Portici is a pearl by the sea between Naples and Sorrento, rich in history and Bourbon charm. It can be easily visited in a day, but it is an unbeatable logistical hub for staying multiple days. It has as many as 3 railway stations. Two with a direct line (Circumvesuviana) to Sorrento. One that takes you straight to Vietri sul Mare (the gateway to the Amalfi Coast) with a sea view. Furthermore, from the city's port, direct hydrofoils depart for Capri and the Coast. This way, you don't have to worry about taking them from Naples. In this article, I will guide you through the beauties of Portici with a 2-day itinerary. I also leave you some useful links in the article. Ready? Iamme ià.
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Day 1: Portici between History, Science and Sunsets
The first day is entirely dedicated to the “royal city”. Portici has a vibrant soul that deserves to be discovered slowly and on foot.
Morning: The Royal Palace and Botanical Garden
We start with from the Palace of Portici (1738), commissioned by Charles III of Bourbon. It was built before the Palace of Caserta and is an architectural jewel. You can buy tickets for the Palace directly on-site. Right in front of the entrance, do not miss the Botanical Garden: 20,000 m² of rarities managed by the Faculty of Agriculture of the University Federico II.
Afternoon: Pietrarsa and the Sea View Station
We head towards the sea for the Pietrarsa National Railway Museum. Here you will admire breathtaking vintage locomotives. Portici is the city where the first Italian railway line was born (Naples-Portici, 1839). As a local from Portici, I am very proud of this. Especially since transportation is the first thing I evaluate when I travel.
The Strand & Movida at Granatello
Immediately after visiting the Pietrarsa Museum, you can access the seafront. Parco a Mare is the new heart of the city: with basketball and volleyball courts facing the sea, it feels like being in Australia! Take the opportunity for a beautiful walk along the seafront and enjoy a typical day in Portici. To end the day, head to Porto del Granatello, the center of Portici's summer nightlife.
Pit Stop at Essenza in Granatello
I recommend a sunset aperitif at Essenza (instagram here for all their events). A place where good drinks, food, and music match perfectly. To all this, add a beautiful sunset and the people you love, and voilà. They also offer restaurant service (reservation is recommended and can be made here).
Aperitif on a Boat at Sunset
Looking for something more intimate for a special occasion to celebrate with a select few? This sunset boat tour is perfect. Lasting about 2-3 hours, it includes drinks and aperitif while enjoying Portici from the sea. What else? The boat has a maximum capacity of 12 people. Click on "check availability" (blue icon) to secure your sea-view spot. Or receive a 10 euro discount per person by booking on WhatsApp by clicking the button below.
Portici Italy 2 Day Itinerary: Your choice of surroundings
Thanks to the 3 stations and the maritime connections, on the second day you can reach the best of Campania in a heartbeat. This is what I love about Portici: super connected and also easy to explore on foot, being quite small. Some attractions are often sold out well in advance, so it is better to book them beforehand.
Option A: Herculaneum and Vesuvius
Just a 19-minute walk from the Portici-Ercolano station, you will find the archaeological excavations of Herculaneum. They are also smaller than those of Pompeii, making them easier to visit even on your own. Ps I always recommend a guide to get to know the history of Herculaneum well (here are the tickets).
From there, direct shuttles take you to climb the crater of Vesuvius. Another place I recommend visiting and from which you can have a fantastic view of both Naples and the Sorrento Peninsula. Here you can find the tickets for the entrance to Vesuvius (with bus included from Ercolano).
Option B: Capri or the Coast by Sea
From the port of Granatello take the direct hydrofoil to Capri (tickets here) or to the Amalfi Coast. It is the fastest and most scenic way to travel. The hydrofoils depart early in the morning and are round-trip (scheduled for late afternoon).
Enjoy a beautiful relaxing day admiring one of these beauties. Ps I recommend Capri (here a detailed article) where I lived for 7 months.
Option C: Sorrento and Pompeii
Use the Circumvesuviana stations to reach the heart of Sorrento or the immortal ruins of Pompeii in less than 30 minutes. Actually, you could do both, depending on your energy levels. If you set your alarm early, you can visit Pompeii first (tickets here).
You can then head to Sorrento (by train) and spend the rest of the day there strolling through the center. There are trains to return to Portici until about 10 pm. Here is a detailed article on Sorrento to find your way around.
Where to stay in Portici
How to get to Portici
The nearest airport to Portici is Capodichino. From there you can take:
- Alibus to Central Station
- From the central station take the circumvesuviana towards Sorrento/Poggiomarino
- Alternative (from central station) line 2 (with sea view) direction Castellamare/Salerno
Portici Italy 2 Day Itinerary: Conclusions
I hope this itinerary is useful for you to experience Portici at its best. It is a surprising city and the perfect base for exploring the surroundings. To the next trip and remember: those who travel live twice!
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