Here are some of our favorite activities in and around the area of Campania:

Sightseeing (or for a good run)

Caserta hosts many sights within walking distance, such as the royal palace and gardens.

Be Italian and enjoy yourselves

Drink leisurely at cafés, eat locally at restaurants, and go shopping in the Caserta town center's beautiful and elegant shop windows.

Day trips

The Amalfi Coast, Naples, island-hopping, visiting archeological sites such as Pompeii – there are many options that we can advise you on!

Art & history-lovers

Suppose you plan on seeing many of the cultural sights in Campania. In that case, we suggest the Artecard with which you can skip the line to visit 80 cultural sites in Naples and Campania Region with an included entrance fee and public transportation.

The Royal Palace of Caserta (Reggia di Caserta) is a magnificent former royal residence that holds significant historical and architectural importance. Commissioned by Charles VII of Naples in the 18th century, the palace was designed by the architect Luigi Vanvitelli and construction began in 1752. The palace was intended to rival the Palace of Versailles in France and became the largest royal residence in the world by volume. It served as the royal family's primary residence until the unification of Italy in 1861. The palace is renowned for its Baroque and Neoclassical architecture, sprawling gardens, and grand interior decorations.

Today, the Royal Palace of Caserta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Bourbon rulers of Naples.

The ticket office near the main entrance in Piazza Carlo di Borbone. More information on tickets and opening times can be found on the official website. Italians living abroad can enter free of charge with an identification.

It's possible to buy tickets for the Royal Palace and Royal Gardens separately. The Gardens provide a slight incline and plenty of shade for a wonderful and rewarding view from above after a nice run. There is also a shuttle for an accessible route to the waterfalls.

In addition to the Royal Palace of Caserta, you can take a stroll around the nearby historical center:

• Tour the shopping center along the streets of Via Roma and Via Ferrante.

• Wander into the Cathedral of San Michele Arcangelo (19th century), a lovely church that preserves many works of art.

• Have a drink at the Piazza Vanvitelli, a square with a monument dedicated to Luigi Vanvitelli, the most prominent 18th-century architect of Italy. His great masterpiece was the Royal Palace of Caserta, and the nearby massive aqueduct, Aquedotto Carolino. He also contributed to St. Peter’s Basilica and many churches and buildings in the Marche region. The marble statue rests on a base inlaid with bronze panels with a bas-relief depicting Vanvitelli’s most important works. The monument is located in the tree-lined Piazza Vanvitelli, a pleasant place to relax.

• Visit the Church of St. Sebastiano that was designed by Vanvitelli as a one-nave church.

I Masanielli di Francesco Martucci

A restaurant that is dishing up specialty pizzas amid an easygoing atmosphere. It's a world-renowned pizza place within walking distance from the station.

Pizzeria Da Luca Brancaccio

Pizzeria Luca Brancaccio is located in the center of Caserta, a few meters from the Royal Palace of Caserta. It is an institution in Caserta when it comes to pizza. From his old location where he was appreciated for the quality of his dough, he moved to a new location with a large room with exposed ovens.

Pizzeria Trattoria S. Lucia

A lunch restaurant/pizza place pretty close to the station area. It may not be world-renowned, but it’s a solid, unpretentious, and conveniently located option.

Pizza Guys

This style of pizza is known as “Pizza a Ruota di Carro” (“Wagon Wheel Pizza”) for reasons you can imagine. These oversized pizzas come from the old tradition “pizza rota ‘e carretta” in Neapolitan.

Ristorante Pizzeria La Vera Bellezza

A no-frills local restaurant for pizza and lunch.

Nello Pizzeria

A restaurant for pizza and snacks with fair prices and friendly staff.

Antica Hostaria Massa

A refined restaurant in the centre of Caserta and only a few metres from the Royal Palace of Caserta.

The Kitchen Lab

This restaurant is a more "fusion" Italian cuisine with original dishes that are more experimental than the usual Italian classics.

King's Road Pub & Grill

As seen on Instagram @napolifoodporn, over-the-top, Italian gourmet burgers are a must if you like trendy food.

Prezident

The perfect place for a spritz & aperitivo, but also dining if you get hungry.

Baretto '99

A local bar that is known for its high-quality cocktails and pleasant atmosphere.

Pasticceria Monteforte

Pasticceria Monteforte is a historic family-run pastry shop in Caserta which, in addition to delicious pastries and cakes, produces excellent artisanal gelato.

Gelida Emozione

A gelato shop serving classic and original flavours.

Yogorino

A shop offering froyo, crêpes and pancakes.

