Top 5 Travel Attractions for Italy’s Campania Region

Guest post by Laura Thayer

When planning a vacation to Italy, the first travel destinations that come to mind are usually Rome, Florence and Venice. Having been to all three, I would certainly agree that they should be at the top of your list. After hitting the big three, many travelers head south for a quick trip to take in the beautiful views from the Amalfi Coast. Yet, there are many more reasons to plan a longer stay in southern Italy’s Campania region. Here are the Top 5 travel attractions in this beautiful part of Italy:

1. Naples – Many visitors skip over visiting Naples when traveling to the nearby Amalfi Coast or the islands of Capri and Ischia. This vibrant city’s seedy and dangerous reputation is a thing of the past, although you do need to be careful as you would in any large city. Naples is home to two world class museums, the Capodimonte and the National Archaeological Museum, the famous Neapolitan pizza and some of the most colorful street life in Italy.

2. Amalfi Coast – The Amalfi Coast is the gem that attracts most visitors to Campania. One visit to this marvelous coastline and you’ll understand why! While the drive along the famously narrow and twisty Amalfi Coast road can be done in one day, plan a longer stay to experience daily life in the villages that dot the mountainous coastline. Visit the villages of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello first. If you have more time, explore the off the beaten path destinations, hike along the ancient pathways or just hit the beach to enjoy the Mediterranean sunshine.

3. Avellino and Sanctuary of Montevergine – Located northeast of Naples in the rolling countryside of Campania, Avellino is an ideal destination for travelers who enjoy exploring rural Italy and experiencing everyday life away from tourist destinations. Nearby you can visit the Sanctuary of Montevergine located near the top of Mt. Montevergine (summit 1,493 meters/ 4,897 feet). The sanctuary houses an important icon of the Virgin Mary and is an important pilgrimage site in southern Italy. The views from the top are expansive, and on a sunny day you can see all the way to Mt. Vesuvius and the Bay of Naples.

4. The Cilento – In southern Campania lies the beautiful Cilento. Driving south of Salerno you’ll discover picturesque coastlines, small towns and some of southern Italy’s prettiest beaches. Much of the Cilento was designated as a national park in 1991, and today the Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano forms Italy’s second largest National Park. Nature enthusiasts will fall in love with this untouched and gorgeous part of Campania!

5. Benevento – You might think you’re in Rome when standing in front of Benevento’s Arch of Trajan. Built between 114 – 177 AD this remarkably well preserved arch was constructed in Benevento to honor the Roman Emperor Trajan. It lies on what was once the Via Traiana, the Roman road that connected Benevento to the important port at Brindisi on the Adriatic Coast. In addition to the arch, you’ll also find the ruins of a large Roman theatre in Benevento.

Laura Thayer is an art historian and freelance writer living on the Amalfi Coast in Campania, Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and blogs about life on the Amalfi Coast at her own site Ciao Amalfi.

p/s: Photos of Naples and Amalfi Coast are copyright© Laura Thayer, Ciao Amalfi!

About The Author

Cecil Lee

The author is an avid traveler and photography hobbyist who loves to share with others his travel and photo-taking experience in many popular tourist destinations around Europe, Asia and Australasia. Read the exciting stories with many photos captured on his journeys.