Easter picnic: where to go in Campania

Assuming that it doesn't rain on Easter Monday, there are many places in Campania where you can go for an outing with friends. Whether you love the sea or the mountains is of little importance, the Campania region has plenty to choose from.

Equipped areas and gardens, in the city, by the sea, near the lake or mountains!

Whether the occasion is Monday in Albis, a relaxing Sunday or another spring or summer occasion, here is where you can go for your picnic in the region, area by area and for all your needs. 

For those who don't feel like moving from Naples, the public parks are an excellent place for your outing or to eat your packed breakfast while discovering one of the city's monuments or museums. 

Among these is Parco Virgiliano or Parco della Rimembranza. It is located in Posillipo in Viale Virgilio. It is one of the most visited city parks in Naples, considering its very panoramic position: from its height of about 150 metres above sea level, it has a system of terraces overlooking the Gulf of Naples from which you can see the islands of Nisida, Procida, Ischia and Capri, the Gulf of Naples and Bacoli, Vesuvius and the Sorrento Peninsula. 

Also in Naples, in the Vomero district, is Villa Floridiana, in Via Domenico Cimarosa, open from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is an enchanting place with a park perfect for a picnic, especially for those who want to combine outdoor activities with a passion for culture. Inside, you can visit the Duca di Martina Ceramics Museum. 

On the top of the highest hill in Naples, the well-known Eremo dei Camaldoli is the Parco Urbano dei Camaldoli: 135 hectares in size. It is a vital lung for the city. Inside, there are picnic areas equipped with barbecues, children's play areas, a skating rink, bocce courts, etc. 

In Ottaviano, you can opt to organise your outing in the Vesuvius National Park not far from Naples. It can be reached from Naples by car, taking the Ercolano exit from the A3 Napoli-Salerno motorway or public transport on the Circumvesuviana railway. In the park, there are wooden tables and benches where you can picnic and enjoy the view of the Gulf. The park is open from 9:30 am until 30 minutes before sunset. 

For those wishing to spend their Easter Monday outing on the Amalfi Coast, the perfect spot is on Monte Faito. Just over an hour from the centre of Naples, and very close to Vico Equense and Castellammare, the mountain can be reached either by car or by cable car, leaving from Castellammare. 

There are not many picnic areas here, and they practically stormed on Easter Monday. You can opt for a packed breakfast to enjoy among the woods, pinewoods, and paths if you wish. 

For an even more "alternative" picnic, don't forget the beaches of the magnificent Sorrento Coast, where you can relax with the sound of the sea waves in the background. 

There are many suggestive places around the lakes where you can go for long walks and picnics surrounded by nature, some in the splendid Campi Flegrei area. 

In Pozzuoli, precisely between the hamlet of Lucrino and Cuma, there is the volcanic lake of Averno. Its name derives from the Greek and means "without birds" because its particular waters exhaled particular gases that did not allow birds to rest.  

In Bacoli, on the other hand, there is Lake Fusaro, which gives its name to the hamlet that hosts it. Here is the elegant Casina Vanvitelliana, originally a Bourbon hunting and fishing lodge. 

Also in Bacoli, between Monte di Procida and Capo Miseno, is Lake Miseno. It owes the name of the Roman army's trumpeter following Aeneas (hero of Virgil's Aeneid). Who drowned in seawater in front of the lake and then buried by the hero, where Capo Miseno promontory stands today. 

Not far from Averno, there is also the Lucrino lake, located right on the coast and formed in ancient times due to the wave motion of the sea that, over time, has closed an inlet with an isthmus.

Finally, for your outing in the Campi Flefrei, we cannot fail to recommend the Cratere Degli Astroni nature reserve in Agnano. There are specific areas for relaxing and eating something, with benches and wooden tables. 

Aside from Royal Palace and its gardens, there's more to choose from in the Caserta area for your Easter Monday outing. Among these is the Bosco di San Silvestro in San Leucio: a Bourbon site. It is now one of the most visited WWF oases in Campania, with a 150-seat picnic area adjacent to the famous Casino di San Silvestro. 

First and foremost, the Matese Regional Park, one of the largest parks in Campania: is ideal for those who love long walks and adventure. You can go as far as the Bocca della Seva and try your hand at horse riding. There are picnic areas for those who wish to have lunch in the company (for a fee). 

On the slopes of the Matese, there is also the magical and enchanted Bosco Degli Zappini or Cipressata di Fontegreca because it is almost entirely composed of cypresses. It is one of Italy's largest and oldest parks, with trees over 500 years old. Take advantage of the picnic areas, and if it is sweltering, do not miss a swim in the waterfalls. 

The Irpinia area, in the province of Avellino, is very popular with Campania people for trips out of town on Easter Monday. Among these is Laceno Lake in Bagnoli Irpino, on whose plateau the municipality manages numerous picnic areas. It is not possible to reserve benches and tables. 

In Serino, on Monte Terminio, there is La Tana del Ghiro: a park with free admission, equipped with picnic tables, a barbecue with wood, a cycle path and rides for children. It is also possible to go horse riding and buy typical products. For Easter Monday, they do not accept reservations for the picnic area. 

In Nusco, the immense nature reserve of the Monti Picentini Regional Park is rich in animal species: from the golden eagle to the falcon. There is no shortage of equipped picnic areas where you can eat and relax in the shade of beech and chestnut trees. 

Finally, if you are a mountain lover, we recommend the Paternio Regional Park in Montevergine. Here, given the presence of the well-known Sanctuary, you can even attend mass first and then head to its equipped picnic areas. Among the many activities, you can enjoy trekking and mountain biking. 

And speaking of Sannio and Easter Monday, the Parco del Grassano in San Salvatore Telesino, one of Campania's most famous natural areas, immediately springs to mind. Just an hour from Naples, the park has ample green spaces where you can play ball, lie on the grass and have a picnic. There is, in fact, a large equipped area where reservations are necessary. The beautiful Rio Grassano river crosses the park, where you can discover it by canoe. The park is open from 9.30 am to 11 pm. 

Another place in Sannio where you can picnic is in Cautano in the Taburno Camposauro Regional Park. The Tasso del Taburno picnic area is free to enter. It has all the necessary facilities, such as a bar and first aid. 

Finally, we suggest the Parco del Volturno, near the river of the same name in Amorosi. Recently inaugurated, in the park you can rent chairs and picnic tables where you can have lunch with your friends. There is also a solarium and a free sports area with football and bowls fields. 

Cilento is known for its splendid sea, but it is also rich in many green areas to spend Easter Monday. 

Not far from the beaches is the Alento Oasis: 3000 hectares in the heart of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park. A natural area with a wealth of facilities, including a fully equipped picnic area. 

Finally, on the banks of the Calore river, not far from the Grotte di Castelcivita, there is the enchanted Ischia di Pietratonda. A picnic area to be thoroughly enjoyed, immersed in nature and the shade of poplars. 

Warning! Before going to these places, check their official channels for reservations, opening times and other information.