Santa Maria di Castellabate is a picturesque, fishing village, which has conserved its characteristics, intact, notwithstanding the ever-increasing tourism. The village is set in the centre of a large bay, confined by the two promontories, Punta Licosa and Punta Tresino. There are golden, sandy beaches, interrupted by rocky areas and all bathed by a sea, so clear, that it has been awarded the “European Blue Flag” for some years. In this natural semi-circle, we can find the original, fishermen’s terraced cottages and the original village, including the Palazzo Belmonte, residence of princes, past and present and the Villa Matarazzo, originally a residence of local nobility, now home to exhibitions and cultural events. Among the numerous noble mansions along the esplanade, the imposing, Aragonese tower, dominates the scene, almost hostile toward the tiny “Madonnina” opposite, protectress of fishermen, a ceramic creation from the only laboratory still able to hand craft, following the craftsmanship of ancient tradition. Numerous restaurants and pizzerias, bars and pubs, are ready to satisfy lovers of good food while offering a relaxing, family atmosphere. Between tranquillity and entertainment, all year round, Santa Maria di Castellabate, represents the ideal destination, not only for a delightful holiday, but also as an ideal starting point for excursions into the discovery of the nature, culture and history of Cilento and Campania.

The mediaeval centre of Castellabate, set on a hill, at 278m. above sea level, dominates the entire bay. The impressive castle, around which the town developed, was founded in 1123 by the Benedictine abbot, Costabile Gentilcore, from Cava dei Tirreni, as a stronghold against the devastating Saracen incursions. The original nucleus has conserved its characteristic structure so we can travel back in time, with houses terracing along the narrow alleyways, between low archways and up and down the many stairways and small flower gardens and narrow, hidden lanes to be discovered. All streets lead to the piazza, the personification of “la dolce vita”: an aperitif and a chat at the bar, then to sit on the wall which encloses this village social centre, the size of a pocket-handkerchief, and so await … the sunset! which, every evening, promises a unique, unrepeatable spectacular. Definitely, not to be forgotten… the view from the Belvedere, just below the castle: enjoy the sight of the entire bay set out before you, the coloured houses of Santa Maria, set along the sand and rocks of the beaches, San Marco and its ancient, Greek-Roman port and Lago, which, between Mediterranean greenery and golden beach, closes the gulf at its extremity.

The Cilentan coast is made up of golden, sandy beaches, sheer cliffs facing the sea, half hidden, silent bays and fishing villages alternating with tiny ports. The long list of coastal villages requires a long visit, the first one is Agropoli with its charming historic center called the "Arab quarter"

The Marinas of Casalvelino and Ascea, characterized by long, uncontaminated beaches, where one can walk endlessly between the dunes.

Pisciotta, an original village, set among the mountains, on a hillside, at 170m above sea level. It is famous for olive oil and anchovies, “alici di menaica”, fished using an antique style net, a menaide, in dialect, “a menaica”, a tradition only found here.

Palinuro, with its Blue Grotto, homonym with that of Capri; Marina di Camerota, best admired from the sea, to appreciate the beauty of its coast.

The Golf of Policastro, with its picturesque fishing villages and sea front villas and the small town of Sapri, with its rock, “Scialandro”, and finally, all these places have the same, clear, blue, Mediterranean sea!