Easily accessible by sea with an Amalfi Coast boat tour, Cetara is one of the less frequented coastal villages, especially compared to Amalfi, Positano, or Sorrento.
Tourism has arrived here too, but the town maintains its identity, connected to the sea and fishing.
With its picturesque beach and culinary delights, Cetara is ready to win you over and become one of the most beautiful experiences of your Amalfi Coast tour.
What to See in Cetara: Discovering the Village
Cetara can undoubtedly be a pleasant stop on a private boat tour of the Amalfi Coast.
Visitors who wish to reach Cetara by sea will be greeted by its beach with fishermen’s boats and picturesque houses colored in pastel shades alternating with white.
Once ashore, the feeling is like being inside a living postcard.
Before venturing into its narrow streets, the Torre Vicereale, on the edge of the main beach, deserves a look or a visit.
Cetara’s tower was part of the lookout system composed of 400 towers created to protect the coast from attacks by sea. Today it houses an exhibition of Amalfi Coast painters and a museum dedicated to Cetara’s Colatura di Alici.
Strong in its gastronomic tradition, the village also hosts many restaurants and dining places: ideal for enjoying a dish of the freshest fish or for a quick snack with the typical “cuoppo” (mixed fried fish served in a paper cone).
Of course, you cannot leave on your private Amalfi Coast tour without having purchased a jar of Cetara’s Colatura di Alici from a local shop!
Why Cetara is Famous: Fishing Traditions and Gastronomy
Cetara has an ancient maritime tradition, still active today.
Even its name is linked to the sea and derives from the Latin Cetaria, which indicates a tuna fishery, or from Cetari, meaning sellers of large fish.
In the waters of Cetara, the best fish of the coast is caught, particularly anchovies and tuna.
These ingredients, always part of the population’s diet, have been enhanced by local cuisine until making it famous in Italy and worldwide.
This is where the anchovy dripping technique was born, from which a delicious sauce is obtained, part of Cetara’s historical heritage.
The Art of Colatura di Alici: A Unique World Heritage
On an Amalfi Coast tour, you taste a thousand delicacies: from the “real” pizza to the delights of Neapolitan pastry.
Cetara’s gastronomic specialty is a special anchovy-based sauce that derives from a Roman-era condiment used by the imperial cook.
In the Middle Ages, some monks from the Amalfi Coast revived the techniques, giving birth to what is now known as Cetara’s Colatura di Alici.
The process is a true ritual and consists of packing layers of anchovies and salt inside wooden barrels. The liquid collected is then preserved for months and then put back into the barrels to further flavor it.
What is obtained is a delicious sauce, typically used for seasoning spaghetti and adopted by great chefs to enrich their dishes.
Since 2020, the production technique of Cetara’s Colatura di Alici has been protected by rigorous regulations to guarantee its authenticity.
When to Visit Cetara (and Experience its Events)
The best time to visit Cetara with an Amalfi Coast tour is… all year round!
Fall and spring are ideal times of the year to experience the popular and authentic atmosphere that this charming village preserves.
The good season starts early and ends late, so even in September, sunny days are not lacking, with the added advantage of avoiding much of the summer crowd.
If you want to organize a boat tour on the Amalfi Coast and immerse yourself in Cetara’s life, here are two unmissable events:
The procession of St. Peter (June 29)
It’s a deeply felt celebration by the local population and inspired by the seafaring tradition. The statue of the patron saint is carried in procession on a boat-shaped platform that is made to oscillate along the route, simulating the waves of the sea. After the blessing of the sea on the beach, the statue is brought back to the church, with the traditional run of the bearers up the steep steps of the churchyard.
Night of the Lampare (late July – early August)
The event offers the opportunity to witness anchovy fishing through the traditional technique of lampare (lamps), used to attract fish toward the light.
It takes place according to the lunar phase, so it has a slightly variable date each year. It can also be an opportunity to visit Cetara with an Amalfi Coast boat tour because during the event the village is animated by popular music and stalls serving typical local specialties.
How to Reach Cetara by Yacht
With a private yacht excursion of the Amalfi Coast, it is possible to reach Cetara by sea starting from Salerno, Vietri sul Mare, Amalfi, or any other desired landing place.
Sailing along the coast means enjoying a panorama declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, encountering enchanting coastal villages such as Erchie, Maiori, Minori, Amalfi, and Positano.
In a short time, it is possible to completely change scenery, moving from one wonder to another without thinking about the winding and busy coastal roads.
In addition to beautiful landscapes, the coast offers its thousand fjords, natural arches, caves, and beaches accessible only by private boat excursions.
Ideal for enjoying a day on a yacht on the Amalfi Coast.