Campania is the sparkling region of jewel-like towns in the ‘bootlace’ part of Italy, spreading outwards from capital, Naples, and rolling over Pompeii and Mt.Vesuvius; over Ischia, with its spas and springs, and traditional Procida, and the other Flegrean Islands of the Bay of Naples, and across to glamorous Capri; and on through the much lauded charms of the Amalfi Coast, encompassing picturesque Positano, hilltop charmer Ravello, and Sorrento's beautiful beaches; then through mysterious Paestum, and peaceful Agropoli. And those are just some of the big names. With such a wealth of destinations comes a huge array of accommodation options. Our pick of the best places to stay in Campania ranges from cute little B&Bs that are unbelievably good value, to all-singing-all-dancing luxury hotels that tick all the boxes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Campania’s famed coastline, with its wonderfully inviting blue waters, is known the world over for its beauty. The mountainside towns sitting above the sea come in all shapes and sizes, and there are some particularly beautiful ones. Just back from the coastline is the Parco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano, Italy's second largest national park, running all the way to the Apennines, and a natural wonder not many have heard of. Just outside Naples is the Lago d'Averno, and all around are ancient villages, mysterious ruins, and hilltop castles and fortresses. This whole region is rich with traditions, and the hills and mountains are marked out with the ancient trails used by Hannibal and his legions two thousand years ago.

Whether you've come to explore the lesser known interior or sample the deights of the region's coastline and islands, don't forget that it's incredibly busy here during the peak summer months. If you want to guarantee a room in one of the best places to stay in Campania you need to get organised and book well ahead.

The Best Places to Stay in Campania

For the Location

• La Conca del Sogno is a welcoming, family-run restaurant with rooms right on a low rocky point, overlooking the bright blue waters of an Amalfi Coast bay. The setting is impossible to beat, both for those arriving at the restaurant by restaurant skiff, or winding down the road. Its seven rooms and suites are simply decorated, in a contemporary style, and have huge windows and private water-view terraces. Begun in the late '50s by Pietro Tizzani after his family decided to close their rock export business on the same site, it was passed on to his children in the 1990s, who keep the ethos of absolute simplicity and freshness of food, warmth of welcome and laid back ambiance alive and thriving. Stay here for the atmosphere, the setting and the wonderful trattoria food. You are as likely to find famous faces as strangers amongst you, for La Conca del Sogno is special.
• Idyllically positioned on a clifftop overlooking the Bay of Naples and the dramatic form of Vesuvius, the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori is one of the largest hotels on our list of recommendations, with 103 rooms and suites. The advantage of size usually comes in the facilities, and that’s definitely the case with the Grand Hotel Ambasciatori, which, in addition to a range of room and suite types, has two excellent restaurants, a large landscaped pool, a treat of a spa, and a stretch of private beach. Expect beautiful, traditional majolica tiles to play a large part in the room decor. Romantic.

For the Views

• The Grand Hotel La Medusa is a luxurious-looking choice, an impressive villa with fountains, palm trees, gardens with statues, and panoramic views of the Bay of Naples from its huge pool. Inside the hotel are 49 rooms and suites, classically decorated, with beautifully tiled floors, chandeliers, and an elegantly neutral colour scheme. In addition to rooms in the main villa, the Grand Hotel La Medusa has a collection of self-catering options.
• The Hotel Torre Barbara is perfectly positioned for views of the Bay of Naples, from its charming restaurant terrace you can see Mt. Vesuvius, of course, but also the pretty white line of towns along the coastline, with rocky, green hills in the background, and the bright blue ocean in the foreground. The pool shares the view too, and the best of the hotel’s 18 rooms and suites. The decor is fresh and a bit nautical, with tiled floors and plenty of white. Some of the suites are a good size for families, and the restaurant serves authentic Neapolitan cuisine. The shady gardens are a lovely place to relax and recharge.

