Naples, Pompeii and the Bay of Naples
Campania is a region of southern Italy on the Tyrrhenian Sea, with Naples as its capital, known for ancient Roman sites, a spectacular coastline and some of Italy's best-loved food. Its history reaches from Greek colonists and the Romans to the Bourbon kings, and the legacy is visible everywhere, from the temples of Paestum to the grand Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with formal gardens and cascades. The landscape of bay, islands and green hills has drawn travellers for centuries.
The archaeological sites are among the most remarkable in Europe. Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserved beneath ash since AD 79, give an extraordinarily intimate view of Roman daily life, with painted villas, streets and shopfronts still readable. Naples holds the finest finds in its National Archaeological Museum, and day trips are easy by local train. The wider region combines naturally with Rome and the Lazio coast on a classic Italian itinerary.
Capri, Ischia, Procida and Amalfi
Offshore, three islands each offer a different pace. Capri is the glamorous one, with its Piazzetta, the Blue Grotto and chair-lift views from Monte Solaro. Ischia is known for thermal gardens and green walking trails, and Procida, a tiny island of pastel houses, was Italy's Capital of Culture in 2022. Ferries and hydrofoils leave Naples and Sorrento throughout the day, so island hopping is easy from the mainland.
On the mainland, the Sorrento Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast fall in terraces of lemon groves to the sea, with Positano, Ravello and Amalfi town as its great names. Campania's table is superb: pizza napoletana, buffalo mozzarella, sfogliatella pastries and seafood pasta are staples, along with Falanghina and Aglianico wines. A tourist board can present each of these as a separate theme, from archaeology to food to island life.
Read the full Campania guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitCampania.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.