Campania
Campania is Naples, the Amalfi Coast, and the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. That’s all true. But just an hour’s drive from the hustle and bustle, the landscape is quite different. The Cilento, a large peninsula in the southern part of the region, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and, at the same time, one of Italy’s least-visited national parks. Pristine cliffs, mountain villages that were isolated from the rest of the country for decades, 75 species of orchids, and trails you’ll have practically all to yourself.
In between lies the Sentiero degli Dei, the Path of the Gods, which runs along the Amalfi Coast at an altitude of 600 meters, offering views of Capri and the coastline stretching far into the Cilento. Outside of peak season, it’s one of the most beautiful day hikes in Italy.
Nature Travel Lab maps out Campania with hiking routes and tours, which you can book directly through a local specialist or arrange on your own.
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The most beautiful regions for nature lovers
South Tyrol
Tuscany
Abruzzo
Piedmont
Valle d'Aosta
Sardinia
Sicily
Umbria
Molise
Le Marche
Veneto
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Liguria
Trentino
Puglia
Lake Como
Lake Garda
Lazio
Emilia-Romagna
Campania
Basilicata
Small-scale nature stays Italy
Choose your favorite region and discover our tips for the best small-scale Nature stays with a sustainable focus. You book directly with the owner, so you are guaranteed the lowest price.
Special accommodation in Italian nature
Find unique small-scale Nature stays in Italy. From glamping to luxury boutique hotel and from B&B to vacation home or agriturismo. They are all special and different, but they all have an eye for sustainability.
Our sustainability criteria for overnight stays
Using these sustainability icons, you can easily see in what area an overnight stay is active with its sustainability policy.
Zero footprint
Architecture
sustainable/local construction
Food
organic/local cuisine
Social
family/local runned/social projects
Wellbeing
Sauna/yoga/wellness/treatments
Surroundings
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Choose your region
Sicily
Tuscany
Valle d’Aosta
Piedmont
Basilicata
Puglia
Campania
Veneto
Lombardy
Lombardy
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South Tyrol
Sardinia
Emilia-Romagna
Umbria
Le Marche
Trentino
Abruzzo
Liguria
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Lazio
Nature in Campania
Campania is a region of contrasts. On the one hand: Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii—bustling, famous, and picturesque. On the other hand: a vast hinterland that most tourists never see. The landscape ranges from volcanic coastal plains to a mountainous interior, with no fewer than seven national parks where a diverse array of flora and fauna can be admired.
The least known and most beautiful part is the Cilento: a large peninsula in the southern part of the region. The Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its combination of unspoiled nature and a unique regional culture that has been preserved in the traditional customs, cuisine, and atmosphere of the small villages. The park is home to 75 different species of orchids, several of which are unique to this area. The Primula Palinuri (a small yellow flower found only in the Cilento) is the park’s official symbol.
Further north, the shadow of Mount Vesuvius stretches across the Bay of Naples; a volcano that is still active and gives the landscape its unmistakable character. Campania is a region with many layers: you have to explore it a bit to discover its most beautiful aspects.
Hiking in Campania
Campania’s most famous hike is also one of the most beautiful in Italy. The Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) begins in the village square of Bomerano in Agerola and ends in Positano, at an elevation of about six hundred meters above the Amalfi Coast. On clear days, you can see Capri, Ischia, and the coastline stretching far into the Cilento. It’s crowded during peak season; outside of summer, it’s a whole different story.
If you’re looking for more, the Cilento is the place to go. You’ll hike along cliffs overlooking coves and an azure-blue sea, take walks in the mountains with stunning views, descend into canyons from remote mountain villages, or stroll past babbling mountain streams and ancient olive groves. Nature here is still unspoiled, and you’ll encounter very few people while hiking. The trails aren’t always marked, which is part of the charm of this region, which was isolated from the rest of Italy for a long time.
Spring and fall are the ideal seasons: pleasantly warm, peaceful, and with nature at its most beautiful. If you’re visiting in the summer, choose the higher trails where the forests offer shade and tourists are few and far between.
Check out the most beautiful nature stays in Italy
“Nature is our greatest ally and inspiration.”
– Sir David Attenborough
Special spots in nature
We select the nicest accommodations with all a focus on sustainability policies. Think luxury Treehouses in the middle of nature or a boutique hotel in the countryside. Sustainability categories range from organic cuisine and mindfull focus to waste separation and zero-waist policy.
Luxury overnight stay in nature
The accommodations all have something unique and of course a location in or near nature. Spending the night in nature does not always mean sleeping in a tent. Find special and luxurious nature stays for your active vacation or just for your slow travel experience.
Comfortable overnight stay in nature
The overnight focus on sustainability policy gives attention to comfort and quality.
They often use their own vegetable garden or local cuisine. Much attention is paid to the quality of the accommodation, the environment and the guest.