Neapolitan Riviera Holidays - Travel Guide

The Neopolitan Riviera - The Home Of Pizza

A trip to the Neapolitan Riviera should be on everyone’s bucket list – the area is home to the world-famous Amalfi Coast where Italian villages cling to cliffs above the Mediterranean Sea and private sandy coves include the haunting Grotta dello Smeraldo. The vibrant city of Naples also awaits – known as the home of pizza in Italy.

Italian Holiday of a Lifetime on the Neapolitan Riviera

The Neapolitan Riviera is a stretch of Italian coast that runs south from Naples around the Sorrentine Peninsula, an area boasting beauty difficult to rival. The entire Amalfi Coast is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site and the area has attracted artists, writers and tourists for generations, also housing the ancient holiday palaces of Roman emperors Claudius and Tiberius.

Byron, Dickens and Steinbeck all visited the area, finding inspiration in the clear blue skies which add vibrancy to the colours of lush green vegetation, deep blue sea, white-capped Mount Vesuvius and yellow lemons dotting the hillsides beside pastel baroque buildings. The Mediterranean climate brings dry summers with average highs of 30C, and temperatures in the spring and autumn hover around a comfortable 20C.

Naples is only two to three hours away from the UK by plane and located on the south-western coast of Italy between Rome and Sicily. After exploring the exciting city of Naples, the third largest in the country and home to nearly a million people, head for relaxation in the Neapolitan Riviera. It can be reached by the famous Strada Statale 163 highway or the Circumvesuviana train route via Pompeii. The whole area is watched over by the iconic volcano Mount Vesuvius, a striking backdrop to the landscape and a reminder of the area’s famous history.

Attractions of Holidays on the Neapolitan Riviera

Naples is renowned as the home of pizza, so don’t miss the opportunity to eat your fill at the city’s many excellent restaurants and bars. This beautiful Italian gem is also known for the quality of its gold jewellery and classic architecture, so it's definitely worth taking the time to explore Naples in depth and to squeeze in some retail therapy.

Another must-see for anyone visiting the Neapolitan Riviera is the legendary city of Pompeii, which was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago but preserved by time so that today you can step into the unique remains of a once thriving settlement. South of Pompeii is the medieval town of Sorrento, where winding lanes are packed with bars and restaurants and a charming fishing cove nestles in the waters. From Sorrento's pretty little harbour take a trip to the island of Capri, or Sant Agnello is another excellent excursion from Sorrento and boasts a statuesque church and imposing bell tower, a small but impossibly picturesque beach, and a quieter atmosphere than its neighbouring towns.

The Villa Rufolo is an alternative impressive site, a 12th century structure that sits on the Ravello hilltops and was formally the residence of the composer Wagner. Concerts are held at the Villa in July as part of the Festivale Musicale di Ravello. Hire a bike to explore the fabulous countryside, or take a mini cruise around the coast to see the beauty of the Neapolitan Riviera from a different perspective.

Finally, no holiday to the Neapolitan Riviera could possibly be complete without a trip to the resort of Amalfi and a drive along the Amalfi Coast, a spectacular journey which stretches from Sorrento and passes through Positano, Amalfi, Minori and Maiori to Salerno. Soak up breathtaking views across the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean seas, leaving you with memories to treasure for decades to come. If you visit in September make sure to sample some local limoncello at Amalfi’s Lemon Festival.