You'll find Naples Airport just under four miles from the city centre and within easy reach of all its major attractions and historical sites, giving you plenty of opportunity to explore Italy's stunning south.

If you need to get around southern Italy, whether it's on business or simply a sight-seeing expedition, hiring a car from Naples Airport means you can navigate the autostrade and main roads of the city and easily connect to the rest of the area. The A3 connects Naples to the town of Reggio Calabria at the tip of Italy's ‘toe' via the vibrant city of Salerno, and offers a scenic ride through the regions of Campania, Basilicata and Calabria.

Take the A1 north from Naples to get to the beautiful capital of Rome, or head east to Canosa on the A16, which is also known as the Motorway of the Two Seas as it runs between Naples on the Tyrrhenian coast and Bari on the Adriatic coast.

When driving around Naples, it's worth bearing in mind that parts of Naples city centre are closed to non-residential traffic for most of the day. Typically, restrictions will be in place from 8am to 6.30pm.

There are toll roads throughout southern Italy and you can familiarise yourself with their locations and plan for your journey online. Speed laws restrict you to 130kph on motorways, 90kph on open roads and 50kph in towns. On-street parking is allowed on the right-hand side of the road and while marked blue lines require either paid parking or your blue disc for free parking, white lines signify a free-of-charge parking area.

You'd be hard pressed to find another Italian city with the same quiet charm as Naples. Full to bursting with ancient Roman sites and the pretty juxtaposition of old and new, the Bay of Naples certainly has plenty to recommend it.

Naples' historic centre and archaeological treasures

The city's centro storico (historic centre) goes back to the 9th century BC and, as such, is one of the most ancient cities in Europe – it has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status. It's a pleasure to get lost in the warren of narrow, twisting streets that wind their way to dramatic-looking churches and underground caves. Naples' most significant and oldest catacomb is the Catacombe di San Gennaro, with its many tombs, corridors and vestibules. Meanwhile, the striking Santa Chiara, one of Naples' beloved churches, is well worth a visit to take in an example of the city's Gothic history, and enjoy its beautiful surroundings.

Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast

The dramatic, slumbering Mount Vesuvius proudly watches over the city, and Pompeii, one of Italy's most popular tourist attractions, undergoes regular excavations to offer visitors the best look at historic Roman life. The preserved fishing town of Herculaneum will also reward a detour to view some fascinating archaeological finds and really get an idea of how the ancient Romans lived.

If you're hiring a car from Naples Airport, you've got the whole of the Amalfi Coast within a short drive. Head to Sorrento on the Sorrentine Peninsula, an hour south of Naples and gateway to the many enchanting miles of Italy's beautiful coastline. This town of two halves – part sat on the water and part high up on cliff tops – is the perfect base from which to explore the region's highlights.

Positano and Capri

Just next door, you'll find the pretty fishing village of Positano, which is famous for its harbour and Moorish-style architecture, and has been known to attract many an A-lister. Take a boat out to Capri, holiday home to the stars of the big screen and set among a picture-perfect landscape. Weave in and out of the designer boutiques for some retail therapy or drink in its swanky cafes. If you've a head for heights, the summit of Monte Solaro has magnificent views of the Bay of Naples and Salerno.

Salerno is less than an hour south of Naples, and boasts some of the area's best beaches as well as Cilento National Park and the Valley of Diano. Towards the north-west of Naples, you'll find Pozzuoli, where you can enjoy mouth-watering local produce at the city's bustling fish market.

From ancient ruins to colourful villages and sun-drenched white sands, arranging car rental from Naples Airport means that you can get around the region's most impressive sights at your leisure.