Campania, Italy
Explore Naples, ancient Roman sites and the coasts and islands of Campania. Choose a practical base, then plan time for local food, cultural sights and days by the sea.
Quick planning answer
How long to stay: Spend 3–5 days in one area, or 7–10 days across two bases. Two weeks lets you add an island stay or Cilento and inland towns without trying to cross the whole region every day.
Who it suits: Choose a city holiday for museums and food, a coastal base for village visits and sea time, an island stay for its own landscape and pace, or an inland route for wineries, abbeys and countryside.
Which area to choose: Naples suits city culture and the Vesuvian sites. Sorrento serves the peninsula and selected excursions; the Amalfi Coast rewards a local stay. Ischia, Capri and Procida have different transport and accommodation patterns. Cilento and Irpinia need more location-specific planning.
With or without a car: Naples, Sorrento and Salerno can work for a car-free trip with carefully chosen outings. A car often helps in rural Cilento and Irpinia. Short map distances can still mean slow roads, transport changes, stairs and port transfers.
Where to base yourself: Stay close to the places you want to visit most. Check the actual route from the station, port or parking area to your door, including gradients, luggage access and the final service home.
Explore this guide
Choose your area
Naples and the Vesuvian area
A city-and-archaeology holiday built around Naples, Pompeii and Herculaneum. Use city transport and local rail, then plan a separate onward transfer and ticketed visit for Vesuvius.
Sorrento Peninsula
Cliff-top towns, viewpoints and a range of accommodation. Sorrento is on the peninsula and can be a base for selected Amalfi Coast excursions; allow for slow roads and the descent to its port.
Amalfi Coast and Salerno
Stepped villages, coastal scenery and Ravello’s hilltop gardens. Salerno has mainline rail; the coast relies on roads and seasonal boats. Ravello requires an onward journey to reach the sea.
Capri, Ischia and Procida
Capri brings limestone cliffs and busy visitor centres; Ischia offers a larger island with multiple towns and thermal facilities; Procida suits a more compact stay. Choose a specific arrival port and check onward transport.
Paestum and Cilento
Temples, sandy stretches, fishing towns and mountain villages. Rail reaches selected coastal towns, while beach hotels, rural properties and trailheads may need a bus, transfer or car.
Caserta, Benevento and Irpinia
Palace and garden visits, Lombard history and wine country. Town-centre stays differ from remote countryside inns; check rail and bus options individually and arrange winery transport.
Places to visit in Campania
Start with these nine destinations, then explore smaller towns, family ideas and specialist guides further down the page.
Naples
Explore the historic centre, churches, museums and Neapolitan food. Choose a neighbourhood that fits your walking plans and transport needs.
Pompeii
Plan a focused route through Roman streets, houses and public buildings. The site is extensive, with exposed areas and uneven surfaces.
Herculaneum
Explore a more compact archaeological site with preserved buildings and details. Check the entrance route and allow time for the individual houses.
Sorrento
Use the cliff-top town for viewpoints, peninsula outings and selected coast or island trips. Check how your accommodation connects with the station and port.
Positano
Discover a steep coastal town with beach access and terraces. A short map distance can involve long stairways or a winding road.
Amalfi
Combine the cathedral and old town with coastal outings. Match your plans to the actual bus stop, pier and accommodation address.
Capri
Visit limestone scenery, gardens and island towns. Leave time between your ferry, local transport and any weather-dependent boat trip.
Ischia
Choose among harbour towns, beaches, thermal facilities and inland walks. Its size makes the exact base and island bus route important.
Paestum
See the Greek temples and museum, then consider time on the nearby coast. Check the station-to-site and hotel-to-beach journeys separately.
Where to stay in Campania
Choose a base around your main outings and the final journey to your accommodation. Families can compare room space and access; couples may prefer terraces and village evenings; groups should check transport for everyone. See our Campania with kids and Campania for couples guides for more detail.
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Naples
For city culture, food and rail day trips. The historic centre, Chiaia and Vomero offer different settings; check noise, hills and the route to the correct station or ferry terminal.
Compare stays in NaplesSorrento
For a peninsula stay with local rail and selected island or coast excursions. Check the descent to the harbour, lift arrangements and any uphill hotel shuttle.
Compare stays in SorrentoPositano
For coastal views and a special-occasion stay. Lower addresses can help with pier access, but verify every stairway, luggage transfer and parking arrangement.
Compare stays in PositanoAmalfi
For old-town time and coast outings from a central bus and boat hub. Check seasonal services, busy streets and the exact climb from the seafront.
Read the Amalfi stay guideRavello
For gardens, views and evenings on the hill. It is a hilltop base, with a bus, taxi or demanding walk onward to the coast; confirm luggage drop-off and steps.
