Things to Do Near Naples

Are you staying in the city of Vesuvius for more than three days? There’s plenty to see and do in Naples and the surrounding area, as a longer stay is the best way to discover the region: Campania.

The famous Roman historian Pliny the Elder loved this region and coined the term “Campania illa felix” because of its beauty and the fertility of its land. Historic towns, natural wonders and culinary delights await you in the area around Naples.

The famous blue island in the Gulf of Naples has a long history as a tourist destination. Even in ancient Roman times , emperors loved to relax amidst the Mediterranean vegetation and crystal-clear waters. Of the twelve villas from antiquity, only three remain today: Villa Jovis, Palazzo a Mare and Damecuta.

The most interesting one to visit is undoubtedly the first, which served as Emperor Tiberius’s retreat. To visit it on your own, you’ll need to walk for about 45 minutes from the central Piazzetta – Capri’s main square – and pay around €6. Opening hours vary by season: in winter they are open from 10:00 to 16:00, whilst in summer they stay open until 19:00.

The Roman heritage is not Capri’s only attraction. Despite its small size, there are dozens of things to do. The list below reveals the island’s best attractions:

• Saetta, Stella and Scopolo, the three sea stacks. Their name derives from the Greek ‘pharos’ (lighthouse), as in ancient times bonfires were lit to signal the presence of the rocks to sailors. To admire them from a prime vantage point, I recommend booking a table at the Terrazza Brunella restaurant (Via Tragara 24)
• Villa San Michele, a splendid residence built on the ruins of a 10th-century chapel. It was built by Axel Munthe, a Swedish doctor who fell in love with Capri. For more information on opening times and admission fees, I recommend taking a look at the official website
• Grotta Azzurra, the island’s most famous attraction. It is a natural cave some 60 metres long and 25 metres wide where the water takes on a magical hue. The entrance is tiny and, therefore, it can only be visited by small rowing boats and if sea conditions permit. Typically, an individual visit costs around €14
• Monte Solaro, the highest point on the island. From its summit, you can enjoy a splendid view of Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. On clear days, you can also admire the Apennines, the Amalfi Coast and the mountains of Calabria in the distance. A chairlift connects the village of Anacapri with the summit. A return ticket costs around €12

Capri is not a cheap island, as most activities incur a charge. A good way to save money is to choose an organised day trip to Capri from Naples. In this case, most costs are included, with the exception of tips and optional activities. These trips usually last around 8 hours.

The Reggia di Caserta is the largest royal residence in the world. It was built at the behest of Charles III of Spain with the intention of rivalling the Palace of Versailles. To achieve this feat, the king commissioned the work to Luigi Vanvitelli, one of the greatest exponents of the Rococo style. The work was completed in 1845 by his son Carlo.

This enormous royal palace covers an area of 47,000 m² and comprises five floors and four inner courtyards. From the outside, the most striking features are the spectacular fountains inspired by classical mythology. They stretch for 3 kilometres, and the most famous is probably the Fontana dei Tre Delfini, a fountain featuring three large dolphins with grotesque features.

There are basically three types of ticket: a single ticket covering the historic apartments, the park and the English garden (approximately €14), and individual tickets for the park and the historic apartments (around €10 for each). Getting there is very easy as it is just a few minutes’ walk from Caserta Central Station. For more information, I recommend taking a look at the official website.

In 79 AD, Vesuvius buried Pompeii under a layer of ash. The eruption brought an end to the history of a prosperous city; it exported olive oil and wine as well as being a holiday resort for the elites of ancient Rome. In the 18th century, following discoveries in nearby Herculaneum, Charles III of Spain decided to fund the excavations.

The excavations begun by the king and subsequent excavations brought the buildings of ancient Pompeii back to light. The archaeological site is vast, and it is important to know which attractions you must not miss:

• The Forum, the economic and religious centre of the city. The ancient shops are still there, along with three temples dedicated to Venus, Jupiter and Apollo.
• The House of the Faun, the residence of one of Pompeii’s most prominent figures
• The Lupanar, where carnal desires were satisfied. The brothel was spread over two floors and its walls were decorated with erotic scenes. Some of these have survived to the present day
• Villa dei Misteri, the home of wealthy Roman patricians. Some historians believe it belonged to Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus. It is famous for a large fresco depicting a rite reserved for the devotees of Dionysus
• Orto dei fuggiaschi, the bodies of 13 victims of the eruption. Their flight was cut short at this spot, and what we can see today are plaster casts of their bodies. It is undoubtedly the most heart-wrenching site in Pompeii

To explore the subject further, I recommend reading the post that outlines what to see and do in Pompeii. If you have limited time to organise your visit, I recommend booking a day trip to Pompeii from Naples. A coach will collect you from your hotel or a central point in the city and take you to the archaeological excavations in a comfortable, air-conditioned coach.

