Villa d'Ayala-Valva
Villa d'Ayala-Valva
4.5

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles281 reviews
Excellent
192
Very good
76
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
2

David
Amsterdam, The Netherlands6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022 • Friends
Thank you Antonio Cuazzo for your time and beloved tour of this hidden gem. So happy to hear that there is a grant to restore the garden and fight off the pests that have destroyed the hedgerow at the theatre of statues - the most striking site at the Villa. Still there is so much faded beauty and pregnant silence in the park of epic Cypruses, oaks and chestnuts. My favourite is the garden of the four seasons, with the statues that nature itself has moulded. A walk around the village of Valva is also memorable. Again thanks to Antonio, a perfect guide.
David (British journalist)
Written August 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

363frer
Bologna, Italy8 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Couples
The last time I went to Valva was more than 6 years ago. This time I decided to spend 5 days in this little town and I discovered the Villa D'Ayala that is own by the Knights of Malta. I actually visited it before but only in the evening, during events (on summers there is a quite interesting program of drama, music and theatre). With the sun I could see properly the amazing park with sequoias and huge trees, it is such majestic and unique, even if the renovation of the castle is not finished yet, the 18 hectars park includes two lovely Italian gardens and the Verzura Theatre, a MUST SEE theatre made of box bushes and roman sculptures, amazing, probably the only one in the world. Inside the park there are several groups of sculptures, copies of the Gianbologna's in Florence, and lots of muses, Spring, Summer, the Arts, Diana, ecc...Very interesting it is also the system of caves and channels, probably Romans.
It is absolutely a place to visit and if you feel hungry after the spectacular view go to L'arbustico and try the typical Valvese cuisine.
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

JonRiga
Riga, Latvia20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2019 • Friends
This is one of the highlights of southern Italy. Situated in the mountains it is a castle, villa, caves and amazing gardens. A must see. Be sure to check if they are open before making the drive. We went on a Saturday in March and were the only people there. We had the place to ourselves. Highly recommended.
Written March 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dmitry
23 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2018 • Couples
Very interesting visit: amazing gardens, grotto, and castle. the staff was very knowledgeable and helpful
Written January 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cpalumbofoster15
Austin, TX6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2015 • Friends
We visited this gorgeous place on the recommendation of my cousin who drove us here and arranged our private tour with Donato. It was a cool, sunny day and the gardens and walkways are so peaceful, with the aroma of pines and many other trees. The castle is being restored, but it was beautiful nonetheless, especially with the end of the day light. So much history, sculptures, fountains and the wonderful amphitheatre deep in the woods!
Written November 8, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Deanne v
2 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2022 • Couples
I really loved the garden and the friendly guide
Oh is time for rome restaurations but stil Bert nice
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephanie B
Newquay, UK3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2019
We visited in September. The private tour was fascinating and the guide very knowledgable about the history of this beautiful place. Very highly recommend this peaceful and lovely villa.
Written September 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DagmaraKo
Szczawnica, Poland2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2018 • Friends
for the first time I've been there 20 years ago, last time just yesterday. thanks to Antonio, my friends and me we have heard a story of this beautiful place, seen gardens and spectacular sculptures, I recommend visiting Villa D'Ayala in Valva to every person who loves history, art, stories, secrets, walking, to spend a very relaxing morning or afternoon in a beautiful place,
DK
Written May 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Ruxi B
32 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2017
We totally recommend Vila Valva. Our kids had a blast, Antonio was very kind and gave us a lively tour! Hope the government gives more budget for restaurations and marketing.

Written June 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

seraphinniangel
New York City, NY39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2016 • Couples
It was my first visit in this magical place, referred to us by an employee of hotel where we were staying in Contursi Terme who was from Valva. He mentioned un passant the castle of D’Ayalla. We did not, so after a quick google search we decide to go for a tour. Since it was no tour available at the hotel, we asked if he would drive us there, to which you promptly oblige. Upon arriving, we met Antonio Cuozzo, the guide, who took us in a private tour. Antonio was extremely knowledgeable, and accommodating. He drove my husband who was recovering from a knee surgery and had difficulty coming down the hill so he did not have to struggle coming down, and offer to take our pictures several times throughout the garden. Hence, that is how we first visit this quaint little town situated on the eastern slopes of monte Marzano, near the Serra della Rose. Valva dominates the Sele Valle delimited by the Picentini mountain range.
The territory largely mountainous is rich in flora and fauna. It was here that we discovered the Villa D'Ayala owned by the Knights of Malta. We were not disappointed, with an amazing park with sequoias and huge trees, the landscaping of this castle are gorgeous. Castle D’Ayala It is such majestic and unique garden. Even though the renovation of the castle is not yet finished, the place is breathtaking.
The 18 hectares park includes two lovely Italian gardens and the Verzura Theatre made of box bushes and roman sculptures, truly awesome, during summer events there are several remarkable drama, music and theatre programs available.
Inside the park there are several groups of sculptures, reproductions of the Gianbologna's in Florence, muses, Spring, Summer, the Arts, Diana, etc., There is also an interesting system of caves and channels dating back to the Roman Empire. I highly recommend, if you happen to be in the Salerno region, take the time to visit this lovely castle and if you are lucky enough to get Antonio Cuozzo as your guide, he will certainly make your visit much more educational and enjoyable at the magnificent villa-Castle. This surreal, elegant, mysterious park, isolated from the outside world, full of lush greenery, two Italian gardens, its vegetation theatre and its statues was able to arouse in us, positive feelings of wellbeing and relaxing. Its a beautiful: place to to visit.,

Written September 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Showing results 1-10 of 11
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Villa d'Ayala-Valva - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Frequently Asked Questions about Villa d'Ayala-Valva