In Castellabate you can experience a journey of nature and history, but also relaxation and adventure. Definitely one of the experiences not to be missed is a visit to the historical centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its ancient palaces and churches, including the basilica of Santa Maria de Gulia, built in the 12th century and later remodelled. From the ancient castle and the San Costabile Belvedere, you can continue on to Santa Maria where you can visit the Church of Santa Maria a Mare, which rests right on the sea level, almost on the sand, and the romantic Porto Travierso (or Porto delle Gatte) with the characteristic arches of the ancient structure still in view and the Norman defence tower, dating back to the Middle Ages and fortified in the 16th century. In Santa Maria, too, you can stroll through the old centre, losing yourself in its typical atmospheres of fishing villages. These atmospheres can also be found in the beautiful hamlet of San Marco, a seaside resort and the starting point for an excursion to Punta Licosa, which represents the very edge of the Gulf of Castellabate: to get there, all you have to do is walk along a path overlooking the sea and full of coves where you can enjoy clear waters and Mediterranean vegetation. Finally, lovers of panoramic walks can go to the hamlet of Ogliastro Marina and take the Antica Oliarola path, easy to walk along, with several panoramic viewpoints over the gulf: ideal for a quiet and romantic break.

In Cilento, home of the Mediterranean diet, good food is not lacking and in Castellabate you will find proof of this. First of all, let us start by saying that some typical products such as olive oil and figs are real delicacies and absolutely deserve a taste. The local dishes are those closely linked to the past, to the land and the sea, the town's true resources. Acquasale, a fresella of bread seasoned with tomatoes, oil and oregano, is a true institution to be enriched according to one's taste; ciambotta is also a must-try dish in every season: vegetables cooked together and seasoned with oil and spicy chilli pepper to be accompanied by vicci (a type of local bread shaped like a flattened doughnut). Homemade fusilli pasta with goat cheese and mutton ragout is the first course par excellence, while pizza cilentana is a typical dish, made with goat cheese and sauce or zucchini flowers (although there are now several variations). Anchovies in pie tins, marinated, fried or stuffed in Castellabate are a must, as are fish or shellfish-based main courses and the classic mixed fried cuoppi (fried fish) to be eaten sitting on a bench overlooking the sea during a walk through the village streets. For desserts, on the other hand, let yourself be won over by Cilento cannoli and fried zeppole, which you will also easily find at local festivals dedicated to typical products, and by fichi impaccati, or dried figs stuffed with almonds or walnuts.

In Castellabate, the year ends and begins in beauty: during the Christmas period until the first days of January, the old town is invaded by markets and stalls that, in the light of the illuminations, transform the town into an enchanted place. One of the most heartfelt events in Castellabate is the feast of San Costabile, the town's founder, which falls on 17 February: the festivities include the procession of the statue of the saint through the streets of the village up to the belvedere of San Costabile, where you can watch the fireworks display, enjoying a beautiful view of the gulf. In addition, from 16 to 17 February, a fair is organised in honour of the saint. Another important fair is the one linked to St Mark's Day. On 24 and 25 April (the day of the actual feast), the fair ends with a procession at sea, which takes place on fishermen's boats. Another much-awaited feast is the one in honour of St Irene on 4 and 5 May. On this occasion, after the religious celebrations and the procession of the Saint's relics, there are a series of concerts and musical performances that cheer up the participants and make this event even more enthralling. In June, there is the Festa del Pescato di Paranza, a not-to-be-missed opportunity to taste the village's products (especially those based on fish and shellfish) and take a dive into ancient local gastronomic traditions. Lastly, during July and August, musical events are organised throughout the summer, with ever-changing calendars of events, white nights and evening shows.