Campania is a great idea at any time of the year. Whether you’re olive-obsessed, a nature nomad who enjoys exploring stunning landscapes, or an aperitivo aficionado chasing the perfect sundowner, you’ll be sure to find your vibe in this Southern Italian region.
Where is Campania?
Divided into five provinces: Naples, Salerno, Caserta, Avellino, and Benevento, Campania stretches as far north as the borders of Lazio, east towards Puglia, and meanders down the stunning Cilento Coast south to the Gulf of Policastro on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
While guide books wax lyrical about the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, and the glitzy islands of Capri and Procida, Campania has an alter-ego that revels in its simplicity and authenticity with exquisite seaside towns unchanged over the centuries, where the people are as warm as the summer waters, and the mouthwatering recipes unaltered through family generations. It’s in these less-trodden locations that you’ll see some of the most incredible panoramic views, mountain villages, and coastal gems, minus the mass crowds, giving you an insight into Southern Italy’s slower pace of life and unarguably authentic soul.
The warmth of the local people, the stunning scenery, blue flag beaches, national parks, hiking trails, waterfalls, and the unhurried pace of life make Campania a worthy contender for those wanting to experience the “real” Italy.
Oh, and the food! Let’s not forget the delicious food! No wonder this area is home to the Mediterranean Diet and has the most centenarians!
No matter what time of year you visit Campania, there is something to see and do, and delicious flavors to savor. Here’s a quick overview so you can plan your visit and get the best of Campania.
January
Cool and quiet, January is a perfect time to explore Campania and the historical sites of Pompeii and Vesuvius. Outdoor adventure awaits in the countryside, with walking and hiking, and maybe a stop at the many thermal spas in the region. These include Contursi Terme, and abundant, welcoming thermal spas all over the island of Ischia. Don’t let rainy days bother you, as these are the perfect opportunity to head inside and explore Campania’s excellent vineyards, with a spot of wine-tasting. Think Irpinia in the Avellino province of Campania, with its limestone-rich soils producing some celebrated crisp whites, including DOCG Fiano di Avellino DOCG, Greco di Tufo DOCG, and the delicious red Taurasi DOCG from the Campania Aglianico grape.
Epiphany on 6th January is celebrated throughout the region, so while shops may be closed, join in the local traditions and celebrations, where towns like Beneveto host festive events. The pretty hillside town of Campagna is home to its annual fire festival event, I Fucanoli, where the town’s streets come alive with music, processions, and stalls serving local delicious delicacies. If you prefer to experience smaller towns and villages steeped in tradition, check out our Campagna Area Guide.
February
Carnival time beckons with brightly colored floats and costumes. Enjoy the local parades in towns like Avellino and get into the Carnevale spirit. As all celebrations are centered around food, Carnevale in Italy is no different. Look out for the Chiacciare di Carnevale: fried thin strips of dough dusted with sugar that are so deliciously sweet. Naples is always a crowd pleaser at any time of year, so why not head into the old town and pick a cozy corner and enjoy the famous Napoli pizza or maybe a cultural evening of opera at the Teatro di San Carlo, which has been hosting opera performances since 1737!
March
Winter in Campania doesn’t last long, and you can already march into spring with your camera poised, walking the glorious Campanian countryside, which begins to bloom this time of year. Look out for the vibrant yellow primrose, Primula Palinuri, the national symbol of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park. Oleander trees bloom with white and pink blossoms, and the vibrant magenta of the instantly recognizable Bougainvillea pictured in many an Amalfi Coast view makes this month a pretty time to come to Campania. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this month’s top food is the zeppole di San Giuseppe, which offers a welcome sweet bite after a long walk. Filled with delicious custard or ricotta, you’ll typically see these crispy fried dough balls (similar to doughnuts) appear on the Feast of St Joseph.
