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 guidebooks 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 undeniably 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 to help you 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 many welcoming thermal spas across the island of Ischia. Don’t let rainy days bother you; they’re 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, where limestone-rich soils produce celebrated crisp whites, including 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, you can join local traditions and celebrations, with towns like Benevento hosting festive events. The pretty hillside town of Campagna hosts its annual fire festival, I Fucanoli, where the town’s streets come alive with music, processions, and stalls serving delicious local 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, 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 Bougainvillaea 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. A train station is within walking distance, and the structures at this site are incredibly well preserved; the ancient Greeks first named it Poseidonia. 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
May is another great month to visit Campania. Warm enough to enjoy the beaches, but still not under the scorching summer temperatures, so you can 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, with hills, forests, caves, and coastlines. Wild orchids are a beautiful sight, and the Cilento area and coast are a must-explore, with villages like Santa Maria di Castellabate, Camerota, and Palinuro as definite lunch stops. Vesuvius National Park encompasses an active volcano, incredible archaeology, and the nearby historical sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Over 50km of scenic hiking trails run 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 an afternoon Aperol Spritz, taking in the atmosphere of idyllic seaside towns like Acciaroli, frequented by Hemingway back in the day, and known for a high number of centenarians, with some of the 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 great time to get out on a boat and take in 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, and Scario.
July
Peak time in Italy, and while the Amalfi Coast, Naples, and Sorrento are a mecca for tourists and cruise ships, 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 and attracts 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 Italian pizza!
If walking sounds good 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 into the Picentini mountains for cooler, shaded trails and waterfalls, with 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 shutdowns, 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 can also cool off 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 local Mozzarella farms or taste the rare white Cilentan Fig. Visit the fig factory at Santomiele, where the sweet smell of figs dried beneath the September sun fills the air. Tour the factory, learn about the area’s fig tradition, and enjoy a fabulous lunch with stunning views across Prignano Cilento, in the heart of Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park.
Alternatively, stay in the province of Salerno, head down to the ancient sites of Paestum, and get swept off your feet at 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 taste buds, 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 oils, 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 walks through 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 to do in Campania in autumn, 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 a chance of rain, Southern Italy in general is the most temperate part of Italy. You’ll find beach clubs and summer outdoor venues closed for the season, but that’s even more reason to get into the heart of Campania and visit places where people live 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 around double digits, a warm, fuzzy feeling fills 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.
How to get to Campania
Naples Airport is where it’s at, with international flights arriving hourly. 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.
