Southern Italy Travel Guide: the best things to do, see, and eat
Whether you’re revisiting Italy’s classic cities or exploring Southern Italy for the first time, this guide will help you prepare for an unforgettable trip.
Think of visiting Italy and romantic visions of Rome, Venice, and Florence probably come to mind (and for good reason!). But travelers who venture to the bottom half of the “boot”—aka Southern Italy—will find a world of even more vibrant cities, coastal landscapes, unique cultures, and so much more to explore.
Whether you’ve visited Southern Italy before or this is your first time, our guide to Southern Italy will help you prepare for an unforgettable trip.
Southern Italy travel basics
Currency: euro
Languages: Italian, along with regional dialects. English is widely spoken in larger, more populous areas, but trying out a few Italian phrases will help you connect with locals.
How to travel in Southern Italy: Taking a private coach from one region or city to the next allows travelers to soak in Southern Italy’s coastal and country scenery, and to stop in small, charming villages and towns along the way. Plenty of historic and cultural highlights are located near city and town centers, which makes walking a very good (or, as the Italians say, molto bene) mode of transport once you arrive in each new place.
When to go: Southern Italy shines year round, with more than 200 days of sunshine and temperatures that rarely dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. That said, our experts say March to June is the time to be at the bottom of the boot. You’ll miss the tourist crowds and revel in the milder weather. Winter is also a fantastic time to make your trip to Southern Italy more affordable while enjoying a host of holiday events.
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The best places to visit in Southern Italy
No matter where you go in Southern Italy, you’re in for historical sites, delicious food, and warm hospitality in spades. Choosing where to go depends on which local specialties you want to experience—will it be Sorrento’s limoncello, Naples’ Duomo di Napoli, or Puglia’s verdant olive groves for you?
Naples
Located on the Bay of Naples, this high-energy city is the largest in Southern Italy. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage site, where Old World charm meets modern grit.
Best things to do: If you’re a traveler who loves art, architecture, and archaeology, visiting Naples is a must on your trip to Southern Italy. You can get your fill of all three with stops at the 16th-century, Baroque Chiesa di San Gregorio Armeno; the Duomo di Napoli, a Roman Catholic cathedral whose construction began in the 13th century; the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli; and the splendid Museo Cappella Sansevero.
No matter how you spend your time on one of our tours of Naples, don’t leave without treating yourself to several slices of the city’s most famous, wood-fired pizza Napoletana. (Or, why not have your own personal pie?) Don’t bother asking for pineapple or peppers here; authentic pizzerias top their perfectly chewy pies with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, olive oil, and nothing else.
Go here for: pizza, art, architecture—and more pizza
Sorrento
About an hour drive south from Naples will take travelers to Sorrento, a seaside town perched on the Sorrentine Peninsula. Exploring Sorrento is one of the best things to do in Southern Italy for travelers who enjoy water activities, like fishing, diving, and cruising. Hiking trails crisscross the peninsula, so bring your boots if you feel like getting some steps in.
Best things to do: Sorrento is a convenient base for day tripping. Nearby options include the ultra-glam island of Capri and its otherworldly Blue Grotto. History buffs won’t want to miss a visit to Pompeii—the site of the once-thriving city that was buried under feet of ash and pumice in 79 A.D. after the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Back in town, wind down after a busy day with dinner and people-watching in Piazza Tasso, Sorrento’s cafe-lined square.
Best drink to try: Sorrento is the birthplace of limoncello, a popular after-dinner liqueur, made from lemons, sugar, and a grain alcohol. Enjoy the citrusy sipper straight, mixed with sparkling water, or shaken into a cocktail. (We think it tastes best when paired with sunset views.)
Go here for: outdoor adventures and limoncello
The Amalfi Coast
This 34-mile stretch of coastline in Southern Italy’s Campania region is a UNESCO World Heritage site—and one of the most instantly recognizable places on the planet. That’s thanks to its pastel-painted, terraced villages and towns, its towering sea cliffs, and its winding, coastal roads, which are frequently featured in films, magazines, and social media feeds.
Best things to do: Among the dozen-plus towns that call the Amalfi Coast home, Positano is arguably the most famous. There, travelers can take boat tours along the coast, visit postcard-perfect beaches and ornate chiesas (that’s churches in Italian), browse chic boutiques, and take cooking classes—a quintessential Amalfi Coast experience.
For some of the best photo ops, head to lookout points like Il Sentiero Degli Dei, or the Path of the Gods.
