Punta Campanella

Punta Campanella is the dramatic end of the peninsula, where the gulfs of Naples and Salerno meet opposite Capri. The trail from Termini leads to the historic tower and a protected coastal landscape, best explored during the cooler hours of the day.

Punta Campanella is the southernmost tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula, the dramatic point where the two gulfs, Naples and Salerno, meet and where the Sorrentine Coast becomes the Amalfi Coast. You start from Termini, the last inhabited hamlet on the peninsula and about 12 minutes from Villa Lorelei, then walk the panoramic path: 4 km round trip, about 2 hours, easy and well-marked.

Its name comes from the medieval Saracen watchtower built in the 14th century to spot approaching pirate ships: a bell (campanella) mounted on top would ring in alarm, sending signals from tower to tower along the entire coastline. At the very tip, the ruins of an ancient Greek-Roman sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Minerva-Athena are still visible. The trail follows old stone-paved mule tracks through Mediterranean scrub and terraced groves to the tower and lighthouse, with the narrow strait to Capri beyond and views that, in both directions, are breathtaking.

Mamy Lucia's tip: go early in the morning or in late afternoon to avoid the strongest sun, because there is almost no shade on the path. Carry plenty of water and a camera, as on a clear day the colors of the two gulfs and Capri's Faraglioni are unforgettable. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable walking and the clearest air, while midsummer middays are hot and exposed.

The whole area is protected by the Punta Campanella Marine Protected Area, established in 1997, which safeguards approximately 40 km of coastline across Sorrento, Massa Lubrense, and Positano, divided into three zones of increasing protection. It is a moderately easy hike that rewards couples with one of the grandest panoramas on the entire Sorrento Coast.

Good to know: the route is a protected nature reserve, so stay on the marked path and carry out anything you bring in. There is no swimming infrastructure or shade at the point, and the rocks down to the water are steep. Combine it with the panoramic village of Termini at the trailhead, where a couple of simple bars make a welcome stop before or after the walk.