Discover Cilento On the Amalfi Coast

For any given holiday destination, there are two types of tourists: those who revel in the jostle of the crowd and the excitement of a popular holiday resort, and those who, on the other hand, would much rather just explore the undiscovered depths of the region at their own leisure. Usually, these two groups tend to choose different locations altogether in which to take a holiday, but every now and again a destination comes along that combines the best of both worlds and makes both demographics happy.

Just such a place is the Amalfi Coast, in Italy. With a pleasantly varied offer ranging from mountain landscapes to beaches and quaint little towns, only other Italian mainstays, such as Tuscany, rival this region when it comes to the title of most popular holiday destination in Europe. Amalfi villas are typically in high demand in summer, and their occupants are far more varied than one might at first expect, with history buffs co-existing side by side with walking enthusiasts, sunbathers and, indeed, explorers.

For the latter, this region does reserve a few 'hidden gems', tucked away in a quiet corner far from the madding crowd and just waiting to be discovered on the course of a hike or day excursion. And perhaps the best example of this type of location is the one we'll discuss here: Cilento.

The 'Other Amalfi'

Lying just south of Salerno, Cilento is one of a few towns that comprise what the locals call the 'other Amalfi'. This term refers to a slightly more rugged part of the coast, far from the pristine beaches, postcard beauty and luxury Amalfi villas of Positano or Sorrento. While no less appealing or breathtaking than the locations in question, this part of the region manifests its beauty in a different way, one that will appeal more to fans of nature than to those who favour a carefully manicured holiday resort. The area banks its chips on a more authentic Italian experience, and has the advantage of presenting tourists adventurous enough to choose it over the more popular resorts with better deals on their Amalfi villas or hotel accommodation.

Cilento is quite special. The town takes the attractive features of its better-known counterparts – fascinating monuments, archaeological excavations, and pristine beaches – and presents them in a more genuine, less homogenised way. The Carthusian monastery, called the Certosa di Padula, and the ruins of Paestum await fans of local history, while quaint, romantic farming towns such as Castellabate and Agropoli are sure to delight fans of hiking and more authentic locations. A plethora of sandy beaches is also on offer, and all this with the added perk of there being very few queues – with the region being largely untouched by tourism, more intrepid souls will be free to come and go without having to pay exorbitant prices or queue for hours in the sun!

It is easy to see, then, why the town of Cilento is a very pleasing and viable alternative location to head to when searching out suitable Amalfi villas.

Jonathan Magoni is Senior Manager of Cottages to Castles, a family owned company specialising in high quality holiday villas, apartments and cottages in Italy. For spectacular Amalfi villas or accommodation in the Italian lakes, ski resorts or city centres, we offer only the very best. Discover Italy at your own pace and without time restrictions in our hand picked villas and cottages.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.