For Foodies

• Da Gelsomina is a fantastic restaurant with rooms on the quieter side of the Capri, in peaceful Anacapri. The restaurant is known for its locally sourced produce and specialities — try the ravioli capresi, pollo al mattone and rabbit cacciatora. Its 12 rooms are simple, and decorated in pastels, with sea views from private balconies.
• Positioned within the Punta Campanella reserve, and with incredible views across to the island of Capri, the Relais Blu Belvedere must have one of the best spots on the planet if you like picturesque ocean views. The details of this contemporary villa do nothing to detract from that, with glass walls, and plenty of white letting in all the light and making the most of the blue views. The pool and roof terrace are impeccable, the 11 rooms and suites are large, and the restaurant is Michelin starred. Expect privacy, relaxation, and beauty.

For Sorrento

• The Palazzo Marziale is a stylishly converted townhouse in central Sorrento, with an elegant peachy facade, and ten individually decorated rooms and suites, featuring vintage-style finds and plenty of Italian chic. Some of the rooms are huge, easily large enough for a family. Breakfasts and snacks are served daily, and you’re a short stroll of numerous cafes, bars and restaurants.
• Masion la Minervetta’s wall-sized windows overlooking the Med are one of this hotel’s showstoppers, but surprisingly it has more, including 12 individually decorated rooms and suites, all created with flair, fun and a nautical colour palette. There’s no restaurant, but they offer an excellent breakfast, in a super chic breakfast room cum sitting room. Just 15 minutes' walk from the centre of Sorrento, but still feeling like an escape.

For Families

• The Villa La Colombaia is a small, elegant villa hotel, just outside Agropoli, in the hills overlooking the coastline. We love the classical pillars and summery colour scheme, the enormous balconies and terraces, the elegant pools (two), and shady gardens. There are just ten rooms and suites, and many of them have interconnecting doors, making them idea for families. The seafood restaurant is right by the pool, and has the same summer-y colour scheme.
• Just outside Sorrento, a safe distance back from the cliffs, and surrounded by lemon and olive groves, the Relais Regina Giovanna is one of our picks for families. This beautiful coastal villa is a good size, with 16 rooms and suites, so it’s an excellent pick for groups too. We like the range of room sizes, the simple but stylish door and the private beach. The restaurant is excellent, and they offer pizza-making classes — a sure-fire hit with the youngsters!

For Romantics

• Capri’s 18 room Hotel La Minerva is a long-time favourite of ours: a charming little hotel with chic white-on-white decor that works beautifully with the original majolica-tiled floors, and many sunny terraces that run down towards the sea. The scent of almond trees, citrus and mimosa linger around the quiet pool terrace, and there’s a great bar and friendly restaurant.
• La Madonnina is a beacon of white, set atop a low cliff over a charming cove (which is the hotel’s private beach) on Ischia. Inside the hotel are 21 rooms and suites, simply and colourfully dressed, all featuring locally designed majolica tiles, and a private balcony or terrace. All of the rooms have wonderful ocean views, as do the hotel’s expansive sun terraces, solarium, and restaurant. The pool and spa are beautiful too.

For a Naples City Break

• Converted from an elegant, 18th century palazzo, the Palazzo Alabardieri is a 44 room hotel in the chic shopping district of Chiaia, surrounded by a network of charming streets. Expect marble, chandeliers, frescoes, gilt furniture and mirrors and lavish flower arrangements in the public spaces. You'll also find a small garden and chic bar.
• The Grand Hotel Vesuvio has long been one of the best places to stay in Naples, known for its incredible views over the Bay of Naples — especially from its famed top-floor restaurant. Its 160 rooms and suites offer stylish decor and plenty of room sizes, and guests also have access to one of the best club spas in Naples, a private cabin cruiser and a chauffeur-driven Daimler for hire. Immaculate service.

