Family Friendly Campania, Italy

A great activity in Autumn -- this is a huge property with a large pumpkin patch, playground, pumpkin carving and painting stations, a corn maze, and fun interactive displays and decorations.

During the Christmas season, Limatola Castle is transformed by its own Christmas Market featuring a carousel, Santa's house, the Grinch's house, jesters, magicians, and musical performances. Booths selling antiques, toys, sweets, and artisan crafts line the walkway to the castle and fill the large interior halls. This is a fun weekend destination for families to spend a night or two and wake up in the middle of all the action!

While there is nothing to stop you from visiting 'Christmas Alley' any time of the year, a stroll during the holiday season is a great way to get into the festive spirit. Here you will find artisans working in their shops producing delicate figurines and fixtures for traditional (and non-traditional) Italian nativity scenes -- presepe. Explore the shops, watch the artisans at work, and keep an eye out for Fratelli Capuano dal 1840 tucked away into a courtyard off the alley. They have a storefront as well as workshop where you can watch them at work if you're lucky. They also have one of the largest presepe on display which you can see for a small entrance fee.

Gaeta is not in Campania -- it's just beyond the border in Lazio, but still a great destination for an overnight in the summer when the beaches are open or at Christmas time when the city is decorated with lights!

If you aren't afraid of heights, this is a fun way to see amazing views of Capri! This chairlift takes you from the town of Anacapri up to the highest point on the island - Monte Solaro. Tickets can be purchased on site and the lift takes you up over the back gardens and vineyards of private homes to a lookout point and small bar. The ride takes about 15 minutes. Kids should be old enough to handle riding solo as chairs are for single riders only. Be sure to purchase roundtrip tickets!

Located just outside of Naples, this water park offers ample activities to entertain families including water slides, a baby pool, hot tub, and dedicated staff that host events throughout the day. Tickets can be purchased online or on arrival and grant access to all activities. Ubmrella/lounge chair rental, access to showers, and storage lockers come with additional fees. Tickets are priced based on height - kids under 100cm enter for free while those 100 - 140 cm enter at a reduced rate. Note that children under 130 cm are not permitted on certain attractions. Outside food and beverage is permitted but must be enjoyed at the designated picnic tables and glass may not enter the park. Outside lounge equipment like chairs is also not permitted. The small restaurant on site offers lunch options like pasta, pizza, and sandwiches and gluten free options are available. For those with infants, there is a dedicated corner of the park for preparing bottles and baby food. Check online for seasonal hours of operation.

Located just north of Naples outside of Castel Volturno, Ditellandia Water Park is a great destination for families looking to beat the summertime heat. The park advertises the following attractions: - Anaconda slide (toboggan) - 3 Kamikazes - 4 quadrislide slopes - 5 children's slides - 10 swimming pools including an Olympic-sized and a lagoon. - For the little ones we offer leisure spaces with trampolines. Further details on hours of operation and ticket prices can be found online.

This Adventure Park is located in Pineta di Fiaiano on the island of Ischia (off the coast of Naples) and offers the following outdoor activities - obstacle/zipline courses (kid & adult courses) - paintball - mountain biking - archery - rockwall climbing Ticket prices are listed online but purchase on location - the minimum age requirement for participating is 4 years old. Their website does not specify seasonal operation hours so just confirm they are open before you go!

This is a fun venue for birthday parties or just for an hour or two of jumping! They have the following attractions: - 350 square meter trampoline area - 100 square meter ninja warrior obstacle course - dodgeball (on trampolines) - basketball (on trampolines) - airbag jump - foam block pit with balance beams - outside (covered) playground - bar - event/party room Tickets are available to book online and special "jump socks" are required for safety. You can purchase these and take them home to keep for your future visits.

In 2023 SSC Napoli won their third Series A Championship title, a win they haven't secured since Diego Maradona (Argentina) was on their team in 1989. Join the fanfare at a SSC Napoli game in the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium! Tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Poseidon Terme is a thermal park located on the island of Ischia that has seawater pools, thermal baths, and access to the beach below. This could be a fun afternoon for families staying on Ischia for a weekend. Note that kids under the age of 12 have limited access to some facilities. Tickets can be purchased online and prices vary based on the season. The website (as of January 2024) advertises the following; Kids 0 - 3 : Free Kids 4 - 11 : -50% discount on adult tickets 12 - Adult : €35 - €47 depending on season/ticket type. TICKET INCLUDES: - seawater swimming pools - outdoor thermal pools; - indoor thermal pools; - Kneipp baths; - hydromassages, hydrojets and cervical waterfalls; - thermal showers; - the use of gardens and terraces; - access to the beach; - umbrellas, deckchairs and sunbeds; - changing rooms and showers. - group water gymnastics, daily (except August) at 10am in the Adriano swimming pool (28° C) TICKET DOES NOT INCLUDE: - parking - meals and drinks - medical-aesthetic treatments ***NOTE ON WEBSITE ABOUT AGE RESTRICTIONS*** 'Those under the age of 12 are restricted to the beaches and three seawater swimming pools (Olympia, Tortuga and Medusa). They cannot access the spa area, not even to walk. They can obviously access the three restaurants.' - Website FAQ

