Tucked away in the hills a few kilometres to the west of Sorrento’s bustling town centre, Bagni Regina Giovanna is one of the best wild swimming spots found in the whole Sorrentine Peninsula.
Unknown and undiscovered by many travellers holidaying here, this stunning cove is a little out of the way from the usual tourist spots and has long remained a secluded paradise for those in the know.
Once home to a famed 1st Century BC Roman villa (which ruins still lay on the rock today), this stunning location has been a popular getaway for over 2000 years!
The crystal-clear turquoise waters provide the idyllic spot for a dip and also attract kayakers who make their way in and out of the cove throughout the day.
During our visit we even saw some daring local kids jumping into the natural swimming pool from the top. Bonkers!
Interested in visiting this alluring location for yourself? Then let’s get to it 👇👇
History of Bagni Regina Giovanna
With it’s origins dating all the way back to the 1st Century BC, the villa which once stood here was named after the renowned Queen Giovanna d’Angio of the Kingdom of Naples.
Legend has it that she was particularly fond of this stunning getaway and regularly visited between 1371-1435, secretly frolicking in the waters with her numerous lovers.
During the ramble down to the natural pool at Bagni Regina Giovanna, you’ll cross an entrance to the villa before reaching the pool which allows you to walk around the ruins of the once striking structure.
Even if you aren’t much a history nerd, the sublime views on offer from this vantage point still makes the spot worth a brief visit.
Where is Bagni Regina Giovanna?
Bagni Regina Giovanna address: Traversa Punta Capo, 80067 Sorrento NA, Italy
An 11-minute drive from the centre of Sorrento, for fellow hikers the route to Bagni Regina Giovanna is an easy, gentle 40-minute hike along the coastline just north-west of the town.
How to get to Bagni Regina Giovanna? Step-by-step guide
- From Sorrento town centre, simply head westward along Corso Italia Road.
- Keep straight onto Via Capo which loops to the right and continue ahead.
- The pavement only runs so far before you’re required to walk on the road. Don’t worry, you’re allowed to continue on foot. Just be sure to keep a keen ear and eye out for traffic, sticking close to the side of the road.
- Shortly after passing Hotel Cavour Hotel, you’ll be faced with an unusual fork in the road. Keep right and continue along Via Capo.
- Stick to the road until you come across the ‘Ruderi Della Villa Romana Di Pollio’ sign pictured below, where you take a right turning down the alley.
- Head down the alley and onto Traversa Punta Capo which snakes all the way down to Bagni Regina Giovanna!
Do you need to book in advance to visit Bagni Regina Giovanna?
Not at all! The cove is free to visit and easily accessible by all. It can get rather busy during peak times however, so best to get here early!
What to bring to Bagni Regina Giovanna?
We’d certainly recommend walking shoes for the trek to reach Bagni Regina Giovanna, and then change into flip flops once you reach the water. The path down to the cove is quite uneven and rocky and so proper footwear will go a long way.
It also goes without saying that plenty of water is a must. The walk is by no means taxing but the heat means you’ll need plenty of fluids. As a Brit who’s used to hiking in much milder climates, I easily went through a good 2-3 litres of water during this excursion!
Likewise, bringing a beach towel and a bottle of sunscreen is always wise. The sun will be beating down throughout the excursion and you’ll have to reapply sun protection for the journey back to town once you’re out of the water and dried off.
What’s the best way to see Bagni Regina Giovanna?
While walking to the cove is one of the best ways to reach Bagni Regina Giovanna, it’s also reachable via bus. You could simply take the number 5070 and get off at the Caposorrento stop; just a 10-minute walk from the cove.
Word of warning however, from personal experience the bus times around here aren’t always the most reliable. The roads are pretty manic!
We also spotted several groups making their way to the cove in kayaks.
We recently went on a kayak excursion around Sardinia which was absolutely amazing. I’m sure the kayak trip to Bagni Regina Giovanna would be just as fun!
If you’re interested, there are numerous companies online which offer both private and group kayak tours to Bagni Regina Giovanna.
More resources
Are you visiting the Sorrento area and on the lookout for adventure? Then you need to check out the Path Of The Gods hike to Positano!
An epic trail which offers jaw-dropping panoramas throughout, for more info be sure to check out our detailed ‘Path of the Gods’ blog post here.
Happy walking 🚶🚶
