Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, Sapri is a peaceful resort town in the Cilento region of Italy. It’s surrounded by pebbly beaches and cliffside hiking trails, as well as the rugged mountain ridges and dramatic capes of Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park.
Things to do in Sapri
Spend a day relaxing on the pebbly shores of Sapri Beach, which is backed by a breezy promenade lined with pizzerias and gelaterias. A short drive east lies the picturesque Spiaggia Acquafredda with its crystal clear waters and abundance of fish. Head in the other direction and you’ll arrive at Spiaggia di Villammare, where shallow waters are ideal for families.
Dominating one end of Sapri Beach is the Torre della Specola, a 15-metre-high tower constructed in 1927 that is now used by the Meteorological Astronomical Observatory. Also not to miss is the bronze monument of Italian patriot Carlo Pisacane in the gardens of Sapri’s Town Hall. Designed by Chiaromonte, it depicts the captain looking proudly towards the mountains in a gesture symbolising the fight against tyranny.
You can stretch your legs on the spectacular Sentiero "Apprezzami L’Asino”, a memorable hiking trail that hugs the Gulf of Policastro. It extends from Sapri to the Canale di Mezzanotte, which marks the border between Campania and Basilicata. Once used by donkeys for the transportation of goods, this 10-kilometre-long route includes precarious, narrow sections and steep descents to the seashore.
Getting around Sapri
Sapri is around 2.5 hours’ drive from Naples and Naples International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Sapri railway station and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of accessing the surrounding attractions.