April
April in Campania is quite spectacular, with the temperatures slowly rising, you can expect around 20°C, simply perfect for hiking and exploring the three ancient Greek historic temples at Paestum, noted to be the third largest temples in Italy, they’re definitely worth a visit. There’s a train station within walking distance, and incredibly preserved structures at this site, first named Poseidonia by the ancient Greeks. You can walk around the two temples dedicated to Hera, and the temple of Athena, all dating back to 550 to 450 BCE. The weather in Campania in April is often a mixed bag with sunshine and showers, so pack a rain jacket and umbrella alongside your shorts and t-shirts. Fewer crowds allow you to see the real Campania and feel the warm hospitality of the people wherever you go.
May
Another great month to visit Campania is May. Warm enough to enjoy the beaches, but still under the scorching summer temperatures, to enjoy getting outdoors. If walking is high on your list, then Campania is home to two huge national parks. The Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Alburni National Park is a UNESCO site and one of Italy’s largest national parks, taking in hills, forests, caves, and coastlines! Wild orchids are a beautiful sight, and the Cilento area and coast are a must to explore, with villages like Santa Maria di Castellabate, Camerota, and Palinuro definite lunch stops. Vesuvius National Park encompasses an active volcano, incredible archaeology, and the nearby historical sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum. There are also over 50km of scenic hiking trails through pine groves, wildflower valleys, and paths up to the crater with breathtaking views across Naples.
June
Summer is here, so pack up your beach bag and head to the Cilento Coast for a swim in the Tyrrhenian Sea, linger over lunch and afternoon Aperol Spritz, taking in atmosphere of idyllic seaside towns like Acciaroli frequented by Hemingway back in the day, and known for the largest number of centenarians with 20% of its population reaching 120! Could the secret be in the town’s famous anchovies? While fish and vegetables are widely featured, the aromatic local rosemary served in most dishes is definitely an herb that is said to contribute to longevity.
With the usually calm waters, this is a time of year to get out on a boat and marvel at the stunning coastline. If you’re staying on the Amalfi Coast, you can meander along past the natural rock arches and sea caves down to Positano or out to the island of Capri. Further down Campania’s coastline, the Cilento Coast takes in pastel-hued seaside towns and marinas like Agropoli, Acciaroli, Marina di Camerota, Cape Palinuro, Scario, and Maratea.
July
Peak time in Italy, and while the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Sorrento are a mecca for tourists and cruise ships, but if you love a little of la dolce vita, then the festival of the lemon, or Sagra del Limone, takes place in July in Sorrento where you can indulge in limoncello, cakes, desserts, and jams until your heart’s content. Continuing with the food theme, you can’t come to Southern Italy without tasting pizza!, If you come in July, head to the birthplace of pizza itself: Naples, and the Pizza Village, an event that’s been running for over 13 years, attracting over 25,000 pizza chefs from around the world. It’s an exciting event where you can taste, attend workshops, or just enjoy the celebration of the Italian pizza!
If walking sounds like a good idea after the food festivals, the iconic Amalfi Coast trail from Agerola to Positano offers spectacular views across sheer cliffs. Start early to avoid the heat, or head high up into the Picentini mountains with its cooler, shaded trails and waterfalls, for stunning countryside and charming village stops.
August
If you’re visiting mid-August, you won’t be the only ones on vacation. Remember that Ferragosto on August 15th is a major Italian holiday, which means work shut-downs, fireworks, feasts, and lots of beach fun. Hot summer days invite boat trips, swimming in the azure blue Tyrrhenian Sea, and being close to water in general. Visitors are offered a unique way to cool off, even inland, in the mountain village of Campagna. Over the weekends throughout August, A Chiena is the traditional water festival that visitors flock to. The town’s river is diverted through the streets, and a colorful celebration ensues with people lining the water-filled streets with buckets, enjoying a welcome respite from the Italian summer heat.
September
September in Campania signals harvest season! An excellent time of year with warm but not summer-scalding temperatures, and an opportunity to witness (and taste) the grape harvest and Vendemmia Festival in Ischia. September in Campania is the perfect time to visit the local Mozzarella farms, or to taste the rare white Cilentan Fig. Visit the fig factory at Santiomiele, where the sweet smell of figs dried beneath the September sun fills the air. Take a tour of the factory, learn about the tradition of figs in this area, and experience the fabulous lunch with stunning views across Prignano Cilento, located in the heart of Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park.