About forty minutes by train from Naples lies the region’s second city: Salerno. In recent years, it has grown significantly as a tourist destination, and there are plenty of reasons why: it has a long history and is halfway between the Amalfi Coast and Cilento.

To make your visit easier, I’ve put together a short itinerary starting at the train station:

• Lungomare, the promenade linking the historic centre with Santa Teresa beach. It is entirely pedestrianised and lined with hundreds of trees and plants
• Cattedrale di Santa Maria degli Angeli, Salerno’s main cathedral. Although it may look simple from the outside, once inside it is a completely different story. The Duomo is located in Piazza Alfano I and can be visited every day from 8.30 am to 8.00 pm (weekdays) and from 8.30 am to 1.00 pm and from 4.00 pm to 8.00 pm (public holidays). Entry to the crypt – where the remains of Saint Matthew are kept – costs €1
• Giardino della Minerva, a botanical garden created in the 18th century by Matteo Silvatico, a leading figure of the famous Salerno School of Medicine. Here, professors taught students the properties and uses of each herb. You can visit it from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm. A standard ticket costs €3
• Resilienza, a pizzeria that follows a zero-mile philosophy. I recommend trying the “Cetarina” (with organic tomatoes, garlic, oregano and Cetara anchovies) or a “Resilienza” (with parsley pesto, Cetara anchovies and Fior di Latte, a fresh cheese similar to buffalo mozzarella). In spring and summer, you can eat in the outdoor garden. It is located at Via Santa Teresa 1
• With a full stomach, you can head towards Arechi Castle, a medieval fortress overlooking the town and the gulf. Its golden age coincided with the reign of the Lombard duke of the same name, who improved this defensive structure of Byzantine origin. Inside, there is a museum housing a collection of weapons, ceramics and coins. Admission costs €4
• Medieval Aqueduct, the conduit that carried water to the Monastery of San Benedetto
• Before heading back to the station, you can take a detour and return to the seafront promenade. Here you’ll find Bar Nettuno, a must-visit for any ice cream lover. You’ll find it at Lungomare Trieste 136.

The archaeological park at Herculaneum is less well-known than that of Pompeii, but no less fascinating for it. There are several differences between the two sites. Firstly, Herculaneum was smaller and overlooked the Mediterranean. Secondly, the eruption had two distinct effects: whilst Pompeii was buried under 8 metres of rock and ash, in Herculaneum the depth was 25 metres!

The excavations were much more complicated, yet archaeologists have unearthed a number of finds. The most famous is the Villa dei Papiri, an ancient library that housed Roman manuscripts. Private residences such as the Casa dei Cervi, the Casa di Aristide and the Casa dell’Albergo are also well preserved.

If you choose a day trip to Herculaneum from Naples, you’ll have a guide at your disposal who will reveal the site’s secrets. After about two hours, the bus will take you to the large square at the end of the Ercolano-Vesuvio Provincial Road. This is where trail number 5, ‘Il Gran Cono del Vesuvio’, begins.

The path runs along the lower rim of the crater and offers a natural viewpoint over Mount Somma, the Gulf of Naples and the islands. The first part is probably the most challenging, but don’t worry – you don’t need to be an athlete to make the climb. After this section, it becomes a pleasant stroll. The route is circular and you’ll need to allow at least 3 hours to complete it.

Behind Amalfi lies a large green area known as the “Valle delle Ferriere”. The name derives from the ironworks that once occupied the area and supplied iron to the Maritime Republic of Amalfi. Hiking enthusiasts will find their paradise here; the trail winds through woods, streams and terraces with olive groves, vineyards and citrus orchards.

