Overview of the Cilento

: In the Background: Castellabate, one of the most beautiful towns in Campania.

Green heart of Campania – the Cilento

About 100 km south of Naples, in the heart of Campania, starts a region mainly unknown in countries outside of Italy – the Cilento. Since the 1990ies, the Cilento is the second largest national park in Italy and UNESCO World Cultural Heritage of Mankind. It is situated in the province of Salerno (Campania region) – south of the world-famous Amalfi coast, north of the amazing Costa di Maratea – between Paestum to the north, the Monti Alburni to the east and Sapri to the south.

: Bathing from the middle of April until the beginning of November: Campania vacationers look forward to almost vacant beaches in the Cilento (here: Marina di Camerota), apart from the months of July and August.

: Dolce vita alla Cilentana: In the hinterland of the Cilento time seems to stand still (guest picture: the Wagenhofer family).

100 km of coast, fine sandy beaches...

The fascinating landscapes of the Cilento are characterized by evergreen olive trees, 100 km of coast with fine sandy beaches, bays, grottoes, steep coasts, cobalt-blue sea and mountains up to 1.900 m high.

Greeks, Romans, Saracens...

Lovers of Southern Italy will find impressive cultural assets in the Cilento: among other things evidence of prehistoric settlements ("Homo Camerotensis") 250.000 years ago, the famous Greek temples in Paestum, excavations of the ancient Greek town of Velia, well-fortified Saracen towers along the coast and the Carthusian monastery in Padula.

Tradition and folklore

History is ever-present in the Cilento – for example in the medieval town centre of Pisciotta, which is picturesquely enthroned on a hilltop above the sea. Traditional festivities and religious ceremonies – which include impressive Good Friday processions as well as colourful festivals to honour the town’s patron saints – fascinate the visitors.

: Ancient testimonies in Campania – the famous temples of the former Greek town of Paestum.

Active holiday in Campania

Bathing temperatures from the middle of April until the beginning of November, diverse hiking trails along the coast and in the hinterland, marvellous routes for bikers and various other sport possibilities complete your holiday in southern Campania.