Things to Do Near Naples

Staying more than three days in the city of Vesuvius? There is plenty to see and do in and around Naples, as a long stay is the ideal way to discover its region: Campania.

The famous Roman historian Pliny the Elder loved this region and coined the term "Campania illa felix" for its beauty and the fertility of the land. Historic cities, natural masterpieces and gastronomic gems await you around Naples.

The famous blue island in the Gulf of Naples has a long history as a tourist destination. Already in the time of ancient Rome, emperors loved to rest among the Mediterranean scrub and crystal-clear waters. Of the twelve villas of antiquity, only three remain today: Villa Jovis, Palazzo a Mare and Damecuta.

The most interesting for a visit is undoubtedly the first one that hosted the good retirement of Emperor Tiberius. To visit it on your own you will have to walk about three quarters of an hour from the central Piazzetta - Capri's central square - and spend about 6 €. Visiting hours depend on the season: in winter they are open from 10:00 to 16:00 while during the summer they are closed until 19:00.

The Roman legacy is not the only attraction of Capri. Despite its small size, there are dozens of plans to choose from. The list below reveals the best attractions on the island:

• Saetta, Stella and Scopolo, the three faraglioni. Their name derives from the Greek "pharos" (lighthouse) because in ancient times bonfires were lit to signal the presence of the rocks to sailors. To admire them from a privileged position I recommend you to book a table at the restaurant Terrazza Brunella (Via Tragara 24).
• Villa San Michele, a splendid residence built on the remains of a chapel of the tenth century. It was built by Axel Munthe, a Swedish doctor who fell in love with Capri. For more information on schedules and fares I recommend you take a look at the official website
• Grotta azzurra, the most famous attraction of the island. It is a natural cavity about 60 meters long and 25 meters wide where the water takes on a magical hue. The entrance is tiny and, therefore, can only be visited with small rowboats and if the sea conditions allow it. As usual, an individual visit costs about 14 €.
• Monte Solaro, the highest point of the island. From its summit you can enjoy a splendid view of Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. On clear days you can also admire the Apennines and the Amalfi coast and the mountains of Calabria in the distance. A chairlift connects the town of Anacapri with the summit. The price of a round trip is around 12 €.

Capri is not an inexpensive island as most activities are fee-based. A good way to save money is to choose an organized excursion to Capri from Naples. In this case, most expenses are included except for tips and optional activities. These trips usually last about 8 hours.

The Reggia di Caserta is the largest royal residence in the world. It was built by the will of Charles III of Spain with the intention of rivaling the Palace of Versailles. To accomplish the feat, the king commissioned the works to Luigi Vanvitelli, one of the greatest interpreters of Rococo. The work was completed in 1845 by his son Carlo.

This enormous royal palace covers an area of 47,000 m2 and consists of five floors and four inner courtyards. From the outside, what stands out most are the spectacular fountains inspired by classical mythology. They cover a distance of 3 kilometers and the most famous is probably the Fontana dei Tre Delfini, a fountain with three large dolphins with grotesque features.

There are basically three types of tickets: a single ticket that includes the historical apartments, the park and the English garden (about 14 €) and individual tickets to access the park and the historical apartments (about 10 € in both cases). Getting there is very easy as it is just a few minutes walk from the central station of Caserta. For more information I recommend you take a look at the official website.

In 79 AD, Vesuvius buried Pompeii under a layer of ashes. The eruption put an end to the history of a prosperous city; it exported olive oil and wine as well as being a resort for the elites of ancient Rome. In the 18th century, after discoveries in nearby Ercolano, Charles III of Spain decided to finance excavations.

The survey started by the king and subsequent surveys brought the buildings of ancient Pompeii back to light. The archaeological site is very large and it is important to know the attractions that you cannot miss:

• The Forum, the economic and religious center of the city. The ancient stores are still there along with three temples dedicated to Venus, Jupiter and Apollo.
• House of the Faun, the residence of one of Pompeii's most prominent exponents.
• The Lupanare, where the desires of the flesh were satisfied. The brothel was distributed on two floors and its walls were decorated with erotic representations. Some of these have survived to the present day
• Villa dei Misteri, the house of wealthy Roman patricians. Some historians believe it belonged to Livia, the wife of Emperor Augustus. It is famous for a large fresco depicting a rite reserved for devotees of Dionysus.
• Orto dei fuggiaschi, the bodies of 13 victims of the eruption. Their escape was interrupted at this point and what we can see today are the plaster reproductions of their bodies. Undoubtedly, it is the most heartbreaking point of Pompeii.

