Lying on the Bay of Naples, some 30 kilometres south east of the city of Naples itself, Castellammare di Stabia is a supremely well positioned spot for enjoying this part of Campania. Near neighbours, as well as buzzing Napoli itself, include Sorrento, with Castellammare di Stabia lying at the landward end of the Sorrentine peninsula. Vesuvius is around 15 kilometres away, and Salerno is to the south. A pleasant trip out can be had riding the funicular railway from Circumvesuviana station to the 1100m peak of Monte Faito. Only ten minutes in duration, but with spectacular views out over the sea and the Campania countryside.
Like so much of this part of the southern Italian coast, Castellammare has a much older antecedent, in this case the Roman city of Stabiae, which was destroyed by the 79AD eruption of Vesuvius, along with the more famous Pompeii and Herculaneum (just north of here). The Romans thus lost one of their favourite seaside resorts on the Campania coast. There's nothing much to see from Classical times then, but there is the ninth century castle which gives Castellammare (sea castle) its name. The fortress sits on a hill commanding the southern reaches of the Gulf of Naples. More recent history, has Castellammare as the hometown of Gabriele Capone, father of gangster Al Capone.
To the left you'll find a selection of hotels, to get you in the mood
- see also our full listings of Castellamare di Stabia hotels.
