If you’re visiting Rome, it’s really tempting to try and see everything. From the Colosseum and Vatican to day trips to Florence, there’s a lot you can do when you’re based in Rome. How do you decide what’s worth it and what’s not? In this article, we’ll help you decide if a day trip to Pompeii and Amalfi Coast is worth it from Rome.
Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Italy? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re traveling. See our guide to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii for more planning resources, our top Pompeii and Amalfi Coast tours for a memorable trip, and how to get from Rome to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii.
Are Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast Worth Visiting?
Pompeii is a UNESCO World Heritage site and widely considered by archeologists, historians, and guides to be the greatest archeological site discovered to date. It was “flash frozen” by volcanic ash, which preserved daily life in an instant. Its discovery, almost 1500 years later, has taught us limitless details about ancient Roman society.
Lord Byron originally created what is known as the first guidebook, commonly referred to as the “Grand Tour of Europe.” The terminus of this epic tour in Italy was in Naples, near Pompeii. This is largely because nearby Pompeii attracted Europe’s greatest socialites.
The value of the site is undeniable, but the question remains: is it worth it to visit Pompeii? If you have the means, it should be at the top of your list. Should you do a day trip from Rome? The answer is maybe. In this article, we’ll cover where exactly Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast are, how to get there, and who should visit them on a trip to Rome.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out how to visit Pompeii.
Where Are Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast?
Pompeii is located in the south of Italy in the region of Campania. It’s just under 40 minutes south of Naples.
The famous Amalfi Coast is about a 1-hour drive further south on winding cliff-side roads. It can be tough on the stomach, but it’s one of the most beautiful coastlines on Earth.
Pompeii
If you’re in Naples or on the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii is a must-visit attraction that no one should miss. This massive archeological site is the best way to glimpse the daily life of ancient Romans. We highly recommend taking a Pompeii tour to fully appreciate the history here. On my first visit, I spent a lot of time walking around wondering what I was looking at.
If you’re considering a day trip from Rome, you don’t want to waste any time. Guides bring this city to life with over 120 minutes of history and anecdotes. An added bonus is that people from Naples are notoriously comical and raw, so a tour of this debaucherous town with a local guide is even better.
Pompeii is about a 2.5-hour drive from Rome, depending on traffic. This makes it a long, but very doable day trip from Rome. Our Pompeii day trip from Rome is one of our best-selling tours globally and makes the return trip and exploration of Pompeii easy.
Amalfi Coast
This brings me to the Amalfi Coast and whether you should visit it while staying in Rome. It’s very remote and the beautiful winding roads it is known for become less enjoyable after hours in a car. For this reason, we don’t recommend visiting the Amalfi Coast as a day trip from Rome. Instead, we recommend you spend a few nights there.
That said, we do recommend visiting Sorrento. While it’s not technically part of the Amalfi Coast, it has extremely similar characteristics and is much less remote. For this reason, our Pompeii day trip from Rome includes a stop in Sorrento instead of the Amalfi Coast.
Popular Tours from Rome
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Unforgettable Rome Day Trip to Pompeii and Sorrento
This is the best way to see Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast from Rome. You’ll take private transportation with our guide down to Pompeii where an archeologist will tour our small group through the ruins. Then we’ll head over to Sorrento which is the tip of the Amalfi Coast before returning to Rome. Tickets, transportation, and guides are included in the price.
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Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and More!
Looking to get much of your sightseeing done in one day? This tour enters the Vatican an hour before opening and visits the Colosseum along with other sites like the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain. All admissions and transportation are included as well as a licensed English-speaking guide!
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Not ready to book a tour? Check out our best Rome tours to take and why.
How To Get To Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast
Italy has a great road system as well as public transport, so reaching these destinations is relatively easy on your own or with a tour group like ours. Here are some ways you can get to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast:
Train
The train from Rome to Naples is incredibly easy and takes an hour. From there, you’ll take another train to Pompeii, which you can book online and find once in Napoli Centrale train station with minimal travel skills.
Switching might be confusing to someone who has never traveled internationally, but if you prepare it shouldn’t be difficult by any means. If you plan to travel by train, you can reserve our Skip the Line Pompeii Tour for tickets and a small group tour without any transportation included. This way, you still get the benefit of a great local guide and skip-the-line access.
Car
Renting a car and driving your way down is definitely an option, but I don’t recommend it for a day trip from Rome. However, if you’re driving all the way to the Amalfi Coast to stay for a few days, this is a great option.
Keep in mind that going to the rental office and hiring a car will take some time. It’s a detour that will make your day longer. It could add about 90 minutes total with pickup and drop-off to the time it’ll take you to drive there and back from Rome. If you’re planning to drive back to Rome after visiting the area for the day, I would recommend joining our day trip.
However, if you’re going to the Amalfi Coast to stay for a few days, this is a strong option—provided you’re a confident driver. The Amalfi Coast has winding roads that can be intimidatingly narrow. Often, the road is only large enough for one car and there are buses zipping down the street.
I’ve rarely seen any accidents, but it does take a lot of nerves. That said, I personally do it all the time and enjoy it. Again, if you take this option, we recommend timing it so you can join our skip-the-line Pompeii tour. It’s an inexpensive option with a lot of value.
Tour Group
A tour group is really your best option if you want to accomplish everything in one day and get back to Rome. If you go on your own, you’ll be spending relatively the same amount, but you’ll have to do a lot of navigating. We only build tours that solve challenges for travelers and this is one of our best-selling tours. It just makes visiting Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast in a day from Rome easier and more enjoyable.
This tour also stops in Sorrento, which is a lovely alternative to Positano or the Amalfi Coast. This is why we feature it on our Pompeii day trip. Most people joining the tour don’t even realize that Sorrento isn’t part of the Amalfi Coast because of how famous and beautiful it is.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Guide for more resources.
Is a Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Day Trip From Rome Worth It?
Short answer: Yes, if you have three or more full days in Rome.
You know where Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast are and how to get there. Now, you need to decide if you’re going to visit them. Regardless of their importance, if you’re in Rome for one day you should not go and see them. So who should?
If you have three full days in Rome, not including arrival and departure, you should definitely consider a day trip to Pompeii. On days one and two, you should visit the Colosseum, Vatican, and go on a local food tour. On your third day, you could take a day trip to Pompeii.
As we’ve mentioned before, if visiting the Amalfi Coast is high on your must-do list, we recommend spending a couple of nights and at least one full day there enjoying the sights. Check out our guide on where to stay on the Amalfi Coast as well as the top things to do.
What To See in Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast
If you decide you have enough time in Rome to take a day trip to Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast, you’ll need to be well prepared to make the most of your day. Taking a guided tour of Pompeii is advised. It’s a very large site and you won’t want to miss a thing. Check out our guide on the top things to see at Pompeii with descriptions.
The Amalfi Coast is world-renowned for its cliffside villages and beautiful beaches. There’s far more to do here than just lay on the beach (even though this is a great way to spend your day). Check out our guide on the best things to see and do on the Amalfi Coast. We also have lots of ways for you to experience this gorgeous part of Italy in a range of tours and activities—explore our top Amalfi Coast and Pompeii tours.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Guide for more resources.
Where To Stay in Rome
Rome has a rich cultural history and many iconic landmarks to explore. Plan where to stay in the magnificent Eternal City in the best neighborhoods.
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