Procida is a small island off the coast of Naples -- much smaller than Ischia and Capri -- and is a great mini adventure. Catch a ferry out in the morning and be back home in time for dinner! Ferries leave from Naples as well as Pozzuoli. From Pozzuoli the ferry ride can be as fast as 20 minutes and very reasonably priced. Plus, Pozzuoli is usually less crowded and a bit more of a relaxed port compared to Naples. Enjoy a short, smooth ferry ride to Procida - most ferries to the island offer rooftop seating which is nice in the summer but bring the sunscreen! Try some great seafood restaurants in Marina Corricella, rent a beach umbrella at one of the small lidos on the coastline, or take in the views from Salita Castello! There are lots of little shops by local artisans and small cafes for lounging with a treat while taking in the view. Taxis' can quickly get you around the island but even from the main port you can see a lot just by walking. Ferry timetables linked below.

Access to this park is limited to those with proper pre-authorization as it is a part of the US Navy base. However, for families relocating to Naples this is a great resource to know about and has a pool with play area, athletic fields, playgrounds, golf course / driving range, and event space.

Located along the coastline in Pozzuoli, this is a nice long park with walking paths, basketball courts, and a playground. There are also some nice restaurants across the street as well including La Cucina degli Amici which has delicious gluten free options.

A huge park with a nice walking loop and some playgrounds -- bring the bikes or scooters and burn off some extra energy while getting a view of the coast and city below.

Good pasta and pizza options here with a small parking lot in the back. They have an outdoor play area in their interior courtyard and a small indoor area with some small games and a ball pit.

Nice food and atmosphere with a small playground out front for kids.

We attended an end-of-year school party here and the staff did a great job catering to a large group. Food was good and there is a large indoor play area with large windows so you can easily keep an eye on kids. Staff were also there to oversee games and activities. Great for anyone looking for a party venue!

Located on the island of Ischia, the Mortella Gardens are truly spectacular and reachable by bus or car. I arrived by bus for my visit but it does look like there is a parking lot (linked below) in case you decide to take your car over to Ischia on the ferry. Otherwise a taxi can also likely drop you there but plan ahead for a pickup There is a nice Tea House serving drinks and small bites (if I recall). The garden spreads for about 2 hectares and has a major collection of exotic, rare plants that is constantly widened and developed, year after year. The diversity and wealth of the collection is such that La Mortella can be considered a botanic garden. Fountains, ponds, streams are scattered everywhere and allow the cultivation of a various array of water-loving plants such as papyrus, lotuses and tropical water lilies. The garden has three tropical greenhouses: the Victoria House, the Orchid House and the Temple of the Sun. Tips: - check the website for operating hours (seasonal) - bring bug spray - aggressive greenhouse mosquitos - bring a snack just in case - wear comfortable walking shoes

The mural town of Valogno is about a one hour drive (70km) away from Naples and a very interesting place to walk and explore. Families looking to take some creative photos or looking for inspiration will enjoy wandering the streets here admiring the artwork. That being said, this is a small and quiet town (only about 90 inhabitants!) -- during our visit we saw very few people so just be mindful and courteous of the peace and quite you will find here. Below is a link to an interesting article about the origins of Valogno's murals and the man behind it all! Helpful Tips - bring your camera! You'll find plenty to photograph - Bring water and a snack, we arrived mid-day so everything was closed (as is the Italian way!) but also considering its size it may not have many options to begin with, especially if it isn't tourist season. - Bring some cash -- there was a small antique/souvenir shop open when we left and it seemed like a primary income source for the town; sort of a way to donate something for your visit.

This is a very cool museum with lots of original, well kept, train engines and train cars from throughout the years. Located down along the water, it offers beautiful views of Capri and ships coming into Naples Bay. There are also model train tracks running, a small gift shop, and lots of interesting photographic history on display. At Christmas you'll find a market, train/tractor ride, holiday lights and decor, and a parade of colorful characters walking about!

