Santa  Maria  di  Castellabate​

Latest page update: 19 May 2025
By: Dion Protani

Where to Stay

Where to Stay in Santa Maria di Castellabate
Santa Maria di Castellabate has a good range of established hotels, many set along the seafront or within walking distance of the town’s sandy beaches. The town is popular in summer, and its hotels are well reviewed for location, service and access to both the sea and the historic centre.
​
Hotel Mareluna sits directly on the waterfront, offering modern rooms, a pool and a restaurant with sea views, regularly praised for its position and facilities (€€€). In the centre of town, Palazzo Belmonte occupies a historic residence with large gardens and direct beach access, noted for its charm and well-regarded service (€€€). Just to the south, Hotel Garden Riviera provides panoramic terraces overlooking the coast, with comfortable rooms, a pool and strong feedback for hospitality (€€).

Where is

Where is Santa Maria di Castellabate?
The beach resort of Santa Maria di Castellabate is situated within the Province of Salerno, on the Cilento coast. It's officially part of the Comune of Castellabate, which is 9 kilometres away.

Places of interest nearby include Torchiara, Ogliastro Marina, San Marco and Montecorice while Naples International Airport is 123 kilometres away and reachable by car in an hour and 58 minutes.
Santa Maria - frazione di Castellabate
Comune: Castellabate
​
Province: Salerno​

Region: Campania

Close by: Torchiara, Ogliastro Marina, San Marco, Montecorice

Fly to: Naples International Airport - 1 hr 58 mins by car (123 km)

Recommended accommodation: ​Grand Hotel Santa Maria

What People Ask About Santa Maria di Castellabate, Campania

Is Santa Maria di Castellabate worth visiting?
Yes, Santa Maria di Castellabate is worth visiting for its sandy beaches, lively seafront, and proximity to the historic hilltop village of Castellabate. It is one of the most popular seaside destinations in the Cilento area.
How do I get to Santa Maria di Castellabate?
Santa Maria di Castellabate can be reached by car via the SS18 road and local routes from Agropoli. The nearest train station is Agropoli-Castellabate, around 12 km away, with connections to Salerno and Naples.
What are the main attractions in Santa Maria di Castellabate?
The main attractions include its long sandy beaches, the seafront promenade with restaurants and cafés, and the nearby historic centre of Castellabate, a UNESCO-listed site. Boat trips along the Cilento coast are also popular.
When is the best time to visit Santa Maria di Castellabate?
The best time to visit is from June to September for beach holidays and swimming. May and October are good alternatives for milder weather and fewer crowds, while still enjoying the coast.
How long should I stay in Santa Maria di Castellabate?
A stay of three to five days is recommended to enjoy the beaches and explore Castellabate and nearby coastal towns. Longer stays are ideal for discovering more of the Cilento region and its national park.
Related links

Discover

Discover Santa Maria di Castellabate
Santa Maria di Castellabate is a seaside village in the province of Salerno, forming part of the municipality of Castellabate within the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park. Set along the Tyrrhenian coast, it stretches around a natural bay framed by low hills and pine-covered slopes. The waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, and small harbour define its character as a traditional fishing settlement that has gradually developed into a lively coastal town.
​
The heart of the village is marked by the Piazza Lucia and the Church of Santa Maria de Gulia, from which it takes its name. The Porto delle Gatte, with its stone arches and moored fishing boats, reflects the area’s maritime heritage and remains one of its most photographed landmarks. Santa Maria di Castellabate is also part of the Marine Protected Area of Punta Licosa, known for its clean waters and unspoilt coastline. Its proximity to San Marco, Castellabate, and Ogliastro Marina places it at the centre of one of the most scenic and culturally significant areas of the Cilento Coast.

Things to Do

Things to Do in Santa Maria di Castellabate
  • Spiaggia di Santa Maria stretches along the central waterfront and includes sandy sections with shallow, clear water ideal for swimming. The beach features both free areas and well-equipped lidos, and is bordered by low buildings, cafés, and a pedestrian promenade used throughout the day.
  • Lungomare Perrotti runs parallel to the sea and includes tree-lined paths, benches, and views over the bay. It connects different parts of the town and serves as a gathering place for locals and visitors, particularly in the evening or during summer festivals.
  • Scogliera and Natural Coves sit at either end of the main beach, offering rocky areas ideal for snorkelling and sunbathing. Small staircases and trails lead to flat rock platforms and quiet inlets, with panoramic views of the Cilento coast and occasional glimpses of Capri on clear days.
  • Piazza Lucia and Town Centre form the social and commercial heart of Santa Maria, with local shops, restaurants, and bakeries. The area includes traditional houses with balconies and tiled roofs and is a short walk from both the beach and the older, hilltop part of Castellabate.
  • Access to Castellabate Borgo Antico is available via road or footpath leading to the medieval village above. The old town includes historic gates, narrow alleys, and panoramic terraces, offering a contrast to the coastal atmosphere of Santa Maria and excellent views over the sea.

