Cetara is the last real fishing village on the Amalfi Coast — houses clustered around the church, a small harbor, and painted gozzi pulled up on shore. In 879 AD, Saracen pirates chose it as their raiding base; the watchtower still stands as a reminder. Less touched by international tourism than anywhere else on the coast, Cetara is where the sea still rules daily life. This is where colatura di alici — the heir to Roman garum, liquid gold pressed from anchovies aged in chestnut barrels ('terzigni') — is made. The local tuna is so prized it's exported to Japan for sushi.
Watch fishing boats return at dawn. The freshest tuna and anchovies. Buy colatura di alici directly from producers. Uncrowded beach.
Watch fishing boats come in at dawn. The daily tuna auction is a living tradition. Gozzi pulled up on the beach beside nets drying in the sun.
Ancient Saracen watchtower dating to the 879 AD pirate occupation. Dominates the village silhouette.
The parish church's colorful ceramic dome is Cetara's architectural signature.
A sandy beach just before the village. The name may derive from 'lagnanze' — the cries of monks killed by Saracen raiders.
Historic shop to buy authentic colatura di alici and tuna products directly from the producers. Look for 'Prodotto a Cetara' on the label.
One Michelin star. Chef Gennaro Esposito's seafood is a revelation.
In a former convent. The spaghetti with colatura is the definitive version of this dish. Also try the genovese di tonno.
Right on the harbor. Freshest catch, grilled simply.
Buy colatura di alici directly from Cetara — the stuff in Amalfi tourist shops is often mass-produced. Real colatura takes 3+ years in chestnut barrels.
Sagra del Tonno (July) is Cetara at its finest — the whole town becomes a street food festival with fresh tuna.
Try a 'cuoppo' of fried fish as street food — the local version of fish and chips.
The beach gets full sun until late afternoon — unusual on this coast where cliffs steal the light early.
Best fish-to-price ratio on the entire Amalfi Coast. What costs €35 in Positano costs €18 here.
1 trails from Cetara
2 beaches in Cetara
6 events in Cetara
5 connections from Cetara
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