Southern Italy’s Campania region is packed with breathtaking historical and cultural sights. With its stunning coastline, fascinating landmarks, crystal-clear sea, and incredible food, this area is becoming an increasingly popular travel destination.
If you’re planning a trip to Naples or its surroundings and feel overwhelmed by all the options, don’t worry—you’re not alone! The region offers countless exciting places to explore, but the distances can be long, and time often feels too short. That’s why careful planning and prioritization are essential.
Need a little guidance? You’re in the right place! In this post, I’ll share how we spent six unforgettable days in this region while considering the needs of our 2-year-old. Plus, you’ll find useful tips and insights to help you enjoy a stress-free vacation. (Tips & Tools)
Timing Your Trip & General Travel Tips
In the first week of July 2023, we spent six nights exploring the Campania region. With so many incredible sights to see, it’s completely normal to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of options before your trip.
Even with nearly a week, we couldn’t fit in everything on our list—but what we did experience made for an unforgettable, adventure-filled journey. My advice to you, dear reader: don’t try to cram everything into one trip. Instead, take your time, soak in the moments, and embrace the Italian way of life: piano, piano—slow and steady.
First Impressions
Our flight from London landed late at night, so our first day was mostly spent picking up our rental car and settling into our accommodation. Since this is an essential part of any trip, I’d love to share some practical tips to make this process easier for you.
Car Rental: Pros & Cons
We almost always rent a car when we travel because it gives us the most flexibility and convenience—especially with a toddler in tow. We don’t like being tied to public transport schedules, and having our own vehicle makes exploring so much easier.
That said, while we’re big fans of car rentals, there are a few things you should keep in mind when visiting this region. Here are some useful tips and warnings to help you decide whether renting a car is the right choice for you.
Naples & the Amalfi Coast: Parking is expensive and limited. Book a spot in advance or choose accommodation that offers free (or even paid) parking. You can also use Parclick to find and reserve parking spaces.
Safety in Naples: Avoid street parking due to the risk of theft—opt for secure, enclosed parking lots.
Accommodation & Parking: Hotels and apartments located farther from the city center or coastline often include free parking. We stayed at one of these, leaving our car behind and walking 20 minutes to the city center. Had we tried driving closer, we likely would have spent ages searching for parking. An alternative strategy is to head out early in the morning when there’s a better chance of finding an open spot.
Capri: If you’re planning a trip to Capri, you won’t need a car—only pedestrians are allowed on ferries to the island.
Amalfi Coast Roads: The scenic coastal drive is full of sharp turns and unpredictably parked cars, which can be stressful, especially for inexperienced drivers.
Naples Traffic: Pure chaos! It often feels like traffic rules don’t exist, and the right of way goes to the driver with the bigger car or the most aggressive driving style. Stay cautious and drive defensively!
By keeping these tips in mind, you’ll be better prepared to navigate Naples and the surrounding areas with ease!
Choosing where to stay in this region isn’t always easy, as many factors can influence your decision. One of the most important questions to ask yourself is: What do I want to do during my trip?
If your itinerary includes Naples, Pompeii, Amalfi, Positano, Mount Vesuvius, or Capri, then Sorrento is an excellent choice. We picked Sorrento as our base because it’s perfectly located for exploring the surrounding areas. It’s a larger town, making it a great hub for day trips, and it has regular ferry connections to the Amalfi Coast and Capri. Not only does it offer fantastic local attractions, but it also provides easy access to some of the most popular destinations in the region.
Beyond its strategic location, Sorrento has a unique charm. It’s surrounded by stunning natural landscapes—hills, mountains, and picturesque bays—while the scent of citrus trees fills the air. The town’s dramatic cliffs and traditional architecture add to its enchanting atmosphere. While Sorrento is not officially part of the Amalfi Coast, it’s often considered the “Western Gateway” to this famous stretch of coastline.
If you haven’t rented a car in advance, you can easily hire a scooter or car in Sorrento, but public transportation is also very efficient. Buses to the Amalfi Coast depart from here, and there are plenty of organized tours available.
The town is home to many excellent restaurants and accommodations, often more affordable than those on the Amalfi Coast. However, since Sorrento is a larger and busier town, you may need to walk 10–30 minutes to reach the bus station, train station, or ferry terminal. Local buses and taxis are available to make your travels even more convenient.
Arrival & Check-in
After landing, we picked up our rental car at Naples Airport. (qeeq.com) The car rental offices are located outside the terminal, but free shuttle buses run every five minutes from the arrivals exit to the rental car parking areas. It was easy to find the right shuttle for our rental company.
Tip: We never rent child car seats because, on previous trips, we found that renting one could be more expensive than the car itself! Instead, we always bring our own car seat, which may be a bit of a hassle but is a great way to save money. (What to Consider When Renting a Car for Your Travels?)
Once we were in the car, we headed straight to Sorrento. A word of caution: avoid driving through Naples city center at all costs! As I mentioned earlier, the traffic there is complete chaos. Since we arrived late in the evening, the roads weren’t too busy, and the drive took about an hour.
We checked into Hotel Desiree, located about 2 km from the center of Sorrento, perched on the cliffs above the town. We had booked it well in advance through Booking.com, and one of its biggest perks was the free parking—a rare find in this region! Our room had a private terrace with a breathtaking view of the Bay of Naples. I couldn’t wait for the morning to come, just to sip my coffee while taking in the incredible panorama and soaking up the magic of the moment.
After a quick shower, we collapsed into bed, exhausted but excited for the adventures ahead.
If you stay closer to the city center, you’ll have easy walking access to major transport hubs and attractions.
In the upcoming posts, I’ll take you through our day-by-day itinerary, sharing detailed insights and travel tips to help you plan your own adventure. Stay tuned for inspiration! 😉
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