Alternatively, staying in the province of Salerno, head down towards the ancient sites of Paestum and get swept off your feet with the Paestum Balloon Festival. Held towards the end of the month, you’re guaranteed a bird’s eye view over the ancient Greek temple. Quite magical!
October
Culinary connoisseurs should make a note in their diary for an October visit to Campania, as this is the month of food festivals across the region. There’s the tantalizing Tartufo Nero (Black Truffle) Festival in Irpino, the apple festival at Caserta, and the chestnut and porcini mushrooms of Roccamonfina in the comune of Caserta, to name just a few!
If Nutella tempts your tastebuds, then head to the home of Hazelnut and celebrate the Sagra di Avella in Avellino. And of course, we can’t forget the Olive harvest where these green gems ripen in the sun across Campania. Turning a deep shade of antioxidant-rich purple or black before they are harvested, they will transition into some of Italy’s most acclaimed virgin olive oil, including several protected Designation of Origin (PDO) olive oils. Look out for olive harvest events you can join, where the local estates often need an extra pair of hands or two!
November
Welcome to the beginning of winter and the opportunity to enjoy slow exploration. Hikers love the Amalfi Coast with its walks taking in Ravello, Positano, Sorrento, and Scala. Further south, head to Agropoli and walk along the coastal paths down to Trentova Bay, watching the wild waves around Punta Licosa.
With plenty of things to do in autumn in Campania, this time of year is a great opportunity to live like a local after the summer crowds have gone. The Royal Palace of Caserta is a must-visit, and there’s the annual Chestnut festival in Montella, Avellino. There’s even a Chestnut museum dedicated to the glorious history of chestnut cultivation in the area.
While the weather is more seasonal, and there’s the chance of rain, Southern Italy in general is the most temperate part of Italy. You’ll find beach clubs and summer outdoor venues closed now for the season, but even more reason to get into the heart of Campania and visit the places where people live all year-round. Go underground in Naples and visit the Catacombs of San Gennaro and ancient tunnels beneath the city on guided tours. Step back in time at the ancient site of Herculaneum, an ancient city like Pompeii that Vesuvius catastrophically destroyed.
Start the day with a cornetto (croissant) and a cappuccino in a cozy cafe and explore Campania, and end the day in a warm, welcoming restaurant nestled in the historic center, and marvel at the menu-less service where each course keeps coming. Enjoy the region’s wild greens, fresh pasta, meat dishes, and homemade desserts, accompanied by carafes of local wine. This is the way to experience Southern Italy. And tomorrow we walk!
December
While the barometer hovers just around double digits, there is a warm, fuzzy feeling wherever you go in Campania as the region gears up for Christmas and all its festivities. If visiting Naples, head to Via San Gregorio Armeno, a tiny street in the historic center renowned for its dazzling displays of exquisitely hand-crafted nativity scenes. If you love Christmas Markets, then head to Limatola Castle, located between Benevento and Caserta. This fairytale medieval fortress becomes a spectacular backdrop every year. The famed “Cadeaux al Castello di Limatola” delights with music, stalls with artisan crafts, Christmas gifts, and local delicacies. The Cilento Coast town of Castellabate, stunning in summer, delights in winter with its own Christmas market, usually the first week of December, where mulled wine and lit-up houses welcome the spirit of Christmas in.
How to get to Campania
Naples Airport is where it’s at, with international flights arriving by the hour. A quick taxi or bus ride to Napoli Centrale train station gives you access to an incredible network of services with direct trains continuing south through Campania. The region gained a new airport in the summer of 2024 with the grand opening of Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport. There are flights from Europe and the UK, with more being added, so now, Campania’s hotspots like Salerno and the Cilento Coast are just a short transfer away.