Tours and Activities

Santa Maria di Castellabate Tours and Activities
Campania Top 10 - My Recommended Destinations in Campania

1. Ischia
2. Capri
3. Sorrento
4. Positano
5. Amalfi
6. Pompeii
7. Ravello
8. Naples
9. Royal Palace of Caserta
10. Paestum

​👉 Explore the Top 10 Places to Visit in Campania

How to Get to [Place Name]

How to Get to Santa Maria di Castellabate
By Rail: Santa Maria di Castellabate is served indirectly via Agropoli-Castellabate train station, located about 12 kilometres away. The station lies on the Naples–Salerno–Reggio Calabria line and is operated by Trenitalia, with regular InterCity and regional trains. Travel time from Naples is around 1 hour 30 minutes, and from Salerno about 50 minutes. Buses and taxis connect the station to the town.

By Road: The town is accessible from the SS18 highway. It is about 70 kilometres south of Salerno (1 hour 15 minutes) and approximately 120 kilometres from Naples (2 hours). Public and private parking is available near the town centre and seafront, especially during the summer months.

Nearest International Airports:
​
  • Naples International Airport: Located around 120 kilometres north of Santa Maria di Castellabate, with a driving time of approximately 2 hours. From the airport, travellers can reach the town by a combination of train and bus via Naples Centrale and Agropoli-Castellabate.
  • Salerno – Costa d'Amalfi Airport: Situated around 50 kilometres away, with a drive of about 1 hour. Though smaller and with limited flights, it may be useful for domestic or seasonal travel. onward transfers are best arranged by car or taxi.

Private Transfers

Santa Maria di Castellabate Private Transfers
A private transfer provides a comfortable and convenient way to travel to or from Santa Maria di Castellabate, offering a direct journey without the need to drive or arrange public transport. You’ll be met by a professional local driver and taken straight to your destination in comfort.

Both Naples International Airport and Salerno – Costa d’Amalfi Airport are within easy reach by road, making private transfers a practical choice for arrivals and departures. Transfers can also be arranged to nearby destinations such as Castellabate, San Marco, and Agropoli, or to other seaside towns and villages along the Cilento Coast.
​
To request a quote or check availability for a private transfer, just fill out the short form below and we’ll get back to you with all the details.

    Private  Transfer  Request

    WE OFFER PRIVATE TRANSFERS ACROSS THE WHOLE OF ITALY!
    To request the price and availability of any transfer route in Italy please use the form below or contact us via the [email protected] mailbox. Make sure you've included details such as the name of the hotel, name of the town/city or which airport/train station where relevant. Our English booking team will get back to you ASAP to assist with your enquiry.
To book one of our private transfers you can contact us via the [email protected] mailbox or use the Whatsapp button above for live chat and general advice about your upcoming trip to Italy. 

SITE SEARCH

If you want to find a page quickly and you're not sure where to look you can use the Site Search box below and it'll point you in the right direction. 

YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO ITALY

Italy Review is an independent guide to Italy, showcasing the very best that the country has to offer. Throughout the four thousand pages of the website you'll find comprehensive tourist information, opinion and original photos.

​Alongside the major tourist destinations that you've already heard of, there are thousands of others that may come as a surprise with the intention of the website to provide inspiration for your future trips to the country. 

The photos and descriptions on the website are all my own work and are the fruit of my extensive travels around the country. I've visited every place that's listed on the website which means I'm able to give useful advice for first-time visitors. 

​You can keep in touch with the latest developments in Italy via  my Facebook and Instagram pages. 

If you'd just like to start your exploration of Italy with some ideas of places to go then I'd recommend starting at the highlighted must see Italy page.  Or using the grid to your right you can click a photo to enter  the main menus.                 

THE ITALY REVIEW NETWORK SISTER SITES:

​All photos and images on the site that are marked with the © copyright symbol or with the Italy Review series logos are the property of Italy Review and must not be used elsewhere without prior permission. All written content on the website is also the property of Italy Review and its use is strictly limited to this website alone. 
Chat with us on WhatsApp