The region of Campania Italy is one of our top choices when someone asks us where they should go in Italy. With unmatched ancient sites, incredible scenery, gorgeous towns and some of the best food and wine on offer, there is a lot to uncover in this part of the Italian peninsula.
If you’re wondering where to start planning your trip to Campania, read our introductory guide below and then check out our range of tours in Naples Italy and the wider region for inspiration.
Where is the Campania region in Italy?
Firstly, where exactly is Campania Italy? Located in southern Italy, Campania is south of Lazio (where Rome is) on the western coast, stretching down to neighboring Calabria.
Naples (Napoli in Italian) is the largest city and capital of the region, but is not the only Italian city here. You will also find Salerno, Caserta, Avellino and Benevento, all with their own distinctive character and appeal. Naples city proper is one of the biggest anywhere in Italy, with only Rome and Milan being larger.
As well as the historic city of Naples Italy, Campania is also home to the iconic Amalfi Coast, Mount Vesuvius and the ancient towns preserved by its eruption in 79 AD; Pompeii and Herculaneum, the stunning town of Sorrento and the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.
Campania’s central location in Italy and huge variety in landscapes and types of attractions has made it a travel destination since the 1800’s so you’re in good company traveling here!
What to see and do in Naples Italy
Naples Italy is a huge city but most of its sights are concentrated in a small central area. A lot of people use Naples only as a connecting point, but there is so much to see and do in the city that we always recommend spending at least a few days here.
One thing you have to do even if you only have a few hours free, is to take a walk through the historic center to the Spanish Quarter and down to the port of Naples to admire the view of Mount Vesuvius towering over everything. This will give you a glimpse of Neapolitan life and hopefully get you excited to stay for longer!
The Legacy of Royalty
As the home of the Neapolitan royal family before Italy was unified in 1861, in Naples you’ll find no end of majestic palaces, churches and castles. The Royal Palace overlooks the Bay of Naples on one side and Piazza del Plebiscito on the other, looking over at the Basilica di San Francesco di Paola. Up on the Capodimonte hill you’ll find another royal residence (now an important art gallery) set among what was royal gardens but which now is a public park.
The San Carlo theater is one of the oldest opera houses in the world, commissioned under Bourbon rule and originally connected to the Royal Palace. Opposite is a more recent construction, the Galleria Umberto I, named for the second king of Italy and built in the 1880’s.
Ancient Origins
Naples’ history stretches back much further than the 19th and 18th century however! Originally founded by the ancient Greeks and then becoming an ancient Roman town, Naples still holds plenty of evidence of its ancient origins.
Naples historic centre is still laid out along the main roads established by the Greek settlers and extended in the Roman period; today the Via dei Tribunali and Spaccanapoli. Parts of the ancient Roman theater have been excavated, as well as the old port in Piazza del Municipio, discovered next to Castel Nuovo when the city was digging for a new Metro stop! Remains of the ancient Greek city walls are in Piazza Bellini and a large thermal bath complex was found under the Basilica di Santa Chiara.
Apart from Rome, there are very few places where layers of history are so clear, and this is one of the many reasons we love Naples!
Churches, Castles and Museums
To accompany your visit to the city sights, we highly recommend adding some churches, castles and museums to your itinerary.
The Naples Duomo, the main cathedral is not that noticeable from the outside but the inside is spectacular. Don’t miss the chapel dedicated to San Gennaro, the most important saint in Naples, and the side chapel of Santa Restituta which is actually part of the original church on this site.
The Basilica of San Lorenzo Maggiore stands on ancient ruins which you can go underground to see, but the church itself is beautiful as well. The Baroque church of San Martino (and surrounding monastic complex) is a very different style but no less impressive.
San Martino is right next to the huge Castel Sant’Elmo on top of the Vomero hill which you can go inside and up to the top for outstanding views. Down by the port is Castel Nuovo but our favorite is the Castel dell’Ovo (‘egg castle’) further along the seafront on a small islet.
You have a lot of choices of museums in Naples but if you can only go to one, it has to be the MANN, the National Archaeological Museum of Naples. Filled with jewels from the Roman empire, this is where a lot of the finds from Pompeii were taken to. Visiting Pompeii without also visiting this museum just doesn’t make sense!
Must-try Campania food and drink
As with any Italian destination, food and drink plays a big part in our Campania Italy trip planning.
Luckily, the ideal climate, fertile soil and delicious local produce come together in this region to create some unbelievably good food and drink. Seriously, try fresh buffalo mozzarella or sweet tomatoes grown here and you’ll see what we mean!
