Amalfi Coast Itinerary With Kids (Via Pompeii)

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The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s most famous destinations that has even made its way onto the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Spanning 31 miles down Italy’s west coast, the Amalfi Coast boasts charming towns, rugged cliffs, and plenty of attractions for families to explore. 

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Of all the 13 towns and villages that make up the Amalfi Coast, however, Amalfi, Positano, Ravello, and Sorrento, Capri are some of the most popular stops. I recently took my kids on an Amalfi Coast trip.

So, I’ve created the perfect Naples and Amalfi Coast itinerary with kids so you can get as much of this beautiful coastline done in just under a week if you’re on a tight time schedule!

Best Time to Visit the Amalfi Coast

The best time of year to visit the Amalfi Coast with kids varies on your circumstances, but weather and crowd wise for Amalfi Coast family holidays, I believe spring and fall are the best times to make the trip.

Both spring and fall have pleasant, mild temperatures that make sightseeing and outdoor activities far more enjoyable—which, with kids in tow, is incredibly important. During these seasons, you’ll also experience smaller crowds than if you were to visit in the summer months.

So, you can enjoy the Amalfi Coast’s popular attractions with a more relaxed and slow-paced atmosphere—again, incredibly important with little kids in tow.

For families who can only take a trip during the school holidays, or for those who plan on spending a day or two at the beach, then don’t rule out the summer months because although they will be substantially more busy, they do give you lush warm weather that goes hand in hand with the beach. We went for this option due to school holidays.

How to Get to the Amalfi Coast

One of the best places to begin your Amalfi Coast adventure—which is where we did—is in Naples. You can fly into the Naples international airport from airports all over the UK.

And as it’s the closest airport to the Amalfi Coast, it’s where many travellers fly into when they want to experience the coast and all it has to offer. 

Itinerary Down the Amalfi Coast

After taking my family on a trip down the Amalfi Coast, I’ve come up with the perfect itinerary for families with little ones.

In total—including our stay in Naples—we spent eight days in Italy enjoying the picturesque coastline. But you can also condense or extend your trip, depending on your schedule. 

If you’re planning an Amalfi Coast trip, then below is an eight-day Almafi Coast itinerary with kids—tried and tested by yours truly. 

Arrive in Naples for a 2 Night’s Stay

The first stop on our Amalfi Coast trip was Naples. And we decided to stay in BnB Naples, which was central to the city.

One thing I can’t stress enough when travelling with kids is to book accommodation that is close to landmarks, popular attractions, and eateries. 

More often than not, you’ll be on holiday without a car, so being within close proximity to attractions and places of interest will save you money on transportation while also getting you out and about exploring your destination on foot—one of the best ways to see any destination, in my opinion. 

After flying into the Naples airport, we spent two nights exploring the city and some of its well-known historical landmarks. 

Things to do in Naples with Kids

Naples is home to a rich history. And as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, you can expect to stumble upon ancient ruins, grand castles, and awe-inspiring churches.

When visiting Naples with kids, make sure you visit some of these top attractions. 

Naples Castles

One of the most significant castles in Naples is the Castel dell’Ovo which has a history that dates back over 800 years. While exploring the castle, your little ones can take in its incredible structures and its impeccable views of Naples Bay, all while pretending they’re in their own made-up fairytale.

Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli is the perfect place to immerse in history. The Museum of Naples holds one of the world’s most significant collections of artefacts which take you on a journey back in time.

With everyday objects from Pompeii and an array of treasures from Herculaneum, the museum is a great place to cool down and broaden your mind about Italy’s intriguing history. 

Naples Zoo

I haven’t yet met a child who doesn’t like the zoo. And if you have an extended time in the city, then why not make your way over to the Naples Zoo? With a diverse collection of animals from all over the world, the Naples Zoo is an educational experience for kids of all ages. 

Aquarium of Naples

On days when it is particularly hot, there is nothing better than finding an indoor attraction with aircon—especially around mid-day when the sun is at its hottest. And luckily for families, Naples has the Aquarium of Naples. 

