Heading to Southern Italy and looking for inspiration for your travel itinerary? You’re in the right place! We plan off-the-beaten-path trips in Italy for a living, and our clients request trips to the south of Italy all the time. We LOVE creating unique itineraries for them that combine the highlights, hidden gems, encounters with locals, and a pace that keeps them engaged without depleting their energy completely.
Why trust us? We have spent extensive time with our boots on the ground all over Southern Italy and have the friendships, knowledge, and insider tips to show for it. Plus, our travel philosophy tends to favor authentic, sustainable, and culturally-immersive travel. So lean on us if you’re looking for a southern Italy itinerary that will have you hitting the can’t-miss highlights while avoiding the crowds and sprinkling in some surprising gems no one else is talking about!
Tired of the logistics and details? Join our small group tour, Secrets of Southern Italy!
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This guide is full of insider recommendations you have to check out! Click here to get them all on one convenient map for easy traveling.
What Regions are Considered the South of Italy?
Before we dive into the itinerary, it can be helpful to get a visual understanding of which part of the world we’re talking about exploring. These Italian regions are considered to be part of Southern Italy:
Campania (capital: Naples)
Includes Naples, Amalfi Coast, Pompeii
Most populous southern region
Calabria (capital: Catanzaro)
The "toe" of Italy's boot
Known for coastal areas and Aspromonte National Park
Puglia/Apulia (capital: Bari)
The "heel" of Italy's boot
Famous for trulli houses in Alberobello, white cities like Ostuni
Basilicata (capital: Potenza)
Home to the ancient cave city of Matera (easy to combine with Puglia)
One of the most mountainous regions
Molise (capital: Campobasso)
Italy's second-smallest region
Often jokingly referred to as "non-existing" by Italians due to its small size
Sicily (capital: Palermo)
Largest Mediterranean island
Home to Mount Etna and Greek ruins
Sardinia (capital: Cagliari)
While geographically part of Southern Italy, culturally it's quite distinct
Known for unique culture and Costa Smeralda beaches
Note: Abruzzo's classification can be debated - while historically part of Southern Italy, it's sometimes grouped with Central Italy. For tourism purposes, it's often included in Southern Italy itineraries.
In our 14-day Southern Italy itinerary, we’ve focused on destinations in Campania, Basilicata, and Puglia.
Map of Southern Italy
Why Visit the South of Italy?
While Northern Italy has many well-known attractions and destinations, Southern Italy has kept its crown jewels a secret until a recent surge in popularity due to travelers seeking less-crowded vacation spots. The culture, food, architecture, language and much more can be quite different in Southern Italy compared to the North, so even if you’ve been to Italy several times, there are still many new discoveries to be made.
The South was historically characterized by a feudal agricultural system controlled by large landowners, while the North developed a strong industrial base, better infrastructure, and closer trade connections with Central Europe. Thus, Southern Italy has often been “looked down on” and undervalued. However, this area is now experiencing a revitalization with many young entrepreneurs seeking to bring its inherent value to the world’s attention. Need we mention the focaccia, olive oil, beaches, dramatic scenery, ancient history, and warm people? Those are just the cherries on top of an already amazing destination!
Map of Southern Italy Itinerary
Get all the places recommended in this guide on one convenient map!
Southern Italy Itinerary: How to Get Around
While many places in Italy can be done with public transportation, Southern Italy is an area where a rental car is truly required as the public transportation systems are not reliable and take a lot of time. When renting a car, be sure you get an automatic if you are not experienced with a stick shift.
Tips for Driving in Southern Italy
Italians drive on the right hand side of the road. Reviewing common road signs before your trip will help you feel more confident once you’re on the road. Be sure you bring a mount for your phone so that you can use it as your GPS, and download Google maps offline to be sure you’ll have access to maps even if you lose network. When you’re heading to a village, it’s a good idea to look ahead and find an easy parking lot outside of the historic center to avoid ending up on narrow cobblestone streets. Just search for “parcheggio” (parking lot) + the name of the village. Carry your passport with you when driving as you may encounter police stops. If you’re heading to the Amalfi Coast, we recommend using the buses, ferries, or a hired driver to get around while you’re there. Coming face to face with a huge bus on a hairpin turn is a level of stress you don’t want to experience on your vacation!
