Naples

Naples – What you should know

Naples on the Gulf of Naples enjoys a classic southern Italian climate: Mediterranean, with long, hot summers and mild, occasionally rainy winters. From June to September the sun shines almost daily, and temperatures typically rise to 27–30°C (81–86°F). The Tyrrhenian Sea is good for swimming at this time — summer months are ideal for beach excursions to the nearby islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.

Spring and autumn are the climatically best months for Naples: in April and May the Campania blooms in full splendour, temperatures are a pleasant 18–22°C (64–72°F), and historic sites such as Pompeii or Herculaneum can be explored without high-summer heat. In October and November the old town lanes are less crowded, the weather often still warm enough for light summer clothing, and the pizzerias and fish markets show themselves at their most authentic.

Vesuvius and the gulf create a remarkable microclimate: the bay traps sea air and makes Naples more humid and muggy in summer than inland regions. Occasionally the Scirocco — the hot desert wind from North Africa — blows in and brings stifling air and rain. Those who want to climb Vesuvius should plan this for September or October: the path is snow-free, and after a summer's day the long-distance views are usually exceptionally clear.