Acciarolithe village where time slows down
Fishing harbour, Blue Flag beaches, Hemingway’s village, Cilento cooking
Not just a fishing village: a place where time slows down
Acciaroli is a small gem of the Cilento coast: a colourful little harbour, stone houses facing the beach, alleys full of flowers. Its waters are awarded the Blue Flag year after year, and the food — anchovies straight off the boat, local olive oil — tells the story of a community that still lives at a human pace.
There is no mass tourism here: everything speaks of quiet and of a beauty that doesn’t need to be flaunted. It is no coincidence that Ernest Hemingway stopped here, choosing the village as a retreat.
The harbour, the church and the secret of longevity
The harbour is the centre of everything: the boats come in each morning, and in the evening you sit at a bar with the quay in front of you. Behind it, the old centre with the Church of the Annunziata and the tower, then the beaches — long, quiet, with water that stays clear even in August.
And there is one detail that makes Acciaroli unique: the extraordinary longevity of its inhabitants, studied by researchers from all over the world. Mediterranean diet, daily walks, clean air and real relationships — some say the secret is all there.
Halfway between Agropoli and Palinuro
Acciaroli sits in the middle of the Cilento coastal line: from here you go north to San Marco and Agropoli, south to Palinuro, Camerota and Sapri, always by sea. The Cilento National Park begins right behind the village.
Why choose Acciaroli
The name of the village already lists the reasons to stop: what you take home from a day here.
Azure sea and Blue Flag beaches.
Charming historic centre and harbour.
Culinary tradition: anchovies, fish and olive oil.
Inspiring nature in the Cilento Park.
Authentic architecture, stone houses.
Relaxing rhythm of life.
Outstanding, genuine hospitality.
Living history, from Hemingway to the fishermen.
Infinite excursions, between sea and mountains.
When to visit Acciaroli
There isn’t one single best time: it depends on the holiday you are after. Spring and early autumn, though, remain the most rewarding, when the village goes back to being simply itself.
Perfect temperatures
Warm but never too hot, ideal for swimming and slow walks.
Lush nature
In spring Cilento bursts into colour with broom and wildflowers.
Fewer crowds
Compared with July and August the beaches and alleys are far calmer.
Authenticity
Local events, food festivals and patron feasts show the village’s true soul.
How to reach Acciaroli
Reaching Acciaroli is not hard, but like every genuinely small village it takes a little more planning than the big tourist hubs — and that is exactly what makes it special. By car from Salerno take the A2 motorway to Battipaglia, then the SS18 towards Vallo della Lucania and follow the road down to the coast: an hour and a half to two hours. In peak summer, though, traffic is heavy and parking is scarce and pricey.
If you would rather not drive there are seasonal buses from Salerno and Naples, run by Busitalia and private companies: slow and infrequent. Or the train and bus combination: the nearest station is Vallo della Lucania-Castelnuovo, on the Naples–Reggio Calabria line, and from there local buses reach Acciaroli in about 40 minutes.
And then the sea, the finest way in. The harbour of Acciaroli is a port of call on the Cilento coastal line operated by TraVelMar: every day there are sailings to and from San Marco di Castellabate, Agropoli, Palinuro, Marina di Camerota and Sapri, two per direction. The journey becomes part of the holiday.
By car
- A2 to Battipaglia, then the SS18 towards Vallo della Lucania: one and a half to two hours from Salerno.
- Past Battipaglia the state roads are long and winding, so journey times stretch easily.
In high season, expect traffic and scarce, pricey parking — the ferry drops you right at the harbour.
By train or bus
- Vallo della Lucania-Castelnuovo station, then a local bus in about 40 minutes.
- Seasonal Busitalia and private coaches from Salerno and Naples, with only a handful of runs a day.
Between changes and waiting, the day shrinks fast — by sea you arrive in the village with no connections to chase.
A proper Rider picks the fastest option — and the most beautiful one too.
In Acciaroli the ferry drops you in the harbour, which is the centre of the village.
Acciaroli by ferry
The harbour is a port of call on the Cilento coastal line: you step off in the village, with no winding SS18 and no parking to hunt for.
- Five direct connections every day: San Marco di Castellabate from €9.00, Agropoli from €11.50, Palinuro from €11.50, Marina di Camerota from €14.50 and Sapri from €16.00.
- Two sailings per direction: from Acciaroli they leave at 11:20 and 17:45 northbound, at 10:30 and 15:05 southbound.
- From the quay the beaches, the restaurants and the alleys of the village are a few steps away.
Good to know before you sail:
- Every route is operated by TraVelMar, the company running the Cilento coastal line.
- With two sailings a day per direction a day trip works: pick your time by how long you want to stay.
- The service depends on the season and on sea conditions: check your date.
Is one day enough to visit Acciaroli?
To see it, yes: the harbour, the old centre and a beach fill an unhurried day.
But Acciaroli is not a place to see, it is a place to live: its slow rhythm only makes sense from the second day onwards.
Two or three days bring in the beaches around, the trails of the Park and a crossing to Palinuro or San Marco.
And if you come for the food, allow a few more dinners: anchovies, fresh fish and Cilento olive oil are half the reason people return.
The company serving Acciaroli
Every sea connection to and from Acciaroli is operated by TraVelMar, the company running the Cilento coastal line.
Need a hand?
Message us on WhatsApp and talk to a real person.
Pick the day that suits you
The same village changes with the way you travel: with children, as a couple, or with hiking boots in your bag.
Beach, harbour and ice cream on the seafront
A morning on the Blue Flag sand, a seafood lunch and an afternoon watching the boats come back in.
See the itinerary →
Flowered alleys and dinner on the quay
The old centre and the Church of the Annunziata, sunset from the pier and a dinner of anchovies facing the harbour.
See the itinerary →
Park trails and villages by sea
The trails of the Cilento National Park, or the crossing to Palinuro, Camerota or San Marco.
See the itinerary →Practical tips & FAQ for visiting Acciaroli
The questions we get most often. If yours isn’t here, ask 
.
How do you get to Acciaroli?
Are there ferries to Acciaroli?
How much does the ferry to Acciaroli cost?
checks it in real time.What time do ferries leave Acciaroli?
Can I spend a day in another village and come back in the evening?
What is there to see in Acciaroli?
Why is Acciaroli linked to Hemingway?
Is it true that people live longer in Acciaroli?
Do the beaches in Acciaroli have the Blue Flag?
When is the best time to visit Acciaroli?
Any practical tips before you go?
- sailings run twice a day per direction: check the return time before you leave
- if you come by train, plan around the bus timetable from Vallo della Lucania
- book ahead in high season: the village is small and fills up early
- keep one evening for a dinner of anchovies on the quay
- if you arrive by car in August, allow time and money for parking
Book your ferry now and make the most of your time in Cilento
Check live availability and book your ferry online with , the Coastrider virtual travel assistant.