1Naples
Base · 1–4 nights
Campania’s essential urban core: historic-center streets, major museums, churches, waterfront and the region’s most serious everyday food. Give it at least three full days; it is not merely a transfer point for the coast.
first-timersfoodiesart and history lovers
Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius
2Pompeii, Herculaneum and Vesuvius
The archaeological and volcanic belt east of Naples. Pompeii delivers scale, Herculaneum is more intact and legible, and Vesuvius explains the landscape—but treat them as two days, not a checklist day.
first-timersarchaeology loversfamilies with older children
3Sorrento and the Sorrento Peninsula
Base · 3 nights
The most workable coastal base for linking Naples, Pompeii, Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Stay for ferry and rail convenience rather than for an undiscovered-town feeling.
first-timerscouplesfamilies
Amalfi Coast
4Amalfi Coast
Base · 2 nights
Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Praiano and Vietri are the scenery-first part of Campania: boat travel, steep walks, swimming and cliffside hotels. Pick one base and slow down; changing towns or relying on road travel wastes more time than the map suggests.
scenery seekershoneymoonerswalkers
Capri and Anacapri
5Capri and Anacapri
A dramatic limestone island with glamorous Capri town and calmer, higher Anacapri. It is much better overnight, when the day-trip crowds have gone; the Blue Grotto is never guaranteed.
splurge travelerscouplesscenery seekers
Ischia and Procida
6Ischia and Procida
Base · 3 nights
The less performative Gulf islands: choose Ischia for thermal parks, beaches and three restorative nights, or Procida for a compact, colorful, residential pause. They reward travelers who prefer sea time over ticking off Capri.
return visitorsspa travelerscouples
Salerno
7Salerno
Base · 3 nights
A functional, good-value base with a real-city feel, useful ferry connections and fast rail access to Paestum. It is less romantic than Amalfi but far easier for travelers combining coast, ruins and onward transport.
budget-conscious travelersfamiliespractical itineraries
Paestum and the Cilento Coast
8Paestum and the Cilento Coast
Base · 2–4 nights
Paestum’s Greek temples are first-rank and far less claustrophobic than Pompeii; beyond them, Cilento adds buffalo dairy country, beaches and mountain villages. Paestum works by train, but the broader coast deserves a car and several unhurried days.
archaeology loversfoodiesbeach travelers
Caserta
9Caserta
Short stop · 1 night
Come for the Reggia di Caserta, the huge Bourbon palace and gardens, which need most of a day rather than a rushed stop. It is an easy rail outing from Naples, not usually an overnight destination.
architecture loversgarden loversfamilies
Benevento, Sannio and Irpinia
10Benevento, Sannio and Irpinia
Short stop · 1 night
Campania’s inland second-act: Benevento’s Roman and Lombard remains, plus serious wine country around Taurasi, Fiano and Greco di Tufo. Best tackled by car after you have covered Naples and the major coast-and-ruins circuit.
second-time visitorswine travelersdrivers
Sample routes
Campania essentials
7 nightsNaples (3 nights) → Sorrento and the Sorrento Peninsula (3 nights) → Naples (1 night)
The efficient first trip: use Naples for the city and one serious Vesuvian-archaeology day, then use Sorrento for Capri and one Amalfi Coast outing. Return to Naples rather than gambling on a long transfer before an early flight or train. Do not try to do Pompeii, Herculaneum, Vesuvius, Capri and Amalfi in seven nights.
Plan this routeThe first serious Campania trip
10 nightsNaples (4 nights) → Sorrento and the Sorrento Peninsula (3 nights) → Salerno (3 nights)
For travelers who want Naples to be more than a transit stop. Four nights cover the city, Caserta as a day trip, and the Pompeii/Herculaneum/Vesuvius belt without turning every day into a forced march. Sorrento handles Capri and the peninsula; Salerno is the sensible final base for Amalfi Coast ferries, Paestum and onward rail.
Plan this routeIslands, coast and archaeology
14 nightsNaples (4 nights) → Ischia and Procida (3 nights) → Sorrento and the Sorrento Peninsula (3 nights) → Amalfi Coast (2 nights) → Paestum and the Cilento Coast (2 nights)
A full but workable version for travelers who want the region’s contrasts rather than just its headline coast. Ischia gets proper slow time, Sorrento is the operational base for Capri, and Paestum/Cilento provides a quieter finish after the coast. Keep Capri as a day trip unless you are willing to cut a night elsewhere; weather-sensitive ferry transfers need slack.
Plan this routeInland wine, palaces and Cilento
8-9 nightsNaples (3 nights) → Caserta (1 night) → Benevento, Sannio and Irpinia (1 night) → Paestum and the Cilento Coast (3-4 nights)
A second-trip route for people who have already done Capri and the Amalfi Coast. Start car-free in Naples, then rent a car for Caserta, Sannio/Irpinia wine country and Cilento. Caserta itself is mainly the palace, so keep the overnight brief; give the extra night to Cilento, where a car finally pays for itself.
Plan this route