This five story palace was modeled after The Palace of Versailles, has over 1,000 rooms, and is the largest palace constructed in Europe during the 18th century. Originally built to house Charles VII of Naples, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a daunting structure brimming with decadent Baroque stylings and ornate detail making an in interesting exploration for families with older kids who can handle approx 2 hours of walking. It is strongly recommended to buy tickets online in advance. Online tickets are only sold through one provider - TicketOne. Be sure to book through the official website linked below. Tours are available by request in advance (via email), but ultimately you are free to explore the open portions of the palace/museum at your own pace. Note that there are separate ticket options for the palace and the gardens, check online when booking to confirm what your ticket grants you access to! Closed on Tuesdays (info current as of January 2024)

The royal gardens of Caserta Palace are a sprawling example of Baroque decadence. You'll find a series of water features and aqueducts running down the center and impressive fountains with large marble and stone carvings. Strollers are strongly recommended for those with young children but be advised that the paths can be uneven. The first half of the garden is large flat lawns with little protection from the sun but the back gardens are shaded and more meandering. Here you will find dense flora, waterfalls, ponds, shaded pathways, and some beautiful old marble structures. The great news is there is a shuttle bus (for an added cost) that can get you from one end of the garden to the other and bicycles are available to rent as well. Tickets can be bought online or in person but it is strongly recommended to purchase online in advance through the only authorized ticket provider - TicketOne (linked below). Note that there are multiple ticket options for access to the gardens, the palace, or both. Because of the size of the gardens, this may not be an ideal trip for young children as it is a lot of walking. Helpful Tips: - Avoid August - it is peak tourist season and peak heat. - A spring time visit is beautiful, less crowded, and much more comfortable. - Bring water/snacks, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. - Parking is available on site, and is located underground in front of the palace.

Paestum is a UNESCO site originally founded as a Greek city and then taken over by Roman rule. Here you can walk the streets of the ancient city past large temples, and the remains of homes, pools, shops, tombs, and amphitheater. This is a nice place to walk around in the late afternoon and there are some restaurants and souvenir shops nearby as well. This area of Campania has beautiful resorts and beaches open in the summer making it a fun place for a weekend getaway!

If you've got soccer fans in your family a visit to the Maradona Mural in the Spanish Quarter in Naples is a fun adventure into the historic neighborhood. Here you will find large murals as well as flags, posters, and contributions left by admirers. If planning a day trip around Naples this is an easy and quick stop to add to the list!

Everyone knows of the 79 AD eruption of Vesuvius and how it buried the sprawling city of Pompeii -- but did you know there was another town buried and lost? Ercolano (aka Herculaneum) was a small seaside town on the coast that was also buried during the eruption. Why go to Ercolano? - It's closer to Naples than Pompeii. - It's significantly smaller and easy to explore in one day. - More tile work, paintings, and complete structures. Pompei was hit by pumice rain (large falling rock) and then buried in pyroclastic flow (a flood of hot ash & rock). Ercolano was only hit with the pyroclastic flow meaning it was spared much of the structural damage Pompeii suffered before being buried and preserved. This is a small enough site that it is fun to explore independently. Kids will enjoy going around the town and it can easily be seen in a few hours. Tips: If going in the summer bring sunscreen and water! There were some snack and souvenir stands outside the park and we invested in a few handheld painted fans that saved us from the heat and made a nice souvenir.

This is the 3rd largest Roman Amphitheater in Italy -- the largest being The Colosseum in Rome and the 2nd largest being the Amphitheater of Capua. Located in the coastal city of Pozzuoli it is an impressive structure but easily explored in a matter of 1-2 hours. One of the most impressive parts of the structure is the underground where gladiators and animals were kept prior to fights. Down here you can find remnants of columns, lifts, and the pens where animals were kept and hoisted up to the arena above. You will also find models of how the structure looked at various points in history. After exploring walk around town, have lunch at a nearby restaurant, and enjoy views of the port. When visiting, we usually park at the paid parking lot down the street (location link below). As of January 2024 the website lists ticket prices from €3 - €8 depending on age and whether you choose a guided or free tour. Tickets are purchased on site.

