Campania is a stunning region in southern Italy renowned for its dramatic coastlines, ancient ruins, and world-famous cuisine. Home to Naples, the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, and the islands of Capri and Ischia, it offers an unrivaled mix of history, natural beauty, and gastronomy. The birthplace of pizza and mozzarella di bufala, Campania captivates visitors with its vibrant culture and breathtaking landscapes.
Best photo spots
Iconic and lesser-known locations worth shooting.
Terrace of Infinity, Villa Cimbrone, Ravello
The most celebrated viewpoint on the Amalfi Coast - a balustraded terrace at the edge of a 350m cliff adorned with marble busts, looking straight out over the blue Mediterranean infinity. Wagner described it as the most beautiful spot on earth.
Best time: sunset
Tip: Use a wide-angle (16-24mm) to keep the full balustrade and horizon; a short telephoto isolates single busts against the sea · Arrive at the 9am opening or in the last hour before closing to shoot the balustrade without crowds · A polariser deepens the blue gulf and cuts afternoon haze; a graduated ND balances bright sky against shadowed busts · Garden entry is about €10; budget ten minutes' walk from Ravello's Piazza Duomo · Restrooms and a cafe are inside the villa grounds near the entrance, not at the terrace
Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Positano
The majolica-tiled dome of Positano's main church with the cascade of pastel houses behind and the beach below creates the quintessential Amalfi Coast postcard image. Best framed from the ferry approaching or from the Via dei Mulini steps.
Best time: morning
Tip: Shoot from the ferry arriving from Amalfi or Sorrento for the whole bay; use a fast shutter and stabilisation as no tripod is possible aboard · A 24-70mm zoom covers both the wide bay and a tighter dome-and-houses crop · Arrive at dawn for soft pink cliff light and room to set a tripod on the Via dei Mulini steps · A polariser cuts glare off the sea and lifts the pastel facades; the public viewpoints are free · Public restrooms sit near Spiaggia Grande at the bottom of the village
Marina Corricella, Procida
Procida's perfectly preserved fishing harbor with layers of pastel yellow, orange, and ochre buildings reflected in the still harbor water. Considered one of the most photogenic fishing harbors in the world - the backdrop for many films including 'Il Postino'.
Best time: early morning
Tip: Arrive 6-7am for mirror-still reflections and an empty quay before the fishing boats and ferries · A 35-85mm range compresses the stacked houses; a wide-angle takes in the full curved harbour from the quay · Climb the steps toward Terra Murata for the elevated bowl composition · A polariser controls reflections on the water; a windless morning gives the cleanest mirror surface · Cafes on the quay open later in the morning and provide the nearest restrooms
Faraglioni Rocks, Capri
Three massive sea stacks rising from the water near Capri's south coast, photographed at their most dramatic in afternoon golden light. The natural arch on the second Faraglione allows boats to pass through - a spectacular image.
Best time: afternoon
Tip: Hire a small boat from Marina Grande or Marina Piccola for the dramatic up-the-stacks and through-the-arch angles · A 70-200mm telephoto compresses the three stacks from Punta Tragara; a wide-angle suits the boat-level view · Afternoon to golden hour gives warm front light; mornings leave the stacks flat and cool · A polariser deepens the water and cuts surface glare; go on a calm day for a clean arch passage · The Punta Tragara belvedere is free; cafes back along Via Tragara have the nearest restrooms
Pompeii with Vesuvius Backdrop
The ancient streets and columns of Pompeii with the cone of Vesuvius rising behind - a powerful juxtaposition of city and the volcano that destroyed it. Best framed from the Forum looking north toward the volcano.
Best time: morning
Tip: Enter at the 9am opening to shoot the Forum before tour groups fill the square · A 24-70mm zoom covers the wide Forum and a tighter columns-and-cone crop; a telephoto enlarges Vesuvius behind the ruins · Morning light from the east cross-lights the stone; midday haze softens the cone, so shoot early · Admission is about €18; keep tripods clear of walkways and do not assume drone permission · Restrooms and water fountains are at the main entrances and a few marked points inside the park
Path of the Gods Viewpoints
Multiple viewpoints along the Sentiero degli Dei looking down on Positano and Praiano far below with the turquoise sea extending to the horizon. The view with all three towns visible and Capri in the distance is exceptional.
Best time: morning
Tip: Walk Bomerano to Nocelle so the sea stays on the right and morning light falls behind the camera · A 24-70mm covers most frames; a wide-angle exaggerates the drop and a short telephoto isolates the towns below · Start early for clear air and soft light; afternoon shadows deepen the ridges but put Positano in shade · Carry water and wear sturdy shoes for the 7-8 km rocky trail and the ~1,500-step descent into Nocelle · Bars at Bomerano and Nocelle have the only restrooms; there are none along the trail itself
Amalfi Cathedral Steps
The Arab-Norman facade of Amalfi Cathedral rising above the 62-step staircase from the Piazza del Duomo creates one of Campania's most iconic architectural images. The striped arches and medieval campanile glow in morning light.
Best time: morning
Tip: Arrive before 9am for soft light and the steps clear of visitors and wedding parties · Use a wide-angle (16-24mm) low at the base to capture the full staircase and facade together · Shoot in the morning when light is on the southwest-facing front; afternoon backlights and flattens it · Photographing the exterior is free; cathedral and cloister entry costs a few euros · Cafes around Piazza del Duomo provide the nearest restrooms
Naples from Vomero Hill (Via Aniello Falcone)
The view from the Vomero hill neighborhood looks south over the entirety of Naples - the historic center's rooftop panorama, the Bay of Naples, and Vesuvius rising behind. The belvedere on Via Aniello Falcone offers one of the best urban panoramas in Europe.
