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Eleven excursions rated 4.7 stars and above are waiting for you around the Gulf of Naples for the America’s Cup 2027 period. The Match itself runs from 10 to 18 July 2027, preceded by the Louis Vuitton Cup from May to July and, starting right now, by a preliminary regatta on 24-27 September 2026. No race-day tickets are sold through Viator: this selection covers Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Vesuvius and Neapolitan food, all verified active. I’d recommend starting with the Positano-Sorrento-Amalfi excursion, the most booked tour on the list.
Naples had never hosted the America’s Cup before 2027. The city was chosen in May 2025 to stage this 38th edition — an absolute first for Italy — with a Match set to run from 10 to 18 July 2027 in the gulf. But sailing takes over the Naples waterfront well before that date: the Louis Vuitton Cup, from 22 May to 4 July 2027, leads straight into the Match. And less than a month after this article goes live, a full-scale preliminary regatta is already taking place in Naples: the Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, from 24 to 27 September 2026, with the same spectator setup planned for 2027.
What I’m offering here isn’t ticketing: no Viator operator sells race-day seats or charters for this destination, that segment runs through specialist yacht charter companies. My selection covers what surrounds the gulf instead — eleven excursions rated 4.7/5 and above, all verified active, to fill the rest of your stay between race days. I’ll open with the Positano-Sorrento-Amalfi excursion, booked by more than 10,700 travellers, before moving on to Capri, Pompeii, Vesuvius and Neapolitan food.
One thing to note before booking: the Match window (July 2027) is beyond the booking horizon most operators have published to date. The prices and availability shown here come from a recent check over a reference window running from September to October 2026, which also covers the preliminary regatta. These eleven experiences run year-round, which makes their availability in July 2027 likely, but reconfirm at the time of booking.
Why Naples for the America’s Cup 2027: the Pixidia angle
On 15 May 2025, Emirates Team New Zealand and the Italian government announced that the 2027 edition would be held in Naples — an absolute first, as neither the Louis Vuitton Cup nor the America’s Cup Match had ever been sailed in Italy. The choice isn’t random: Naples is home to Luna Rossa, one of the competition’s strongest historic challengers, and the city had already hosted two America’s Cup World Series stops in 2012 and 2013. 2027 also marks the city’s 2,500th anniversary, a year after its title as European Capital of Sport in 2026 — a deliberate multi-year spotlight.
The Naples waterfront (the Lungomare) is being specifically transformed for the event: new breakwaters, spectator villages, giant screens. There are two ways to follow the racing: for free from Via Caracciolo and the Rotonda Diaz Race Village (giant screens, food, open 11am-8pm on race days), or from the water by chartering a private yacht — a budget running from several hundred to several thousand euros, not available through Viator for this destination. The gulf’s amphitheatre effect means the view stays excellent from land or from the water.
Worth knowing before you book: prices and availability for the eleven excursions below were verified over a reference window from September to October 2026 (which covers the 24-27 September preliminary regatta), not over the exact dates of the July 2027 Match — too far out to be published by most operators to date. Reconfirm availability at the time of booking if you’re targeting July 2027.
The 11 best excursions around the Gulf of Naples for the America’s Cup 2027
1. Positano, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in a day
This is the most booked excursion in the whole selection, with more than 10,700 reviews: head to Positano, Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast in a single 8-hour day, with an optional boat ride depending on which package you choose. I’d recommend it at the start of your stay, before the pace of race days takes over your schedule — and it’s already one of the experiences bookable for the Louis Vuitton preliminary regatta in late September 2026.
- Air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver and tourist assistant
- Pick-up and drop-off at your Naples accommodation
- Live commentary on board, small group
2. Capri and the Blue Grotto from Naples
Head to Capri by fast ferry from Molo Beverello, Naples’ main port, for a full 9-hour day with an attempt at entering the Blue Grotto — plus a fallback boat ride around the island if the grotto is closed, which happens more often than you’d think depending on the weather. The Faraglioni rocks are on the itinerary. Our dedicated guide to Capri excursions covers other formats if this one doesn’t suit you.
