Two days in Avellino is just the right amount of time to get to know the city without rushing and treat yourself to a day in the mountains or among the vineyards. This is how we organised our weekend in Irpinia, and we share it with you with a few alternatives to suit your tastes.
Saturday morning: the historic centre
Start from the Collina della Terra, the oldest part of the city, with the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and its crypt. San Modestino, Avellino's patron saint, is also venerated here. A few steps away are the remains of the Lombard Castle, inhabited over the centuries by the city's rulers up to the Caracciolo: you will find its story in The Lombard Castle of Avellino.
Then head down to Piazza Amendola, where the Clock Tower, the Obelisk of Charles II and the façade of the Dogana tell the story of the Baroque Avellino of Cosimo Fanzago. Mid-morning we recommend a break with a torrone treat, one of the province's specialities.
Saturday afternoon: the Corso and the Museo Irpino
In the afternoon, stroll along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, the city's pedestrian living room. Along the way you will come across Palazzo De Conciliis, where Victor Hugo stayed as a child in 1808, and the Villa Comunale, created in the nineteenth century as a botanical garden.
If it rains or if you love museums, devote a couple of hours to the former Bourbon Prison, which now houses exhibition spaces of the Museo Irpino: we describe it in The Museo Irpino and the former Bourbon Prison. Check opening times and tickets on the official website before you set off. You will find the full walking route in What to visit in Avellino.
Saturday evening: Irpinian cuisine
For dinner, go for traditional dishes: handmade fusilli with ragù, minestra maritata, and cured meats and cheeses from the mountains, such as caciocavallo irpino. Pair them with a glass of Aglianico or, if you prefer white, Fiano. To find your way around the menu read What to eat in Avellino and, for your glass, our guide to the wines of Avellino.
Sunday: Montevergine, Laceno or the vineyards
Sunday is the right day to leave the city. We suggest three alternatives, all of which we have tried.
- Montevergine: the sanctuary on Monte Partenio, above Mercogliano, can be reached by car or by funicular. It is a place of faith but also a natural balcony over Irpinia. Find out more in The Sanctuary of Montevergine.
- Lake Laceno: at Bagnoli Irpino, at about 1,050 metres in the Picentini Mountains, it is perfect for a walk, a bike ride or, in winter, a day in the snow. Everything is in Lake Laceno and its plateau.
- The wine hills: between Taurasi, Tufo and Lapio you cross the landscapes of Irpinia's three DOCGs. Many wineries offer visits by appointment: ask before you go.
Whatever you choose, set off early: the inland roads are scenic but winding, and it is best to enjoy them at leisure. On your return, if you have an hour left, take one last stroll along the Corso at dusk, when the city fills with people for the evening passeggiata. We found it the best way to say goodbye to Avellino before getting back on the road.
How to get there and when to go
Avellino can be reached by car via the A16 Naples–Canosa motorway or from Salerno via the motorway link road; there are also bus connections with Naples and Salerno. For the Sunday day trip you need a car. The ideal weekend is in spring or autumn, when temperatures are mild and the vineyards and chestnut groves are at their best; in winter, check the weather and road conditions if you are heading up into the mountains.
In the surroundings
If you have more time, our guide Avellino and its surroundings will help you choose the province's other stops. As an alternative to a Sunday in the mountains there are the 5 must-see places in Avellino, while those seeking unusual atmospheres can start from Things to do in Avellino: mysterious and fascinating places. Before you leave, browse The most beautiful villages of Irpinia: Zungoli, Monteverde, Nusco.
Top photo (Avellino): unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