Le Squisitezze - Tavola calda

A family-run diner serving home cooking and many different varieties of first and second courses, and boiled or fried side dishes. It's a very low-key lunch option, but also very economical.

Briciola

A deli offering affordable options.

Papasto pizzeria tavola calda

A casual diner serving simple regional food.

Habibi Street Food

A diner with world street food.

Anfiteatro Campano (12km from Caserta)

The Amphitheatre of Capua was a Roman amphitheatre in the city of Capua (modern Santa Maria Capua Vetere), second only to the Colosseum in size and probably the model for it. It may have been the first amphitheatre to be built by the Romans and was the location of the first and most famous gladiator school.

Belvedere of San Leucio (10km from Caserta)

An UNESCO World Heritage Site, San Leucio Belvedere stands on the hill behind the Royal Palace of Caserta, on the land that Charles of Bourbon bought in 1750 from the Caetani of Sermoneta, feudal lords of Caserta. Later in 1778 the king decided to use the structure for the manufacturing and processing of silk. The monumental complex of San Leucio includes, in addition to the Silk Museum, the royal apartments with their beautiful frescos of the dining room made by Fedele Fischetti, which recreate The Marriage between Bacchus and Ariadne, and Maria Carolina's bathroom with its walls decorated by Philipp Hackert.

Bosco of San Silvestro (8km from Caserta)

This nature reserve is a green haven for learning about the protection of nature. A symbol of rebirth and recovery, both natural and architectural, the WWF Bosco di San Silvestro Oasis promotes the concepts of conservation, environmental education, ecological tourism and scientific research.

More than two millennia of history stokes the vitality and energy of this modern-day port city famous for its high-spirited, chaotic everyday life. Naples was the seat of a powerful, independent kingdom for more than 500 years, and drew Europe's finest architects and artists.

Explore these many historic overlays in the colorful Spaccanapoli, at the heart of the old city. Once an enclave of monumental palazzos and magnificent churches, Spaccanapoli now bustles against a backdrop of tenements, workshops, and Vespa-filled streets thrum with local vendors. Spaccanapoli is one of the three main arteries that divide (indeed "split") the Neapolitan city, cutting the historic center from north to south, from the Spanish Quarters to the Forcella neighborhood. The best way to fully understand its name is to admire it from above, from Castel Sant'Elmo or from the Certosa di San Martino.

Stroll to the massive, brooding Duomo, the Cathedral of San Gennaro, whose richly filigreed interior invites you to linger, or visit city's star attraction, the National Museum of Archaeology, which holds priceless antiquities from nearby Pompeii. The Madre museo d’arte contemporanea Donnaregina is located in the heart of old Naples, on what is known as the “Via dei Musei,” just a stone’s throw away from the Duomo, the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and the Accademia di Belle Arti, where the ancient San Lorenzo district is situated.

Via dei Tribunali was the main east-west street—of the ancient Greek and then Roman city of Neapolis and is a great street full of colour, noise, and movement. It's full with countless arts & craft shops, cafés, restaurants, snacks vendors, and churches.

Located in the heart of Naples between Via dei Tribunali and the famous Spaccanapoli, San Gregorio Armeno – also known as Via San Liguoro or as Strada Nostriana – is one of the most famous streets in the Neapolitan city. Here you can breathe in the Christmas atmosphere at any time of the year, given the numerous workshops where you can find nativity scene masters who handcraft statuettes reproducing the protagonists of the Neapolitan nativity scene – both contemporary and traditional figures.

A symbol of Naples, Piazza del Plebiscito is a place to admire its large spaces and the important buildings that overlook it, such as the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola, the Royal Palace, the Palazzo della Prefettura and Palazzo Salerno.

From Via Partenope, on the Naples seafront, you can reach the Isolotto di Megaride, which houses the famous Castel dell'Ovo. During the times of the ancient Romans, a building for defensive and military purposes had been built here. Its location, once important for military reasons, now makes it a wonderful place to admire the entire Gulf of Naples.

While at the bay, take a stroll down the Riviera di Chiaia, a long street running along the coast of the Gulf of Naples where many ancient villas built by aristocratic families between the 16th and 19th centuries, such as the Villa Pignatelli. Lido Mappatella (or "doggy-bag" beach) is a site for those who want to join the locals on the people's beach. It may not have the same appeal for Instagram stories as the Faraglioni in Capri, but it is certainly a place to visit if you want to fully understand what it means to be Neapolitan and live in this city.

