Castellammare di Stabia is a lively town set on the Bay of Naples and framed by rugged limestone mountains. Stroll along the breezy seafront promenade, ride a scenic cable car and admire a jewel box of historic churches and cathedrals. The ancient city of Stabiae, now a fascinating archaeological site, is the town’s showpiece.
Things to do in Castellammare di Stabia
Visit the ancient city of Stabiae and walk around the ruins of two centuries-old villas. The entire city was buried in 79 AC by the same volcanic eruption that destroyed Pompeii. Villa San Marco is the largest site and has an impressive footprint of 11,000 square metres. Neighbouring Villa Arianna is decorated with faded frescoes painted in the 1st century BC.
Castellammare Cathedral soars over Piazza Quartuccio and was meticulously restored after a devastating earthquake in the 15th century. Enter the Roman Catholic cathedral through a pair of enormous bronze doors fashioned by famous Italian artist, Antonio Berti. The interior is decorated with colourful paintings and frescoes inspired by the Bible.
Ride the cable car to the summit of Mount Faito and unlock sweeping views over the Gulf of Naples. Explore scenic mountaintop trails and enjoy a picnic in the sunshine. The ride takes less than 10 minutes and gives you a bird’s eye view of Castellammare di Stabia and the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea.
Farms surrounding Castellammare di Stabia grow some of the best artichokes in Italy. Enjoy them sprinkled on pizzas, tossed into pastas and baked into bread. Growers use an ancient Roman cultivation technique to protect artichoke flowers from the sun and create an ultra-tender texture.
Getting around Castellammare di Stabia
Castellammare di Stabia is compact and easy to get around on foot. The town is a 30-minute drive from the Naples city centre and 45 minutes by train. Naples International Airport is a 40-minute drive away.