A different side of Italy
Cilento is one of those parts of Italy that many visitors pass by without ever discovering.
South of Naples and beyond the better-known destinations of the Amalfi Coast, the Cilento landscape stretches from the mountains to the Mediterranean. It is a place of ancient villages, forests, olive groves, long beaches and a way of life that still follows the seasons.
From Selvitelle, you can discover all of this at your own pace.
Paestum and the ancient Greeks
One of the great treasures of Cilento is Paestum, with its remarkably preserved Greek temples standing among the fields just inland from the coast.
The archaeological site is part of the history of Magna Graecia and is one of the places that makes the connection between Cilento and the ancient Mediterranean particularly tangible.
It is close enough to Selvitelle for an easy day trip, and well worth combining with a visit to the nearby coast.
The Cilento Coast
The coastline of Cilento is very different from the busy coastal destinations further north.
There are long sandy beaches, small coves, fishing villages and clear Mediterranean water. Some places are lively in summer, while others remain remarkably quiet outside the main season.
The coast around Santa Maria di Castellabate, Acciaroli, Ascea and Palinuro offers plenty of possibilities for a day by the sea.
Villages, mountains and nature
Cilento is not only about the coast.
Inland, roads wind through forests, olive groves and mountain villages where life still moves at a slower pace. Hilltop villages, small piazzas and old stone houses are part of everyday life here.
Much of the region is protected as part of the Cilento, Vallo di Diano and Alburni National Park. Walking, exploring small roads or simply stopping somewhere for a coffee can be just as rewarding as visiting the better-known sights.
Life at a different pace
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Cilento is not a particular sight at all.
It is the rhythm of life.
Long lunches, an espresso in a village square, people greeting each other in the street, fresh produce from the garden or market, and evenings spent outside are still part of everyday life.
You don't have to follow a list of attractions here. Sometimes the best way to discover Cilento is simply to take the long way and see where it leads.
Exploring from Selvitelle
Selvitelle makes a quiet base for exploring both the inland hills and the Mediterranean coast.
You can spend a day visiting Paestum, exploring a mountain village or heading to the sea, and then return to the peace of the countryside in the evening.
We are happy to share some of our favourite places and help you discover the Cilento that we have come to know as home.