Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea south of Naples, Santa Maria di Castellabate is a charming town in Campania. It forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, with its hidden beaches and quintessential maquis vegetation.
In the heart of Santa Maria di Castellabate is Spiaggia di Punta dell’Inferno, a small wedge of sand framed by a protective breakwater and backed by a breezy promenade. Further south is Spiaggia di Marina Piccola, a scenic stretch of sand backed by the Sanctuary of Holy Mary at the Sea.
Rising behind Santa Maria di Castellabate is the atmospheric hilltop town of Castellabate, which is home to cobblestone streets and the remains of a 12th-century castle. Explore the small art gallery that occupies the castle’s restored interior before soaking up the sweeping coastal views from the Belvedere di San Costabile.
Getting there
Santa Maria di Castellabate is around an hour’s drive from Salerno and just under two hours from Naples International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Regular buses connect to Santa Maria di Castellabate and the town is compact enough to explore on foot.