Having become one of the symbols of Naples, Galleria Umberto I was built in three years between 1887 and 1890 according to a cross-shaped structure with four orthogonal arms that intersect under a large dome. This 56-meter-high iron and glass dome is inspired not only by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan but also by the numerous covered galleries in Paris.

Getting hungry? Recognized as a cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO, Neapolitan pizza is a true institution:

• 10 Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria, Napoli

• 50 Kalò, Napoli

• Francesco & Salvatore Salvo, Napoli

• La Notizia 94, Napoli

• Palazzo Petrucci Pizzeria, Napoli

• Antica Pizzeria da Michele

If you're looking for a cocktail or dinner, there are many bars and restaurants to choose from on Via Alessandro Scarlatti, a bustling pedestrian street with late-night options.

Walking along Via Scarlatti you arrive at Piazza Vanvitelli and from there, it is very easy to reach the panoramic view of the castle of San Martino (Certosa e Museo di San Martino) where you can admire all of Naples.

If you're looking for panoramic views, you can also visit the fresh and relaxing botanical gardens (Orto Botanico di Napoli), a research facility and botanical garden of the University of Naples Federico II.

And last, but not least – in terms of safety, unfortunately Naples still holds a bad name from the mafia wars of the '80s and '90s, that plagued the streets with violent crimes. Since then, things have much improved and nowadays it has a safety profile similar to other European major cities.

That said, to stay safe the common precautions of visiting any city and crowded touristic area apply: pickpocketing can be common, so keep your belongings in sight and close to you, and phone/wallets in your front pockets; beware of fraudsters looking for money, trying to sell you counterfeit goods or inviting you to play the shell game; avoid the peripheries at night, as they are the most degraded parts of the city.

Nestled in the picturesque Gulf of Naples are three captivating islands waiting to be discovered — Ischia, Capri, and Procida. Each island offers a unique and unforgettable experience, drawing visitors with their distinct charm and beauty.

All islands can be visited as a day trip with the regional ferries from Naples harbor.

Ischia beckons with its natural thermal spas, providing a serene retreat amidst lush gardens and sandy beaches. It's larger and more laid-back than Capri. The iconic Aragonese Castle stands as a testament to the island's rich history, while the enchanting Maronti Beach and rejuvenating thermal parks like Poseidon Gardens offer moments of pure relaxation. Dominated by the splendid Aragonese Castle, which can be admired in all its beauty from the lively Piazzale Aragonese, Ischia Ponte is a place full of wonderful contrasts. Walking through its streets, you will notice how the small fishermen's houses coexist next to elegant buildings of noble origin. Visit the beautiful Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and then head north towards the beaches. You will also come across many restaurants where you can stop for a lunch based on local specialties. North of Ischia Ponte is also Ischia Porto, an area renowned for both its maritime connections with Campania and its nightlife.

Capri, a glamorous gem in the Bay of Naples, allures with its upscale boutiques and breathtaking views from the Gardens of Augustus. It's been a favored summer playground since the Roman emperor Tiberius made the Villa Jovis – now an evocative cliff-top ruin with breathtaking views – his ruling seat in A.D. 26. Today, artists, designers, movie stars, divas, politicians, writers, royals, and financiers make regular appearances in the Piazzetta, Capri's main square that is center of life on the island. After a coffee at one of the bars in the Piazzetta, Visitors can't miss the boat tour to the magical Grotta Azzura (Blue Grotto) sea cave or the charming town of Anacapri. A chairlift ride to Mount Solaro promises panoramic vistas, and indulging in delectable seafood at a waterfront restaurant is a must. The sun, the sea, good wine, and great food come together simply but gloriously on a sun-dappled, seaside terraces of the restaurants in Capri, with the three needlelike rocks of the Faraglioni just off shore. The signature dish is a simple insalata caprese.

Often overshadowed by nearby Capri and Ischia, Procida comprises just two square miles on which a stack of compact, colorful homes conceals narrow, serpentine lanes that zigzag sharply toward the crystal clear coastline. It captivates with its colorful houses and authentic Italian ambiance, providing a laid-back escape for those seeking tranquility. The Marina Corricella, the harbor flanking the island’s oldest fishing village, plays host to dozens of lively quayside restaurants that overlook the bay while the Terra Murata, a fortified Medieval village, looms over the sea from the island's highest point. Stroll through the narrow streets of Terra Murata, unwind on the stunning Chiaia Beach, and treat your taste buds to fresh seafood delights at one of the island's many charming waterfront eateries. Procida is famous for its lemons, which are larger and sweeter than other varieties. The Procidani prepare them in dozens of sweet and savory recipes, and a signature dolce is the Lingue di Procida, or tongues of Procida, lemon-flavored, cream-filled pastries.

