A week in Campania is not enough to see everything, but it is enough to fall in love with it. We have tried to put together an itinerary that covers art cities, archaeology, islands and the Amalfi Coast without rushing too much. Here is our day-by-day plan, based in Naples for the first few days and then heading south.
Days 1 and 2: Naples, between the old town and its museums
We always devote the first day to the historic centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Start from Spaccanapoli and the decumani, the ancient main streets, stopping at Santa Chiara, the Gesù Nuovo and the Cathedral (we cover them in The Santa Chiara complex and its majolica cloister, The Church of Gesù Nuovo and in our article on Naples Cathedral). Don't miss the Sansevero Chapel with the Veiled Christ (Visiting Naples: discover the Sansevero Chapel) and in the afternoon go underground: you will find everything in Visiting Underground Naples. If you are there in December, take a stroll among the workshops described in San Gregorio Armeno, the street of nativity scenes.
On the second day we recommend the MANN in the morning, which is excellent preparation for visiting Pompeii: read The National Archaeological Museum of Naples (MANN). In the afternoon go up to the Vomero (see Castel Sant'Elmo and the Certosa di San Martino), then come down towards Piazza del Plebiscito, described in Spaccanapoli, Piazza del Plebiscito and the Royal Palace, and end the day at sunset on the seafront, in front of Castel dell'Ovo. For more ideas, see our two-day Naples itinerary.
Day 3: Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius
The Circumvesuviana railway makes it easy to reach the excavations. We choose Pompeii in the morning, when it is less hot, and Herculaneum in the afternoon: it is smaller but surprisingly well preserved. If you have the energy, you can climb up to the crater of Vesuvius instead. All the details are in Herculaneum and Pompeii: what to see and Mount Vesuvius: its history; if you have time, add the villa at Torre Annunziata described in The Excavations of Oplontis.
Day 4: an island in the gulf
A day at sea is a must. Ferries and hydrofoils leave the port of Naples for Capri, Ischia and Procida. If it is your first time, choose Capri: the Piazzetta, the Gardens of Augustus and, sea permitting, the grotto we describe in The Blue Grotto. If you prefer a quieter atmosphere, go to Procida, small and colourful. Read The island of Capri: what to see and do and The Island of Procida: what to do and what to see.
Day 5: Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast
Move to Sorrento and from there travel along the Amalfi Coast, better by bus or by sea than by car, especially in summer. Stop at Positano, then at Amalfi for its Cathedral, and finally go up to Ravello for the gardens of its villas. Helpful reading: Sorrento: what to see, Positano and Praiano: what to visit, Amalfi: what to do and what to see and Ravello: what to see and major events. For three full days in the area there is The Amalfi Coast in 3 days.
Day 6: Salerno and Paestum
From Amalfi you reach Salerno by sea: a stroll along the seafront and a visit to the cathedral (read Salerno Cathedral). Then take the train to Capaccio Paestum, where the Doric temples always leave us speechless. Stop to taste the mozzarella of the Sele plain. Read Paestum and its temples and Salerno and its surroundings; if you want to stay longer, there is Cilento in 5 days.
Day 7: the Royal Palace of Caserta
The last day is in Caserta, easy to reach by train from both Naples and Salerno. The Royal Palace commissioned by Charles of Bourbon and designed by Luigi Vanvitelli deserves a whole day: the apartments in the morning, the park and fountains in the afternoon. See The Royal Apartments of the Royal Palace of Caserta, our article on the Royal Gardens of Caserta and Caserta and its surroundings.
Getting there and when to go
Naples has Capodichino airport and the central high-speed railway station: the whole itinerary starts from here, almost always without a car. Regional trains, the Circumvesuviana, buses and sea connections cover every stop. The best months are April, May, June and September-October: mild weather and fewer crowds. Check opening hours and tickets for museums and transport on the official websites before you set off.
Nearby
If you have a few more days, head inland with our weekend itinerary through Irpinia and the Sannio, or towards the volcanoes of the Campi Flegrei with our excursion to the Phlegraean Fields. For food, see our guide to what to eat in Naples, and for an overview of the region there is Naples and its surroundings.
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