An Insider’s Guide to the Best Things to do in Cetara

Last Updated on 4th June 2024 by Sophie Nadeau

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The delightful fishing village of Cetara is often overlooked by visitors in favour of its more famous neighbour, Vietri sul Mare, the pottery town of the Amalfi Coast. However, with this being said, Cetara is most definitely worth a second look thanks to its abundance of charm and local speciality, seafood. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Cetara.

What is Cetara known for?

Derived from ‘cetaria‘ meaning ‘tuna fishery’, Cetara is most famous for its seafood. Known as the World Tuna Capital, this quaint fishing town is mighty when it comes to the vast quantities of tuna exports, particularly to Japan for sushi!

Anchovy fishing is another big trade for the town, famed for its anchovy sauce, whose recipe probably hasn’t changed much since antiquity. Indeed, several millennia ago, the Ancient Romans ate garum using it as a dressing on all of their food. 

Thanks to its thriving seafood industry, Cetara is one of the more traditional towns of the Amalfi Coast as it doesn’t really rely on tourism. As such, we suggest a visit as part of our Amalfi Coast itinerary.

A brief history

Originally a settlement for a group of Muslims in 880. As early as the year 1000, the fishermen of Cetara had to pay their dues to the bishop of Amalfi, of whom they depended on. The bishop recieved a tenth of every fishing, the “ius piscariae”.

Over the centuries, Cetara has fallen to many attack, in fact in 1587 it was invaded by the Turkish and left almost completely abandoned!

Where is Cetara?

Cetara overlooks the Amalfi Coast, situated at the foot of Mount Falerio, nearby to Vietri sul Mare. Nestled within a deep valley, between a stretch of vineyards and citrus groves, this little fishing town is a gem of the Campania region in southern Italy.

How long do you need in Cetara?

To be honest, you don’t need more than a day to visit Cetara. It makes a great place to explore for an afternoon, but you can see the most parts of the town within 2-3 hours.

That being said, if you are looking to get off the beaten track and stay somewhere more remote, then Cetara makes for a sleepy and quiet base to explore the surrounding Amalfi Coast from.

Best things to do in Cetara

Visit a tuna shop 

One of the most famous products to come from Cetara is the local tuna. One of the best places to learn more in depth and even sample some tuna for yourself is at Delfino Battista.

This canned fish processing company is steeped in history, following generations old traditional recipes, they are the lead producers of all things anchovy and tuna in Cetara!

Priding themselves on quality taste, without changing their methods they use only the natural raw ingredients sourced from the little coastal town. While in Cetara one of their gourmet shops is an absolute must visit! Even if you don’t like fish, it’s worth seeing the cultural heritage and roots that are so deeply linked to the town from this trade.

Saint Peter’s Church

The beautiful church of Cetara, known locally as Church of San Pietro, is dedicated to Saint Peter, a fisherman himself. Sitting atop of a steep set of stairs, the church is an imposing structure that dates back to 988 but today has a neoclassical structure due to reconstruction in the 17th century.

Typical of churches in the Amalfi Coast, it is characterised by its bell tower and dome covered in coloured tiles.

Beach 

There are a few beaches situated along the coastline of Cetara, all of which share the beauty that naturally comes with being part of the Amalfi Coast. Here are just a few top suggestions of one’s you should visit:

Marina di Cetara beach

Framed between the colourful houses and Cetara port, with the town’s tower looming over, this beach offers a quintessentially Mediterranean feel. The sun shines down on the sand until the very end of the afternoon and it’s the perfect spot to take a refreshing dip in the sea!

Spiaggia del Lannio

A hidden treasure, this pebbled beach is nestled between rocky cliffs and can only be accessed by foot, following a flight of stairs that starts from the Tower. The perfect place for tranquility, it’s also a great spot to do water excursions such as paddle boarding or kayaking. Rental options are available at the beach.

La Baia beach

The turquoise crystal clear allure of the waters will take your breath away! Surrounded by clubs, restaurants and shops, this is one of the busier beaches of the town. It makes for the perfect spot to soak up the afternoon sunshine and enjoy an Aperol spritz in hand.

The tower of Cetara

One of the major attractions of Cetara is that of its 16th cenutry defensive structure, the Viceregal Tower. Rising high above the sea level, the tower has had many uses over the years.

Originally built to protect the town from pirate invasions, the tower was also once used as a prison. Today, it’s home to a small museum dedicated to the fishing roots of Cetara as well as Anchovy Colatura (where you can see the ancient barrels in which the amber liquid was once stored). The museum is free to visit!

Town square 

The main town square is dominated by the Church of Saint Peter and its dome. Home to restaurants, cafes and boutique shops, this is the perfect place to stop, grab a bite to eat and get some respite from all the Amalfi Coast sunshine.

Wander through the town 

There’s only one main street which runs through town making its way from the steep cliff faces which tower above town all the way down to the level of the water- so it’s pretty much impossible to get lost!

Along this main street, you’ll find an abundance of vibrant and colourful restaurants, shops and cosy cafes waiting to be explored.

Shopping

Those looking to purchase a little souvenir would do well to head to one of the little boutiques which line the main street. Whether it’s purchasing a local delicacy to take home for later or one of the beautiful handmade ceramics that the Amalfi Coast is known for, you’re sure to find treasures!

Local food 

Truth be told, one of the best ways to enjoy a sojourn in Cetara is to indulge in the local food. There are a number of popular restaurants in town, the majority of which serve seafood-forward dishes (that being said, there are vegetarian options too). We personally enjoyed dining at Ristorante Cetara Punto e Pasta.

Here are a few other suggestion of where to eat:

• Ristorante Dea mangiona, fresh seafood, homemade dishes in a cosy environment
• Ristorante Falalella, turning traditional food into a work of art, the roof terrace boasts of stunning views while you eat
• Ristorante e Pizzeria da Spadone, (…more fresh seafood again!) the restaurant also serves delicious mouthwatering pizza, walking by the smell will draw you in

For those who love pesto, you might be interested to hear that Cetara has its own recipe! Traditionally adding anchovies and Colatura di Alici to give the pesto a unique touch that lends to the fishing town’s heritage.

Cetara port

The main parking lot for all kinds of transport! Cetara port is a bustling hub of activity where you can park your car, rent a scooter or leave the town and go out to the water by boat.

Explore the Amalfi Coast by boat

Truth be told, one of the best ways to get a better perspective of what the Amalfi Coast is truly like is to head out onto the water. One of the best days of our trip was when we headed out by boat from nearby Salerno. During the course of our day, we saw much of the beauty of the Amalfi Coast towns from the water, including Cetara.

Mount Falerio

If you’re feeling adventurous, follow the paths through the mountains! Cetara is situated at the foot of Mount Falerio, offering beautiuful hiking routes that boast of breathtaking views.

It’s important to note, the path is considered to be quite challenging, including the ascent down, so be sure to be prepared with lots of water and sturdy walking shoes.

Where to stay in Cetara

If you want to book an escape from it all that’s not quite as popular as Positano, Amalfi, or even Ravello, then you’ll want to check yourself into a hotel in Cetara for a few nights. Here are some of the best places to stay in Cetara (based on location and web-reviews):

Cetara Albergo Diffuso: This laid back and casual B&B is conveniently located at the top of town, just a few minutes walk away from all the action. Amenities include air conditioning and bicycle hire onsite for an extra fee. Check prices and availability here.

Cetara House on Amalfi Coast: If you’re looking for a self catered accommodation, then this well-reviewed studio apartment has highlights such as a patio and kitchen. Check prices and availability here.

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