Naples is one of my great favorites, and the surrounding area also offers numerous natural and cultural attractions.
Table of Contents
Attractions around Naples
Pompeii
The place became famous due to its tragic destruction. On August 24, 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius erupted and covered the city with ash and lava.
Due to the several meters thick layer of ash, the buildings, artifacts, and even the remains of people who lived there were preserved in exceptionally good condition for posterity. The city’s streets, houses, baths, temples, shops, and amphitheater were all preserved. The frescoes, mosaics, and wall paintings found here are also outstanding from an artistic perspective.
Interestingly, the ruins were only discovered by accident in the 16th century. Today, it’s one of Italy’s premier tourist destinations and a World Heritage site.
All information can be found here!
From Naples, the Circumvesuviana train runs from Garibaldi station (next to Centrale station). Get off at the Scavi station. The schedule can be found here.
Mount Vesuvius
One of Europe’s most famous and dangerous active volcanoes, which defines Naples’ skyline.
Its crater is currently about 300 meters deep and 600 meters wide. Although its last significant eruption was in 1944, Vesuvius remains active and is continuously monitored by the Italian Volcanological Institute. Due to volcanic activity, the soil around the volcano is extremely fertile, making the region famous for its wines and agricultural products.
Several organized tours to Vesuvius depart from Naples and other nearby towns. Those arriving by car can drive up to the parking lot at 800 meters, from where they must continue on foot. This is a 20-30 minute steep climb, but the panorama from above compensates for the effort.
The crater tour requires a fee! Tickets can be purchased on this website. You need to select the day and time. The calendar shows which days and time slots still have availability.
Sorrento
The city is popular with tourists due to its steep rocky coastline and wonderful location.
Several medieval monuments can be found in its downtown area. The 14th-century St. Francis Monastery welcomes visitors with quiet gardens and beautiful views. The city’s cathedral (Cattedrale di Sorrento) is an impressive building from the 11th century, featuring beautiful interior frescoes and carvings. The Correale Museum displays archaeological finds and artifacts.
Sorrento’s most famous attraction is its unparalleled view of the Gulf of Naples, Isle of Capri, and Mount Vesuvius. There are numerous viewpoints along the city’s steep rocky coastline.
While here, try limoncello (lemon liqueur). This is an alcoholic beverage made from lemons. No wonder, as you can see lemon trees and even lemon farms everywhere!
Direct trains, the Circumvesuviana, run to Sorrento from Garibaldi station (next to Centrale station). The schedule can be found here.
Amalfi Coast
Probably everyone has heard of this coastal section. The approximately 40 km stretch from Positano to almost Sorrento offers amazing views of the sea, where the road leads through the cliff face.
We can also experience this beautiful panorama during a hike. The Sentiero degli Dei, the Path of the Gods, is a 7.8 km long path between Nocelle and Bomerano. You need to be very careful as often only a small path leads through the cliff face.
There are three must-visit places on the Amalfi Coast: Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello. All three towns offer beautiful sea views, and most accommodations can be found here.
Travel is possible by bus from Sorrento or from the other direction, Salerno. Buses from both directions run to Amalfi, and continuing requires a transfer. Schedules can be found here. Tickets cannot be purchased on the bus; they are available at tobacco shops, newsstands, and cafes.
Positano and Amalfi can also be reached by boat from Sorrento, Capri, and Salerno. The schedule can be found here.
Between Salerno and Naples, you can easily travel by train (in addition to the direct bus between the airport and the city). Multiple trains run between the two cities every hour. The schedule can be checked on the railway’s official website by entering the route and selecting the time.
Capri
Many consider it the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean, and it’s a must-visit when in Naples.
From the port, it’s worth taking the cable car up to Capri town center, to Piazza Umberto. The journey offers wonderful views of the sea.
In Anacapri, you’ll find Villa San Michele. It’s a villa full of ancient artworks, made famous by a book by its former owner, Dr. Axel Munthe. The villa’s garden contains Egyptian and other antiquity-era relics and artworks, such as the Sicilian lamp and the Egyptian sphinx. The garden offers fantastic views of the sea. Information can be found here.
From Anacapri’s town center, a cable car runs to the island’s highest point, Monte Solaro, offering beautiful panoramic views. Schedule and ticket prices can be found here.
One of its main natural attractions is the Grotta Azzurra, the Blue Grotto. It got its name from the light filtering into the cave, creating a beautiful blue hue. Tourists are taken in by small boats.
You can reach Capri by boat from Naples and Sorrento. Schedule and online booking available here.
Ischia
The largest of the islands in the Gulf of Naples, famous for its thermal springs, picturesque beaches, and beautiful landscapes.
One of its most famous attractions is the Aragonese Castle, built on a rocky promontory on the eastern part of the island. An artificial bridge connects it to the mainland. The castle was built by Aragonese rulers in the 15th century and still offers impressive views of the bay and the rest of the island. Entrance fees and opening hours can be found here!
Ischia is world-famous for its thermal waters, fed by volcanic activity. The island offers several famous thermal parks where visitors can relax in therapeutic waters, saunas, and mud treatments. The Poseidon Gardens and Negombo thermal parks are the most popular, but smaller family baths can also be found on the island.
The La Mortella Garden is also worth mentioning. This beautiful botanical garden was created by English composer William Walton and his wife, boasting more than 300 different plant species. The garden has a terraced layout and offers wonderful views of the sea.
Being a volcanic island, most of its beaches are grayish in color. One of the most famous is Maronti Beach on the southern coast, which stretches for several kilometers and is well-developed.
One of its most interesting beaches is Sorgeto Bay, not far from Sant’Angelo. Here, seawater mixes with rising thermal water, creating a pleasant water temperature for swimming. However, you have to climb down and up about 250 steps, so you need to work for this great experience.
It can be reached from Naples by a roughly one-and-a-half-hour boat ride. Most boats go to Ischia Porto (the capital), while some boats run to Casamicciola port. Schedule and ticket purchase available here!
Procida
The island between the mainland and Ischia is less crowded but offers a special experience with its beautiful colorful houses, narrow streets, and idyllic harbors.
The island is only 4 square kilometers, so it can be easily explored on foot. Most people explore the port area, where colorful houses line up next to each other, often shining in pink, yellow, blue, and green colors.
Procida is easily accessible from Naples and Pozzuoli by ferry or fast boat. The ferry journey from Naples takes about an hour, while fast boats reach the island in about 30-40 minutes. Schedule can be found here!
Royal Palace of Caserta
This palace, which is wonderful even by world standards, is unjustly underrepresented among the attractions around Naples!
This was the former residence of the Bourbon kings of Naples. Construction began on January 20, 1752, based on Luigi Vanvitelli’s plans, under the orders of Charles VIII. It was the largest European construction project of the 18th century, completed in 1780 during Ferdinand I’s reign.
The palace is 247 meters long, five stories high, and has more than 1,200 rooms, 34 staircases, and 1,742 windows. Among its interior spaces, the throne room, chapel, and theater are outstanding.
What makes the palace truly amazing is its huge, long garden. Along the 3 km central avenue, there is a series of fountains and pools, fed by water from an artificially created waterfall on the side of Briano hill.
The direct train from Naples stops in front of the park leading to the castle, making it easy to visit.
All information can be found here!
Royal Palace of Caserta: Italy’s Versailles and the Masterpiece of the Bourbons
