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Highlights
Cruise the Sorrentine Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast over 7 days
Ride through some of the Sorrentine Peninsula’s most revered towns, including Ravello, Positano, and Salerno.
Cruise along the Amalfi Coast, dotted with colourful villages and flanked by mountains and the sea.
Snap photos of Mount Vesuvius from the tip of the peninsula, looking out over the Bay of Naples.
Sip a cappuccino next to your bike in the bustling squares of Sorrento after days of life-changing riding.
On the Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour, you’ll discover some of the most idyllic parts of Italy at a fantastic price. The region of Campania has been known as a paradise on earth from ancient times on. The Greeks built some of their most impressive temples here and under the Romans it became known as ‘Campania Felix’ or the ‘Happy Land’. When travelling the region, one becomes overwhelmed by its wealth of cultural and natural attractions.
But Campania’s real secret is located south of Salerno. Here the coastline bulges out into an expanse of mountainous landmass known as the Cilento, now one of Italy’s biggest national parks, with UNESCO World Heritage listing. This is an area of amazing natural beauty, of uncontaminated rocky coasts lapped at by crystal clear water, and wild untamed forests covering high mountain peaks.
This tour brings you into the real heart of the Cilento, from ancient Paestum up to the impressive Alburni Mountains and down to the pristine coast near Mount Stella again. Inland, Cilento is largely undisturbed by the 21st century and you will encounter few other tourists along your way. You will cycle to world famous cultural sites, through pristine natural areas and along dreamy coastal scenery. All of this for a value price? It’s an impossible adventure to miss!
On the Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour, you’ll discover some of the most idyllic parts of Italy at a fantastic price. The region of Campania has been known as a paradise on earth from ancient times on. The Greeks built some of their most impressive temples here and under the Romans it became known as ‘Campania Felix’ or the ‘Happy Land’. When travelling the region, one becomes overwhelmed by its wealth of cultural and natural attractions.
But Campania’s real secret is located south of Salerno. Here the coastline bulges out into an expanse of mountainous landmass known as the Cilento, now one of Italy’s biggest national parks, with UNESCO World Heritage listing. This is an area of amazing natural beauty, of uncontaminated rocky coasts lapped at by crystal clear water, and wild untamed forests covering high mountain peaks.
This tour brings you into the real heart of the Cilento, from ancient Paestum up to the impressive Alburni Mountains and down to the pristine coast near Mount Stella again. Inland, Cilento is largely undisturbed by the 21st century and you will encounter few other tourists along your way. You will cycle to world famous cultural sites, through pristine natural areas and along dreamy coastal scenery. All of this for a value price? It’s an impossible adventure to miss!
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Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour Itinerary
Day 1 Arrival in Paestum
After your arrival at Capaccio train station, you will go pick up your rental bike. The short trip to your hotel takes you along the temples and city walls of Greek Paestum. In case you have arrived early you can visit the archaeological site earlier, leaving more time for a longer trip tomorrow, or you may take your bikes down to the beach for a quick dip before turning in and getting settled in the hotel immediately near the temples. Your luggage will be transported for you to the hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Paestum
Distance: 30 minutes, 6.5km
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Paestrum to Felitto
In case you haven’t visited the archaeological site of Paestum yet the day before, take your time to do so before leaving for the Calore Valley. Make sure to visit the museum as well to have a look at the so-called ‘Tomba del Tuffatore’ (Divers Tomb), a unique example of Greek funeral painting. After your visit you will cycle through the Paestum Plain in the direction of Capaccio, passing by several mozzarella farms where you can see grazing buffaloes and taste delicious fresh buffalo mozzarella.
After a first climb up to Capaccio, you continue underneath the slopes of Mount Soprano to the charming village of Trentinara, spectacularly situated on top of a high near vertical cliff, making this an amazing viewpoint on the plain and coast. After a short break for a cappuccino, you pedal on over quiet roads snaking through the lush countryside arriving at medieval Monteforte Cilento, and the sister towns of Magliano Vetere and Magliano Nuovo. You now descend into the Calore Valley until arriving at your agriturismo near the hamlet of Felitto.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Felitto
Distance: 3.5 hours, 50km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3 Calore Valley Loop Ride
Today you have the choice of several different round trips exploring the Calore River Valley. You can cycle to Castelcività for a visit to the impressive 5km long limestone caves, or you may visit the church of St. Michael at Sant’Angelo a Fasanella, built inside a cave. You could wander through the abandoned village of Roscigno Vecchia, named “The Pompeii of the 20th century” and visit its small museum. You can as well cycle to Sacco, situated underneath the high rock cliffs of the Cervati Mountains and descend into the spectacular Sammaro Canyon.
Cycle over quiet peaceful roads in the middle of fragrant tall chestnut and beech woods, along olive groves and vineyards. In the evening you turn back to your agriturismo and enjoy a glass of robust red wine and la mamma’s traditional, honest cuisine.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Felitto
Distance: 4.5 hours, 40-65km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4 Felitto to Ceraso
Today you will cycle from the Calore Valley to a cozy agriturismo in the rolling hills above the Alento Plain in the central part of the Cilento. From Felitto you first head for Laurino, where during a stroll through the historical centre you can admire several small churches and the village’s castle. From here a quiet country road running through thick woods takes you to the tiny hamlet of Campora, situated high above a deeply incised gorge. You then continue through the woods to Moio della Civitella, where you can visit the remains of a pre-Greek fortified town. You can climb up to the little church on the very top of the hill from where you admire a beautiful panorama on this part of the Cilento. This is an ideal spot for a picnic lunch.
