Where to Go in Southern Italy

By Linda Sarris and Laura Thayer, authors of Moon Southern Italy

Things move at a different speed in Southern Italy, where a slow pace and easy living are almost always the keys to happiness, whether you’re sailing into Amalfi’s harbor, wandering the ruins of Magna Graecia in Sicily, or watching pasta experts hand-making orecchiette in front of their homes in Bari.

Though plenty ties the region together, each part has its own distinct character, too. Here’s an overview of the different places to go in Southern Italy, from the Amalfi Coast to Sicily:

Southern Italy map — Map of Southern Italy © Moon.

Puglia and the Best of the South

Best for: food, history, avoiding crowds

Puglia, the heel of Italy’s boot, is still less visited by international tourists, but its long coastline promises Italian adventures that touch on history, food, slow living, and relaxation. Most visitors start in the central, regional capital of Bari, with one of the area’s main airports (the other, the Aeroporto del Salento, is located outside Brindisi, farther south). The surrounding area is known for its cultivation of grapes and olives, hilltop villages and coastal towns, and diverse national parks.

Breathtaking cities like Lecce, the “Florence of the South,” and Gallipoli, “the beautiful city,” show off Puglia’s romantic side.

Just west of Puglia, in the province of Basilicata, don’t miss captivating Matera, whose distinctive cave dwellings have been inhabited continuously for at least 3,000 years, now converted into charming restaurants and B&Bs.

Naples and the Ruins

Best for: history, food

Ruins and a large bronze head in ancient Pompeii city, Italy. — Ruins and a bronze statue in ancient Pompeii city, Italy. Photo © MartinM303/iStock.

The largest city in Southern Italy, Naples buzzes with a vibrant energy and magnetism truly its own. How could you not fall for a city with royal palaces, world-class museums, and some of Italy’s tastiest street food? Around every corner there’s something unexpected to discover, and it’s also a great base for day trips to famous archaeological sites as well as Capri and Sorrento.

Mount Vesuvius looms over the Gulf of Naples and the archaeological sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, thriving Roman cities that were destroyed by the violent eruption of the volcano in AD 79. Walking through the streets of Pompeii and Herculaneum is a unique chance to see ancient Roman culture firsthand.

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Sorrento, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast

Best for: pure relaxation

Sorrento is a popular spot for travelers looking to explore all the top destinations in the area thanks to its convenient setting between Naples and the Amalfi Coast. With panoramic views across the Gulf of Naples, a historic center full of shops and restaurants, and picturesque Marina Grande harbor, this vacation setting combines beauty, charm, and convenience. It’s one of the main gateways to the justifiably famous island of Capri. Expect crowds on the island, especially in the high season, when the iconic Piazzetta and the chic shopping streets are bustling. Yet there’s a quieter side of Capri if you ride a chairlift to Monte Solaro, the island’s highest point, or get lost in narrow pathways past bougainvillea-draped villas.

Ravello Village — The richly landscaped Terrazza dell’Infinito in Ravello. Photo © Felix Andries | Dreamstime.com

To the west, on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, you’ll be captivated by the Amalfi Coast’s rugged coastline and rocky, secluded beaches. Positano’s cascade of pastel-colored buildings and seemingly unreal beauty makes it one of the most visited spots on the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi, the coastline’s namesake town, has a scenic port and a fascinating history as Italy’s first maritime republic, dating back to the Middle Ages. And set high in the mountains, the town of Ravello is a big draw, with its lovely gardens and romantic views. Plus, just east of the coast lies the city of Salerno, with its attractive lungomare (waterfront) and maze of medieval streets in its historic center. It’s a good home base in this area for travelers who enjoy a bigger city vibe.

