Tucked away along the Cilento Coast, Acciaroli isn’t your typical tourist town – it’s a beloved summer haven for Italians, quietly resisting the glitz of Amalfi or Positano. Having heard glowing reviews from friends, we made it a one-night stopover, and it didn’t disappoint.
We pulled in to dock around 1 pm and made a beeline for the beach. While Steve and family settled into a cute little beach club, Doug and I wandered toward the old town, soaking in the vibrant bougainvillea that spills down the stuccoed walls like confetti. (Note to self: must find a way to grow this at home in Texas – it survives heatwaves and looks like a Mediterranean dream.)
Interestingly, at 2pm, a hush falls over these quaint little Mediterranean towns. The siesta is real here! Even on a Friday in peak summer, stores closed (including the main grocery store!), streets emptied, and the entire town seemed to exhale. If you’re lucky, you might stumble across a gelato shop or spritzer bar that stays open – and we did! The only store opened in town. But it served the best gelato of the trip.
Back on Kora, we relaxed on the bow, toes up, beach in view. The rest of the crew returned shortly later and agreed: Kora’s lounges beat any sunbed on land.
Our pre-dinner stroll led us past a striking white statue of the Madonna at the end of the marina breakwater, erected by local fishermen as a guardian for those heading to sea. We also wandered through the lively evening markets lining the main street, filled with local crafts, treats, and a summertime buzz.
Dinner that night? A detour from our usual Italian Mediterranean seafood fare. We chose to go to a local steakhouse called Braceria Marsili. In true Mediterranean fashion, we went family-style, ordering shared appetizers, mixed grill platters, and a table full of side dishes. In much of Italy, communal eating is the norm – meals are about connection, not just consumption. Ordering individually? That’s a tourist move.
We wrapped up our evening with a stroll through the charming old town, where we saw children selling trinkets on stone steps and a local author holding court with readers outside a bookshop. I couldn’t catch the conversation (I’m still working on my Italian), but the vibe was… quietly cinematic.
A short stop, a slow pace, and a perfect slice of authentic coastal life. Acciaroli, you charmed us.
