Coastal Areas of Campania
Latest page update: 2 February 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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The three main coastal areas of Campania provide some of the most popular destinations in the region and some of its most memorable scenery.
Each of the three coastal areas detailed below occupy areas to the south of Naples, the regional capital of Campania, where the long, flat beaches of the Tyrrhenian Coast to the north of the city, give way to a landscape of more irregular shapes with sheer cliffs interrupted at regular intervals by secluded bays. Along with the islands of Ischia, Capri and Procida which are all in the Gulf of Naples, Campania has an embarrassment of coastal riches. |
The Sorrento Peninsula includes one of the leading seaside towns in Italy, while just to the south around the headland, the Amalfi Coast is known all across the world. Having managed to avoid mass international tourism to date, the Cilento Coast offers something of a surprise to visitors to Campania, who may be scratching their heads and asking themselves why they'd never heard of such a beautiful place.
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At the southern end of the Gulf of Naples lies the Sorrento Peninsula with its famous seaside town that it's named after, just one of dozens of charming spots for swimming and exploring.
Of course it's the town of Sorrento that dominates proceedings on the Peninsula but by veering just a little off the typical tourist trail it's easy to stumble across a number of other beautiful towns. Taking the road towards Naples there's a string of seaside towns starting with Sant'Agnello and followed by Meta, Piano di Sorrento and Vico Equense. While to the south of Sorrento is the town of Massa Lubrense and beach resorts such as Marina della Lobra. |
Despite Sorrento being one of the most popular seaside towns in Italy, its fame doesn't quite carry the weight of the Amalfi Coast which lies just to the south of the Peninsula.
The Amalfi Coast covers a 40 kilometre stretch from Positano to Vietri sul Mare with imposing cliffs on one side and bright blue sea on the other, occasionally punctuated by charming fishing villages. The coastal town of Amalfi and the hill town of Ravello make up a triumvirate of favourite destinations in the area along with the aforementioned Positano. Amalfi's most famous sight is its distinctive Cathedral, while Ravello is home to two gardens. |
Situated at the southern end of Campania, the Cilento Coast doesn't yet have the international fame enjoyed by Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast, but it's aways been a firm favourite with Italians.
After forty or so kilometres of straight, narrow coastline to the south of the city of Salerno, the scenery starts to change with the town of Agropoli. It's the largest town in the area and its most popular seaside resort, although the nearby archaeological site of Paestum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also gets its fair share of visitors. There are dozens of great beach resorts such as Palinuro and Marina di Camerota, little hill towns like Castellabate and one of Italy's 25 national parks just a short distance inland. |