Campania is best known for the Amalfi Coast, but there is plenty to see away from the coastline. From Pompeii and Herculaneum to the Greek temples of Paestum and the museums of Naples, the region has some of Italy’s most important historical sites. A new tour launching for 2027 offers a way to see them in one trip.
For most travellers, Campania means the Amalfi Coast. Positano, Capri and the towns along the coastline have made this part of southern Italy one of the country’s most popular destinations.
But there is much more to the region than its beaches and coastal towns. Campania is also home to Pompeii, Herculaneum, Paestum and a number of lesser-known Roman sites, all within a relatively small area. For travellers interested in history and culture, it is worth spending a little longer here.
More Than Pompeii
Pompeii is easily the most famous archaeological site in the region. Destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79, the city gives visitors the chance to walk through streets, homes, bathhouses and public spaces that were once part of everyday Roman life.
Nearby Herculaneum was destroyed by the same eruption but was preserved differently. Timber, painted walls and everyday objects survived here, offering a closer look at the homes and lives of the people who lived in the town.
There are also the Roman villas at Oplontis and Stabiae. Once used by some of Rome’s wealthiest residents, their surviving rooms and frescoes show just how luxurious life around the Bay of Naples could be.
Visiting these sites alongside Pompeii gives a much broader picture of the area before the eruption of Vesuvius.
The Greek Temples of Paestum
Campania’s ancient history goes back even further.
Paestum, south of the Amalfi Coast, was originally founded by the Greeks and is home to three remarkably well-preserved temples. The ancient city was once known as Poseidonia and formed part of Magna Graecia, the Greek settlements established across southern Italy.
It’s one of the places that can easily be missed on a typical trip to Campania, particularly when most itineraries focus on Naples, Pompeii and the coast.
For anyone interested in archaeology, adding Paestum means seeing another period of the region’s history altogether.
Spend Some Time in Naples
Naples is the starting point for many trips around Campania, but it is worth giving the city a few days of its own.
The National Archaeological Museum is particularly important if you’re visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum. Many of the mosaics, sculptures and objects discovered at the sites are now kept here, so visiting the museum helps put some of what you have already seen into context.
Away from the museum, Naples has more than enough to fill a city break. There are historic streets, churches, markets and, of course, the food. It also makes a good base for exploring the wider region without having to move hotels every night.
A New Way to Explore Campania in 2027
For travellers looking to explore more of the region’s history, Peter Sommer Travels has announced a new Campania itinerary for 2027.
Founded in 2002 by British archaeologist and documentary filmmaker Peter Sommer, the company specialises in small-group cultural and archaeological journeys across the Mediterranean and the UK.
Its new eight-day Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum: Exploring the Wonders of Campania tour brings many of Campania’s key historical sites into one itinerary. Alongside Pompeii, Herculaneum and Paestum, the journey takes in the Roman villas at Oplontis and Stabiae, as well as Baiae, Pozzuoli and Naples’ National Archaeological Museum.
Leading the tour is ancient historian, lecturer and broadcaster Paul Beston, who has previously taught at King’s College London and advised on historical television productions.
There are two departures planned for 2027, on 16 April and 8 October, offering the chance to explore the region outside the busy summer season. The eight-day itinerary includes seven nights in Campania, with expert-led visits to archaeological sites throughout the trip.
Further details and booking information are available through Peter Sommer Travels.
A Different Way to See Campania
The Amalfi Coast will always be one of the main reasons people travel to Campania, and rightly so. But it doesn’t have to be the whole trip.
Pompeii and Herculaneum are close enough to visit on the same journey, while Paestum brings a completely different period of history into the mix. Add a few days in Naples and some of the smaller Roman sites around Vesuvius, and there is easily enough here for a full week.
For anyone planning an Italian trip for 2027 and looking for something beyond the usual coastal break, Campania’s history makes a good reason to stay a little longer.
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