Stopped in their tracks by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, Pompeii and Herculaneum offer the best look anywhere at what life in Rome must have been like around 2,000 years ago. These two cities of well-preserved ruins are yours to explore. Of the two sites, Pompeii is grander, while Herculaneum is smaller, more intimate, and more intact; both are easily reached from Naples.

While possible to visit on your own, we recommend an audio guide or to book a tour with a local guide to get the full experience. Specially built accessibility routes through the sites are available.

Mount Vesuvius is one of the most well-known and studied volcanoes in the world for its structure, its eruptive history, and its position, being situated in a densely populated area a few kilometers from the city of Naples.

The current volcano structure is the result of the union of an older external cone, Mount Somma, and a younger internal cone, Vesuvius, formed as a result of violent eruptions. The two cones are separated by a depression called Valle del Gigante which is itself subdivided into the Atrio del Cavallo to the west and the Valle dell’ Inferno to the east.

The origin of the Somma-Vesuvius volcanic structure dates back to about 400,000 years ago. Currently, Mount Vesuvius is a phase of “active rest” and is constantly monitored to control any significant variation in its activity.

You can tour the national park with a guided tour or venturing out on one of the many accessible trails.

Not all of Naples's ruins date from Roman times: The Greek temple complex at Paestum, on the Sorrentine Peninsula, is one of the best preserved and the oldest; the so-called Basilica is the 6th-century B.C. Doric temple to Hera. Guests of the nearby Tenuta Seliano can enjoy warm hospitality at the agriturismo farm and inn of the Baronessa Celicia Belleli Baratta, whose herd of water buffalo supplies Italy with some of its finest mozzarella di bufala.

Velia is famous for being the home of the philosophy school of Parmenides and Zeno. In addition to the Eleatic school, the archaeological site of Velia still tells the story of a great city of Magna Graecia with its citizens, its daily life, its public and private spaces dating back to around 540 BC.

The Archaeological Park of Paestum and Velia is open from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., with the last ticket issued at 6:30 p.m.

Tucked away in the shadow of the soaring Sorrentine Peninsula, Salerno is one of the Campania region’s most underrated cities. Founded by the Romans in the 2nd century BC, this is a historic city with a remarkable amount of significance, mostly owing to its position as the seat of the Salerno Medical School, Europe's first medical institution, dating back to the Middle Ages. You can explore this storied past by visiting sites like the Salerno Cathedral, a stunning example of the mixed architectural tradition of the region, or explore the imposing Castle of Arechi, perched on a hilltop overlooking the cityscape and providing panoramic views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Sorrento is located on a tuff rock above the sea and dominates the horizon. At the top of the rock, the intense green of the vegetation blends harmoniously with the colours of the town of Sorrento. The rugged coastline of Sorrento is made up of hidden coves, small bays, rocks and beaches, a landscape that once terrified the sailors of the past. In ancient times, Sorrento and the Sorrento Coast were the land of the mythical sirens, the mermaids who lured sailors with their song.

The allure of the Amalfi Coast has drawn people to the region that is now Italy for centuries. Its dramatic landscapes and idyllic weather enticed ancient Roman nobles to build their villas there, and the high-end real estate trend never faded. Its fragile cultural landscape — churches, gardens, vineyards, and towns — is divided into 16 municipalities and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano, Ravello are the area's top destinations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year, but it’s also worth getting off the beaten path to explore smaller towns like Vietri sul Mare and Nerano.

The vertiginous Amalfi Drive is a 48-kilometer stretch of hairpin curves that unfurls between Amalfi and Sorrento. Cliffs plunge into an impossibly blue Mediterranean, as a coastline of seaside towns and some of Italy's most precipitously sited and glamorous retreats unfold among terraced olive and lemon groves and umbrella pines.

Tiny, picturesque Amalfi was the heart of a powerful maritime republic as early as the 9th century. A hint of the east shows up in its Duomo di Sant'Andrea: Mosaics adorn the cathedral's facade and the Moorish cloister suggests an Arabian courtyard.

Ravello, perched 335 meters above Amalfi, is aptly described as "the place where poets go to die." Its gardens, those of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo, are among the main reasons why people come to Ravello. There are also the Mediterranean atmospheres, relaxed and calming, of the historic center, the music scene, the end-of-the-world views, the scents (and flavors) of Amalfi lemons. Local shopping in Ravello is done among the little shops and boutiques of the historic center. Piazza Vescovado is its living room, the ideal spot to stop for a drink and a snack at aperitif time. Castiglione beach, the closest to Ravello, is located on the border with Atrani and is truly scenic.