From Moio you continue to Vallo della Lucania, the largest town of the Central Cilento. A small detour brings you to the 10th century Greek-orthodox abbey of Pattano, more than worth a visit. From here you then head for Massascusa and Ceraso. This nicely preserved medieval village certainly begs for a short visit before continuing to your agriturismo where you will enjoy a nice dinner.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Ceraso
Distance: 4.5 hours, 60km
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5 Ceraso to San Marco di Castellabate
During your ride today from Ceraso to the fishermen’s village of San Marco di Castellabate, you will enjoy splendid views on the pristine Cilento coast along Mount Stella. From the agriturismo you descend towards the coast where you first visit the remains of the Greek town of Velia, place of birth of the philosophers Zeno and Parmenides and origin of one of Europe’s most ancient medical schools. During your visit you will admire the old seaport, the Greek and Roman baths, different temples, and the famous Porta Rosa, or Pink Gate, one of the earliest examples of the use of the arch in Greek architecture.
After your visit you cycle through the plain of the Alento River to Marina di Casalvelino. From here you start following the coastal road along the charming coastal fishermen’s villages of Pioppi, home of the American doctor Ancel Keys, father of the so-called Mediterranean Diet, and Acciaroli, where Ernest Hemmingway spent his holidays. Feel free to swim here.
From Ogliastra Marina you can visit the peninsula of Punta Licosa with its grotesquely curved pine trees before turning in at your hotel at San Marco di Castellabate. The fitter cyclist can opt for a detour along the hamlets of Celso and Galdo, nicely situated in the hills underneath Mount Stella. After a refreshing shower in the evening, you have the time for a stroll through the little village of San Marco looking for a nice restaurant to eat dinner.
Overnight Location: Hotel in San Marco di Castellabate
Distance: 3.5 hours, 50km
Meals: Breakfast
Day 6 San Marco di Castellabate to Paestum
Today a short ride takes you back to Paestum. If you did not visit the peninsula of Punta Licosa the day before, you can cycle over the small, paved path from San Marco to the small lighthouse on its very tip. After your visit to the peninsula, you climb up to the medieval village of Castellabate, situated on a hill slightly inland. From here you enjoy a wonderful view on the coast. Take your time to visit the nicely preserved historical centre of the little town.
Continue to the hamlet of San Pietro from where a quiet country road takes you to the magnificent Bay of Trentova near Agropoli. Here you can enjoy a short walk on the paths leading through the fragrant ‘maquis’, high above the crystal-clear sea of Punta Tresino. Your next stop is the town of Agropoli, where the acropolis with its ancient city gates and imposing remains of the castle are well worth a visit. After a cup of coffee, you then cycle back to Paestum, where you can enjoy an aperitivo with a view of the Greek temples. For dinner tonight you are free to choose one of the restaurants near the temples.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Paestum
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7 Departure
Your tour concludes after breakfast. So long!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
2024 Departures: The departures are available every day, from April st to Octobe 31st, 2024, with an exception for two weeks at the beginning of August when no bookings are possible.
- Single room: on request
- Sharing a double room: from EUR575*
Accommodation on the Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour
This tour is based in hotels and guesthouses. Exact accommodations will be confirmed upon booking, but you can expect 3-star hotels and friendly guesthouses.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may need to be substituted for other comparable accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
Rooms are double occupancy. You can pay a supplement to have a private room in a hotel where possible. Solo travellers may be required to pay a supplement.
What’s Included in the Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour?
Meals
6 breakfasts and 4 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 6 nights are included.
Transportation during the Tour
Luggage transfer is included. Airport transfers are not included, but the required transfers as per the itinerary are included.
Also Included
- 24-hour telephone assistance
- Maps
- Extensive route notes
Not included
- Visas if required
- Personal gear
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Airport transfers
- Meals not previously mentioned
- Guide services
- Anything not mentioned as included
Optional Extras
- Additional nights before or after the tour
- Extensions during the tour
- Single occupancy upgrades where available
- Bike rental (hybrid and e-bikes are available upon request)
- How hard is the Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour?
- Do I need a visa to travel to Italy?
- When is the best time to travel to Italy for this tour?
- Are meals included on the Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour?
- Do I need insurance?
- How do I get to Paestum to start this tour?
- Is the Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour guided?
- Where does the Campania & Cilento Cycling Tour end?
- Do I need special vaccines to travel to Italy?
- Are there any travel restrictions for Italy?
We rate this tour as a 3/5. This is a bike tour best suited to those with a good level of fitness. Expect to ride an average of 50km per day.
Check with your local country about visa requirements. You could also try this website, though you should verify with your government.
The best time to visit Italy for this tour is the spring (May and June) or the early fall (September) when the temperatures are not too hot and the crowds aren’t so bad.
6 breakfasts and 4 dinners are included.
Yes, it is mandatory to have health and medical insurance to join this trip. Get your Travel Insurance.
Paestum is easily reached by train from Naples or Salerno. You can fly into the international airport in Naples. You can also reach Paestum by train from Rome.
No, this is a self-guided tour. Not to worry, though! Self-guided travelling lets you go at your own pace and gives you more freedom in your day-to-day than a guided tour, with the benefit of available assistance should you need it. Those who are uncomfortable with the idea of a self-guided tour should inquire about guided options.
The tour ends in Paestum, from where you can take the train to your departure airport.
Check with your family doctor.
Please check with your local government about travel restrictions before you book your tour. This map from the US Department of State provides an overview of the current status in countries around the globe. The UK‘s Foreign Office and Government of Canada also provide advice on foreign travel. Note that the travel advice may change depending on your nationality.
Customer Ratings
Genius Loci is a leading tour specialist in walking, cycling, and kayaking tours in Italy. Operating since 1999, they’ve been committed to responsible, quality tourism from the start. With a strong word of mouth following and high client satisfaction, Genius Loci is a reliable choice to adventurers in Italy.
