Everyone’s heard of the Amalfi Coast but I guarantee not many know about the Cilento Coast. This beautiful hidden gem in southern Italy is only a 1.5 hour drive from Naples and is a great alternative to the overcrowded Amalfi Coast. There are plenty of places to stay in Cilento but I would recommend basing yourself out of Agropoli which is a charming coastal town along the Cilento coast.
There is a lot to do in this less touristy area of the Italian coast. One of the best things to do in Cilento is to drive around the Cilento National Park or try out one of the many hiking routes if the weather is good. Along the way you’ll come across a number of quaint villages, stunning views of the coastline and hills, and eat some incredible local food too. Here’s everything you need to know about visiting the Cilento Coast in southern Italy.
Things to do around the Cilento Coast
Drive through the Cilento National Park
If you’ve rented a car, there are some fantastic spots you can drive to in the Cilento National Park. There are so many small towns and villages to stop at, each with their own unique charm. Pioppi, for example, is home to the Mediterranean Diet, and even has its own museum dedicated to it. This may actually be the best road trip in Italy that you’ll ever go on.
Take a fig tour
One of the best things to do along the Cilento Coast is a fig tour at Santomiele. I highly recommend a stop here, even if you just buy something from their shop since their Italian figs are highly sought after and exclusively made. Santomiele is located in a small village very high in the hills, so the views from there of the surrounding national park are amazing.
Gelateria di Matteo
For anyone who loves ice cream, Italy is the place to be. In Cilento there’s a small town called Torchiara which has some of the best ice cream in Italy at Gelateria di Matteo. They receive awards on an yearly basis and in the summer months it’s extremely busy with locals so be prepared to queue.
Visit a buffalo farm
Another great thing to do in Cilento and the province of Salerno is to stop at a buffalo farm where you can watch the production of mozzarella. There are many in this area, as it’s the birthplace of buffalo mozzarella, and there are a number of day trips too that stop off at various farms in the region. The one we stopped at even had buffalo milk ice cream to try, which was extra creamy and delicious.
Paestum
If you’re looking to visit historic sites, driving from Agropoli to Paestum takes less than 20 minutes and takes a couple of hours to go around fully. Paestum is a remarkable site where you can see three Greek temples that have been beautifully preserved in what used to be a major ancient Greek city. Paestum comes out on top for the best Greek ruins in Italy, and is by far one one of the best places to visit in the south of Italy.
Explore Agropoli
Don’t forget to explore Agropoli itself. If you’re feeling adventurous, there’s a castle that overlooks the coastal town which you can drive up to (or walk, but it’s very steep). There are lots of inexpensive spots to eat here, and if you’re looking for pizza I’d recommend stopping at Pizzeria da Ciccio who have a lot to choose from and are budget friendly.
Where to stay along the Cilento Coast
B&B Baia di Trentova
B&B Baia di Trentova is a family run B&B, with five rooms in total, each with their own patio so you can sit out and enjoy the fantastic weather and scenery. The family couldn’t be any nicer if they tried, and are very accommodating to any needs you may have. They have a lot of recommendations for things to do in the area and even run their own cooking class.
We stayed in the San Francesco room with a large double bed, a wardrobe, a writing desk, and a TV as well as a stunning view of the coastline from the window. The bathroom includes a hairdryer and a few shower accessories in case you’ve forgotten something.
As well as a lovely arrangement of flowers, we were given some chocolate Easter eggs too, since we visited in April. The chocolates were from Torre di Oricchio Giuseppe which is a family run business where they make the chocolates by hand. It’s a bit tricky to find using Google maps since it sits inside the national park but the chocolate is amazing.
Dinner is provided on request and I would highly recommend having dinner at the B&B at least once. The food is fantastic and freshly prepared by the owners who feature local produce in their dishes. The great thing about eating here is that you’re not left feeling hungry or disappointed and you don’t have to leave the comfort of the B&B in search of good quality food.
As long as it’s good weather you’ll be seated outside for your breakfast so you can enjoy the amazing view of the Cilento Coast. You’ll have a lot of things to choose from as well. Fresh fruits, bread, homemade marmalade’s, croissants, eggs, a meat and cheese platter with fresh tomato slices, juice, and coffee are just some of the things that ended up on our table.
This was the best experience I’ve had at a B&B, and it was in such a gorgeous location too. Like I said, the Amalfi Coast is nice, but the Cilento Coast is better. It really is one of the best places to visit in southern Italy and it’s not overrun by tourists either.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at B&B Baia di Trentova <<
There are many nearby places to visit by car if you’re basing yourself along the Cilento Coast. Naples is less than 2 hours away and places like Pompeii aren’t far either. Milan is another great city to visit if you’re planning a trip to the northern part of Italy. Don’t forget to keep up to date with my travels through Instagram too!
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