Best Time to Visit Southern Italy
The best time to visit Southern Italy is Spring. This is when you can avoid peak crowds but still enjoy nice weather and find all the shops and restaurants open. If you want even lower prices and fewer crowds, try October. If you want to have it all to yourself, you can even visit in Winter, but don’t expect to find a lot of movement or open businesses. If you visit in the Spring, be aware that it can still be quite chilly through mid-May.
Before You Plan Your Southern Italy Itinerary: How to Avoid Travel Exhaustion
Our clients often come to us with a mile-long list of things they want to see and do in just 7 days. With a destination so rich in beauty, culture, and history, it’s only natural. However, before you start planning your southern Italy itinerary, it’s important to accept that you simply cannot do it all– and the reality is that you wouldn’t want to! If you did it ALL, you’d spend your entire vacation feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and stressed about what’s next on the agenda. But how do you choose what to toss and what to keep?
One of the first things we do when working with our clients to design their dream itinerary in Italy is to get a sense of which kind of trip they’re looking for and what kind of travelers they are. Some travelers can be active all day long seeing the sights, while others need a lot more time baked in to stop and smell the roses so to speak. The key is to strike the right balance for you.
If you are determined to check off your entire bucket list, then have some days where you are doing a lot, knowing you’ll be exhausted by the end of the day but that it’s worth it to you. Balance that by having the following morning free and just a cultural experience that afternoon so that you’re enticing your senses for things like cooking, dancing, or wandering rather than your brain for historical facts.
On the other hand, if you are the type of traveler that wants to prioritize more of a go-with-the-flow feeling and deeper understanding of the places you go, then you’ll need to design a Southern Italy itinerary that concentrates on one specific area. Yes, you’ll see fewer places, but in our experience, you’ll come away with more deeply-cherished memories as you will have had more time to sink into the place, meet sweet locals, and stumble upon unexpected surprises. Italy is amazing no matter how you do it– just be honest with yourself about your energy levels, how you want to feel on this dream trip, and what’s most important to you.
Rule of Thumb: Have one activity (2-4 hours) planned per day for either the morning or afternoon. Occasionally, you can have a morning AND afternoon activity, but the following day should be a free day. This is the best pace for the majority of our travelers to keep them rested, engaged, and ready for whatever’s next!
Pour yourself a glass of wine and let us do the planning for you! Join our Secrets of Southern Italy small group tour or check out our custom trip planning services.
How Many Days Do You Need for Southern Italy?
As you’ll see below, 14 days is just enough to scratch the surface of a few different areas. It’s always better to stay in just one specific region in order to really explore and understand it, as well as to enjoy a more leisurely pace so that you can sink into the local lifestyle and not feel rushed. You could adjust the below itinerary to be just 10 days, but we wouldn’t recommend any shorter than that. If you only have 7 days, it’s a great opportunity to fly into Naples, have a few days on the Amalfi Coast, then explore the Cilento coast. When planning your Southern Italy itinerary, try not to spend fewer than 2 nights in each location as travel days can really eat into your time.
14-Day Southern Italy Itinerary Outline
Day 1 - Fly into Naples
Day 2 - Pompeii and Amalfi Coast
Day 3 - Amalfi Coast
Day 4 - Amalfi Coast
Day 5 - Matera
Day 6 - Matera
Day 7 - Puglia
Day 8 - Puglia
Day 9 - Puglia
Day 10 - Gargano
Day 11 - Gargano
Day 12 - Gargano
Day 13 - Naples
Day 14 - Depart
Get all the places recommended in this guide on one convenient map!