Compare stays in RavelloSalerno
For mainline rail, the city waterfront and selected Amalfi Coast outings. Choose between the old town and station area, then check the correct departure pier and final walking route.
Compare stays in SalernoCapri
For an overnight island visit with time beyond the day-trip peak. Capri town, Marina Grande and Anacapri have different access; confirm port transfers, stairs and luggage handling.
Read the Capri stay guideIschia
For a longer island stay with beaches and thermal visits. Ischia town is a port base; Forio, Lacco Ameno and inland hotels require different onward journeys. Confirm facility opening and hotel transfers.
Compare stays in Ischia townProcida
For a compact island holiday with harbour villages and beach outings. A central address can still involve slopes, steps and narrow lanes; check buses and the final route with luggage.
Read the Procida stay guidePaestum and coastal Cilento
For temples, beach time and family stays. Paestum town, beach accommodation and Cilento’s smaller resorts have different access; check the station-to-hotel transfer and parking, especially in August.
Compare stays in PaestumCaserta
For the palace, gardens and a culture-focused stop. Staying near the station or Reggia can suit rail travel; countryside accommodation needs separate transport and the gardens involve substantial distances.
Read the Caserta stay guideBenevento and Irpinia
For history, wineries and rural stays. A town hotel may suit local sights; a remote agriturismo often requires a car or arranged transfer. Confirm the last access road and book tastings with a designated driver.
For group accommodation, check the full search area, vehicle access and sleeping arrangements. These searches cover a wider region rather than one town.
Things to do in Campania
Build each day around one main visit, with time for the journey and a meal. Alternate exposed ruins, town walks and sea time, and keep a mainland plan for disrupted boat travel.
Pompeii, Herculaneum and the Vesuvian sites
Pompeii rewards a selective route through a large Roman city; Herculaneum gives a more compact view with striking surviving details. Oplontis at Torre Annunziata adds painted villas. Stabiae is another worthwhile archaeological destination, separate from that UNESCO inscription.
Plan a Vesuvius visit
The Gran Cono is a ticketed mountain visit with online booking through the park’s authorised Vivaticket site. Visitors must follow the park’s timed-entry system and compulsory group accompaniment rules. Access is subject to the current official protocol, weather conditions and safety restrictions. Arrange transport to the entrance separately and follow the park’s access instructions. See the Mount Vesuvius guide and the park’s Gran Cono information.
Gardens, palaces and smaller towns
Give Caserta’s royal apartments and extensive park enough time, or choose Ravello’s gardens for an outing above the coast. On a longer trip, add Benevento’s Santa Sofia and Roman remains, or plan individual stops in Irpinia rather than a long daily commute.
Tickets and passes: Compare the official admission arrangements with any guided package, including entry, meeting point and transport. Check which sites and services a regional pass actually covers for your dates. Partner options include Pompeii experiences, Vesuvius excursions, Caserta visits and regional pass options. Review the actual offer before booking.
Beaches and coastal experiences
The Amalfi Coast has small coves and pebbly beaches, often reached by steps. Cilento has longer sandy stretches as well as rocky sections. Choose the particular beach and access route, rather than assuming a whole town offers the same conditions.
For different mainland bases, compare Vietri sul Mare’s beach and ceramics areas, Agropoli’s harbour and beaches and Castellabate’s hilltop and coastal settlements. Around Paestum, coastal roads and parking arrangements vary; arrive early in August and check local access.
Capri has rocky platforms and small coves; Ischia and Procida offer a mix of beach settings. Swimming depends on the location, weather, water temperature and local advice. Follow flags and lifeguard instructions, and confirm boat or grotto operations on the day.
Beach clubs and free beach areas have different facilities and space. Check shade, toilets, changing arrangements and any reservation requirements. A waterfront address or boat arrival does not guarantee step-free beach access.
Nature and walking
The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento Peninsula
The Bomerano–Nocelle version of the Path of the Gods is roughly 6–7 km one way, with rocky ground, steps and exposed sections. A descent onward to Positano adds a substantial staircase. Check the current route, weather, closures and return transport; walking time alone does not describe its difficulty.
Island routes
On Capri, Pizzolungo and the Fortini routes combine coastal views with uneven paths; Anacapri offers another starting point for island outings. Ischia’s Monte Epomeo and Piano Liguori routes involve gradients and varied surfaces. Confirm the precise trailhead and return bus or transfer.
Cilento, Alburni and inland walks
Consider Monte Stella, Alburni trails or a route around the Calore gorge according to local conditions and your experience. Rural trailheads may need a car. Check river restrictions separately; a riverside path is not a recommendation to swim.