Best time: sunset
Tip: Ride the Montesanto or Chiaia funicular up and walk east along the ridge to the best belvederes · A 70-200mm compresses Vesuvius dramatically behind the rooftops; a standard zoom takes the full bay sweep · Stay from golden hour into blue hour to catch the city lights against the afterglow over the volcano · Go on a clear day after wind or rain to cut the bay haze; the viewpoints are free · Cafes along Via Aniello Falcone provide the nearest restrooms
Caserta Palace Gardens Cascade
The view looking up the 3km cascade axis of the Caserta Palace gardens - from the great waterfall and Diana fountain at the top to the palace facade in the distance - is one of Italy's most dramatic landscape compositions.
Best time: midday
Tip: Shoot from the upper cascade looking back down the axis for the classic receding composition · A wide-angle takes the falls and full axis; a telephoto compresses the basins and enlarges the distant palace · An ND filter allows long exposures to smooth the cascade and basin water · Take the electric shuttle or hire a bike to cover the 3 km axis; park admission is about €10 · Restrooms and a cafe are near the palace entrance at the lower end of the gardens
Greek Temples at Paestum at Dawn
The three Greek temples of Paestum at sunrise, when mist sometimes rises from the surrounding fields and the honey-colored limestone glows in the first light. In May, wildflowers carpet the meadow around the temples.
Best time: sunrise
Tip: Arrive at the 8:30am opening for the lowest warm light and the fewest visitors · A telephoto isolates columns rising from the May wildflowers; a wide-angle stacks one temple behind another · Shoot the eastern flanks at sunrise when low light models the stone; midday flattens it · Admission is about €12; tripods are fine for non-commercial use, drones need authorisation · Restrooms and a ticket office with water are at the main park entrance
Ischia's Aragonese Castle at Dusk
The Aragonese Castle on its rocky island promontory connected to Ischia Ponte by a causeway, photographed from the fishing harbor at dusk when warm light illuminates the walls and the sea takes on purple tones.
Best time: sunset
Tip: Set up at the fishing harbour or seafront just east of the causeway in Ischia Ponte · Stay through blue hour for the castle lights against the dusk sky, the strongest moment · A standard zoom frames castle and causeway; a tripod and remote are needed for the long twilight exposures · A polariser or graduated ND balances the bright sky against the shadowed sea; the harbour viewpoint is free · Cafes and bars along the Ischia Ponte seafront provide the nearest restrooms
Spaccanapoli from Above
Looking east or west along the straight line of Spaccanapoli from the terrace of the church of Gesù Nuovo or from a side street, the line of historic Naples' main artery creates a powerful urban composition against the backdrop of the city.
Best time: morning
Tip: Use the Certosa di San Martino or Castel Sant'Elmo terraces on the Vomero for the commanding overview · A long telephoto is essential to compress the straight street into the rooftops from the hill · Shoot a clear morning after wind or rain to cut the bay haze and rake light into the street · Certosa entry is about €6 with Castel Sant'Elmo a separate small fee; both reached step-free by funicular · Cafes near the San Martino complex and Vomero stations provide the nearest restrooms
By subject
Match your shooting interest to Campania's strengths.
Sunrise photography
Paestum temples in early morning light; Naples from Vomero at first light; Procida harbor before fishing boats return
Sunset photography
Terrace of Infinity in Ravello; Faraglioni rocks from Punta Tragara, Capri; Ischia Castle from the fishing harbor; Naples from the Lungomare
Architecture photography
Amalfi Cathedral facade; Caserta Palace; Castel Nuovo's triumphal arch; Naples baroque churches; Positano village from the sea
Street photography
Via San Gregorio Armeno nativity scenes; Spaccanapoli; Naples Spanish Quarter laundry lanes; Procida Marina Corricella
Nature photography
Path of the Gods panoramas; Vesuvius crater; Valle delle Ferriere waterfall; Cilento coast at Infreschi
Night photography
Naples Lungomare with Vesuvius; Castel dell'Ovo reflections; Capri town piazzetta at night; Positano from the sea after dark
Best times to shoot
Light, weather, and seasonal considerations.
- Sunrise
- 6:30 AM (summer) / 7:30 AM (winter) - exceptional at Paestum and Procida harbor
- Golden Hour Morning
- 6:30-8:30 AM (summer) for warm raking light on architecture
- Midday
- Avoid for outdoor landscapes - harsh shadows. Use for indoor architecture and underground sites.
- Golden Hour Evening
- 7:00-8:30 PM (summer) / 4:00-5:30 PM (winter) for warm light
- Sunset
- 8:30-9:00 PM (July) / 5:00-5:30 PM (December) - best at Ravello, Capri, Ischia
- Blue Hour
- 30-45 minutes after sunset for cityscape photography with ambient light and building illumination
Photography tips
Make your shots stand out.
The Amalfi Coast faces south, so east-facing towns like Positano get morning light, west-facing get afternoon light
Visit popular spots like Positano on weekday mornings in shoulder season for the fewest people
A telephoto lens (70-200mm) is essential for Amalfi Coast terraced village compression shots
Hire a small boat for the best angles of sea caves, Faraglioni, and coastline - views from the water are unbeatable
Naples churches are best photographed at opening (before crowds) or just before closing
Use a polarizing filter for sea shots to cut glare and enhance blue water
Pompeii in the golden hour (first and last 2 hours of opening) has the most atmospheric light
Drone photography requires permits at many archaeological sites and national parks - check regulations