Campania may not be a familiar name, but this southern Italian region is rich with travel bucket-list must-sees. The Amalfi Coast’s technicolor fishing villages, glam Capri, the bustling resort town of Sorrento, ancient Pompeii, the volcanic crater atop Mount Vesuvius, and the captivating port city of Naples are all located within its confines, as well as lesser known treasures like the ruins of Herculaneum, Paestum’s Greek temples, and the islands of Ischia and Procida. Not sure where to start? Ponder your options over an authentic wood-fired “pizza napolitana” overlooking the Bay of Naples.
Many of Campania’s natural and cultural treasures are outdoors, so it’s best to visit in the spring or fall, when temperatures are tolerable and the skies are clear. That said, if you want to see the the world’s glitterati at popular spots like the Amalfi Coast and Capri, you’ll have to visit in the summer, when coastal towns celebrate their patron saints with processions and fireworks. Ravello also holds its famed music festival in the summer.
Campania has a regional train and bus network, but both are infamously slow and badly maintained. The best way to get around the inland areas is by rental car; ferries offer reliable (and scenic) transportation to coastal destinations between Naples and Salerno. The Amalfi Coast does not have a train line, so visitors can hop between towns via the SITA bus, the ferry, or on rental scooters; the coastline’s snarled traffic and winding roads make driving challenging.
The high-season crowds in popular destinations like Positano and Amalfi can be overwhelming, but Campania locals and savvy visitors know that calm respite is just a few minutes east. The quiet towns of Minori, Maiori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare (which is famous for its historic ceramic production) offer much of the same charm as their famous neighbors with far fewer tourists. Head to any of these charming spots for a break from the chaos, affordable dining, and more spacious beaches.
Local Currency Euro (€) | Time Zone CEST (UTC +1) | Country Code +39 | Language(s) Italian | Attractions 6 | Tours 210 | Reviews 1,496 |
Campania is known primarily as the home of Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and Pompeii. Other well-known travel destinations include the luxurious island of Capri and the Benevento and the Royal Palace of Caserta in the interior. Campania is home to 10 of Italy’s 58 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
...MoreCampania produces some of Italy’s best pizza, mozzarella, and espresso. The birthplace of pizza, Naples, is the region’s food capital. Gragnano, a hill town above the Amalfi Coast, originated dry pasta. Buffalo farms produce mozzarella, most famously in Caserta and Paestum. And, limoncello is the region’s most famous liqueur.
...MoreCampania is on Italy’s southwestern coast between the regions of Lazio, where Rome sits, and Calabria—the “toe” on the boot of Italy. From Rome, it’s a 1–2-hour train ride south to Naples, the region’s capital. Campania borders Molise, Apulia, and Basilicata from north to south along its eastern border.
...MoreTrains rule in Campania. High-speed Frecciarossa trains connect Naples with metro areas; slower Intercity (IC) trains are more affordable; and budget regional trains plod between small towns and the interior. Convenient SITA buses link the Amalfi Coast with Sorrento and Salerno. Ferries cruise between ports to Capri, Ischia, and beyond.
...MoreNaples is the region’s capital and largest city in size and density. Salerno, on the southern end of the Amalfi Coast, is second-largest by population. Most other sizeable urban centers—such as Giugliano, Torre del Greco, and Pozzuoli—are suburbs of Naples. Caserta, Benevento, and Avelino are the largest cities along the interior.
...MoreYes. In Campania, you’ll find some of the best mozzarella, pizza, and coffee anywhere on earth. The region includes 10 of Italy’s 58 UNESCO World Heritage sites. And, Naples, the regional capital, is within day-trip distance to archaeological sites in Pompeii and Paestum, the dazzling Amalfi Coast, and luxurious Capri.
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