Why You Should Travel to Naples (and surroundings!) in 2022

Naples is too often seen as nothing but the gateway to the gorgeous nearby attractions of Capri, the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. And yet, this third largest city in Italy deserves to be included in your southern Italian itinerary. Joining us today is local guide Veronica, to share some reasons why you should see more than the airport in Naples… (She has some suggestions for the surrounding area too!)

Why go to Naples in 2022?

It's always a good time to visit Naples, but with the fewer crowds we expect in 2022, you'll have a calmer, even more magical experience. Whether it’s for the first time or as a returning guest, you'll find this part of Italy to be uniquely unforgettable with its wealth of history, food, and beauty.

Loomed over by the brooding Mount Vesuvius, and with a reputation as more than a little rough around the edges, Naples is sometimes left out of the standard tourist itinerary. But this is a mistake! We have so much to offer curious travellers.

Of course you can thank Naples for pizza, but there's more to this big, brash city than some of the best food you'll ever eat. Opulent architecture rubs shoulders with gritty street art, while the bittersweet scent of espresso competes with pungent food markets. Prepare for sensory overload as you walk the streets! Neapolitan culture is as exuberant and generous as its inhabitants. With over 2,500 years of history under its belt, every aspect of life - from food to art, architecture to coffee - is turned up a notch. And unlike the central and northern art cities of Rome or Florence, Naples remains a reasonably priced destination, especially for eating out (which I know you’ll want to do!)

Thanks to centuries of foreign influences, Naples is a mishmash of captivating architecture. Piazzas both grand and small all have striking centrepiece fountains, religious giuglie (uniquely Neapolitan columns built to commemorate natural calamities) and grand statues dotted throughout. You'll see grand royal palaces with landscaped gardens alongside volcanic-rock castles; the world's oldest working opera house, Teatro di San Carlo; and a hard-to-rival concentration of beautiful churches.

We haven’t really even mentioned the food, but if you’re curious, check out these five classic foods to eat in Naples!

Branching out from Naples (because as amazing a place as it is, you’ll want to explore beyond the city streets!) you find the jewels of southern Italy: the islands of Ischia and Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and the legendary site of Pompeii.

Why go to Pompeii in 2022?

Pompeii has provided us with invaluable insights into the ancient Roman world because of the amount of raw data we’ve been able to collect from this city frozen in time. Numerous buildings in Pompeii were decorated with mosaics and frescos depicting anything from Roman myths, religions, war, sports to sex. In the past 18 months, without the usual number of visitors to Pompeii, the archeologists have been able to work for many hours uncovering new areas of the site. More houses have been restored completely, meaning even if you have visited Pompeii before, there is now more to see and learn.

Why visit the Amalfi Coast in 2022?

Anyone who’s ever seen a photo of Positano, Ravello or Amalfi immediately stores it away as a future “dream” trip. The impossible blue of the ocean, the colourful houses built along cliffs and down steep hillsides, the lemon trees dripping with fruit as big as your hand, ready to be turned into tangy limoncello… it’s the stuff of travel fantasy. High season in the Amalfi Coast can be a bit frenetic, with traffic jams forming along the winding coastal road. But these are quieter times, and I can’t think of a better time to visit the Amalfi Coast than 2022, before the travel boom resumes.

Why Visit Capri in 2022?

The island of Capri is a feast for the eyes thanks to the stunning landscapes in and around the island, not far from the mainland town of Sorrento. We’ll be sure not to miss Grotta Azzurra, a dazzling sea cave illuminated in blue light due to a reflection of sunlight through the cave and surrounding waters. Another iconic Capri feature are the Faraglioni, craggy rock formations jutting out from the sea. We can take a boat and travel between the rock formations for an unforgettable view, then explore the island's winding roads, stopping as often as you'd like to witness Roman ruins, dramatic seascapes, elegant villas and riotous banks of bougainvillea, before relaxing on the boat ride back.

These are just a few of the reasons for visiting Naples and our spectacular surroundings. I’m sure when you visit, you’ll discover your own reasons to want to return again and again. There’s an old saying here that gives the warning to visitors: "Quando Vieni a Napoli, piangi due volte: Quando arrivi e quando te ne vai,". It translates to "When you come to Naples, you cry twice: once when you arrive and once when you leave. I hope to share with you tears of joy upon your arrival in this beautiful part of Italy.