To go deeper into the subject, I recommend you to read the post that illustrates what to see and do in Pompeii. If you have little time to organize the visit, I recommend booking an excursion to Pompeii from Naples. A bus will pick you up at your hotel or at a central point in the city and take you to the archaeological excavations in a comfortable air-conditioned bus.

About forty minutes by train from Naples is the second city of the region: Salerno. In recent years it has grown a lot from a tourist point of view and there is no lack of reasons: it has a long history and is halfway between the Amalfi Coast and the Cilento.

To make the excursion easier for you, I have prepared a small route that starts at the train station:

• Lungomare, the promenade that connects the historic center with the beach of Santa Teresa. It is completely pedestrian and is adorned with hundreds of trees and plants.
• Cattedrale di Santa Maria degli Angeli, Salerno's main church. Although it looks plain from the outside, once inside it changes completely. The Duomo is located in Piazza Alfano I and can be visited every day from 8:30 am to 8:00 pm (weekdays) and from 8:30 am to 1:00 pm and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm (holidays). The entrance to the crypt - where the mortal remains of St. Matthew are kept - costs 1 €.
• Giardino della Minerva, a botanical garden created in the eighteenth century by Matteo Silvatico, exponent of the famous School of Medicine of Salerno. In this place, professors taught students the properties and use of each herb. You can visit it from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9:30 am to 7:30 pm. The whole ticket costs 3 €.
• Resilienza, a pizzeria that follows the philosophy of km 0. I recommend you try the "Cetarina" (with organic tomato, garlic, oregano and anchovies from Cetara) or a "Resilienza" (with parsley pesto, anchovies from Cetara and Fior di Latte, a fresh cheese similar to buffalo mozzarella). In spring and summer you can eat in the outdoor garden. It is located in Via Santa Teresa 1
• With a full stomach, you can head for Arechi Castle, a medieval fortress overlooking the town and the gulf. Its golden age coincided with the reign of the eponymous Lombard duke who improved this defensive structure of Byzantine origin. Inside is a museum that brings together a collection of weapons, ceramics and coins. It can be visited for 4 €.
• Acquedotto Medievale, the conduit that carried water to the Monastery of San Benedetto.
• Before returning to the station you can make a detour and return to the promenade. Here you will find the Bar Nettuno, an institution for every ice cream lover. You will find it at Lungomare Trieste 136.

The archaeological park of Herculaneum is less known than that of Pompeii but it is no less fascinating for this reason. There are several differences between the two locations. First, Herculaneum was smaller and overlooked the Mediterranean. Secondly, the eruption had two different effects: if Pompeii was buried under 8 meters of stones and ash, in Ercolano it was 25!

The excavations were much more complicated and yet archaeologists have brought to light a few finds. The most famous is the Villa dei Papiri, an ancient library that housed Roman manuscripts. Private residences such as Casa dei Cervi, Casa di Aristide and Casa dell'Albergo are also well preserved.

If you choose an excursion to Herculaneum from Naples, you will have at your disposal a guide who will reveal the secrets of the site. After about two hours, the bus will take you to the large square at the end of the Ercolano-Vesuvio Provincial Road. This is where trail number 5 "Il Gran Cono del Vesuvio" begins.

The trail runs along the lower edge of the crater and is a natural viewpoint overlooking Monte Somma, the Gulf of Naples and the islands. The first part is probably the most challenging but don't worry, you don't have to be an athlete to climb. After this stretch it becomes a pleasant walk. The route is circular and to complete it you will need to spend at least 3 hours.

At the back of Amalfi stretches a large green area known as "Valle delle Ferriere". The name derives from the ironworks that occupied the area and supplied iron to the Marine Republic of Amalfi. Trekking enthusiasts will find their paradise here; the walk runs through woods, streams and terraces with olive groves, vineyards and citrus groves.