Southern Italy Itinerary: Day 1, Naples
Start your adventure through the south of Italy by landing in Naples. International flights are long, so it’s a good idea to stay 1 night in the city of arrival to acclimate and get a good night’s sleep. It doesn’t hurt that Naples is known for the best pizza in the world! After checking into your hotel, have a walk around the historic center. If you have the energy you could visit the National Archaeological Museum, do a tour of the Catacombs, or check out the incredible marble masterpiece known as the “Veiled Christ” at the Chapel of Sansevero. Avoid the urge to do it all..just take it easy. Do one thing at a time and see how you feel. Be sure to eat a margherita pizza for dinner and get to bed early.
Southern Italy Itinerary: Day 2 - 4, Amalfi Coast
This morning you’ll pick up your rental car, then head to Pompeii. The drive from the Naples city center to Pompeii is about 30 minutes. Pompeii is a huge complex, so it’s important to go with a route in mind. Otherwise you’ll wander aimlessly and miss some of the most impressive parts, as well as exhaust yourself. It’s highly recommended that you go in for a guide here. Seeing the well-preserved frescoes and mosaic floors is great, but having someone tell you about the family that lived there, what they did for a living, and their political controversy really brings it to life in a way that you just can’t experience without a guide.
After Pompeii, head to your accommodations on the Amalfi Coast. Spend the remainder of Day 2 enjoying your immediate surroundings and perhaps a special dinner. On Days 3 and 4, use public transportation or hire a local driver to explore the main sights: Positano, Amalfi, Maiori, Minori, Capri, and Ravello.
Expert Tips for Naples and the Amalfi Coast
The most famous spots for pizza in Naples are L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele and Antica Pizzeria Ristorante Brandi, however if you want to avoid the tourist fuss, Trattoria E Pizzeria Da Ornella is more affordable and absolutely delicious!
The best garden to visit in Ravello is Villa Cimbrone, but Villa Rufolo is also beautiful.
If you don’t want to drive on the Amalfi Coast but you want to have a rental car, stay in Cetara, a small fishing village towards the East end of the coast. It has its own little beach right in town and you can catch buses or ferries. It’s also more affordable!
Here’s a hack to live the la dolce vita lifestyle without paying thousands on your hotel room– have lunch at the five-star hotel Le Sirenuse where you’ll have the most beautiful view of Positano. You can also make a lunch or dinner reservation at Maestro’s Restaurant at Villa Treville, which comes with a free boat ride from the dock in Positano to the hotel (and return).
Consider staying in a mom and pop B&B the hills above one of the famous villages rather than in the center. You’ll be surrounded by quiet nature and the views are arguably better– you can actually see all the beauty from above rather than being right down IN it.
If you’re experienced hikers, head to the Path of the Gods. For something shorter and more manageable, try the Path of the Lemons. Both go through lemon groves and offer breathtaking views.
If you decide to let us plan your Southern Italy itinerary for you, we can hook you up with a fun dinner with locals in their home, lunch on a lemon farm, a private sunset boat tour, wine tastings, cheese-making and more! Learn more here.
Southern Italy Itinerary: Day 5 - 6, Matera
After an amazing time on the Amalfi Coast, hop back in your rental car and drive down to Matera. The drive will be about 3-4 hours, depending on where you’re staying. It adds about an hour to the drive, but you could consider stopping in Pietrapertosa on your way. It’s a small, authentic, and hidden village built right into the craggy mountain peaks. If you’re adventurous, you can do the zipline between the peaks of Pietrapertosa and the next village over, Castelmezzano, called the “Flight of the Angels”.
After checking in at your B&B in Matera, head to Casa Noha for an immersive video that brings the unique history of Matera to life so that you can emotionally connect with the “sassi” (the ancient cave dwellings) as you wander. Enjoy dinner at none other than Ristorante Da Nico.
The next day you should enjoy a walking tour of the sassi and/or some of the most fascinating attractions: Palombaro Lungo (a huge 16th century cistern where up to 5 million liters of water was held – great option to avoid midday sun), Cave House C'era Una Volta (see a replica of how people actually lived in the caves), Palazzo Lanfranchi (Medieval and modern art as well as collection about Matera’s past), Ipogeo Materasum (Underground Matera; houses, roads, cisterns, and places of worship), or Matera Olive Oil Museum.
