Santa Maria di Castellabate is a small, pastoral place, about 130 km southern of Naples at the Golfo di Salerno. The wonderful beaches of the place often were distinguished with the Bandiera Blu, because of its good quality of water and the service on the beaches. A sandy bay is directly next to the old town with its old buildings. The Corso Matarazzo, a pedestrian zone with shops and restaurants, invites to amble along and to stay.

The small harbour is in S. Marco di Castellabate. Somewhat southern is the nature maritime protection park Punta Licosa, which impresses with its variegated underwater fauna and flora.

From Santa Maria di Castellabate a small curvy street leads up to the medieval mountain place Castellabate, which was declared UNESCO world cultural heritage. The place lies at a level of 280 m. Castellabate grew, in the 12. century, around the castle from where the population braved the raids by the Saracens. Not only the Castello but also the well-survived historic centre shows relics of a moved history.
Picturesque staircases, lanes with ornate arcades and narrow stairs adumbrate the visitors how the life was in medieval times. The landscape around the place is characterized by arranged terraces planted by vine and knobbed olive trees.

Castellabate is a wonderful place to make holiday at the seaside but also to make excurcions in the proximity e.g. to Paestum.


Pro Loco
(tourist information,
tickets, tips for events,
bicycle hiring, etc)
- Via Starza S., Santa Maria di Castellabate
- Loc. Lago di Castellabate
- Via Forziati, Castellabate


Diving center
CILENTO SUB
Corso Matarazzo
S. Maria di Castellabate


Railway station
The next station is Agropoli.

sandy bay


Palazzo


little habour


beach

The name Castellabate „Castello del Abate“ ,accrued from the castle of the place, built in the year 1123 by the abbot (Abate di Cava dei Tirreni), S. Costabile Genilcore. The castle, which still is good in order, was often attacked by the Saracens, who were coming from Punta Licosa, and sacked the town and robbed the wifes.

According to legend the origin of the name Punta Licosa comes from the mermaid Leucosia, who had there her residence.