Castellammare di Stabia Holidays

Thanks to its prime position on the Bay of Naples, Castellammare di Stabia has been attracting high-profile visitors for centuries. The whole place is built on the slopes of Mount Faito, which gives the town its mineral-rich springs. And you’re midway between tourist hotspots Pompeii and Sorrento.

The town’s centrepiece is a huge promenade. The views are 360-degree, reaching as far as Mount Vesuvius and the volcanic island of Ischia. It’s also dotted with a big helping of the area’s bars, gelato shops and restaurants. And if it’s beaches you’re after, you’ll find most of them a 10-minute drive away. They range from tiny coves to long, lively lidos.

There’s history around every corner in these parts, and the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Stabiae are a must-visit. It was destroyed by the same eruption that buried nearby Pompeii in 79 AD. Here, you can see a pair of well-preserved villas and the lavish mosaics and frescoes that have been left behind. It’s all just outside the centre of town, too.

The surrounding area here’s dotted with ancient Roman towns and photogenic resorts. You can take a daytrip to frozen-in-time Pompeii – a 20-minute drive away. Alternatively, an hour’s drive south gets you to the cliffside town of Positano, with its kaleidoscopic hillside houses and stylish boutiques.