For a Rural Retreat

• Il Cannito is tucked away on a hillside, yet is just a few kms away from both Paestum and the Cilento Coast. This is a glorious little slice of unspoilt Italy with its minimalist accommodation which effortlessly combines the old and the new, plus there's a fabulous restaurant (guests only) which showcases the best of the Med, and a pool deck with breathtaking views.
• Wthin the boundaries of the Cilento National Park, Domus Laeta is a beautiful, ivy-clad, hill-top, country house, with eight guest rooms, and spectacular views of the water, and Paestum. Interiors are cosy, and traditionally decorated, featuring fireplaces, tiled floors, dark-wood antiques, and exposed beams on high ceilings. Guests have access to an extensive library, a restaurant, and a charming infinity pool. Some of the suites are suitable for families.

For Great Value

• Il Convento is a friendly guesthouse in the authentically Neapolitan neighbourhood of Quartieri Spangnoli. It has 14 rooms and suites, decorated with modern rustic style, and charming personal touches. The two rooms at the top of the building have roof gardens, and the two below that have a second double bed on a mezzanine level — ideal for families. The breakfast room is charming, and there’s a cosy bar and a courtyard.
• The Yacht Club Capo Cervo Suites is another great value pick, designed as a sort of shore-leave for yacht owners — there’s no reason you can’t stay here without a yacht! The Sorrento port-side location is wonderful, and each of the three suites has a private balcony directly overlooking the water. The rooms are simply decorated with antiques recovered from local shipping fleets, so the maritime theme runs throughout. There’s no restaurant, but they serve breakfast daily.
• Borgo La Pietraia makes an ideal retreat, a beautifully converted farmhouse in the hills above Paestum, with just four rooms, and an excellent restaurant only open to hotel guests. Expect exposed stone, whitewashed walls, tiled floors and elegantly designed furniture, plus private terraces and a deck with a view and a swimming pool. Romantic and unspoiled.

Best B&BS

• Naples’ L’Alloggio dei Vassaili is a warm and welcoming, seven room B&B in the lively and historic part of town. The rooms and suites are bijou, with rather fun traditional decor which includes a suit of armour by reception. Some rooms have private balconies or terraces, and all guests have access to a simple spa and sauna set up, and to the chic breakfast room, where Neapolitan pastries and excellent Italian coffee are served.
• The Casa di Plinio is an elegant B&B, located about as close as you can be to the ruins of Pompeii. There are just three traditional rooms, with brick walls and exposed wooden beams, wrought iron beds and some nice antiques. They do a hearty breakfast each morning served in the dining room or outside on the terrace.

Prefer a Private Apartment or Villa?

• If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner, Booking.com.

Travel Information

• There are numerous ways to get to the Campania region, including by yacht, if you have one, or ferry. If you’re flying in Naples Airport is the one to head for; Naples has a large central station too, with connections all over Campania.
• If you want to hire a car we recommend you visit our online partner, Rentalcars.
• Even in a wet winter Campania as a region is a sunny destination, the Mediterranean climate equates to hot, dry summers and mild winters. The coastal towns benefit from the temperature regulating power of the Tyrrhenian Sea, but inland temperatures are often in the 30°Cs during the height of summer. The tourist season in the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast traditionally begins at Easter, and runs through until the first week of November. The warmest summer months are the busiest time for visitors, so if you’re not restricted on when you can travel you might want to consider the shoulder seasons, or April through mid-June, and September through mid-October. The sea remains warm in autumn, and both spring and autumn are lovely times for exploring the region on foot, or on a boat. These are also excellent times to explore the region’s ancient sights at Paestum, Pompeii and Herculaneum.

Still not sure where to stay?

• You could refine your search to one of Campania’s jewel-like towns, and consider the best places to stay in Sorrento, capital of the region Naples or pretty Capri
• You could pick out one of Campania’s historic treasures, and consider the best places to stay in Pompeii or Paestum
• Or head for one of the best places to stay on the Amalfi Coast
• You may even want to search by type, and look for the best hotel views on the Amalfi Coast or the the best luxury hotels on the Amalfi Coast
• Alternatively, you could contact one of our friendly Gurus for personalised advice.