National park · Italy

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National ParkParco Nazionale del Cilento e Vallo di Diano

Buy a park entry ticket at Vallo della Lucania (price check), hike the coastal trails in spring or early autumn; avoid peak summer crowds.

Not field-verified

Source checked: A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked: Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated: Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

UNESCO World Heritage 1998Some areas permit-onlyChecked Sep 2026

Map to the park

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Area

1,810 km² (699 sq mi)699 sq mi (1,810 km²)

approximate

Established

1991

Best months

Mar–May, Sep–Oct

UNESCO

World Heritage

Rules in force · 8Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…

Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
Italy and Malta ↗The region's headline sights run on timed tickets that sell out: book the Vatican Museums, the Colosseum, the Uffizi, the Last Supper and Malta's Hypogeum before you fix train and hotel dates.
Italy and Malta ↗Budget for per-night city taxes in Italy (up to about €10 a person in Rome), Malta's per-night environmental contribution, and Venice's day-visitor fee on peak days; none are included in most online room prices.
Italy ↗Italy is in the Schengen area. Check the entry rules for your passport on official sources; the EU's Entry/Exit System registers non-EU visitors at the first Schengen border, and further pre-travel authorisation rules are being introduced.
Italy ↗Historic centres are ZTL limited-traffic zones: cameras fine any unauthorised car that enters, often months later through the hire company. Park outside and walk in.
Italy ↗Regional train tickets bought on paper must be validated in the machine on the platform before boarding; digital tickets carry a time and need no stamping.
Italy ↗Venice charges day-visitors an access fee on selected peak days; check the city's official site if you are not sleeping there.

At a glance

Country: Italy
Area: 1,810 km² (699 sq mi)699 sq mi (1,810 km²); Area reported as 181,000 ha (≈ 1810 km²); figures may vary between sources.
Established: 1991
Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Oct
Permits: For some areas
Base: Salerno

Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, Italy’s second‑largest park, protects a mix of Mediterranean coastline, limestone cliffs, forests and archaeological sites such as Paestum and Velia, offering both natural and cultural attractions.

Decide

Why go, which months, and what lives here when

At a glance

Status

UNESCO World Heritage · 1998Part of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano cultural landscape.

Size and age

1,810 km² (699 sq mi)699 sq mi (1,810 km²) · national park since 1991

Area reported as 181,000 ha (≈ 1810 km²); figures may vary between sources.

This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Salerno.

Why go

Extensive coastline, limestone cliffs and Mediterranean forests.
Archaeological sites like Paestum and Velia within the park.

When to go

12-month verdict

JanGo
FebGo
MarBest
AprBest
MayBest
JunCaution
JulCaution
AugCaution
SepBest
OctBest
NovGo
DecGo

JanMild, fewer tourists.
FebCool, good for wildlife.
MarSpring blooms, comfortable temps.
AprWarm, dry, ideal hiking.
MayWarm, low rain.
JunHeat rises, early crowds.
JulHot, peak tourist season.
AugHot, occasional thunderstorms.
SepCooler, still dry.
OctMild, fewer visitors.
NovCool, some rain.
DecMild, quiet.

Wildlife and nature calendar

Seasons shift by weeks each year

Wildlife and nature calendar for Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park
What	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Vipers (Vipera aspis)Apr–Sep · Avoid stepping on rocks; watch for them in sunny spots.	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no
Wild boar (Sus scrofa)Oct–Mar · Active at dusk; keep food sealed.	yes	yes	yes	no	no	no	no	no	no	yes	yes	yes

Arrive & move

Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are

Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map

How to get there

From Salerno

Train to Salerno station, then bus or car south 70 km (43 mi) to Vallo della Lucania.Train to Salerno station, then bus or car south 43 mi (70 km) to Vallo della Lucania.

2–2.5 h

From Naples

Train to Salerno, then bus or car south.

2.5–3 h

Open the page →

From Rome

High‑speed train to Salerno, then bus or car south.

4–5 h

Open the page →

Zones and sectors

Zones of Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park
Zone	What is there	Access
Vallo della Lucania headquarters	Visitor centre, ticket office, information desk.	Open daily, ticket required.
Coastal trail network	Limestone cliffs, beaches, pine woods.	Free access with entry ticket.
Archaeological zone	Paestum, Velia, and other ancient sites.	Separate site fees may apply.

Sketch map

Approximate — not for navigation

Coordinates approximate centre of the park.

1Vallo della Lucania HQ · Headquarters≈40.200, 15.200Map ↗
2Paestum Archaeological Site · Viewpoint≈40.439, 15.009Map ↗
3Grotte di Castelcivita · Cave≈40.583, 15.433Map ↗

Take the points offline

GPX waypoints · approximate

3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.

Coordinates approximate centre of the park.

See & do

Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking

Show Top experiencesHide

Top experiences

TrailsEasy2–4 hCoastal trail networkMarked trails along the coast; best in spring or autumn. Check trail conditions at the visitor centre.

CultureEasy3 hPaestum Greek templesWell‑preserved Doric temples; entry fee check.

CavesEasy1 hGrotte di CastelcivitaGuided tour €10 per person; underground river chambers.

CultureEasy3 hVelia archaeological siteGreek and Roman ruins near Ascea; entry €3 per person.

Practical

Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong

Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related

Entry fees and permits

EUR ranges · check

Fees for Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park
Item	Range	Per	Note
Park entry ticket	Free	person	Price check — sold at Vallo della Lucania office; individual sites (Paestum, Velia, caves) have separate fees.

Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.

Park entry no permit

Check at Vallo della Lucania office; a ticket may be required for some zones.

Paestum archaeological site permit or guide

Buy ticket at the site entrance.

Velia archaeological site permit or guide

Buy ticket at the site entrance (€3 (≈ US$4) per person).

Grotte di Castelcivita permit or guide

Guided tour ticket (€10 (≈ US$12) per person) at the cave entrance.

Park rules

Drones, guides, camping and more

Pets: Dogs allowed on leashes only; no off‑trail roaming.
Camping: Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping prohibited.
Fires: Open fires not allowed; use provided BBQ areas.
Drones: Prohibited without special permit.
Litter: Carry out all waste.

Where to stay

Near the park

Borgo Riccio B&B

Cozy rooms in the park area, breakfast included.

Near the park

Agropoli town hotels

Range of hotels and hostels a short drive from the park gate.

Safety

Vipers low

Wear sturdy boots, watch where you step.

Wild boar medium

Avoid walking at night; keep dogs leashed.

Heat medium

Carry water, hike early in summer.

How much daylight do you have?

computed for this spot

Date

Time out

Finding the local time zone…

Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.

Accessibility

Visitor centre reachable by car with short paved walk.
Coastal trails have some uneven sections; not wheelchair‑friendly.

Visiting lightly

Stay in locally owned B&Bs; support community economy.
Use marked trails to protect fragile habitats.

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to enter Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park?

Park entry fees are check — buy a ticket at the Vallo della Lucania office. Individual sites like Paestum, Velia and Grotte di Castelcivita have separate admission fees.

What are the best hikes in Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park?

The coastal trail network offers easy walks with sea views; the inland trail to Monte Stella (8 km, moderate) is popular. Both are best in spring or early autumn.

When is the best time to visit Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park?

Spring (March–May) and early autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds.

Are dogs allowed in the park?

Yes, on a leash and only on marked trails.

Can I camp wild in the park?

No, camping is only permitted in designated campgrounds.

Deep dive

Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go

Show the detailsHide

Sources

Ask about Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park

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