Last updated: September 2026
Neapolitan Riviera holidays introduce you to one of the most breathtakingly beautiful coastlines in the world — a dramatic stretch of sea cliffs, lemon groves, pastel-coloured villages and impossibly blue water that stretches from Sorrento south through the legendary Amalfi Coast and around to Salerno. Neapolitan Riviera holidays have been drawing artists, writers and travellers from across the world for centuries, and one look at the cliffs of Positano tumbling to the sea or the turquoise grottos of Capri makes it instantly clear why this coastline has inspired such devotion.
The Neapolitan Riviera encompasses some of the most iconic destinations in Italian tourism. The Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, winds for 50 kilometres along the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula in a series of hairpin bends, clifftop villages and dramatic seascapes that are among the most photographed in the world. The island of Capri, just off the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula, has been a playground for the wealthy and famous since the Roman Emperor Augustus established his residence there two thousand years ago. Positano, Ravello, Amalfi and Sorrento each have their own distinct character and charm.
The climate is warm and Mediterranean throughout the year, with the peak summer season running from June to September. April, May and October are excellent shoulder season months offering warm weather, smaller crowds and lower prices. The sea is warm enough for swimming from June through to October, and the coastal scenery is spectacular in any season.
Positano is the quintessential Amalfi Coast village — a cascade of pastel-coloured houses tumbling down a steep hillside to a small beach at the water’s edge. It is undeniably beautiful and undeniably touristy, but the combination of dramatic scenery, excellent restaurants, stylish boutiques and a genuinely glamorous atmosphere makes it the Amalfi Coast destination that most visitors instinctively fall in love with. The beach at Positano is busy in summer but the water is wonderfully clear, and the views from the clifftop paths above the town are extraordinary.
Amalfi was, incredibly, one of the most powerful maritime republics in medieval Italy, a rival to Venice and Genoa, and its magnificent Cathedral of Sant’Andrea — with its Arab-Norman facade and 62 steps leading up from the main piazza — is a reminder of its former grandeur. The town’s narrow streets, paper mills (Amalfi has been making handmade paper since the 13th century) and lemon groves are a delight to explore, and the drive along the coastal corniche on either side is spectacular.
Ravello sits 300 metres above the Amalfi Coast road, perched on a clifftop with views so extraordinary that they have inspired Wagner, Virginia Woolf, Gore Vidal and a long list of literary and artistic pilgrims. The town is home to two magnificent medieval villas — Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone — whose terraced gardens offer some of the finest views in southern Italy. Ravello’s famous music festival, held in the gardens of Villa Rufolo throughout the summer, is one of Italy’s most prestigious musical events.
Capri is one of Italy’s most glamorous island destinations — a small, hilly island in the Bay of Naples that has attracted an international jet-set since the early 20th century. The island has two settlements: Capri town, a maze of chic boutiques, cafés and whitewashed houses strung between the two peaks, and Anacapri, the quieter, higher settlement with superb views and slightly less frenetic energy. The Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), a sea cave lit from below by spectacular blue light, is Capri’s most famous natural attraction and a must-see, though it requires patience with queues in peak season.
Sorrento is the largest and most accessible resort on the peninsula, a lively town of cliff-top hotels, lemon-scented streets and a thriving restaurant scene perched above the sea on a natural terrace of tufa rock. It is the main transport hub for the region — the Circumvesuviana train from Naples terminates here, and ferries to Capri, Ischia and the Amalfi Coast depart from Sorrento Marina Grande. The town’s famous limoncello, made from the vast Sorrento lemons that hang above garden walls throughout the peninsula, is the ideal souvenir.
The main gateway to the Neapolitan Riviera is Naples, which receives direct flights from the UK with a flight time of approximately two and a half hours. From Naples, Sorrento is 45 minutes by Circumvesuviana train. Amalfi Coast destinations are accessible by ferry (the most scenic and often fastest option) from Naples, Sorrento and Positano, or by the spectacular but slow coastal road. Hiring a car gives maximum flexibility, though the coastal road (SS163) is very narrow and congested in peak season, and parking is extremely limited in the villages.
Search4Sun compares holidays from leading UK tour operators, many of whom are ABTA-bonded. Book your Neapolitan Riviera holiday with complete confidence and let our team help you find the perfect hotel or villa on Italy’s most beautiful coastline. For last-minute deals, visit LastMinute.com.
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacular coastal landscapes in the world — 50 kilometres of cliffside villages, terraced lemon groves, deep blue sea and vertiginous roads that wind above vertical drops. The UNESCO-listed coastline between Positano and Vietri sul Mare is the centrepiece of Neapolitan Riviera holidays, with each village offering a distinct atmosphere. Positano — the most photographed and most expensive — rises steeply from its small beach in a cascade of pastel-coloured houses. Amalfi town, once a maritime republic rivalling Venice, has a magnificent Arab-Norman cathedral and a historic paper museum. Ravello — perched 350 metres above the sea — is the most exclusive address on the coast, famous for its Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo gardens and its annual classical music festival.