The aquarium’s well-designed exhibits are home to sea creatures and fish species from the Mediterranean and beyond. So step inside and be mesmerised by sharks, dolphins, and sea turtles.

Pizza Making

If you didn’t already know, Naples is the birthplace of Pizza. So it would be almost criminal not to enjoy a slice—or ten—while visiting the city. You can even take it one step further and let your kids learn the art of pizza-making!

Napoli Sotterranea 

For kids who don’t spook easily, the Napoli Sotterranea is a unique experience that takes you underground into a labyrinth of tunnels and caverns. Originally used as quarries, the tunnels have served various purposes over the years. And it’s extremely interesting to learn all about their evolution.

Hike Mount Vesuvius

For active families, then a hike up Mount Vesuvius will definitely be a highlight of your trip. The hike isn’t overly difficult and should only take you a couple of hours—maybe slightly longer with little kids—to hike to the summit and back.

But as kids learn about Mount Vesuvius’ deadly eruption that wiped out Pompeii, hiking the mountain and seeing the crater is a really cool experience that they can replay to their teachers and classmates.

Train from Naples to Pompeii

After our two-night stay in Naples, we hopped on a train from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi and made our way down to Pompeii. The journey took just under 40 minutes. And tickets can be as low as £3 per adult—depending on the time you set off. 

Spend Two Nights in Pompeii

After our hassle-free train ride down to Pompeii, we spent two nights staying in the Bosco de Medici, which—to my kid’s enjoyment—has a swimming pool with views of Mount Vesuvius.

Although my kids would have been quite happy spending the entire two days in the water, I did manage to persuade them to visit the Pompeii ruins and a few other must-do attractions, which I’ve listed down below.

Visit the Pompeii Ruins

The Pompeii ruins draw in millions of visitors each and every year, making it the most popular—and somewhat only attraction—in the area. There isn’t much to do in Pompeii aside from the ruins. But the ruins, theatres, cobblestone streets, and squares can easily entertain you for a day or two.

You can choose to walk the UNESCO World Heritage Site ruins self-guided. But if you have the means, I highly recommend booking a guided tour so that way you can get the most out of your time in Pompeii.

Guided walking tours are an excellent way to learn more about history. And as your guide takes you to the ruins’ hot spots, you don’t miss out on any important, must-see areas. 

Take a Day Trip to Herculaneum

If you do have some extra time in the Pompeii area, then a 20-minute drive north will take you to Herculaneum—an ancient Roman town that was also buried under volcanic ash and pumice. 

Similar to Pompeii, Herculaneum is famous as it is one of the few ancient cities that has been excellently preserved. And it can thank the ask blanket for that. 

Take the Train from Pompeii to Sorrento

The next stop in your Almafi Coast itinerary is Sorrento which will take you under 45 minutes to get to via a train. Head to the Pompei Scavi Villa Dei Misteri station, purchase a ticket for as little as £4 per adult and enjoy the scenic journey down to Sorrento.

Just be warned, however, that trains do fill up fast as people make the return journey to Pompeii from Sorrento. 

Spend Three Nights in Sorrento

Our hotel—Gocce di Capri—was just a short taxi ride away from the train station. And once we arrived, we felt like we were in true paradise with uninterrupted sea views from our room, the pool, and the hotel’s public spaces.

Thankfully we had booked three nights in this hotel so we could explore all Sorrento had to offer without having to do things on a tight schedule. One thing to note is you do need a car or taxi to reach Sorrento from this hotel.

Things to do in Sorrento with Kids

There are a few awesome kid-friendly attractions in Sorrento for those times when you need a break from the pool. And below are some of my favourites—ones that my girl’s thoroughly enjoyed during our time in this quaint coastal town. 

Marina Grande

So despite being a coastal town, the only stretch of sand you’ll find in Sorrento is at the Marina Grande. But like any beach, your kids can spend hours splashing about in the shallows and running up and down the sand.

