Relaxing doesn't require big plans. Sometimes all you need is a chair facing the sea, a book and the sound of boats coming back to harbour. Campania, which we often imagine as crowded and noisy, has many corners where time moves more slowly. In this guide we share our favourites, with a few tips on choosing the right season and style.
Unhurried islands: Procida and the quiet side of Ischia
Procida is the smallest island in the Gulf and perfect for switching off: colourful houses, the harbour of Corricella, beaches you can reach on foot or by bike. You can get around without a car. On Ischia we suggest the less visited sides of the island and early mornings in the thermal gardens, before the groups arrive. Outside July and August both islands find an almost homely pace.
Cilento: clear sea and villages that empty in the evening
Cilento is our favourite answer to anyone asking for "a quiet place by the sea". Between Castellabate, Pollica, Palinuro and Camerota you'll find wide beaches, coves reachable by boat and hilltop villages. The food is simple and healthy: this is where the idea of the Mediterranean diet, recognised by UNESCO as intangible heritage, was born.
Hills and countryside: Irpinia and Sannio
If you tire of the sea, head inland. Irpinia has chestnut woods, lakes and villages such as Bagnoli Irpino and Montella, where in autumn the air smells of mushrooms and chestnuts. In Sannio, among vineyards and olive groves, staying at a farmhouse means waking up to silence.
Spas and warm waters
For many people relaxing means warm water: Ischia, Contursi Terme, Telese Terme and the Phlegraean Fields have a long spa tradition.
Our tips for a truly relaxing holiday
- Choose the low season: May, June, September and October still have pleasant sea and far fewer crowds.
- One base: changing hotel every two days is the opposite of relaxing. Better a comfortable place from which to take short trips.
- Leave the car when you can: on the islands and along the coast, ferries, hydrofoils and boats are easier.
- Eat on local time: long lunches, late dinners, a stroll after dinner. It's the best way to slip into the rhythm of the place.
Looking for somewhere to stay? In the Where to stay section you'll find hotels, B&Bs, farm stays and holiday homes across the region.
