18 days in Madrid, Rome & Naples Itinerary

Do some cultural sightseeing at Parque del Retiro and Plaza Mayor. Appreciate the collections at Prado National Museum and Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. You'll find plenty of places to visit near Madrid: Segovia (Balloon Rides, Catedral de Segovia, &more), Toledo (Monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Catedral Primada, &more) and Boca del Asno (in Valsain). And it doesn't end there: examine the collection at Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza, explore the world behind art at Museo Sorolla, look for all kinds of wild species at Penalara Natural Park, and stroll around Casa de Campo.

To see maps, where to stay, reviews, and tourist information, read Madrid online trip builder.

London, UK to Madrid is an approximately 5.5-hour flight. You can also take a train; or do a combination of car and train. The time zone difference moving from Greenwich Mean Time to Central European Standard Time is 1 hour. Traveling from London in August, things will get somewhat warmer in Madrid: highs are around 39°C and lows about 22°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 5th (Tue) to allow time to fly to Rome.

Museum-lovers will appreciate Vatican Museums and Galleria Borghese. Get a sense of the local culture at Colosseum and Pantheon. Get out of town with these interesting Rome side-trips: Culture Discovery Vacations - Cooking Classes & Vacations (in Soriano nel Cimino) and Villa Adriana (in Tivoli). There's still lots to do: contemplate the long history of St. Peter's Basilica, appreciate the extensive heritage of Piazza Navona, pause for some serene contemplation at Santa Maria in Trastevere, and take in the spiritual surroundings of Cupola di San Pietro.

To find out how to plan a trip to Rome, use our trip itinerary maker.

You can fly from Madrid to Rome in 5.5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Expect a daytime high around 32°C in September, and nighttime lows around 18°C. Cap off your sightseeing on the 10th (Sun) early enough to catch the train to Naples.

Get some historical perspective at Pompeii Archaeological Park and Villa Rufolo. Appreciate the collections at Museo Cappella Sansevero and Ceramiche Cosmolena di Margherita di Palma. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Naples: Ravello (Villa Cimbrone Gardens & Duomo di Ravello), Duomo di Sant'Andrea (in Amalfi) and Villa dei Misteri (in Pompeii).

To see photos, other places to visit, traveler tips, and tourist information, read our Naples online itinerary builder.

You can take a train from Rome to Naples in 2 hours. Other options are to drive; or fly. In September, daytime highs in Naples are 31°C, while nighttime lows are 20°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 14th (Thu) to allow enough time to fly back home.