Go here for: coastal scenery and cooking classes
Matera
Situated in Southern Italy’s Basilicata region, near the “heel” of Italy’s boot, Matera is a spectacular town and UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s best known for its 9,000-year-old Sassi, or cave dwellings, and chiese rupestri, or rock churches, that are carved into limestone hills. Travelers can explore it all—and more of the town’s architectural marvels—on our Food & Wine: Campania, Puglia & the Amalfi Coast tour.
Best food to try: Keep an eye out for traditional and modern takes on Materan dishes and ingredients, such as crapiata (a warming legume soup), lagane (a tagliatelle-like fresh pasta), and cialledda (a bread-and-tomato salad). Two local breads to try are strazzata and the aptly named—and deeply symbolic—pane di Matera, or bread of Matera.
Best thing to do: Don’t leave Matera without paying a visit to its Cripta del Peccato Originale, or Crypt of Original Sin. It’s nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of Rupestrian Art thanks to its 1,000-year-old wall art.
Go here for: history and unique architecture
Puglia
This region in Southern Italy has risen in popularity over the past few years, and with its ancient towns, ornate churches, rolling olive groves, and miles of coastline, it’s no wonder why.
Best things to do: Several cities and towns in Puglia are worth visiting, but Lecce, nicknamed the Florence of the South for the number of 17th-century Baroque buildings found there, is the region’s crowning jewel. While touring its treasures, ask your guide to point out those designed in the distinctive Barocco Leccese, or Lecce Baroque, style. (Hint: Look for gargoyles and gremlins.)
Other cities to check out on our Food & Wine: Campania, Puglia & the Amalfi Coast tour include Bari—the region’s seaside capital and a lively university city—and Ostuni, whose Old Town is packed with centuries-old, white-washed abodes.
Best food to try: When it comes to food in Puglia, bread and pasta—especially any variety made with Puglia’s durum wheat—are practically required eating. Taralli (small, crispy rings made from bread dough and oil) are a satisfyingly crunchy snack, and orecchiette (ear-shaped pasta) with broccoli rabe is an Apulian classic you’ll want to replicate when you return home. Those are just a few favorites from around the region.
Go here for: country landscapes, Baroque architecture, and anything made with durum wheat
Sicily
Located just off the “toe” of Italy’s “boot,” Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. Its cultural mix includes Hellenic, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, and Norman influences, and its topography includes mountains, beaches, vineyards, and three active volcanoes.
Best things to do: Several worthwhile cities—each with its own personality, cuisine, and rich history—call Sicily home. A few essential stops while visiting Sicily on tour include Syracuse to see the Greek Theater and Ear of Dionysius; Palermo to admire the Capuchin Catacombs; and Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples. For more to do around the island, check out our Travel Guide to Sicily.
Best foods to try: Dining is an exciting part of any visit to Sicily, as cuisine here bears influences from the many cultural groups whose presence shaped the island’s history. Must-try dishes include arancini (rice balls filled with ragu, peas, mozzarella, or other ingredients, depending on the region), sfincione (a pizza-like dish with a thick crust that’s often topped with onions, anchovies, and cheese), and pasta con le sarde (bucatini or spaghetti cooked with sardines and other ingredients, like white fennel and pine nuts). They’re just some of the unforgettable flavors you’ll enjoy on a tour of Southern Italy.
Go here for: beaches, archaeological sites, and wine
Dive deeper into Southern Italy’s top destinations
What to pack for a trip to Southern Italy
No matter what time of year you travel to Southern Italy, it’s always a good idea to consider how strong the sun will be, what the temperature will be at night, and how much walking you intend to do. Here’s a list of travel essentials to toss in your suitcase when you’re packing for your Italy tour.
Comfy shoes
The terrain in Southern Italy includes everything from steep hills to narrow stairs to sandy shorelines. Good walking shoes with strong treads will keep your feet comfortable and ready for any adventure without letting you slip.
A lightweight scarf or shawl
In warm, sunny months, drape this light layer over your shoulders, head, or neck to protect your skin from the sun. In cooler, off-season months, it’ll provide a cozy buffer against cool breezes and the occasional sprinkle.
A hat, shades, and SPF
The sun in Southern Italy can be intense, but taking this trifecta on your trip will keep you protected.
A cross-body bag or belt bag
In Southern Italy, cities like Naples can be crowded in spots, which can make carrying a bulky tote or backpack cumbersome. A cross-body or belt bag with a slim profile will help keep the day’s essentials close at hand—and out of others’ way.
Reusable travel wine sleeves
Add these to your bag for bringing back bottles of delicious Sicilian wine, which can be tricky to find in stores at home depending on where you live.
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Traveler photos from Southern Italy