Expert Tips for Matera
Seeing the sassi lit up at night is absolutely essential! Our favorite viewpoints are beside Palazzo Lanfranchi and Belvedere Luigi Guerricchio detto dei "Tre Archi".
Avoid walking in the sassi in the midday heat in the warmer months and be aware that there are lots of stairs. Book a tuk-tuk tour if you want to stay seated and comfortable.
Support local artisans by buying traditional handmade products for souvenirs: clay whistles for good luck, carved wood bread stamps, tufa stone sculptures and candle holders, and paintings of Matera.
On our Mysteries of Matera small group trip (an optional extension to Secrets of Southern Italy), we charm guests by bringing them to a special location where we visit ancient caves left in a natural state (some decorated in religious frescoes!), then watch the sun set behind the skyline of Matera. It’s stunning! We also go behind-the-scenes in a bakery to see their giant oven and learn about the cultural importance of bread in Matera and visit local artisan workshops. For experiences like these and more, check out Mysteries of Matera or get in touch for custom trip planning.
The cuisine of this area has some really unique ingredients that are particular to this area. We recommend downloading our free guide to regional dishes in Italy and scrolling down to the Basilicata region to be sure you don’t miss out!
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Southern Italy Itinerary: Day 7 - 9, Puglia
It’s time to continue your adventure through the south of Italy! Today, you’ll hop in your rental car and drive to Puglia. The drive is approximately 1.5 hours depending on where you choose to base yourself in Puglia. Along the way from Matera, you could stop to visit Castel del Monte, a 13th century fortress built in an uncommon octagonal formation. It isn’t very large and only takes about 45 minutes to visit.
We recommend choosing Polignano, Monopoli, Locorotondo, or Ostuni as your base because they’re within driving distance to several interesting places and are very charming and beautiful. Polignano is probably the most popular, with Ostuni not far behind.
Your time here will be spent hitting a couple of beaches and visiting villages such as Alberobello, Martina Franca, Polignano, Monopoli, Locorotondo, Ostuni, or Lecce. Lesser-known villages include Ceglie Messapica, Cisternino, Altamura, Conversano, and Castellana Grotte. It’s not as well-known but Puglia also has a big wine presence, known for its Primitivo and Negroamaro.
Expert Tips for Puglia
Dig deeper by visiting a cheese farm, winery, ancient olive oil mill, or a masseria. We also suggest spending a day with a guide to take you to their favorite lesser-known gem and a farm for a tasting of local products or a cooking class. We organize these type of experiences with locals all the time! Just click here to learn more.
Don’t miss an opportunity to try local street food such as panzerotti and puccia. Get our free guide to regional dishes in Italy to discover other dishes you should have on your list! (The sweets are in there, too– like tette delle monache.)
Learn more about the most impressive sea caves to visit in Puglia.
Take a boat tour of the sea caves of Polignano, we can help with that!
Southern Italy Itinerary: Day 10 - 12, Gargano
After a few days in central Puglia, you’ll continue your Southern Italy itinerary to a subregion of Puglia, called Gargano. This is the “spur” on the back of Italy’s “boot”, and an area where few tourists venture. Though you don’t have to be outdoorsy to enjoy it, Gargano is particularly great for those who love outdoor adventures. Our local guide loves leading hikes to monasteries and forgotten hermitages with incredible views. On our Secrets of Southern Italy small group trip, we hike an hour to reach an abandoned abbey in the forest– exploring those enchanting ruins with no other tourists around is a truly unforgettable experience!
We recommend staying one night in Monte Sant’Angelo and 2 nights in Peschici, or vice versa. Vieste has been a popular vacation destination for Italians and Germans for a while. You can take a look, but it didn’t inspire us as much as the other two towns mentioned above.
Expert Tips
Monte Sant’Angelo is known for its sanctuary church inside a cave. But you shouldn’t miss a tour of the castle or the views from the park right by New Bar Jolly.
Very few guides in this area speak English, so you’ll want to plan ahead.
The best restaurant in Monte Sant’Angelo is Medioevo. Trust us!
