterranea, the city’s ancient underground.
Pizza where it began
Naples is the home of pizza margherita, and a sit-down pizza lunch is a local ritual. Look for spots in the historic center and along the waterfront, and expect lines at the famous names.
Before you go ashore
- All-aboard is firm. If you book independently, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Traffic around Naples and on the Amalfi Coast can add real time to the return.
- Traveling with mobility needs? Naples is hilly and cobbled, and some sights involve slopes and uneven paving. If you or someone in your party has mobility needs, tell your advisor when you book. Our accessibility specialist can help arrange the right support.
- Pompeii has a daily cap. Pompeii limits daily visitors and issues tickets in your name, so bring a photo ID that matches. Booking a guided tour takes care of tickets and timing.
- Dress for churches and heat. Churches ask that shoulders and knees are covered. Pompeii has very little shade, so bring water, a hat and comfortable shoes.
- Pick one big trip. Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast are each a full day. Trying to combine two usually means more time in a vehicle and less time actually seeing anything.
Sailing to Naples
Most Western Mediterranean itineraries call here, typically sailing round trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) or Barcelona, and some lines also embark in Naples.Find a cruisePlan with Harr Travel
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