Cliffside Positano is a jumble of converted whitewashed and colored fishermen's houses that spill down a maze of narrow alleyways to the pebbly umbrella-lined beach.

Known for its vibrant colours, exquisite ceramics and breathtaking views, Vietri sul Mare is a true gem of the Italian coast. As soon as you arrive, you'll be captivated by the colourful buildings that line the streets. Each one is decorated with intricate ceramic designs that reflect the town's rich artistic heritage. As you explore the winding alleyways and stairways leading to the sea, you will discover hidden shops and cafés that will give you a flavour of life in the city.

Colatura, which means straining or drippings, is known in Cetara as “the secret of the fishermen.” It has been made in fishermen’s homes since at least the 13th century: anchovies caught in the late spring were gutted, salted and layered in a barrel to macerate and slowly ferment until they release a pungent liquid full of umami. This secret ingredient was lauded by the NY Times, as "to make you feel like an Italian millionaire". While lesser-known than the larger villages on the coast, Cetara has a history of over 1,000 years and some beautifully preserved historic buildings. The village’s tonno rosso (red tuna) industry is world-renowned and Cetara is thought to have the best seafood on the Amalfi Coast, especially anchovies.

To help you navigate Campania's ever-growing wine list, here are some of the region's best drops:

• Taurasi A DOCG since 1991, this dry, intense red goes well with boiled and barbecued meat.

• Fiano di Avellino A dry, fresh DOCG white that's one of Campania's historic wines. Ideal with seafood.

• Greco di Tufo Another long-standing favourite, this DOCG white comes in both dry and sparkling versions.

• Aglianico del Taburno A rich, dense DOCG red that pairs perfectly with succulent cuts of meat.

• Falerno del Massico Its red and white versions originate from the volcanic slopes of Mt Massico in the north of the region.

• Try the strong and bold Lacryma Christi with a local wine tasting at Cantina del Vesuvio. The wine of legends, Lacryma Christi is so named for the tears Christ shed when he descended from the heavens to gaze upon the territory of his fallen brother Lucifer, only to discover the land surrounding the slopes of Vesuvius (one of the ancient entrance’s to hell) was drop dead gorgeous. From the trail of Christ’s tears spontaneously grew these precious vines.

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Founded by the Samnites in the 4th century BC, Benevento later became an important Roman colony known as “Beneventum.” The city flourished under Roman rule and was a key strategic and cultural center in the region. In the Middle Ages, Benevento was ruled by the Lombards and later became part of the Papal States and the Kingdom of Naples.

Throughout its history, Benevento has been influenced by various civilizations, including the Romans, Lombards, Normans, and Aragonese, resulting in a diverse architectural and cultural heritage that can still be seen in the city today. Benevento's historical significance is evident in its well-preserved Roman monuments, medieval churches, and ancient ruins.

Benevento has a folklore associated with witches, specifically the “Stregoneria di Benevento” or Witchcraft of Benevento. Legends tell of witches gathering at the “Walnut Tree of Benevento” for rituals. A magical stone, the “Lapide della Strega,” was believed to have powers. This folklore has influenced the city's culture and attracts visitors intrigued by its mystique.

Interestingly, Benevento is also famous for Strega, a liqueur with a recipe inspired by local legends of witches and magic. Strega liqueur, with its yellow color and herbal flavor, pays homage to Benevento's mystical past, adding a unique touch to the city's historical narrative.

Here are some places to visit in Benevento:

Arch of Trajan

This ancient Roman triumphal arch, built in the 2nd century AD, is a symbol of Benevento and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is beautifully preserved and showcases intricate reliefs depicting scenes from Trajan's reign.

Santa Sofia

The Church of Santa Sofia is a Lombard church dating back to the 8th century and is one of the best-preserved examples of Lombard architecture in Italy. The church features a unique hexagonal layout and stunning frescoes.

Rocca dei Rettori

The Rocca dei Rettori is a medieval fortress located in the heart of Benevento. Visitors can explore the fortress and enjoy panoramic views of the city from its ramparts.

Benevento Cathedral

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a beautiful Romanesque cathedral with a striking bell tower. Inside, visitors can admire intricate mosaics and religious artworks.

Museo del Sannio

This archaeological museum houses a collection of artifacts from the region, including Roman sculptures, ancient coins, and archaeological finds from Benevento and its surroundings.