With plenty of family-friendly restaurants and cafes within close proximity to the beach, you can spend the entire day down by the water taking in the natural beauty of Sorrento.

Piazza Tasso

The Piazza Tasso is Sorrento’s main square. And has street performers, horse-drawn carriages, and even a carousel to entertain little ones all throughout the day. 

Villa Comunale Park

With breathtaking panoramic views of the Gulf of Naples and the towering Mount Vesuvius, Villa Comunale Park is the perfect place for kids to play. While your kids make friends over in the playground, you can sit back and relax amongst the greenery, appreciating the well-manicured gardens and the vibrant flowers that grow there. 

Travel from Sorrento to Positano by Taxi

Once your time in Sorrento is up, make your way to Positano by bus or taxi. We opted for the latter, simply because it cut the journey time in half (20 minutes as opposed to 50.) However, a bus is definitely the cheaper option. If you are planning on getting a taxi, expect it to cost around £60.

Spend the Night in Positano

We only spent one night in Positano, and we booked a room in the Positano Hotel Royal Prisco. Now, it is a pricey hotel—especially considering it is only three stars—but the family room with two bedrooms is great option for families. It’s also in a really good location, so walking into Positano is no issue at all.

Things to do in Positano with Kids

To wrap up your trip down the Amalfi Coast, here are some of Positano’s best kid-friendly attractions.

Spiaggia Grande

Positano’s most famous beach is Spiaggia Grande, which sits below a cliffside village—the most perfect backdrop for photos. In the summer months, however, Spiaggia Grande gets incredibly busy. So if you want space on the sand, be prepared to pay just over £20 for a sunbed.

Spiaggia del Fornillo

Spiaggia del Fornillo is another must-visit beach in Positano that is far less crowded than its larger counterpart. If you have young children, in particular, then Spiaggia del Fornillo may be the better choice for you as your kids will have more room to run and play.

Grotta dello Smeraldo

Grotta dello Smeraldo is a natural cave in Positano that is known for its emerald-green waters. You can take boat tours through the cave to see the interior rock formations and underwater scenery, all with a guide supplying you with information on how the cave came to be.

Path of the Gods

The Path of the Gods is a must-see attraction in Positano—if you’re up for a hike, that is. The hiking trail winds its way along the rugged cliffs of the Amalfi Coast and offers incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea and the coastal towns below. 

After Positano we opted to catch a ferry to Salerno and then a bus to explore the beautiful cave town of Matera for a couple of nights(as featured in a James Bond movie). Finally, it was time to leave Italy by catching a taxi to Bari to catch a night ferry to Bar in Montenegro.

Amalfi Coast Itineraries with Kids

The length of time you travel down the Amalfi Coast really comes down to your schedule and the types of attractions you like to visit during your holiday.

However, if you do want a rough Amalfi Coast itinerary guideline, I’ve included some below with different options. 

Amalfi Coast Itinerary Four Days with Kids

• One: Explore Pompeii and stay overnight in Sorrento.
• Two: Travel to the Vietri Sul Mare for a day of beaches and sightseeing.
• Three: Visit Positano and Amalfi Town.
• Four: Explore Ravello or Capri. 

Amalfi Coast Itinerary Six Days with Kids

• One: Arrive in Naples and explore the city.
• Two: Visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius by train.
• Three: Travel to Sorrento and enjoy some local attractions.
• Four: Take a day trip to Capri
• Five: Travel to Positano and spend the afternoon exploring
• Six: Enjoy a morning in Positano before travelling home.

Amalfi Coast Seven-day Itinerary with Kids

• One: Arrive in Naples and explore the city.
• Two: Spend the day exploring the rest of Naples’ attractions.
• Three: Visit Pompeii and Mount Vesuvius.
• Four: Travel to Sorrento and see the sights.
• Five: Take a day trip to Capri
• Six: Travel to Positano and spend the afternoon exploring
• Seven: Enjoy a morning in Positano before travelling home.

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