The Gulf of Naples is studded with the so-called Phlegraean Islands of Ischia, Capri and Procida, which form an area full of suggestive landscapes and wonderful places to visit. The shimmering water glares and the luxuriant vegetation make the Neapolitan Archipelago one of the most beautiful regions of the world and a tourist destination for millions of people.
If you are staying in one of our properties in Naples or in Amalfi and Sorrento Coast, you cannot miss the opportunity to visit these splendid islands! Getting there is very easy: you will just need to buy a ticket and board one of the boats leaving from Pozzuoli or Naples to have a memorable day out.
PROCIDA
Procida is the smallest, purest and wildest island of the archipelago, where you will enjoy some time in touch with nature. It is connected through a tiny bridge to Vivara island, another little sea jewel which is safeguarded as a "Natural Archaeological Park".
Arriving at Procida, you will dive into a paradisiac and peculiar ambiance especially near the harbor: here, you will find lovely shops, restaurants and the typical colourful houses of a fishermen village. This tiny pearl with sandy coasts is a perfect summer destination thanks to some beautiful beaches like Pozzo Vecchio, Chiaia or Ciaiolella.
Live this special experience and get enchanted by the warm hospitality of its inhabitants and fishermen, who will be delighted to serve you some delicious fresh fish dishes during a romantic seafront dinner. Instead, if you'd prefer to get astonished in front of a spectacular panoramic view, hike “Terra Murata” promontory and look at the whole Neapolitan Gulf from the top! This fortified medieval center is very charming and its narrow streets conceal beauties such as the ancient Church of San Michele Arcangelo.
ISCHIA
The biggest island in front of Naples is Ischia, which is divided in six main centers and is visited by millions of tourists every year. The ”Green Island” of the Tyrrhenian Sea will surprise you with its stunning beauty and its beaches, which are nestled between high promontories and mountains like Monte Epomeo, an ancient volcano. It's actually the volcanic origin of the island that has made it one of Europe's most important thermal centers, with muds, fumaroles and healthy waters spilling from springs found everywhere.
Walk along one of the numerous tourist itineraries and visit Ischia city center, formed by dozens of streets, small stores and ancient churches like the "Cattedrale dell'Assunta", a 16th century basilica decorated with Giotto school frescos. Also visit the 474 BC "Castello, the "Santuario del Soccorso" in the charming center of Forio, Monte Sentinella astronomic observatory and Borgo Sant’Angelo. Here, in this tiny village in the southern part of the island, far from everything and everyone, is where you will enjoy some peace surrounded by some of the natural wonders offered by this small piece of heaven in the middle of the sea.
CAPRI
It is not easy to describe the beauty of Capri, as the emotion given by this island needs to be experienced in first person and cannot be understood through some simple words. Capri is Capri - few other places in the world succeed in emulating its poetry.
It's because of its calcareous origin that the island presents many steep rock walls, natural stone archs, calcareous cliffs, stone mountains like Pizzolungo and the famous sea stacks which represent Capri in the world. Other natural beauties are hidden between a cliff and the other: don't forget to visit the amazing Grotta Azzurra, an enchanting place with fantastic colors that conserves some Roman ruins, or the Belvedere di Tragara, a panoramic point where you will embrace the whole Gulf with a single glance.
The island is divided between the centers of Capri and Anacapri, where you will need to visit some interesting places like the 14th century "Certosa di San Giacomo", the "Eremo di Santa Maria di Cetrella" or the "Flowery Villas" like “Villa Jorvis”, which was chosen by Emperor Tiberius as his private residence.
It's impossible not to fall in love with the beauty of this locality, which has already charmed hundreds of writers, artists and poets in the past. Many couples choose Capri as their romantic travel destination, as they wish to admire the stunning panoramas at sunset and enjoy a seafront walk after a typical dinner in town.
What are you waiting for? Book one of our properties on the villas on the Amalfi Coast and live the holiday of your dreams in Campania!
© Alice Pilastri
