Destinations · Campania
Cetara the village of anchovies
A fishing village with a tower by the sea and boats on the beach: in Cetara fishing is still a living tradition, and its colatura di alici, an anchovy extract, is famous worldwide.
A village of fishermen
The name is thought to come from the “cetariae”, the Roman-era tuna fisheries or fish stores. For centuries Cetara has lived from the sea: its fleet is still among the most important on the coast for tuna and anchovies.
In the sixteenth century the viceregal tower was built by the sea to defend the village from pirate raids.
Colatura di alici
Colatura di alici, an amber condiment obtained by maturing anchovies under salt, is considered the heir of the ancient Romans’ garum. Try it on spaghetti in the trattorias by the harbour.
The village is small and easy to explore on foot, from the beach up to the square of the church of San Pietro.
Not to be missed in Cetara
Viceregal tower
The sixteenth-century tower by the sea.
The little harbour
Fishing boats and nets.
Church of San Pietro
With its bell tower and majolica dome.
The beach
Small, between the houses and the harbour.
The colatura shops
To take the taste of Cetara home with you.
The harbour trattorias
Spaghetti with colatura and the catch of the day.
Before you go
Motorway to Vietri, then the Amalfi coast road.
Ideal for a seafood lunch.
Spring to summer is anchovy season.
On the eastern Amalfi Coast.
Cetara is perfect for a lunch stop on an Amalfi Coast tour done “in reverse”, starting from Salerno.
Approximate times, without traffic.
Cetara and the eastern Amalfi Coast, with a driver.
Tolls and parking are always included. Carlo checks availability and replies within 24 hours.