The starting point is Piazza Flavio Gioia, a stone’s throw from the Old Arsenal of the Republic of Amalfi. After passing through the old town, the walk follows the banks of the Canneto stream and heads into the mountains until it reaches an old aqueduct. Once there, you can start your return journey.

The walk is not too strenuous and takes around 3 hours.

A few kilometres from Naples, at the foot of Monte di Procida,lies a small lake of lacustrine origin. This is Lake Fusaro, a body of water connected to the sea by two canals. In the middle is a small island home to the Casina Vanvitelliana, the Gran Restaurant, a few pavilions and a park with typical Mediterranean vegetation.

The Real Casino dei Borboni – nicknamed the Casina Vanvitelliana – is a late Baroque building designed by the architect Carlo Vanvitelli. The main building is connected to the shore by a picturesque wooden bridge. It was used by the kings of Naples for their hunting and fishing trips and employed hundreds of people.

It is open to visitors on Fridays and Saturdays from 17:00 to 21:00. On Sundays, opening hours are split: from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00. A ticket costs approximately €5.

As well as by car, you can reach the lake’s shores by public transport. Simply take metro line 2 and get off at Montesanto. From there, you’ll need to take the Cumana train from Napoli-Torregaveta station (a stone’s throw from the metro) and get off at the Fusaro stop.

Procida is a little gem that is often overlooked. Visitors fall in love with it, and it would be hard not to; the pastel-coloured houses and peaceful atmosphere are the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of Naples. What’s more, the island is surrounded by beaches and small coves with crystal-clear waters.

Every day trip should include a stop at Marina della Corricella, a fishing village famous for its ‘Vefi’, typical arched balconies of Arab origin.

In this area you’ll find several restaurants serving dishes based on the freshest fish. I recommend ordering linguine with lobster or pasta alla pescatora povera (with anchovies and fried green chillies).

Ferries and hydrofoils connect Naples with the island of Procida. After a short crossing, the boats dock at the port of Marina Grande, which is just a short walk from the historic centre. A standard ticket costs around €10.

It is known as the "pearl of the Sannio" and is located about 45 kilometres from Naples. Its origins date back to ancient Roman times and it has retained all its charm.

The old town stands on a tuff rock overlooking two rivers: the Martorano and the Riello.
It is not the only example of its kind in Italy – Pitigliano is its Tuscan counterpart – yet it is well worth a visit to soak up its charm.

A day is enough to enjoy its old town, whose main street is Via Roma. Take the opportunity to admire its many churches and the castle built by the Lombards.

If you want to sample the local cuisine, I recommend the Antico Pozzo degli Ulivi. You’ll dine amongst vineyards and olive trees (Via Piana del Mondo)

Sant’Agata de’ Goti is also known for its apples, black truffles and wine production. If you have room in your suitcase, take a bottle of Falanghina home with you. To get here, you’ll need to hire a car in Naples. The journey takes about an hour.

Pozzuoli reached its golden age in Roman times, and monuments such as the Flavian Amphitheatre and the Temple of Serapis bear witness to this. In fact, the latter was not a place of worship but a market adorned with columns and a statue dedicated to the Egyptian deity. On some days, the ground is dry, whilst on others, the sea floods the area and soaks its mosaics.

This phenomenon is not governed by the tides but by bradyseism, a very common occurrence in the Vesuvian area. In short, the ground rises or sinks depending on magmatic movements. This wonder is best observed at the Solfatara, depressions in the ground from which water vapour mixed with carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide escapes.

Getting to Pozzuoli from Naples is very easy; you can choose to take the train (from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi) or the metro (line 2). In both cases, you should get off at the Pozzuoli Solfatara stop. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

In my opinion, I don’t think it’s worth it. It’s a city with a long history and a booming tourist destination. As well as the classic monuments and museums, it boasts unique attractions such as Underground Naples, two underground itineraries that reveal a city beneath the city. There are thousands of cultural, historical and gastronomic experiences worth discovering.

Even so, if you’re visiting Naples in summer and want to get a bit of a tan, it’s best to head out of the city. There are some beautiful urban beaches – particularly La Gaiola, Scoglione, Lido Sirena and Bagno Elena – but they’re usually very crowded. You’ll have better luck on other stretches of the Neapolitan coast or on the nearby Amalfi Coast.