Villa Comunale

Created in 1780 according to a design by Luigi Vanvitelli, as the private Royal Promenade for King Ferdinando IV Bourbon, this park was later transformed by the king into a public garden. The park is a baroque creation graced by statues, fountains -- including the beloved Fontana delle Paperelle ("fountain of the ducks") -- and several elegant buildings such as Casina Pompeiana, Chiosco della Musica, and Stazione Zoologica with Europe's oldest aquarium, specializing in the study of local marine life. The Villa Comunale also hosts an antiques market (tel. 081-7612541; usually on the 3rd and 4th weekends of each month, 8:30am-1pm), which is very popular. You can find excellent souvenirs as well as more important pieces. If you have young children, we also recommend the merry-go-round and children playground located in the southeast corner of the park; it might not be up with the best in the U.S. but still is very welcome by the younger ones. It is not so unpleasant for parents as well, who can sit and look at the seaside promenade.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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