Palermo and Western Sicily

Best for: food, history

Start your trip to Sicily in the fascinating capital city of Palermo, whose history is marked by waves of conquerors, from the Greeks to the Romans, Arabs, Normans, French, and Spanish. Each one has left its mark and influenced the architecture, culture, landscape, customs, and culinary traditions of the island. Palermo is a hub of Sicilian art, culture, and gastronomy. The centro storico is filled with art museums, folksy puppet performances, noble palaces, flourishing outdoor markets, and some of Italy’s best street food.

Nearby, don’t miss the Aegadian Islands, just a stone’s throw from the coastal towns of Trapani and Marsala. Farther south, the Valle dei Templi archaeological site rivals anything you might find in Greece.

Catania, Northeastern Sicily, and the Aeolian Islands

Best for: seafood, avoiding crowds

A Sicilian vineyard in the shadow of Mount Etna. Photo © Aliaksandr Mazurkevich | Dreamstime.com

Under the shadow of Mother Etna, Catania’s proximity to Sicily’s largest airport, Catania-Fontanarossa, makes it a no-brainer stop on any trip to Sicily. This intricate black rock city was rebuilt with lava stones after two devastating volcanic eruptions, but the vivacious A’ Piscaria fish market shows the town to be very much alive. Within an easy drive, you can climb the slopes of Mount Etna, sip volcanic wines, live large in glamorous, historic Taormina, or head off the grid to the Aeolian Islands, top destinations for pristine beaches and fresh seafood.

Syracuse and Southeastern Sicily

Best for: history, architecture

Get a glimpse into Sicily’s Greek history in Syracuse, originally founded by the Corinthians in 734 BC. Its Parco Archeologico della Neapolis is home to an impressive Greek theater and a Roman amphitheater, and the island of Ortigia jutting just off the city’s coast is the perfect combination of historic architecture, the sea, and delicious food. Then, venture out to the villages of Modica, Noto, and Ragusa, living pieces of art with their beautiful Baroque townscapes.

Linda Sarris

About the Author

Linda Sarris is a food, wine, and travel consultant and private chef based in Palermo, Sicily. She left an office job in book publishing for a year of training at the French Culinary Institute that changed her world completely. After a scholarship from the Women Chefs and Restaurateurs organization sent her to a vineyard in Sicily, she fell in love with the island, its history, the warm people, the markets, and the incomparable weather. After nearly a decade of private chef-ing splitting time between New York and Sicily, she sold everything and moved full-time to Palermo.

From her sun-lit kitchen studio above the 1,000-year-old Ballarò food market, Linda works as a freelance writer, social media manager, and culinary communications consultant while still traveling regularly as a private chef, with clients in the fashion and music industries. Under her brand, The Cheeky Chef, she is self-publishing a Sicilian food and wine ‘zine and curating a series of Mediterranean culinary lifestyle retreats and travel experiences. Read more on her website, http://www.lindasarris.com.

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Laura Thayer

About the Author

Laura Thayer first visited the Amalfi Coast in 2007 on a serendipitous holiday with her mother that would change the course of her life. It was love at first sight with Amalfi…and with her tour guide! After completing a master's in art history, with a thesis on the Duomo of Amalfi, she moved from the middle of America, married that tour guide, and now lives right in the heart of Amalfi.

Inspired by the captivating beauty of the Amalfi Coast, Laura founded Ciao Amalfi, a trusted online source of insider travel tips and information about the area. She loves hiking along the coastline's rugged pathways, taking photos around each and every corner, and inspiring travelers to explore the Amalfi Coast through her writing and photography.

For the past decade, Laura has worked as a full-time travel writer. She has shared her local insight on the Amalfi Coast by contributing to a variety of online travel publications, guidebooks, and magazines, including Italia! Magazine, Dream of Italy, The Simple Things, and Ambassador, the print magazine of the National Italian American Foundation. Laura's photos often accompany her writing, which highlights her passion for the interplay of words and images.

Now a dual Italian and American citizen, she lives in Amalfi with her husband, a certified tour guide for the region of Campania, and two fluffy cats. Discover more Amalfi Coast beauty on her website at http://www.ciaoamalfi.com.

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