Spending a Day in Wheelchair Accessible Naples Italy
In 2010 I was on a Mediterranean cruise that stopped in Naples. While I had visited Italy before, I had never been to this city and was really excited to explore all that it had to offer. This is how I recommend spending a day in wheelchair accessible Naples, Italy.
Spending a Day in Wheelchair Accessible Naples, Italy
My friends and I booked a private excursion so we wouldn’t have to worry about keeping up with a group. I was still able to walk with a cane in 2010 but was still very slow and sometimes unsteady on my feet. This excursion included a visit to Pompeii and a drive down the Amalfi Coast with stops in Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento.
Pompeii
Let me first say, that there is nothing like waking up in the morning to have Mt. Vesuvius looming in the distance off your balcony. It was magical, and a fantastic way to start off the day. We were all excited to see the remains of the city that had been devastated and hidden under ash for years.
Pompeii in fact, was our first stop of the day. Although ancient, and full of large (I mean really large) cobblestones, there are wheelchair accessible tours available. They will take you along designated pathways to allow you to see the main sites. It may not be the smoothest tour, but it is still possible depending on how much you want to visit here.
Since I was still mobile, we ended up doing a self-guided tour. We explored ancient houses (some of which still had parts of the original frescos on the walls), what once were market squares, and admired the overall construction of the city.
What Can I See in Pompeii?
There are dozens of potteries recovered from the ruins that you can find on display throughout the town. Also, in one area, you can find cast bodies. During the archeological dig that has revealed the once hidden city, they found holes in the ground that were an odd formation. So, they decided to pour concrete in the holes before excavating further.
What they discovered was that the holes were actually where bodies had been buried under the ash and as they decomposed, the soil retained their original shape. These casts are now on display and are incredibly detailed, showing the last facial expressions and positions of the citizens of Pompeii as they died. It’s very moving to see.
Drive Down the Amalfi Coast
Next, we drove down the beautiful coast to see life in some of the small towns that line it. The drive is incredible but be warned that there are many switchbacks and hairpin turns. If you get motion sickness, be prepared, and bring medication with you.
I also highly recommend doing a tour vs driving yourself. Not only are the roads narrow in spots, if you are driving you won’t be able to take in the amazing scenery. There are several accessible tours available that include the Amalfi Coast. Some depart from Naples, and some are offered as a day trip from Rome (this would make for a really long day though).
Stop in Amalfi for Gelato
Amalfi was our first stop and had a lovely piazza (or town square) which contained shops and outdoor cafes. The Amalfi Cathedral is also a very present structure here. There are many steps to get to the church, but once at the top you are rewarded with gorgeous views of the mountains surrounding the town.
Although the cathedral is obviously not accessible, this is a great stop to do some shopping and enjoy a delicious cup of gelato. Gelato comes in many flavors, and it is customary to mix flavors. I always go for at least one scoop of chocolate.
Head to the Beach in Positano
Next, we visited the town of Positano, made famous from the movie “Under the Tuscan Sun”. Since the town is perched on the side of a mountain, be prepared for lots of inclines (some steeper than others). It was amazing to see the houses precariously perched on the sides of cliffs.
The town also has a beach. In the summer there are small ramps to the sea installed and amphibious chairs are available to rent. Just know that you will have to descend several inclines to get down to the beach (that also means you will have to go back up them at the end of the day).
We didn’t have long to visit here so we wandered down some of the streets, took in the scenery and did a little shopping. Not all shops are wheelchair accessible as they are often perched on an incline.
Shop in Sorrento
Our final stop on the tour was the town of Sorrento. This was the largest of the places we visited. It was also more level and flatter which made it easier to navigate. We enjoyed going to an outdoor market and seeing the main square. The town also offered pretty bay views.
After our stop in Sorrento, we took the wheelchair accessible ferry back to Naples so we could reboard our ship. It was a long but rewarding day!
Other Options for Spending the Day in Wheelchair Accessible Naples, Italy
Sage Travel also offers other accessible tour options if the drive down the coast doesn’t sound appealing. Some examples of the tours available include Pompeii and a drive to the crater of Mt. Vesuvius, a visit to the island of Capri and tours of Naples. He is a wheelchair user himself, so all the tours are fully wheelchair accessible.
If you decide to spend more time in Naples, make sure you get a slice of pizza… this is where it was invented after all! It was a fast and affordable meal for the working class, but didn’t gain popularity in America until the 1940’s.
How to Visit Naples, Italy
Just like I did, you can choose to take a cruise that stops in Naples. While this provides a very limited time to explore the city, you will be ensured wheelchair accessible accommodations and have no problems trying to find accessible restaurants.
Another option for visiting Naples is a day trip from Rome. This too will only allow you a limited time to explore but can be a good option if you’d like to avoid traveling to various cities with your luggage. If choosing this option, it’s best to book with an accessible travel or tour company.
Final Thoughts on Wheelchair Accessible Naples, Italy
While the accessibility of Naples and the surrounding area isn’t perfect, I thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Pompeii was very interesting to visit and see how life was once lived here and the coastal towns and views along the Amalfi Coast were breathtaking.
When planning your own visit, I highly recommend investing in an accessible tour to make the most of your time and to take the stress out of what will be sure to be a fantastic visit. So, while accessible Naples, Italy isn’t perfect, it’s definitely worthy of your bucket list.
