PUNTA LICOSA
Punta Licosa is around 2 hours drive south from Naples Capodichino airport and only accessible to the 100 or so residents and their guests. The area is named after Leucosia, one of the sirens Ulysses from Homer's ‘Odyssey’. It forms part of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, one of Italy's largest and a UNESCO site since 1998. Licosa is also a Marine Protected Area with extensive seagrass meadows and caves. The coastline received 13 of Campania's 20 Bandiera Blu flags in 2024, testament to its crystal clear waters.
THE LOCAL AREA
The towns of San Marco and Ogliastro Marina are situated at opposite ends of the park and are accessible by foot or by car. There you will find a small handful of shops, restaurants and bars but for more choice, slightly further afield is Santa Maria di Castellabate, a lovely seaside town with sandy beaches and promenades. Perched on a hill overlooking Santa Maria and the coast is the medieval town of Castellabate which is considered one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (Italy's most beautiful villages).
CILENTO
Paestum is perhaps the most famous town in Cilento, the site of three of the world's best preserved Ancient Greek temples. There is also the greek/roman archaeological site of Velia further to the South. Inland you can find mountains and gorges, rivers and cave systems, with ancient castelli perched on rocks.
The coastline is dotted with pleasant seaside towns such as Palinuro and Accioroli and some of the loveliest beaches in mainland Italy.
BEYOND
The Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and Vesuvius are all less than two hours drive from the property (if you're lucky the hydrofoil is running and you can hop over to Capri for the day from San Marco). Salerno, the second largest city in Campania, is even closer. And if you're driving in that direction then you will have to stop in Battipaglia and sample the freshly made Buffala Mozzarella that the area is famous for.
