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Amalfi vs Cilento Coast Re-dux

Someone posted this question a year ago, but the answers did not really answer the question posed ... Is the Cilento Coast a good alternative to the Amalfi coast. SEE https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/italy-july-2022-amalfi-coast-or-cilento-coast Instead, the answers suggested smaller towns to STAY in on the Amalfi coast.

I ask about the Cilento coast alternative for a few reasons. First, the Amalfi Coast is "on" the tourist path. Second, the Amalfi coast looks rather challenging to navigate without a car. Too much up and down for comfortable cycling, I believe. Too far to walk. So that pretty much leaves bus or boat. How do folks find that for a 3 or 4 day stay? Do you stay in one location as a base and day trip around? What base(s) do you suggest? And, how to get around without a rental car?

The Cilento coast on the other hand looks like it might be quite manageable by e-bike and it looks like one could rent e-bikes in Agropoli, take a day trip up to Paestum and back and then e-bike down the coast to Santa Maria de Castellabate, and then on to Palinuro. THAT looks pretty manageable, assuming we can travel with paniers rather than suitcases, or better yet, arrange luggage transfers and then a pick up and return by van from Palinuro back to Agropoli.

Mille Grazie.

Posted by
2144 posts

We visited tge Cilento Coast a few years ago by car. We stayed in Maratea. The area is stand much quieter than the Amalfi Coast. According to Rome2Rio.com there is a train from Paestum to Maratea.

Posted by
5097 posts

It really depends on if you want chilling time or if you want nature PLUS the big deal sights like Pompeii.
I found the happy medium for my tastes was to stay on the AC for four days and on the Cilento coast for four days, capped off by a stay in Naples--which gave me the best of both.
I would not recommend biking on the AC even for professional cyclists--too much traffic. If biking is a priority, then anywhere other than the AC for sure.
When I was on the AC, in a smaller village, using the public transport was fine (it was long enough back that the crowds were not as bad, but before the ferry access had expanded, which has made things much easier). A car is of no help because the traffic and scarce, expensive parking. A car is nearly vital in the Cilento, but we made do without for a short trip (and we have no issue with extensive walking r paying for a taxi).

Posted by
33991 posts

Rome2Rio is actually right. There are several. Did they come up with the 1H07 or the 2H15 ones?

Posted by
4105 posts

Our visit to the Cilento. Sept 2020.

Like valadephia we love this area. Much more laid back than the Amalfi area, fewer crowds and some great beaches with sand.
This is what we did ...there were four of us, daughter, grandaughter (18) nephew (22) and I.
Left daughters home north of Naples early morning, packed a picnic lunch and headed south on the autostrada. Stopped at Cascate Capelli di Venere for our picnic lunch and wanderd down paths to see the waterfalls. Beautiful area. Drive time for us (3 hrs.) from Paestum around 2 hrs.
Then on to Marina di Camerota, (1Hr. drive) cute seaside town with great views, apt. Mara Casa Talamo, for our 1st night.
Day 2. We visited Pisciotta, then on to our next stop at Castello di San Sergio, quad room "Aphrodite". Fantastic view patio. Highly recommend a stay at this 400 yr. old Castel. 2nights.

https://www.ilcastellodisansergio.com/en/

Day 3. We spent in Palinuro (15min.) and rented a gonzo boat and a did a tour of the coast and the Sea caves. Back to Centola and our view terrace.
Day 4. Drove from Centola to Acciaroli, (1 hr.) home of the largest number of folks 100 and older.
Colorful fishing village, great beaches. We then headed to Santa Maria Castellabate. 35 min.
Stayed at Fontanella-Beach Resort. 2 bed apt.
Right on the beach. 2 nights.
Day 5. Went to Borgo Castellabate, (20 min.)
Midieval village with views over the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Day 6. S.M. Castellabate to Paestum (35 min.)
We ran into a landslide here on the "coast road"
Which ended up in the hills, so we had to head back and out to the autostrada. Spent the morning in Paestum. Afternoon at Tenuta Vannulo Buffalo farm (15 min.)Fantastic lunch and a very informative tour seeing how mozzarella
Is made.
Stopped in Salerno (45 min.)walked the old town
Had dinner and headed back to daughters.

Edited

Posted by
407 posts

These are useful answers. Thanks especially to gerri for a detailed report, including the landslide report. Ahhh if it’s not one thing it’s another.

I’d love to hear more from others, too.