Hi all,
I will be in Naples on this day, and would like to do a day trip touring. Capri is one possibility, but was also thinking of going down the coast toward Positano- might get only as far as Sorrento if I stop at Pompeii or Herculaneum.
My dilemma is the traffic; i know how it is in August anyway, but will it be worse this one day? Have read about the religious processions but how well attended are those- how will it affect traffic? I expect that since it is a holiday that the trains may be more crowded than usual also. I assume that there may be more going to Capri on the hydrofoils as well, but it could be that the Italians are relaxing near home or on vacation themselves. thanks so much,
melissa
Posted by
Sapulpa, OK, USA
6598 posts
Hi, Melissa:
I know this is nonresponsive to your question, but I have to mention and recommend one of my favorite movies: "Pranzo di Ferragosto;" in English, it's called "Mid-August Lunch." It's an absolute hoot. We found it at our local public library, and it has become a "must see" before every trip to Italy. Buon viaggio!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16238 posts
Are you driving a car?
It's the busiest holiday weekend (Aug 15, 2016 is a Monday) of the year, therefore all seaside locations (and mountain resorts) will be crowded with Italian and European vacationers.
Capri is closed to traffic to non residents in summer. Therefore no issue with traffic for you there, since you can't drive there. But there will be lots of people on the island and on Monday afternoon and evening, lots of people on the hydrofoils returning back to the mainland.
The Amalfi coast, including Positano, will also have a lot of people. If you drive, you'll have major challenges finding parking on that weekend. In the afternoon/evening, lots of people will be driving back to their cities, including Naples, so expect major traffic jams getting back to Naples.
I don't know if there are any religious processions on that day in that area. When there are, they do affect traffic majorly, because roads will be closed down completely during the procession and traffic will be diverted.
So, my suggestion, is not to drive that day. But yes, all locations, beaches and resort towns, will be crowded with lots of people. Naples itself will have fewer people in the city, since most will be gone for the weekend. But expect a lot of traffic of returning vacationers at the end of the day (if you are thinking of driving anywhere).
Posted by
Toledo, Ohio, US
11613 posts
Traffic may be diverted for a procession, but if that is not possible, you will just have to wait it out.
Posted by
OP
Austin
977 posts
Thank you all. Will look for the movie, too.
Roberto, actually I was thinking of taking a bus. Last summer I saw a kiosk that ran tourist buses down to Pompeii and up Vesuvius and was very inexpensive. That was the Plan C; plan B was a real bus or train and a good pair of shoes.
Figured I would do more research but I've been to that area before and have not been to Capri. Even purchasing hydrofoil tickets in advance I figured getting around Capri might be maddening with the long weekend crowds. I expect some crowds in Italy in the summer-- but want to avoid the equivalent of "Black Friday" crowds.