Carry water, sun protection and footwear with grip; bring a layer for wind at altitude. Check park and local notices for closures, heat and fire risk. Stay on marked routes, respect terraces and farm access, and shorten or abandon an outing when conditions warrant it.
Culture, food and wine
UNESCO places to understand
The Historic Centre of Naples reflects the city’s long urban history. The Archaeological Areas of Pompei, Herculaneum and Torre Annunziata include the Vesuvian archaeological areas named in that inscription; Stabiae is a separate destination.
The Costiera Amalfitana inscription recognises a cultural landscape. Caserta’s property brings together the 18th-century palace and park, Aqueduct of Vanvitelli and San Leucio Complex.
The Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archaeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula connects a cultural landscape with major monuments. Benevento’s Santa Sofia belongs to the serial Longobards in Italy, Places of the Power property. Capri and Vesuvius are additional excursions, not properties in this overview.
What to eat
In Naples, try pizza napoletana, pizza fritta, frittatina di pasta and a cuoppo of fried bites. Look for spaghetti alle vongole, genovese napoletana, slow-cooked ragù and parmigiana di melanzane. Around Paestum, mozzarella di bufala is a natural stop; Agerola is associated with fior di latte.
For sweets, compare sfogliatella riccia and frolla, babà, pastiera and delizia al limone. Limoncello and nocillo are local after-dinner choices. Ask about ingredients and dietary needs rather than assuming a traditional dish suits everyone.
Wines and tastings
Campania’s bottles include Fiano di Avellino, Greco di Tufo, Falanghina, Taurasi and other Aglianico wines, alongside Piedirosso, Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio and Falerno del Massico. Arrange winery visits in advance and use a designated driver or booked transfer for rural tastings.
Local experiences to consider
Compare cultural or coastal activities with a food experience. Before booking, check the meeting point, onward transport, duration, inclusions and cancellation terms; island and boat outings remain dependent on the advertised route and conditions.
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Cultural and coastal activities
Food experiences
Suggested itineraries
These options include arrival and departure days, so protect enough time for your actual flight or train. The first three assume public transport; the longer routes add a car for rural stages. Treat sea trips and mountain outings as weather-dependent, and keep a mainland alternative.
3 days: Naples and archaeology
Base: Naples, 2 nights; no base change or car. Day 1: arrive, settle in and take a short historic-centre walk with pizza. Day 2: choose Pompeii or Herculaneum. Day 3: a short Naples museum or cloister visit if your departure time allows, followed by the journey to the airport or station. Keep this final day on the mainland.
5 days: Naples and Sorrento
Bases: Naples, 2 nights; Sorrento, 2 nights. Arrive on day 1 and explore Naples on day 2. Change base on day 3; add a Vesuvian site only if luggage storage and connections work. Use day 4 for the peninsula or one coast outing, then depart on day 5. No car assumed; boats are optional and seasonal.
7 days: two bases around the bay
Bases: Naples, 3 nights; Sorrento, 3 nights, with one change on day 4. Days 1–3 cover arrival, city culture and one archaeological site. Transfer on day 4. Days 5–6 allow a peninsula day and one island or coast excursion; depart on day 7. This car-free outline leaves more room than a three-base circuit. In rough seas, use a Naples museum or mainland town instead of another island.
10 days: coast and Cilento
Bases: Naples, 3 nights; Amalfi or Salerno, 3 nights; Paestum or Agropoli, 3 nights. Arrival is day 1; change bases on days 4 and 7, then depart on day 10. Use local transport for the first stages and consider a car for the Cilento stage. Pick two coast towns rather than a daily full-coast loop; add Paestum, a beach day and one inland outing according to access and conditions.
14 days: bay, island and inland variety
Bases: Naples, 3 nights; Ischia or Capri, 3 nights; Salerno or the Amalfi Coast, 3 nights; Paestum or Agropoli, 4 nights. Change bases on days 4, 7 and 10; day 14 is departure. Keep those transfer days light. Choose public transport for the bay, island and coast, then a car or arranged driver for inland Cilento. Add Caserta from Naples, or replace an island stage with Benevento and Irpinia if inland history and wine matter more than sea time.
Single-day ideas: Naples: one art or church visit, a pizza lunch and a neighbourhood walk. Paestum: temples and museum, then the coast if conditions suit. Ravello: gardens and a meal, with the bus or taxi back arranged. Avoid adding a second distant headline sight simply because it looks close on the map.
Getting there and around
Airports and onward travel
Naples Capodichino is a useful arrival point for the bay; Salerno Costa d’Amalfi airport may suit a south-coast route if your flight operates. Compare the complete journey to your base, including the bus or transfer, station or pier change, luggage and arrival time. Check the Naples airport and Salerno airport information for your date.