'Located in the Alburni Mountains, the Pertosa-Auletta Caves present two unique features: 1. They are the only caves in Italy where it is possible to navigate an underground river, the Negro 2. They are also the only caves in Europe to preserve the remains of a pile-dwelling village dating back to the 2nd millennium BC With our guides, the visit to the touristically equipped caves (marked and comfortable routes) and illuminated by a latest generation system, turns into a pleasant adventure. The river offers a fascinating and unusual boat journey, immersed in a magical silence, interrupted only by the roar of the underground waterfall. The visit allows you to explore caves and cavities shaped by nature over thousands of years. To visit the caves, reservations are mandatory by pre-purchasing tickets online, calling 0975 397037 or emailing ordini@fondazionemida.it SAFETY INFO - Qualified staff with constant training: we have been welcoming visitors since 1932. - First cardio-protected cave in Italy, with in-cave defibrillator and trained first aid staff. - Modern radio system, to always stay in contact with the outside. - Horizontal and non-slip paths. - Insurance coverage included in the entrance ticket. TICKET INFO Children from 0 to 5 years old and people with disabilities with their companions do not pay the entrance ticket but only pay €1.00 for insurance coverage. The above is a summary of information from the website. Further information on ticket rates and hours of operation linked below.

Grotta Azzura on the island of Capri is an amazing natural phenomenon where light filters in through an underwater hole to illuminate the grotto from below. Hop aboard a rowboat and enter the cave if you dare; inside you'll get to witness glowing blue waters like you've never seen before. Access the grotto by boat or by bus -- tickets to enter are paid on arrival and are CASH ONLY. This is a popular site on Capri during the summer months but still a worthwhile trip!

The ancient city of Pompeii was buried in volcanic ash after the 79 AD eruption of nearby Vesuvius. Excavation of the city over the years has allowed us to glean an amazing insight into what life was like and the similarities are surprisingly abundant! Pompeii offers much to see and countless streets and sites to explore. Remember, the site is an excavated city -- you will not see everything in one day -- so plan accordingly! Linked below is the official websites information on ticket prices, including 3-day packages as well as reduced rates, guided tours, and free entry the first Sunday of every month! Tickets can be purchased online using TicketOne (linked below) If you are looking for an equally impressive experience on a smaller scale (and closer to Naples) consider the archaeological site of Ercolano, a small seaside town that was also buried during the 79 AD eruption. It is a much more manageable site to see in an afternoon visit.

On this one hour guided tour, you descend underneath the modern day city of Naples into a network of passages and structures built across thousands of years of human history. Here you will find remnants of a Greco-Roman theatre, learn about the 40,000 people who populated the underground during the Second World War, and discover a contemporary art museum, a hypogean garden, and learn about the history of wine in the region. Tickets can be purchased on arrival or online in advance for an additional cost. Be advised that there can be a long wait if you buy your ticket at the door. ***The underground in Naples is extensive and there is a second location where you can see what is called the Bourbon Gallery - it is organized and managed by a separate organization (Galleria Borbonica) and not to be mistaken with the one outlined here (Napoli Sotterranea).

The Bourbon Gallery is an historic underground beneath the city of Naples with a long history. Beginning as a quarry for extracting tuff (a rock made of volcanic ash), it then grew into an underground escape tunnel in 1853 for Ferdinand II of Bourbon. During WW2, it was a bomb shelter for the citizens of Naples, and in the 1970s it was used as an underground impound lot! There are 4 tour types: 1 - Standard tour shows you the Bourbon Tunnel and walk you through its evolution into a WW2 bomb shelter and later an impound lot with some original cars and artifacts still present. 2 - Via Delle Memorie Tour - Begin at Palazzo Serra di Cassano, the tour takes you down to the basement and the underground with entry to a WW2 museum and access to the old quarry which has since turned into a functioning cistern. A portion of the Bourbon Tunnel is seen upon exit. 3 - Adventure Tour - Wearing an helmet and using a torch, you will visit the water tanks and the narrow routes made by the “pozzari”, the workers of the ancient aqueduct system. In addition, you will reach some spots of the Bourbon Tunnel, like the main room where the vintage vehicles are parked. Walking on an ancient bridge you will be able to reach then a huge water-tank, connected to an abandoned subway's tunnel, flooded and navigable for few meters on a small raft. 4 - Speleo Tour - You will be provided with your caving helmet with headlamp and explore the tunnels of the ancient underground acqueduct system of Naples, up to reach astonishing water tanks of the 15th century still full of water and decorated with mysterious symbols. The tour is a long walk through the narrow tunnels of the acqueduct system of 'Bolla', which will take you to some water tanks of the 15th century full of religious symbols carved by the upkeepers of the ancient underground water network. Sometimes the tour guides will change the route, showing to the visitors the rooms found by the many volunteers cleaning up new caves: new perspectives, new artefacts are waiting for you... you will end up dusty, but happy! Tickets can be purchased online and english tours are available with advance notice (and possibly a minimum headcount requirement). There are multiple entrances to these sites based on the tour you book. Please note there is another section of the underground that is organized and operated by a different group (Napoli Sotteranea) and is not to be confused with this organizer (Galleria Borbonica).