The starting point is Piazza Flavio Gioia, a stone's throw from the Old Arsenal of the Republic of Amalfi. After passing through the old town, the walk follows the banks of the Canneto stream and enters the mountains until it reaches an old aqueduct. Once there you can start your way back.

The excursion does not require too much effort and takes about 3 hours.

A few kilometers from Naples, at the foot of Monte di Procida extends asmall lake of lake origin. It is Lake Fusaro, a body of water connected to the sea by two canals. In the middle is a small island that houses the Casina Vanvitelliana, the Gran Restaurant, some pavilions and a park with typical Mediterranean vegetation.

The Royal Casino dei Borboni - nicknamed Casina Vanvitelliana - is a late Baroque building designed by the architect Carlo Vanvitelli. The main building is connected to the shore with a scenographic wooden bridge. It was used by the kings of Naples for their hunting and fishing trips and employed hundreds of people.

It can be visited on Fridays and Saturdays from 17:00 to 21:00. On Sundays the schedule is divided: from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00. The ticket has an approximate cost of 5 €.

In addition to the car, you can reach the lake shore by public transport. Simply take metro line 2 and get off at Montesanto. From there you will have to take the Cumana train from Napoli-Torregaveta station (a stone's throw from the metro) and get off at the Fusaro stop.

Procida is a little gem that is often underestimated. Those who visit fall in love with it and it would be hard not to; the pastel-painted cottages and tranquil atmosphere are the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of Naples. In addition, the island is surrounded by beaches and small coves with crystal clear waters.

Every day trip should include a stop in Marina della Corricella, a fishing village famous for the "Vefi", typical arched balconies of Arab origin.

In this area you will find several restaurants offering recipes based on the freshest fish. I advise you to order linguini with lobster or a pasta alla pescatora povera (with anchovies and fried green peppers).

Ferries and hydrofoils connect Naples with the island of Procida. After a short sail, the boats dock at the port of Marina Grande which is just a short walk from the historic center. A standard ticket costs about €10.

It is known as the "pearl of the Sannio" and is located about 45 kilometers from Naples. Its origins date back to the time of ancient Rome and it has preserved all its charm intact.

The old town is perched on a tufa rock overlooking two rivers: Martorano and Riello. It is not the only example of its kind in Italy - Pitigliano is its Tuscan namesake - but it is nevertheless worth a visit to enjoy its charm.

One day is enough to enjoy the old town whose main street is Via Roma. Take the opportunity to admire its many churches and the castle built by the Longobards.

If you want to experience the local food, I recommend the Antico Pozzo degli Ulivi. You will eat among vineyards and olive trees (Via Piana del Mondo)

Sant'Agata de' Goti is also known for apples, black truffles and wine production. If you have room in your suitcase, come home with a bottle of Falanghina. To get here you will need to rent a car in Naples. The drive takes about an hour.

Pozzuoli reached its golden age in Roman times and monuments such as the Flavian Amphitheater and the Temple of Serapis attest to this. Actually, the latter was not a place of worship but a marketplace adorned with columns and a statue dedicated to the divinity of Egypt. On some days, the ground is dry while on others, the sea floods the ground and soaks its mosaics.

This phenomenon is not regulated by the tides but by bradism, a very common phenomenon in the Vesuvian area. In short, the ground rises or sinks depending on magmatic movements. This wonder is most visible in the Solfatara, depressions in the earth from which escapes water vapor mixed with carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.

Getting to Pozzuoli from Naples is very easy; you can choose to take the train (from Napoli Piazza Garibaldi) or the subway (line 2). In both cases you will have to get off at the Pozzuoli Solfatara stop. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

In my opinion, I don't think it is worth it. It is a city with a long history and an up-and-coming tourist destination. In addition to the classic monuments and museums it has unique attractions such as subway Naples, two underground itineraries that reveal a city beneath the city. There are thousands of cultural, historical and gastronomic plans worth discovering.

Still, if you visit Naples in summer and want to get a bit of a tan, it's best to get out of town. There are beautiful urban beaches - especially La Gaiola, Scoglione, Lido Sirena and Bagno Elena - but they tend to be very crowded. You'll find better luck on other shores of the Neapolitan coastline or on the nearby Amalfi Coast.