Rail and buses
Mainline and high-speed trains serve Naples and Salerno on relevant routes. Paestum is a separate station served by regional trains; do not assume the high-speed service you use to Salerno continues there. Check the actual itinerary with Trenitalia’s Cilento regional information and its journey planner.
EAV’s local rail network is separate from the mainline service and serves the Naples–Pompeii–Sorrento corridor. Verify the correct station and operating notices with EAV. Buses connect parts of the peninsula and Amalfi Coast; use SITA Sud’s Campania information for current routes and stops, and allow for queues, traffic and the final connection.
Ferries and boats
A boat can be useful, but its total journey depends on route, season, timetable, port access and weather. Naples and Pozzuoli serve particular Ischia and Procida routes; Capri connections use selected mainland ports, including Naples and Sorrento. Seasonal Amalfi Coast services also connect selected towns and Salerno. Do not assume every port offers every island route. Check the actual sailing with the operator, such as Caremar, Alilauro or Travelmar, including its exact departure terminal and last return.
Driving, ZTL and the final approach
A car can help in Cilento and Irpinia, while the Amalfi Coast has narrow roads, limited parking and local traffic controls. Check current municipal ZTL rules and any vehicle restrictions for your route. Ask the property about authorised access, parking and luggage drop-off before entering a historic centre. Arrange a driver for wine visits if everyone wants to taste.
A central address or promenade is not proof of step-free access. Check station lifts, the boarding gangway, pier steps, street gradients and the entrance to your room. Confirm assistance directly with the transport operator and accommodation.
Find your bearings
Naples and the Vesuvian sites sit around the bay; the Sorrento Peninsula separates it from the Amalfi Coast. Salerno lies farther east, with Paestum and Cilento to the south. Caserta is north of Naples, and Benevento and Irpinia are inland. Use the map for orientation, then check real transport routes.
Practical information
When to visit
Spring and autumn often suit city visits, archaeology and walking, though rain, wind and closures can change a day’s plan. July and August can bring heat and heavy demand; build in shade and quieter periods. Swimming depends on the beach, water temperature and weather, rather than a guaranteed season.
Winter can suit Naples, Caserta and other cultural stops, but some coastal accommodation, boats and attractions reduce operations. Ischia’s outdoor thermal parks are seasonal: Poseidon’s own information describes seasonal opening. For an indoor hotel spa, confirm that the property, pools and treatments operate on your dates; a thermal label does not guarantee a winter or bad-weather option.
Practical checks before you book
Confirm entry reservations, opening notices and what a guided package includes. Budget for the full transfer, parking, luggage handling and beach facilities, not just the headline booking. Keep small cash where useful, carry water and sun protection, and leave space for weather or delays.
Food, local life and access
Check restaurant opening and dietary needs, cover shoulders where requested in churches and keep voices low in residential lanes at night. Take litter away and respect beach access, fishing ramps, farms and marked paths. For children or reduced mobility, ask about the specific route, room and activity rather than relying on broad destination descriptions.
More Campania guides
Find more coastal towns, inland sights, island stays and ideas for different travellers.
Campania FAQs
＋How many days should I spend in Campania?
Allow 3–5 days for one area or 7–10 days for two bases. Two weeks makes room for an island or Cilento stage. Count arrival, departure and base-change days as travel time.
＋Where should I stay for a first visit?
Naples suits city culture and the Vesuvian sites; Sorrento suits the peninsula and selected excursions; Salerno offers mainline rail and selected coast links. Choose a coast or island base when that is the main focus, and check the final approach to your accommodation.
＋Can I explore Campania without a car?
Yes, for a route built around suitable rail, bus and ferry links. Verify each connection and the last service. Rural properties, inland villages and remote Cilento trailheads may need a car or booked transfer.
＋When is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn often suit sightseeing and walking. Summer brings more demand and heat; winter can suit cultural trips but has seasonal closures. Sea conditions, swimming and boat operations vary by day and location.
＋Should I visit Pompeii or Herculaneum?
Pompeii offers a much larger Roman urban site; Herculaneum is more compact with distinctive surviving buildings and details. Choose by your interests, available time and the particular access route; neither is universally step-free.
＋How should I plan trips to Capri, Ischia and Procida?
Choose an island and the correct mainland departure port, then check the sailing, weather and onward journey. Allow a return buffer and use a mainland alternative if sea travel is disrupted. Capri, Ischia and Procida offer different scales and styles of holiday.
Plan your Campania holiday
Choose a base that fits your main interests, check the complete journey to your door, then leave room for local food, smaller places and a change of plans.