In Campania, Naples and beyond you will not struggle to find good food. Even with the increase in mass tourism in the region, the type of touristy restaurants found elsewhere in Italy are not common. We have plenty of other blogs about Neapolitan cuisine and what to eat while you’re here for more details, but here is a short list of what you should try:
- Naples has some of the best pizza anywhere, but stay simple and go for pizza margherita or marinara for an authentic slice.
- Ziti alla Genovese, a pasta with a sauce made from slow cooked onions and beef
- Sfogliatella, a ricotta-filled buttery pastry, flavored simply with candied fruit
- Neapolitan street food including frittatine, zeppoline, crocchè di patate and a lot more – take a tour with us to discover all the different options on offer
- Delizia al Limone – a light lemon dessert made with cream, limoncello, sponge and lemons, invented by a Sorrentine pastry chef
When it comes to wine, there are a lot of excellent Campanian varieties, both red and white. Ask your waiter for their recommendations as there are a lot of smaller producers – here’s an introduction to the grape varieties available or you can join us on a Campania vineyard discovery!
What else is there to do in Campania?
Once you start looking at what there is to do outside of Naples Italy, you will find it difficult to decide what to add to your plans! Luckily you can do a lot, with great connections between Naples and the rest of the region.
Seek the sun in Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento are very popular vacation destinations for a reason. The town of Sorrento is the perfect place to base yourself for a Campania trip as from here you can easily get to all of the major attractions in the region. Plus, the town itself is filled with excellent restaurants and great shopping – you won’t struggle for activities here!
There is more to the Amalfi Coast than the towns of Amalfi and Positano, with towns like Maiori and Vietri sul Mare being good alternatives with better beaches. The winding coast road is an experience in itself (although we strongly recommend getting a private driver rather than braving it yourself) or you can hike the Path of the Gods high up above the crowds below.
Go back in time at Pompeii and Herculaneum
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Pompeii is a must see. One of the most popular sites anywhere in Italy, walking the streets of the ancient city is truly special. Make sure to plan ahead for your visit as tickets sell out fast and you do not want to be in Pompeii in the middle of the day in high season. If it is your first time visiting, we strongly suggest going with a guide to really bring the site to life.
For a different perspective of ancient times, add a visit to Herculaneum as well. This other town was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius as well but it is a totally different site to Pompeii, more compact and with more original features left intact.
Head out onto the water to visit the Neapolitan Islands
The sea is closely connected to Naples and Campania and always has been. Getting to see one or more of the Neapolitan islands should be part of your trip, and luckily the ferry routes run regularly, making this easy to do.
Ischia and Procida are close to Naples Italy, with constant ferries running between the mainland and the islands. Ischia is the bigger island, where you’ll find stunning beaches, fantastic thermal spas and an impressive Aragonese castle. Procida is simply beautiful, with little fishing villages, colorful houses, and unspoiled scenery. You can see both in a day if you plan your ferries carefully, but staying overnight on one of them is a more relaxing way to explore.
Capri is the more famous island, drawing film stars and billionaires on their yachts with incredible blue waters, designer shops and fancy restaurants. Yes, it can get very busy here during the summer but once you get away from the port the crowds dissipate and you’ll find lots of offer those of us who don’t have a private yacht waiting in the harbor!
Walk up to the ancient ruins of Villa Jovis to see the countryside or take the bus to Anacapri before getting on the cable car to the island’s highest point for unbeatable views.
Campania Italy Connections
As we’ve mentioned already, Campania is well connected for travelers.
The main airport is Naples International Airport, the busiest in southern Italy. This mainly has European flights but also some from further afield, including US destinations. If you’re flying directly to Naples, you can connect to the city center easily with buses and taxis, there is no train connecting the airport however.
Napoli Centrale is the main train station in Naples. High speed trains connected Naples and Salerno with the rest of Italy stop here, so if you’re coming from Rome, Florence or Venice, this is where you will want to be.
Napoli Centrale is also where the train line to Sorrento connects – this is not a high speed train. The Circumvesuviana is notorious for being inefficient and busy, which isn’t entirely untrue but is an essential part of the Campania experience in our opinion! The Campania Express trains on the line are more expensive but more reliable and comfortable so book these if you can.
There are no trains to the Amalfi Coast so you will need to get to Sorrento and then take a taxi, bus or ferry to your final destination. Alternatively you can take a ferry direct from Naples which is often easier, especially if you have a lot of luggage with you. The port of Naples is called Molo Beverello, and you can arrange onward travel to the islands, Sorrento, Amalfi, Positano and more from here.
Our love for Campania Italy is well known, and we have no end of suggestions and recommendations beyond what we have outlined here. We can’t wait to share this wonderful region with you – get in touch today to discuss how we can help you create your ideal Campania trip, or take a look at our Naples and Campania experiences.
