Optimized route through southern Italy: 20 days exploring historic cities, coastal towns, and stunning roads. Ideal for a road trip from Rome to Puglia, avoiding unnecessary journeys and constant hotel changes.
Rome — 3 nights
Perfect base to start your trip. It’s best to explore on foot and rent a car only after leaving to avoid problems with the ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones). Must-sees: Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican Museums, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and Trastevere.
Indice:
🚗Rome-Naples
Rome → Naples
🚗 230 km — 2h30
🚄Optional high-speed train: 1h10
Where we stayed – Locanda Parlamento – Rhome Luxury Suites
Car rental: Trayectis (personalized experience, family cars, full insurance included) Discount coupon: EUROPAACOMPANADA5
Search engines Discovercars. Other car options and offers.
Naples — 4 nights
We recommend choosing a hotel with parking. Ideal base for visiting Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius, Caserta Palace y las islas de Procida e Ischia. Ciudad intensa, caótica y con muchísimo encanto.
Ticket pass: Campania Pass
🚗Naples-Sorrento
Naples → Sorrento
🚗 50 km — 1h approx.
Where we stayed – Real Paggeria
Sorrento — 2 nights
An excellent alternative for exploring the Amalfi Coast without paying Positano prices. Ferry to Capri and spectacular sea views.
Where we stayed – The Night Guest House
🚗Amalfi Road
Ruta Amalfitana
🚗 Sorrento → Positano: 14 km
🚗 Positano → Amalfi: 17 km
A few kilometers, but lots of traffic and a slow road.
Amalfi — 1 night
Highlights: Amalfi Cathedral, the coastal atmosphere, and sunset in the main square. Parking is very limited; a hotel with parking is recommended.
Where we stayed – Baia de Amalfi
Amalfi → Ravello → Vietri sul Mare
🚗 Ravello: 7 km
🚗 Amalfi → Vietri: 20 km
Vietri sul Mare — 1 night
A strategic stop before continuing south. A town famous for its handcrafted pottery. Optional visit to Salerno.
Where we stayed – Mareteré
🚗 Vietri sul Mare- Matera
Vietri → Matera
A complete change of scenery heading inland.
Matera — 2 nights
Sleeping in a cave house is part of the experience. Must-sees: the Sassi and the Murgia Timone viewpoint.
Where we stayed –19.52 Matera
Matera → Lecce
🚗 200 km approx.
🚗Route through Puglia
Lecce — 2 nights
The “Florence of the South”. Ideal base for visiting Gallipoli and Otranto without constantly changing hotels.
Route through Puglia
🚗 Lecce → Ostuni → Cisternino → Alberobello: 100 km approx.
Alberobello — 2 nights
Sleeping in a trullo is mandatory. From here you can visit Locorotondo and Martina Franca..
Where we stayed –Trullo Mont Santo 50
Alberobello → Polignano a Mare
🚗 33 km
Recommended stop in Monopoli.
Polignano a Mare — 1 night
Cliffs, panoramic terraces and the famous Lama Monachile cove.
Polignano → Bari
🚗 35 km
Bari — 1 or 2 nights
Ideal end of the trip. Bari Vecchia, focaccia barese and authentic southern Italian atmosphere.
Option to return to Rome
🚗 Bari → Rome: 450 km
Possible intermediate stop in Foggia to rest.
Quick summary of nights
20-day itinerary through southern Italy
- Rome — 3
- Naples — 4
- Sorrento — 2
- Amalfi — 1
- Vietri sul Mare — 1
- Matera — 2
- Lecce — 2
- Alberobello — 2
- Polignano a Mare — 1
- Bari — 2 ( o 1 y otra en Roma)
Map with the route
Frequently Asked Questions:
How many days does it take to travel around southern Italy?
Ideally, you should allow 15 to 20 days to combine Rome, Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Puglia at a relaxed pace. If you only have that many days, we recommend Calabria and Sicily on a separate itinerary.
Is it worth exploring southern Italy by car?
Yes, especially in Puglia and the Amalfi Coast, where many towns and viewpoints are much more enjoyable on a road trip.
Where is the best place to rent a car in Italy?
The best option is to pick it up when leaving Rome and return it in Bari or again in Rome depending on the return price.
What is the best time to travel to southern Italy?
May, June and September are usually the best months due to pleasant weather and less tourism.
NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience and is entirely objective. This article contains affiliate links.
