Castellabate
- View of Castellabate from the sandy beach.
Medieval town of Castellabate
The small medieval town of Castellabate lies upon a mountain top of 278 m height, above the sea with a lot of „belvedere“. The town grew around the castle, founded in 1123, which served the population as shelter from raids by the Saracens. Alleys full of corners, arcades, labyrinth stairways lead through the intact ancient town centre. Not without reason Castellabate was declared UNESCO world cultural heritage.
Yet also the coastal villages of San Marco, Santa Maria di Castellabate and Ogliastro Marina offer more than just wide sandy beaches.
- Santa Maria di Castellabate with its charming centre and fine sandy beach.
- The Licosa peninsula with its offshore maritime wildlife park.
Santa Maria di Castellabate – inviting with its wide sandy beaches
The heart of Santa Maria’s centro storico beats at the sandy bay, which is surrounded in a semicircle by fishermen’s homes, noble palazzi and an Aragonesian coast watchtower. Here and in the nearby pedestrian zone one can promenade marvellously. A large park surrounds Villa Matarazzo, which is the venue for various kinds of cultural events.
The fishing village of San Marco di Castellabate
San Marco looks back to a long seafaring tradition. Thus, today there still exists an active fishing fleet and traditional wooden ships are built. South of San Marco, the peninsula of Monte Licosa offers lovely hiking tours. Offshore from Cape Licosa lies one of the two maritime wildlife parks of the Cilento.
- the small church of the picturesque village Oligastro Marina with its 100 souls.
Embedded in green surroundings – Ogliastro Marina
On the southern half of the peninsula the small village of Ogliastro Marina, with its 100 souls, is located in green nature, offering several recommendable seafood restaurants.
The maritime wildlife park offshore from Punta Licosa
In the south of San Marco you have attractive possibilities for hiking on the peninsula Punta Licosa. At the Cape of Licosa one of the martime wildlife park is situated.
The section between Punta Licosa and Punta Ogliastro is particularly enchanting. A hiking trail runs directly along the seashore, partly in the shade of pines, partly through fragrant macchia.
- Sunset near San Marco di Castellabate: from here you can see the Amalfi coast and – in the picture on the left – the Isle of Capri.
According to Plinius and Strabon, the name of the cape and its offshore islands is derived from the name of the Siren Leucosia. Legend has it that she sought death here after Odysseus and his crew had passed by, seemingly unimpressed by her singing.
Climbing Monte Licosa (326 m) is also worthwhile: Those who make it to the top are rewarded with a 360° view. The tour is also suited for families with children.
