This summer, a wedding in Calabria became the perfect excuse for a detour to Naples and I even managed to squeeze in a long-dreamed-of visit to the Amalfi Coast. While I didn’t have time for more day trips, Naples is perfectly located for exploring other nearby gems, such as Pompeii, Mount Vesuvius, Ravello, or Capri.

In Naples, I stayed at Ostello Bello Napoli, right near Via Toledo, which made it super easy to explore the city on foot, though the metro and funiculars also make getting around a breeze. Being in the birthplace of pizza, I dove straight into the local food scene and found the best €4 pizza at Trattoria & Pizzeria da Ornella. I also enjoyed a classic sfogliatella pastry with an Italian espresso at Cuori di Sfogliatella and had the most delicious pistachio gelato at Casa Infante.

Besides indulging in all the amazing Italian food, I loved wandering through the lively Spanish Quarter, with its narrow, steep streets, and checking out the stunning contemporary art at Toledo Metro Station. I hopped on the F2 funicular from Stazione di Montesanto up to Vomero, then walked to Piazzale di San Martino near Castel Sant’Elmo to soak in the incredible views over the city. I also visited the traditional De Paola cameo factory, where artisans still handcraft intricate cameos.

As mentioned earlier, I also spent one day road-tripping along the Amalfi Coast. To get there from Naples on a budget, I took the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento – the same train that also stops at Pompeii and Herculaneum, where you can catch the Vesuvio Express for an easy trip up to Mount Vesuvius. Once in Sorrento, the SITA bus (line 5070) took me further down the coastline to Amalfi and Positano. In Amalfi, I wandered the charming streets, passed by the impressive cathedral, and enjoyed the stunning views of the coastline. Later, I continued to Positano, where I strolled through the narrow, winding streets, browsed local shops, and walked down to Fornillo Beach for a dip in the sea.

Although I’m glad I got to explore some parts of the Amalfi Coast, there’s still so much left on my list, like hiking the Path of the Gods, visiting Ravello and its famous Terrace of Infinity, or taking a day trip to Capri by ferry. I also didn’t have enough time for a cooking class or a meal at my friend’s boyfriend’s restaurant, Posides Positano, or a boat tour from Positano. Looks like I already have the perfect excuse to return for another trip to Southern Italy!