Essential info
Pharmacies, emergency numbers, local tips and the best local products to take home.
Farmacia Cosentini
Extended hrsStaff speaks English. Longest hours in town. Corso Vittorio Emanuele 148.
Farmacia Ravallese
⭐ 4.9Best rated in town (266 reviews). Highly professional. Str. Tavernola 55.
Farmacia San Carlo
⭐ 4.7English-speaking staff. Great for tourists. Via G. Cosenza 194.
Farmacia Guacci
⭐ 4.6Also ships online to Europe. Via Nocera 78.
Farmacia Lauro
⭐ 4.9Historic pharmacy of Castellammare. Well-stocked. Viale delle Terme 31.
Farmacia Plinio
Long hrsGood Mon–Fri hours. Large personal care section. Via Plinio Il Vecchio 62/b.
What tourist guides won't tell you. Save time and money.
No menu outside? Walk away.
Italian law requires prices displayed outside. No menu = tourist trap. Common near the port.
Don't buy tours at the station.
They charge €20-40 for Vesuvius. Bus 808 costs €3.80. Book online via GetYourGuide.
EAV trains: always 15-30 min late.
Always take the train one slot earlier, especially for morning Pompeii visits.
Skip the town centre beach.
Main beach has pollution issues. Head to Pozzano or Scrajo — or take the ferry to Capri.
Driving: ZTL zones = heavy fines.
Historic centre has restricted zones (ZTL). Use supervised car parks near the station.
Pompeii 3-day ticket: great value.
Covers Pompeii, Herculaneum, Oplontis & Stabiae museum. Perfect for 2+ days.
The best things to buy in the area — and where to find them.
Pasta · IGP
Pasta di Gragnano
World's best pasta, made 5km away. Bronze-drawn, slow-dried.
📍 Gragnano — 15 min
🛒 Find on AmazonLiqueur · IGP
Limoncello di Sorrento
IGP Sorrento lemons. Buy from local producers for the authentic version.
📍 Lungomare souvenir shops
🛒 Find on AmazonPreserves · DOP
San Marzano Tomatoes
Grown on Vesuvius slopes. The sweetest tomatoes in the world. Always check for DOP.
📍 Any local supermarket
🛒 Find on AmazonOlive Oil · Extra Virgin
Campanian Olive Oil
Cold-pressed from the Monti Lattari hillsides above Castellammare.
📍 Local markets & farm shops
🛒 Find on AmazonSweets · Local
Sfogliatella
The iconic Neapolitan pastry. Crispy shell, ricotta. Buy fresh — eat immediately!
📍 Any local pasticceria — eat fresh!
🛒 Packaged on AmazonCosmetics · Natural
Lemon Cosmetics
Sorrento lemon soaps & creams. Beautifully packaged — perfect gift.
📍 Souvenir shops on the Lungomare
🛒 Find on Amazon