Sapri is a pretty town located in the heart of the Cilento Park, and it overlooks the enchanting gulf of Policastro. It is the last inhabited centre in Campania before Basilicata.

The history of Sapri has very ancient origins: of Greek foundation, it became an important commercial and tourist centre with the Romans due to its climate. Cicero defined it as the "Small gem of the South Sea",  and even today you can admire the remains of a patrician villa in the hilly part of the town.
Around 1800, at the height of the Risorgimento, it was dominated by the Bourbon tyranny during the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and is remembered in history books for the revolutionary expedition of Carlo Pisacane, which ended tragically. The Duke of San Giovanni, with a small group of Mazzinians, left Genoa to land in Ponza and free some political prisoners. The aim was to revolt the population, in which great discontent against the Bourbons was widespread, and to establish an independent Southern Kingdom.  The expedition failed, as in much of Italy, both because the patriots were not trained for action in the field and because, when it came time to fight, many of them joined the Royal troops attracted by large monetary rewards.
Every summer in the month of August, the expedition is remembered with a re-enactment of the landing, a real journey through time: a historical procession with period clothing crosses all the main streets of the town, ending off the coast where  Pisacane landed with the laying of a laurel wreath.

You could decide to spend a weekend getting involved in the beauty and traditions of the gulf or discover it with one of our tours:

⇒Il Cammino di San Nilo

What to see in Sapri 

We have prepared a list with the most evocative things in Sapri to admire in serenity, learning the history and culture of this fascinating Campania village. You could decide to spend a carefree day to discover the beauties of Sapri:     

  • The Specola observatory
  • The Pisacane obelisk
  • The Scialandro rock and the Gleaner
  • Acheological sites

 Let's see these fantastic places in detail.

The Observatory 

It is a square-based tower built in 1927 with a neo-medieval appearance, 15 metres high. Born as an astronomical-meteorological observatory, it is a copy of the Habsburg Castle of Miramare in Trieste. Its Gothic style stuccos enhance its beauty, the majolica decorations have a series of medallions depicting the main scientists of recent centuries including Volta, Newton and Galileo. Inside, a spiral staircase leads to the room of stars, depicted with brass decorations on the ceiling. Even if it cannot be visited, the point where it stands allows you to enjoy a splendid panoramic view of the bay of Sapri and the Gulf of Policastro.

The Obelisk in Pisacane 

Next to the Specola tower in the municipal villa, an Obelisk was erected for the first centenary of the Trecento expedition, and was dedicated to the memory of Carlo Pisacane. With this statue we want to remember the heroic Mazzinian who fought until his death for his ideals of independence and fraternity     

The Scialandro rock and the Gleaner                            

Off the bay of Sapri, the Scialandro rock emerges from the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, giving particular emphasis to the beauty of the seaside resort. Scialandro, a legendary character in the history of Sapri, around the 8th century BC during the shipwreck of the Greek ship on which he was aboard, saved himself by clinging to a rock, which then took his name. The man then became head of the village and defended the inhabitants from the plundering of pirates.
On the rock there is a bronze sculpture depicting a gleaner with her gaze on the horizon. It is said that a young girl intent on gleaning wheat witnessed the landing of “Three Hundred”, the heroic expedition of Carlo Pisacane, and their tragic death at the hands of the Bourbons. The monument is inspired by the famous poem by Luigi Mercatini which quotes "there were three hundred, they were young and strong and they died". The Blue FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) flag has been flying alongside her since 1995.

Archeological sities


In the area adjacent to the town of the pretty village of Sapri in the Santa Croce area, after an excavation carried out by the Superintendency of Salerno, some archaeological residential ruins dating back to the Roman era were found, a splendid maritime patrician villa, which extended for approximately 7000 square metres on various terraces, with adjoining landing place, spa and theatre, and in some places some sections of paving are embellished with very fine mosaics of high quality.
A funerary stone with the epigraph of a young patrician was found in Piazza Plebiscito. Since there are no other traces of ancient life in the area, historians assume that natural disasters such as the Pompeii earthquake may have hit the area, destroying everything. Recently some excavations have brought to light traces of prehistoric settlements, with the discovery of precious artefacts of lithic material dating back to the Bronze Age. 