- Round-trip Fast Ferry tickets Naples-Capri
- Shared boat ride around the island if the Blue Grotto is closed
- Expert local guide and shuttle on the island
3. Boat trip and swimming at Capri, relaxed vibe
A different format from the previous one: no guide running a minute-by-minute programme, just free swimming time around Capri and an aperitivo served on board by the skipper. The group is capped at 12 people, which changes the atmosphere a lot compared with the bigger boat excursions. I’d suggest it for a relaxed afternoon between two race days.
- Beach towels provided
- Aperitivo on board (drink and snacks)
- Skipper-guide, small group (max 12)
4. Amalfi Coast by boat with lunch on board
A longer boat trip — 10 to 11 hours — along the Sorrento coast and the Amalfi Coast, with a light lunch and drinks served on board. The meeting point is outside the Starhotel Terminus, Piazza Garibaldi, right next to the central station and the Alibus shuttle stop if you’re arriving from the airport. I’d recommend it for the view from the sea, if you’ve already done Capri the day before.
- Light lunch (mozzarella and tomato sandwich) and drinks on board
- Round-trip transfer Naples – Piano di Sorrento port
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks included
5. Pompeii and Herculaneum with an archaeologist guide
The guide isn’t just a chaperone but a professional archaeologist, which changes how you read both sites: Pompeii and Herculaneum in a single outing, with shared minibus transport included from Piazza Garibaldi. Our private guide vs small group comparison for Pompeii covers the alternatives if you’d prefer a different format.
- Entry tickets to Herculaneum and Pompeii Express
- Round-trip transport from Naples by shared minibus
- Professional archaeologist guide
6. Pompeii in the morning, horseback riding and wine on Vesuvius in the afternoon
A combination that breaks from the usual programme: the ruins of Pompeii in the morning, then an hour on horseback along the slopes of Vesuvius at 500 metres above sea level in the afternoon, followed by a wine tasting. The riding group is capped at 8 people and skip-the-line entry to Pompeii is included — the only equestrian experience in the whole selection within Vesuvius National Park.
- Wine tasting on the slopes of Vesuvius
- Pick-up from Naples or the Amalfi Coast
- 1-hour horseback ride, group limited to 8 riders
7. Street food in Naples’ historic centre
Two and a half hours on foot through the UNESCO-listed historic centre, meeting at Piazza Bellini in front of the remains of the Greek city walls. Fresh mozzarella and scarola from the very first stop, with a spritz tasting included. A short format that’s easy to fit in between two sailing sessions on the Lungomare.
- Several food tastings along the way
- Spritz tasting included
- Professional guide, 2h30 in the historic centre
8. Pizza and tiramisu class in a Neapolitan workshop
A 3-hour workshop in a real Neapolitan lab, right in the UNESCO historic centre, five minutes’ walk from Duomo metro station: you’ll make your own pizza using the traditional Mozzatura technique, then your own tiramisu, with a Neapolitan aperitivo as a starter. Over 3,600 reviews for a near-perfect rating. Other formats are available in our selection of cooking classes in Naples.
- Neapolitan aperitivo (homemade bread, Vesuvius tomatoes, olive oil)
- Acrobatic pizza-tossing demonstration
- Secret family dough recipe
9. Underground Naples: ancient aqueduct and war shelter
The shortest format in the selection — one hour — descending into the underground of Naples: an ancient Greco-Roman aqueduct and a Second World War air-raid shelter, suitable for families. A good option at the end of a full day, or if it’s raining on the waterfront.
- Ticket fees and skip-the-line entry included
- Tour guide throughout the visit
- Short 1-hour format, suitable for families
10. Private Amalfi Coast and Pompeii, a tailor-made day
The highest rating in the whole selection — 4.99/5 from 433 reviews — for this fully private day combining the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii, with no other travellers, an English-speaking driver-guide and an air-conditioned vehicle. The budget is significantly higher than the other formats on this list, but it’s the most flexible option if your schedule depends on race times. Our full 2-day private Amalfi Coast itinerary pairs well with this day if you’re staying longer.
- Air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver-guide
- Bottled water included
- 100% private experience, no other travellers
11. Off-the-beaten-path Naples with a local
A fully customised walking tour with a local rather than a standard guide, flexible in length from 3 to 6 hours depending on what you’re after — a customisation questionnaire is sent after booking. This is the format I’d recommend for discovering the Naples that standard guides don’t show you, Spanish Quarters included.
- Walking pick-up if your accommodation is central
- Private, customised experience with a passionate local
- Customisation form sent after booking
Get ready for the trip
Get connected the moment you land at Naples-Capodichino, no physical SIM card to hunt down.
