Campania tourist information

About the Campania region

Campania is one of Italy’s most beautiful regions. Both mountainous and green, the area’s history of volcanic activity has played a large part in shaping the environment. The climate is warm, and one of the most familiar images is of oranges and lemons growing in green groves above the deep blue sea.

Campania’s coastline, particularly the Sorrento Peninsula, is dramatic and attractive. Out at sea lie even greater beauties, the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.

Campania’s cuisine relies upon local products: seafood, buffalo mozzarella, oranges and lemons. Among the food to sample are authentic Neapolitan pizza, ice cream, granita di limone (a refreshing crushed-ice lemon drink) and any (or all) of the region’s gorgeous desserts. Limoncello is the alcoholic speciality, but Campania also has several good wines.

For those more interested in history and culture than in beaches, Naples offers the priceless collections in its archaeological museum, and opera performances at the prestigious Teatro San Carlo, while Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum are three of the world’s greatest archaeological sites. The charm of Campania, however, is that you don’t need to make such choices. Here you can combine superb cuisine, hours by the sea, giddying hikes, and even ballet on the beach in one sunny holiday.

Colourful, chaotic and fascinating Naples

Campania airports

Naples Capodichino is the region’s principal airport. Easyjet and British Airways both offer direct flights to the aiport from the UK – see Get There for further information. The airport is connected by bus to the city, its railway station and to tourist destinations such as Sorrento. Naples is easily reachable from Rome, by train or motorway.

Where to go in Campania

The famous view along the Amalfi Coast from Ravello

Naples itself is a worthy, if chaotic, destination, despite often being missed off the tourist trail in favour of its lovely neighbours: the islands of Ischia and Capri; the Amalfi Coast; Sorrento and ancient Pompeii. The Amalfi Coast is one of the world’s top tourist destinations: a beautiful stretch of mountainous coastline dotted with small towns.

For a relaxing trip, there are ideal resort destinations like Capri and Positano. If you prefer a busy sight-seeing holiday, Naples makes a practical base, for at least a couple of days. To appreciate Campania, though, a two-centre trip is the perfect solution: a few nights in Naples or nearby, to ‘do’ the museums and archaeological sights, followed by several days unwinding on an island or the Amalfi Coast.