The Final Stunning Stretch of the Cilento Coast: From Camerota to Sapri

The Cilento coast, with its rugged shores, natural caves carved into the rock, and hidden bays, offers a breathtaking experience for those who venture there by sea. This land, rich in myths and ancient history, invites visitors to explore its archaeological, historical, and architectural treasures. Inland, you’ll find charming villages, castles, and monasteries, as well as the magnificent landscapes protected by the Cilento, Vallo di Diano, and Alburni National Park, the second largest in Italy. Stretching to the borders of Basilicata, the Cilento region offers a maritime adventure beyond where our previous article on the Cilento Coast left off.

Last time, we reached Palinuro; now, we’ll start from there and head to some of the southernmost towns within the Policastro Gulf, still part of Campania. This gulf, which also touches the coasts of Potenza in Basilicata and Cosenza in Calabria, will take us to Sapri, just a few kilometers from the Lucanian border. Along the way, we’ll stop at Scario, known for some of the most beautiful beaches in Cilento, and Marina di Camerota.

Marina di Camerota: A Beach for Every Taste

A coastal village of the ancient town of Camerota, perched on Monte Bulgheria, Marina di Camerota is blessed with crystal-clear waters on one side and lush hills on the other. With a small harbor providing mooring, water, electricity, and fuel, it boasts an extraordinary landscape of coves, deep blue sea, and a picturesque mix of rocks, beaches, shrubs, and olive trees.

Renowned for the quality of its waters, which have earned it the Blue Flag award for years, this seaside resort attracts throngs of tourists annually. Don’t be discouraged by the potential crowds; arriving by sea allows you to enjoy the exclusivity of the coveted waters. For those seeking tranquility, the untouched and wild beaches offer a perfect escape, far from the amenities of equipped beaches, and immerse you in nature’s beauty.

For a bit more comfort, visit the stunning equipped beach of Calanca. Not far from town, it’s nestled between two high green cliffs, offering a serene retreat for families who enjoy its soft, light sand and shallow, gradually sloping seabed. From here, you can swim or walk to some of the karst caves dotting the area, like the beautiful Grotta dell’Acqua Dolce.

Heading south along the coast, you’ll find Lentiscelle Beach. Less suitable for children due to its deep waters, this beach has a mix of sand and pebbles, with both free and equipped zones. Nearly half a kilometer long, it’s surrounded by Mediterranean scrub typical of the Infreschi Trail. Starting from this beach, the trail leads to magnificent beaches like Pozzallo, Cala Bianca (accessible only by sea), and Baia degli Infreschi, located in a nature reserve between Marina di Camerota and Scario, also reachable only by sea.

Scario: A Postcard-Perfect Landscape

Just 7 nautical miles from Marina di Camerota, Scario is a gem admired for its unique location and mild climate. Approaching by sea offers an enchanting view of a picturesque port, pastel-colored houses, palm trees, a church, and abundant greenery. As the main village of the San Giovanni a Piro municipality, it’s a popular tourist destination not only for its setting but also for the beauty of its waters. Crystal-clear and pristine, they are rich in marine flora and fauna, likely due to the karst nature of the rocks and the presence of cooler underwater freshwater springs.

Sapri: The Final Stop Amid Sand and Rock

The final stop on our sea and land itinerary is Sapri, the last town on the Cilento Coast. Along with Agropoli, it’s the only municipal capital in this area located on the coast. Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, this town in the southernmost part of Campania borders Lucania. With a history dating back to ancient times, Sapri was known by the Greeks and used by the Romans as a vacation spot. It offers not only scenic beauty but also historical interest. After docking at the modern, well-equipped port, a stroll along the waterfront and its branching streets will lead you to the charming old town, with narrow lanes and two-story buildings of the 17th-century Marinella fishing village, now part of the town’s historic center.

Returning to the sea, the town beach stretches for about a kilometer, close to the town center, with both equipped and free zones. While predictably busy, it’s accessible via a pleasant walk along the seafront. For a panoramic view of the gulf and more tranquility, head north to Cammarelle Beach and the nearby Specola tower.

For those who enjoy walking, head south along the coast and take the ancient mule track known as "Apprezzami l’Asino": a spectacular three-kilometer path perched above the sea, once connecting Sapri to Maratea. Unlike the sandy northern sector, the southern coast alternates between beaches and rocks. This is the case at the beautiful Torre di Capobianco beach, an irregular stretch of coast named after one of the watchtowers built by the Kingdom of Naples in the 16th century.