The best gelato in Peschici is hands-down Gelateria PinaGel. Our Secrets of Southern Italy guests step behind-the-scenes to learn their secrets in a Gelato Workshop.
You’ve missed something special and very unique if you leave without visiting a trabucco (traditional fishing “machine”). There are some trabucchi (plural) made into tourist restaurants, but we prefer to take our trip guests to our local friend who gives us a personal tour of the trabucco he built with his father and is still running in his 90s.
The Foresta Umbra has many beautiful hikes and walks to offer, as well as agriturismi and rifugi for a great, homemade and traditional meal.
Vico del Gargano is an interesting stop as its historic center is virtually abandoned.
There are both sand and pebble beaches in Gargano. Don’t rule out the pebble beaches– they offer the most dramatic scenes as they usually have the gorgeous white cliffs.
Roads are very curvy here, sometimes with steep drop offs. Drive slowly and carefully and if you are prone to getting carsick, be sure you have medicine with you!
Want all our recommendations at your fingertips? Get our free Google Map!
Southern Italy Itinerary: Day 13 - 14, Naples & Depart
Your southern Italian adventure is coming to an end! On Day 13, drive from Gargano back to Naples. The drive is approximately 3-5 hours. To boost your trip with some bucket list sights, you could opt to fly out of Rome, in which case you’ll want to get a very early start on the drive so that you can spend the afternoon seeing the Colosseum, the Vatican, or the Pantheon, etc. If you’re not in a rush to get to Rome or Naples, you could visit a winery on Mount Vesuvius for lunch and a wine tasting.
On Day 14, you’ll head to the airport to return home after an unforgettable journey through the south of Italy!
What to Eat in Southern Italy
The cuisine in southern Italy is distinctly different than what you’ll find in Northern Italy. Seafood will be abundant, unless you’re inland, like in Matera or Pietrapertosa. In Puglia you’ll find orecchiette pasta, shaped like “little ears”. Don’t miss out on buffala mozzarella or spicy nduja sausage from the Campania region. Want to know more? We have a free guide to introduce you to local dishes to try in each region of Italy.
Get our free guide, Regional Dishes to Try in Italy!
How to Pack for a Trip to Southern Italy
How to pack for your trip to Southern Italy largely depends on the season when you’ll be traveling. Spring is lovely and less crowded, but expect it to be somewhat chilly until mid-May. You’ll need light layers for this season. A light down jacket will be clutch as it packs up small and lightweight but takes care of the evening chill or breeze in the air.
The summer months from mid-June through the end of September are hot, so bring light and breezy clothes as well as a sunhat. October will bounce between sunny days and cloud, possibly rainy days that get wetter into November. By mid-November it will be cold so you’ll need a proper coat, sweaters, and boots. For more guidance on how to pack for Italy, check out our free Ultimate Italy Packing List!
Conclusion for this 14-Day Southern Italy Itinerary
We hope you've found some helpful tips and guidance in our 14-day Southern Italy itinerary. While the north may draw the biggest crowds, the south offers an incredibly rewarding experience with its rich history, stunning landscapes, warm hospitality, and amazing culinary traditions. Whether you're exploring the ancient cave dwellings of Matera, savoring fresh seafood in Puglia, or learning the traditional “Pizzica” folk dance, each day will bring new discoveries that connect you to the true spirit of Southern Italy.
Remember that this itinerary is just a framework – the key to enjoying the south is finding the right balance between seeing the highlights and embracing the relaxed southern Italian lifestyle. So start planning your adventure today! Don’t forget to get our free Google Map with all the recommendations mentioned in this guide marked for easy exploration. If you get overwhelmed, consider joining our Southern Italy small group tour in Puglia or get in touch for custom trip planning. We’d love to help bring your daydream to life!
Check out our Southern Italy small group tour!
Southern Italy is a stunning destination, and this 14-day trip sounds fantastic! Exploring hidden gems and interacting with locals greatly enhances the experience. While organizing my personal vacation, I also had to work on a contract law research paper topics list—quite the contrast! However, with a well-balanced itinerary like this, the journey remains interesting without being overwhelming.
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