Naples is the Mediterranean's choose-your-own-adventure port: the ship docks downtown with Pompeii, Capri, the Amalfi Coast and one of Italy's great cities all competing for one day. The rule is simple - pick one, and book Pompeii tickets ahead since daily visitor numbers are now capped. See Naples' place page and the Western Mediterranean route.
Getting ashore
Ships dock at Stazione Marittima, right at the waterfront: the city center and the Molo Beverello ferry terminal (for Capri) are a flat 10-15 minute walk. The Circumvesuviana train to Pompeii leaves from Porta Nolana or Garibaldi station - a 10-minute taxi - and costs about €4 each way, 35 minutes to Pompeii Scavi.
What to do in 6-10 hours
Four real options. Pompeii: the half-day anchor (entry about €18-22 with new timed tickets and a 20,000 daily cap - book online), reachable independently by Circumvesuviana. Capri: fast ferries €25-30 each way, 50 minutes; the island is beautiful but hilly and crowded. The Amalfi Coast: stunning but the farthest - realistically a ship or private tour only. Naples itself: the Archaeological Museum (€15-20, holds the Pompeii treasures), the centro storico, and the pizza that invented pizza - flat, free-ish and zero transport risk.
Walking level
Naples center and the waterfront are flat; the historic center has some slopes. Pompeii is the trap for limited mobility: 3-4 hours on original Roman paving - uneven stone, high curbs, no shade. Capri is hilly with steps everywhere; the funicular helps but queues are long. If walking is a concern, Naples city plus the museum is the day that delivers most for least strain.
Excursion or independent
Pompeii is easy independent: the Circumvesuviana drops you at the gate for under €10 total, versus €70-120 for the ship's tour. Book the entry ticket online. Capri is independent-friendly too - ferries are walk-up. Only the Amalfi Coast justifies the ship tour, because the coast road plus a guaranteed return is genuinely complicated. The full trade-off is in ship excursion or independent.
What it costs
Pompeii day: train €8 return plus entry €18-22 = under €35. Capri day: ferries €50-60 return plus lunch €30-45. Naples city day: €30-50 including the museum and pizza. Amalfi Coast ship tours: €90-150.
The five-minute version
- Dock is downtown; ferries and city are walkable.
- Pompeii: book timed tickets online - daily cap now applies.
- Circumvesuviana to Pompeii: €4 each way, 35 minutes.
- Pick one option; the coast only via tour.
- Limited mobility? Naples city plus museum is the best day.