Below Salerno lies Paestum, famous for its Greek Temples—a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here marks the beginning of the Cilento area, which sweeps south along the dazzling Cilento Coast, its pretty seaside villages, and crystal clear waters right down to Sapri on the Gulf of Policastro. Moving inland, Cilento is home to stunning countryside, mountains, Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, and the archaeological wonders of Velia. The long-awaited Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport opened in 2024, offering another airport alongside Naples and a very convenient location from which to explore the stunning location of Cilento in Italy. The same airport is just 30 minutes from the hillside town of Campagna, a great base for exploring Paestum and the countryside around the Picentini Mountains.
If you enjoy off-the-beaten-track nature trails, hiking, or walking, Cilento—Italy’s largest national park—has it all. Fragrant pine forests and ancient Olive trees pave the way to incredible mountain vistas and waterfall trails. The Cilento Coast, famed for its Blue Flag beaches, hugs the spectacular coastline and dazzles with pretty pastel-colored villages awaiting discovery.
Be sure to explore the delights of Santa Maria di Castellabate, Camerota Marina, Pioppi, Pisciotta, and Palinuro. Seaside strolls through villages like Acciaroli remain relatively unchanged from when Hemingway took residence to pen his literary marvel, The Old Man and the Sea. An evening stroll or “passeggiata” around hilltop medieval towns like nearby Agropoli will enthrall, with narrow cobbled streets and some of the most amazing sunsets you will ever see.
Adrenaline seekers are in for a treat with the Cilento Volo—a 1600m zipline, nearly 600m above sea level, and the Sele Plain reaching speeds up to 120 km/h. For those brave enough to look, incredible views stretch across the Amalfi Coast!
Cilento is just one part of the region. For more ideas beyond the coast, see our guide to things to do in Campania all year round.
Italy needs no introduction to mouthwatering food, but Cilento, in Campania, is famed as the birthplace of the Mediterranean Diet. From the anchovies of Acciaroli to the white Cilento fig still produced by hand and unique to the area, along with locally grown Aglianico, Fiano, and Greco grapes, which make the delicious wine—you can be sure of unforgettable culinary experiences deep-rooted in tradition. Some of the best restaurants are tucked away in villages and towns where menus are merely a formality, and the owners present delicious homemade dish upon dish of the freshest ingredients until you can eat no more!
Olives, lemons, pasta from chickpeas, beans, and the sweetest tomatoes will complement the locally grown meats. Mozzarella, another Cilento staple, features heavily in every antipasto. Add visiting the local Buffalo farms to your must-see list and savor the incredible freshly produced mozzarella and unique buffalo milk gelato.
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