In the Virgilian poem Aeneid, Palinurus is the name of Aeneas’ steersman, fallen overboard in this area. Nowadays Cape Palinuro is a rocky promontory in the National Park of Cilento and Vallo di Diano- UNESCO.
Cilento is an area of outstanding beauty, it has varied landscapes of scenic beauty with so many villages perched on the hills along one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy. With nearly a hundred km of beaches, the Cilento coastline makes up more than a half of the whole province littoral.
Cilento is the ideal place for those who love swimming and snorkeling. Thanks to its clean beaches and crystal clear sea, it has been awarded the Blue Flag many times. This is the reason why it attracts divers wishing to explore the caves along the coasts, as well as mountain bikers and active holiday makers hiking up the mountain paths to enjoy the views.
The hilly and mountainous inland area is likewise welcoming and suggestive with its wide woods, rivers and valleys and summer coolness. From May to October, Monte Gelbison is the destination of thousands of pilgrims paying homage to our Lady of the Sacred Mountain.
The whole coastline of Palinuro promontory is full of caves that can be accessed only by boat. Before the point of the promontory, in a small creek, we find the Blue Grotto with stalactites and a very fine azure hue, then there is the Ciavole Grotto, the Bone Grotto with stalactites and the walls studded with human and animal bone, the Visco Grotto that was inhabited by Palaeolithic people and the Monks’ Grotto.
Along the way from Palinuro to Marina di Camerota one has to go through four very beautiful natural tunnels and scenic views
TOURS IN PALINURO> To the lighthouse > Walking from the harbor to the lighthouse > Palinuro Cape by the sea and the marine cave > Sea Bath in Buondormire > Horse riding by the Mingardo River |
TOURS IN CILENTO> Infreschi harbour and the cliffs of Marina di Camerota > Velia the archeological site of the Parmenide School i resti della scuola eleatica > Paestum Temples > Padula Abbey |