Wonderful villages overlooking the sea, archaeological parks, UNESCO sites and much more: discover the villages near Naples you absolutely must visit.
Naples is the city of sun and sea and definitely deserves a complete tour at least once in your life. Before planning everything, however, it would be better to think about a longer holiday so that you can have a chance to visit wonderful places nearby. So, here is what to see in the surrounding area and what towns near Naples you absolutely must visit.
Campi Flegrei Archaeological Park
Suffice it to say that in Roman times, the area was devoted to otium and was a favorite vacation spot. So reserve some time to visit the Castle of Baia and the Campi Flegrei Archaeological Museum, the Archaeological Park of Cuma and the Antro della Sibilla suggestive place where the Cumana Sibyl would proclaim her oracles. Also worth a stop are the Roman Baths of Baia, the Flavian Amphitheater and the historic center of Pozzuoli.
Reggia di Caserta (the Caserta Royal Palace)
Talking about places to see near Naples, we must include the Royal Palace of Caserta. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Royal Palace of Caserta is the largest royal residence in the world in terms of volume. From the royal apartments, to the Court Theater amd the adjoining gardens (as many as 25 hectares), the Palace deserves a day to itself. The Royal Palace is open every day, except Tuesdays, from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm, with last entry at 6.30 pm. The cost of the ticket varies depending on the areas you wish to visit:
- Admission to the Royal Park and the English Garden costs €9.
- Admission to the Apartments costs €10 (accessible only when the Royal Park is closed)
- The combined ticket for Park and Apartments costs €14.
Pompeii Archaeological Park
When it comes to sites near Naples, a stop at one of the world’s most famous archaeological centers is a must: Pompeii and Herculaneum are definitely on the must-see list. From the Forum to the Amphitheater via the Temple of Apollo to the House of the Faun or the Villa of the Mysteries with its frescoes of the Dionysian mysteries, you will be enthralled by one of the world’s most beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Tickets for the Pompeii and Herculaneum Archaeological Park can be purchased online. The Pompeii site is open every day in winter from 9 am to 5 pm and in the summer from 9 am to 7 pm; closed days are 25 December, 1 January and 1 May. From March to October, the Herculaneum Archaeological Park is open daily except Wednesdays, 25 December and 1 January with hours from 9.30 am to 7.30 pm and during the October to March period from 8.30 am to 5 pm.
The Vesuvius National Park
If you’re into trekking, you can’t miss the Vesuvius National Park, with its wonderful scenery and a spectacular view of Naples and the Gulf. The park features 11 trails over a total of 54 km with the possibility of seeing an incredible variety of animal, plant and mineral species.
The Paestum and Velia Archaeological Park
The Paestum and Velia Archaeological Parkis one of the oldest Greek settlements: a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the site in fact dates back to the 6th century BC. Visit the remains of the ancient Agora, the temples of Hera, Neptune and Athena, the Amphitheater, the Forum and the National Archaeological Museum of Paestum with the famous Tomb of the Diver, the world’s only example of figurative Greek painting. The site is open daily from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm and is closed on Mondays, 25 December, and 1 January. Tickets cost €6 and there are family discounts.
The Amalfi Coast
Speaking of towns near Naples, all those on the Amalfi Coast, a destination of tourists worldwide, are most certainly worth visiting. Positano, Amalfi, Vietri sul Mare, Maiori, Minori, Ravello and Cetara – they are all enchanting towns overlooking the sea, which is precisely why the Amalfi Coast deserves a tour by itself of at least two days.
The Sorrento Peninsula
Just 25 km from Naples, easily reachable also with the Circumvesuviana railway system, lie the Sorrento Coast and the city of Sorrento, an international tourist destination. Definitely worth visiting are the historic downtown, the Villa Comunale, the Cathedral and the Cloister of San Francesco.
To Naples and the surrounding area with Italo + Itabus
Reaching Naples by high-speed rail today is convenient and economical thanks to Italo Treno. Check the schedule and fares for trains to Naples Centrale and buy your discount ticket: getting to the city of sun and sea has never been easier! Reach the locations of the surrounding area by buying the new Italo High-Speed Train + Itabus coach travel solutions directly in one ticket on italotreno.it
