Visit Castellammare di Stabia

Between the Vesuvius area and the Sorrento peninsula there is Castellammare di Stabia, a small city at the centre of the Gulf of Napoli where you can enjoy a vacation that suits everyone, with sea, trekking tours, archaeological sites and much more. 

To reach Castellammare di Stabia by car you have to drive along the A3 highway and take the exit signposted  Castellammare; alternatively, you can take one of the trains that leaves from the Napoli central train station in Piazza Garibaldi: you can take either the Napoli-Gragnano line train or the Napoli-Sorrento line train and get off at Castellammare. 

Once you reach Castellammare you will see the beautiful and wide seafront, the symbol of the city.

The Castellammare seafront, that has been recently renovated and with a wide sandy shore beside, offers an amazing view of the Vesuvius and of the Gulf of Napoli as well. Walking along it, you will reach the Villa Comunale (Municipal Villa), some areas for kids, several benches, coffee bars and ice-cream parlours where you can have a coffee and an ice-cream while enjoying an amazing view. 

The long coast of Castellammare has many beach resorts and several free beaches where you can have a swim and tan all day long. Moreover, from this city you can easily get to the Sorrento coast and to the Vesuvius and Monte Faito as well. 

Castellammare is rich in history and, just like Pompei and Ercolano, it endured the eruption of the Vesuvius in 79 aD. Nowadays, people can visit the remains of the ancient Roman city of Stabiae at the free archaeological site. 

In addition to the site, there are many places to visit, such as the Reggia di Quisisana, a mansion built by the Angevins during the 13th century and later used by the Bourbons as a summer and hunting residence. The mansion has a wide English garden and houses the Museo archeologico di Stabia Libero d’Orsi (Libero d’Orsi Stabia Archaeological Museum) that keeps remains of the life in Stabia during both the Roman and pre-Roman era. The museum is open from 9.00 am to 7.00 pm in summer, from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm in winter. The full price ticket is 6,00 euros. 

The city is named after the medieval castle that is at the foot of the Faito mount, between Pozzano and Fratte. This castle was once used as a defensive structure by the people of Sorrento, the Angevins and the Aragoneses. Nowadays it hosts events and meetings.