The Amalfi Drive (SS163) is the engineering masterpiece that connects the coast’s villages — spectacular to travel but extremely narrow, subject to traffic jams in peak season and not recommended for nervous drivers. The SITA bus service runs regularly along the coast and is the most practical option for independent travellers. Alternatively, boat services between Positano, Amalfi and Salerno offer a dramatically more relaxed perspective on the coastline from the water.
Neapolitan Riviera holidays are enriched by the islands and peninsula towns of the Bay of Naples. Capri — accessible by high-speed hydrofoil from Naples, Sorrento and Positano — offers the Blue Grotto sea cave, the Gardens of Augustus, the ruins of Emperor Tiberius’s Villa Jovis and the exclusive shopping of the Piazzetta. Sorrento — on the tip of the peninsula between Naples and the Amalfi Coast — is the most convenient base for exploring the whole region, with excellent connections to Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi towns. Limoncello, the lemon liqueur, was invented in Sorrento — the local production using the enormous Sorrento lemons is outstanding. Ischia, the largest island in the Bay of Naples, is less visited than Capri but richly rewarding, with thermal volcanic spas (particularly the Giardini Poseidon on the south coast), excellent beaches and the Aragonese Castle on its tidal rock.
Sorrento — the most convenient base for Neapolitan Riviera holidays — sits on a clifftop overlooking the Bay of Naples with views to Vesuvius and Capri from almost every terrace. The town centre’s pedestrianised streets, filled with limoncello producers, inlaid woodwork (intarsia) shops and excellent family-run trattorias, provide a pleasantly unhurried contrast to the intensity of Naples and the congestion of the Amalfi Drive. Sorrento’s transport connections make the entire Neapolitan Riviera accessible: Circumvesuviana trains to Naples and Pompeii, hydrofoils to Capri and Positano, and SITA buses along the Amalfi Coast.
The Campania Artecard pass offers unlimited public transport across the Neapolitan Riviera region and discounted or free entry to Pompeii, Herculaneum, the National Archaeological Museum in Naples and other major sites. It is available in 48-hour and 72-hour formats and represents excellent value for Neapolitan Riviera holidays built around cultural sightseeing alongside beach and island time.
Naples International Airport (NAP) serves the whole Neapolitan Riviera region and receives direct UK flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted and regional airports in approximately 2.5 hours. The Circumvesuviana railway from Naples connects Pompeii, Herculaneum and Sorrento on a single line — the most practical transport option for independent Neapolitan Riviera holidays.
May, June and September are widely considered the best months to visit the Amalfi Coast. Temperatures are warm, the sea is swimmable and the summer crowds are slightly less intense than in July and August. July and August are very busy and very hot, with road traffic extremely heavy on the narrow coastal road. April and October offer quieter conditions and lower prices, though some hotels and restaurants may operate reduced hours or close out of season.
Capri is absolutely worth visiting, though it is expensive and can be extremely crowded in peak summer. The island’s extraordinary scenery, the Blue Grotto, the chairlift views from Anacapri and the glamorous atmosphere of Capri town make it one of the Mediterranean’s most memorable destinations. Visiting midweek or out of the main July–August peak significantly improves the experience. An overnight stay, rather than a day trip, allows you to see the island at its most beautiful once the day-trippers have departed.
The most enjoyable way to travel between Amalfi Coast towns is by ferry — seasonal services run between Amalfi, Positano, Salerno and Naples, offering spectacular views of the coastline from the water. The SITA bus service runs along the coastal road and is affordable but can be very slow and crowded in peak season. Taxis and water taxis are available but expensive. The coastal road is driveable but extremely narrow and winding — confident drivers only.
Your choice of base depends on what kind of holiday you want. Positano is the most picturesque and glamorous base, ideal for those who want the full Amalfi Coast experience but comes at a premium price. Amalfi town is more central and better value, with good ferry connections. Sorrento offers the best transport links and a wider range of accommodation at more accessible prices, making it ideal for those combining coast with day trips to Naples and Pompeii. Ravello is the quietest and most romantic option.
Yes — Pompeii is very accessible from the Amalfi Coast. From Sorrento, the Circumvesuviana train reaches Pompeii Scavi in about 30 minutes. From Amalfi or Positano, a ferry to Salerno or Sorrento followed by bus or train is the most practical option. Many visitors use the Amalfi Coast as a base for a wider southern Italy itinerary combining the coast, Pompeii, Herculaneum, Naples and possibly a ferry crossing to Sicily.
If you book a flight-inclusive Neapolitan Riviera package through a UK ATOL-licensed tour operator, your money is fully protected if the company fails. Our holiday protection guide explains ATOL, ABTA and Section 75 in plain English.
Search4Sun works with many ATOL-protected UK tour operators — always check the individual operator’s credentials before booking.
Search4Sun has been comparing UK holiday packages since 2005. We work with some of the best ABTA-registered operators.