What to do in Sapri - the Slow Active Tours proposal 

Once you have discovered the wonders hidden in the streets of the historic centre of Sapri, the time has come to get into the heart of suggestive activities, for this reason we suggest some excursions and tours not to be missed. The warm months are certainly the most suitable period to be fascinated by its enchanting natural beauty. 

  • Discovering the myth of Capo Palinuro

    Aeneas' faithful helmsman was betrayed by the God of Sleep and fell into the sea one night during a crossing. Discover the places of myth with a boat excursion to the suggestive Sea Caves of Palinuro: one of the most important is the Blue Cave, which owes its name to the bright colour of the waters. From blue we move on to red with the Blood Cave, characteristic for the colour of the internal walls lit up by a surprising red colour which reflects on the sea and colours it with a very suggestive reddish shade.
    In the heart of the Cilento National Park, one of the largest protected parks in Italy, with its promontory with the characteristic 5-pointed shape, mythological legends and natural beauty have coexisted for centuries.

  • Visit to the Infreschi Bay

    It is one of the most beautiful bays on the Italian peninsula: a natural marina whose crystal-clear waters allowed it to win the award for the most beautiful beach in Italy in 2014. It can be reached by car, on foot or by boat, and its name must come from the presence of a fresh, sweet water spring that flows between its rocks.

  • The "Appreciate the donkey" trail

    An ancient mule track overlooking the sea that connects Sapri to Maratea: the path can be followed by both occasional hikers and expert walkers. The first part of the path is in fact rather simple, and can also be followed for a suggestive walk. The most challenging part is from the Midnight Tower onwards, which offers beautiful views of the sea and from which you can admire the gleaner sculpture at a glance.

  • Admire the view of the Gulf

    The characteristic of Sapri is that it is located in a bay on the Tyrrhenian Sea in the southernmost part of Campania on the border with Lucania, surrounded by evergreen hills, hiding beautiful panoramic paths. Walking along its beautiful coastline, in the shape of a horseshoe between sandy shores and rocky beaches, you will be fascinated by its breathtaking panorama on the horizon. Its blue sea has repeatedly obtained the title of Blue Flag for its suggestive, uncontaminated and wild coast. 

Festivals and popular event of Sapri

Various popular events take place in Sapri throughout the year, but summer is certainly the best time to enjoy them to the fullest. During the hottest season of the year, numerous events enliven the evenings along the Cilento seafront. The collective memory festival takes place in June, a series of shows, debates, excursions and entertainment to celebrate old age. Another interesting event that you can join in August is the historical re-enactment of the Pisacane landing, a real journey through time with a procession that passes through the evocative streets of Sapri. Also in the month of August you can admire the sailing regattas in the suggestive bay and then take part in the blue fish festival enhanced by the various traditional recipes for its flavour.  In the month of December the suggestive Immaculate Conception fair is celebrated, with the characteristic Christmas markets. 

Piatti Tipici di Sapri

The typical dishes of Sapri cuisine are mainly based on the culinary tradition of Campania , which is why it is very easy to find on the tables alici 'imbuttunate, cianfotta faicchiana , panzarotti, and delicacies for true connoisseurs of good taste such as the famous sfogliatelle ricce.
In Sapri it is also possible to visit numerous vineyards which, thanks to the proximity of the sea and the salty breezes, allow the production of wines with a unique taste.

Eating and Drinking in Sapri

Among the many restaurants in the centre of Sapri, we recommend some that are worth visiting:
Trattoria Mustazzo in Piazza Plebiscito, 22.where you can enjoy the exaltation of tradition without giving up the excellent quality of the products. The wonderful experience is completed by friendly staff and a welcoming venue. 
Lucifero in Corso Garibaldi, 6. Pizza and seafood dishes in an informal restaurant with terracotta floors, brick arches and exposed beams.
La Specola Restaurant in Via Carlo Alberto, 44. Large and bright restaurant offering the catch of the day.
Slow Sud in Corso Italia, SS18, 60. Restaurant that offers the same flavors of traditional cuisine to revive the atmosphere of a family lunch.

So what are you waiting for? Get your stuff ready and off you go!