Cilento

The closest airport, at Pontecagnano Faiano, with mostly seasonal European routes

Main international gateway with the widest choice of flights

For long haul arrivals; most guests continue by high speed train to Salerno or the Cilento stations

Flat, green country of buffalo farms and long sandy beaches near the Greek temples, with the walled old town of Agropoli on its headland.

A charming seaside village with a sandy beach and a medieval hilltop borgo above, among the most elegant spots on the coast.

Fishing villages with clear water and quiet promenades, closely linked to the story of the Mediterranean diet.

A dramatic headland of caves and coves, with boat trips, beaches and a lively summer atmosphere.

A harbour town at the southern end of the coast, gateway to wild bays reachable only on foot or by boat.

Stone villages such as Castellabate, Pollica and San Mauro Cilento offer farmhouse villas among olive groves with views down to the sea.

Positions are approximate: the exact address is shared once your stay is confirmed.

Three majestic Doric temples of the Greek city of Poseidonia stand in open fields, among the best preserved in the world. The museum holds the painted Tomb of the Diver, a rare example of Greek figurative painting.

The ruins of Elea, home of the philosophers Parmenides and Zeno, spread over a hill near Ascea. The Porta Rosa is a rare surviving Greek arch.

A vast Carthusian monastery founded in 1306 and rebuilt in Baroque style, with one of the largest cloisters in Europe. It lies in the Vallo di Diano, inland from the coast.

The headland is riddled with sea caves, including a Grotta Azzurra lit by reflected light. Boat tours from Palinuro harbour explore them in a few hours.

A protected cove of turquoise water within a marine reserve near Marina di Camerota. It is reached by boat or by a coastal footpath.

Two spectacular cave systems in the interior; at Pertosa the visit begins by boat along an underground river.

A medieval village crowned by a castle, with lanes and terraces looking over the coast. Its seaside frazione, Santa Maria, lies just below.

Farms around Paestum open their dairies to show how buffalo mozzarella is made, often with a tasting straight from the vat.

A private boat explores caves, arches and beaches between Palinuro and Marina di Camerota, with swimming stops in clear water.

The village where the American scientist Ancel Keys lived and studied the local diet has a small museum dedicated to it, a fine start to a food themed day.

Trails lead along the coast between Marina di Camerota and Scario, or into the mountains towards Monte Gelbison and the Alburni.

Family estates offer tastings of Cilento olive oil, Fiano and Aglianico among their groves and vineyards.

Kilometres of golden sand backed by pine woods, ideal for children.

A gently curving sandy beach in front of the village, with shallow water and calm conditions.

A tiny cove beneath cliffs, reached by boat, with very clear water.

A wild, protected bay of white pebbles and turquoise sea, often listed among Italy's most beautiful.

A white pebble cove framed by limestone cliffs, reached by boat or footpath.

What to eat

What to drink

Or by summer hydrofoil from Agropoli and Castellabate, avoiding the coast road traffic.

Combine the monastery with the Pertosa caves for a full day inland.

A seafront promenade, a fine medieval cathedral and the Minerva Garden, a historic garden of medicinal plants linked to the medieval Salerno Medical School.

Just over the border in Basilicata, a hill town and coast watched over by a giant statue of Christ.

The countryside is green and full of wildflowers, perfect for Paestum, Velia and walking. The sea is still cool until late May.

Long beach days and lively village festivals, with August the busiest month for Italian families. Book villas and boat trips well ahead.

September is ideal, with warm sea, quieter beaches and the grape and fig harvests. By October many beach establishments close, but the walking is excellent.

The coast is very quiet and many restaurants close, though the temples of Paestum and the Certosa di Padula are open and uncrowded. A good time for an off season cultural break.