If you love a holiday on the Amalfi Coast but you are looking for something new, a little bit off the beaten tourist path, and with fewer tourist crowds to contend with during your vacation in Italy then we have to recommend the Cilento Coast. Located just around the corner from Naples and the Amalfi in the province of Salerno in Campania, the Cilento Coast is part of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula. It is, therefore, both an area of immense natural beauty and home to some truly incredible historical sites and cultural attractions. That it was made a UNESCO World Heritage in 1998 can come as no surprise and for those who find a villa in Campania and are looking for things to see and do in the region, it offers endless opportunities for beauty, leisure, and excitement. Whether you want to visit astounding ancient ruins perched on cliffs overlooking the sparkling Mediterranean, you want to hike through lush green surroundings that have remained perfect and untouched by man, you want to visit some of the most idyllic beaches in all of Italy, you want to zipline high over stunning valleys, you want to hang out on a boat and enjoy a lazy day bobbing on the water, or you want to indulge in classic local dishes made with incredible regional produce, then this is the place to go!
Cilento is characterised by hills covered in olive trees, dense forestry of chestnut and evergreen trees, the towering peaks of the Campania-Lucano Apennines as an awe-inspiring backdrop, craggy and secluded beaches that remain wild and not overly cluttered by the paraphernalia of the tourist industry, and gushing streams cutting through lush valleys. It is home to the second largest natural park in Italy and one of the largest nature reserves in all of Europe, the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano. Still being added to, with Punta Licosa, between Agropoli and Castellabate, and Punta Infreschi, between Palinuro and Scario, having been recently tacked on to this preserved and lovely part of Italy, it is a stunning slice of unblemished natural splendour. For those who like to get well and truly away from the hustle and bustle of daily life and modernity, it is a perfect oasis of calm and beauty. In addition to being easy on the eyes, however, all of this natural bounty offers lots of opportunities for all sorts of outdoor pursuits from hiking routes along the cliffs of the area, trekking through the Calore gorges, hanging out on secluded and unspoiled beaches, boat trips to Palinuro and Marina di Camerota, ziplining in Trentinara with Cilento in Volo, and much more besides. So, if you like to get outside and get active, then there could be few better areas to spend time than in the spectacularly gorgeous Cilento if you have been considering a vacation in Campania and want to plan your itinerary.
In addition to the natural loveliness of the region, Cilento’s stunning landscape is made even more picturesque by the presence of the incredible archaeological sites at the likes of Paestum. No doubt the most famous archaeological site in the area, it is what remains of an ancient Greco-Roman city which was settled in the 6th century BC by the Greeks. A society that became exceptionally prosperous, they left extensive building schemes behind them, part of which remain to this day, despite the fall of Paestum with the collapse of the Roman Empire after Romans took control of the city. Abandoned due to raids by the Saracens and malarial outbreaks in the swamps that surrounded the old city, it was forgotten from the 9th century onwards. In the 18th century, the interest in excavating ruins and Paestum’s rediscovery by road-builders led to the establishment of a major archaeological zone in the area. While much is thought to still be hidden under agricultural lands, those who visit today can expect to encounter three well-preserved Doric Greek temples, ruins of houses, and a museum built to house the various Greek artefacts that were discovered in and around the surrounding area.
Other nearby archaeological sites that are well worth exploring if you’re interested in history or architecture or photogenic ruins include Heraion (which was a Sanctuary of Hera), the ruins of the Greek city of Elea/Velia, and the Charterhouse at Padula. These breathtaking remains of societies and times long gone are not only pleasant backdrops but also fascinating historical sites where one can wander and take tours and learn all about the peoples that once occupied these spaces and the events that took place there.
While we did mention visits to the beaches of Cilento when discussing the various outdoor pursuits offered by the rich and beautiful landscape of the area, it is worth going into some of the best of these gems in detail and it is definitely worth making time to visit some of them if you have found a villa in Campania and are planning on spending time in the region. All exceptionally lovely, these beaches are, however, somewhat varied and have different things to offer, making them more or less appealing options depending on your needs and preferences. For example, the very pretty Cala d’Arconte Marina di Camerota is a spacious and picture-perfect sandy golden beach surrounded by rocky cliffs and pine and olive trees with crystal clear waters. Charming and relatively accessible compared to some of the other beaches in the area as it may be, it is not, however, an ideal option for many families as the water is deep and sandy and may cause concern for those with small children. For a more kid-friendly option, there is Marina di Ascea, located in the heart of the coast of the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano, with a its long and golden sandy strand, shallow waters, and calm sea.
Then there are more unique beaches like the extremely cinematic Spiaggia dell'Arco Naturale Palinuro, which has been filming location for many movies due to the great arch in the rocky cliffs surrounding the beach. Named for this most distinctive feature, it is a gorgeous beach to spend the day and an even more wonderful place to end the day, with the sunset peeking around the opening of the arch. Accessible directly through this natural doorway, this now hugely popular beach has lots of facilities and is well worth visiting.
If you’re less worried about mobility or you don’t have smaller kids to bring with you, then you are free to explore some of the famous secluded beaches in Cilento. Many of these are accessible only by boat or by trekking to them. Among these is Cala Bianca Marina di Camerota, which was named the most beautiful beach in Italy by Legambiente in 2013 and boasts incredibly beautiful and clean surroundings. With a white shore made up of sand and pebbles lapped by rich and impossibly lovely teal waters, this little cove is completely hugged by rocky surroundings and dense Mediterranean plant life. It can only be accessed by boat from Marina di Camerota (and then a swim is required as boats have to anchor about 200m from shore) or on foot along a trail from Pozzallo that takes about 30 to 40 minutes to walk. If you have a sense of adventure and you’re looking for somewhere that is generally without crowds, peaceful, and utterly unspoiled, then this is it!
Another similar secluded beauty is Spiaggia del Buondormire Palinuro, a really vibrant looker right in the heart of the Cilento Coast. Famous for its clear emerald water and fine golden sand, it is accessible only by the boats that leave from the port of Palinuro each morning and return in the afternoon. Checking at the port for daily timetables, current prices, and any potential weather disturbances in advance of your trip is a good idea, though, as you are utterly dependent on the boats to get to this magic little gem!
Finally, exploring the villages of Cilento while on holiday in Campania is also well worth your while. Though this is a part of the world best known for its great natural beauty, it is home to some truly charming towns and villages with rich histories, great looks, and fantastic tourist attractions. Take the fishing village of Acciaroli, made famous by its incredibly clean and impressive water quality, its very healthy centenarians, and for inspiring the work of Hemingway, for example. Or Caggiano, with its delicious typical products and remnants of the Lucanians, Romans, Longobards, Normans, Angevins, Byzantine monks, and Knights Templar. Or how about Pioppi, which was identified as the world capital of the Mediterranean Diet in the 1960s? Or the fascinating abandoned village of Roscigno Vecchia, which is a UNESCO site and nicknamed the so-called, “Pompeii of the 20th century"? There is truly just so much to Cilento and so much waiting to be discovered in this fascinating and lovely and complex corner of Italy.
So, browse our villas in Campania today and then get planning your next trip so you can begin to explore all that Cilento has to offer for yourself!