Get my eSIMNomad Insurance: global coverage from $56/4 weeks, well suited to an active trip split between boat days and hiking on Vesuvius.
Get coveredCompare flights to Naples-Capodichino (NAP). Fares tighten noticeably around race dates — book early.
See flights to NaplesIf your schedule depends on race times, this fully private day (air-conditioned vehicle, English-speaking driver-guide) fits around your slots rather than the other way round.
Book the premium experiencePractical tips on the ground
Getting there from the UK: flying is the fastest option — around 2h45 direct with easyJet or British Airways from London (Gatwick or Heathrow) to Naples-Capodichino, with fares varying widely by season. There’s no realistic direct rail alternative from the UK for this trip; a Eurostar-plus-Italian-high-speed-rail routing exists but takes most of a day, so flying is the practical choice for most travellers.
From the airport to the centre: the Alibus shuttle (€5) links the airport directly to the central station and the port — handy, since several excursions in this selection depart right from Piazza Garibaldi nearby. A flat-rate taxi starts at €21.
Getting around: the UNESCO-listed historic centre is best explored on foot. For boat trips, the departure point is almost always Molo Beverello, the main port. During the America’s Cup period, expect heavy traffic along the waterfront near the Race Village.
Climate and where to stay: in July, expect around 29°C during the day and sea temperatures of 25-26°C, ideal for the boat-and-swim excursions. No official data yet exists on hotel price spikes for July 2027: book early, and consider Vomero or Chiaia, slightly away from the Lungomare, as an alternative to the historic centre.
Frequently asked questions
Can you watch the America’s Cup 2027 from a boat booked through Viator?
No, no operator sells race-day seats or dedicated regatta charters for the Naples destination on Viator: that segment runs through specialist yacht charter companies, outside Viator’s catalogue. The free option remains Via Caracciolo and the Rotonda Diaz Race Village, open on race days from 11am to 8pm with giant screens and a direct view of the racecourse.
Are these excursions guaranteed to be available for the July 2027 Match?
Not yet verifiable at this point: most Naples operators haven’t published their detailed schedule for July 2027, which is beyond their usual publishing horizon. The eleven experiences in this selection run year-round and are verified active, which makes their availability likely, but reconfirm at the time of booking if you’re targeting the Match specifically.
When does the Louis Vuitton preliminary regatta take place in Naples?
From 24 to 27 September 2026, with the same spectator setup planned for the 2027 Match. All eleven excursions in this selection are already verified available over that window, making it a great chance to sample the America’s Cup atmosphere in Naples without waiting for summer 2027.
Which excursion in this selection has the highest rating?
The private Amalfi Coast and Pompeii day tops the list with 4.99/5 from 433 reviews. For a more affordable, already highly popular format, the Positano-Sorrento-Amalfi excursion has racked up more than 10,700 reviews.
Should you add Capri, Ischia or Procida alongside the Gulf of Naples?
For limited time between race days, Capri remains the most visually efficient choice, which is why it features in this selection. Ischia, larger, offers more beaches and thermal springs for a longer stay. Procida, the smallest, has a more authentic and affordable charm, ideal for the end of a trip.
Sources
- The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Naples — americascup.com — accessed 4 September 2026
- 2027 America’s Cup — Wikipedia — accessed 4 September 2026
- Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series AC38, May to July 2027 — accessed 4 September 2026
- Naples to stage 38th America’s Cup in 2027 — Sportcal — accessed 4 September 2026
- World Sailing — Italy to host the 38th America’s Cup in Naples — accessed 4 September 2026
- The America’s Cup is coming to Naples in 2027 — accessed 4 September 2026
- How Naples is changing for the America’s Cup 2027 — Fanpage.it — accessed 4 September 2026
- America’s Cup 2027 in Naples: Charter a Yacht — Charterworld — accessed 4 September 2026
- Naples weather in July — Weather2Travel — accessed 4 September 2026
- Naples Sea Temperature — July Average — accessed 4 September 2026
- Ways to get from the UK to Naples — Rome2Rio — accessed 4 September 2026
- How to get from Naples airport to the city centre — Trainline — accessed 4 September 2026
- Capri, Ischia, or Procida? Which island is best? — accessed 4 September 2026
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