The origin of Camerota is linked to a legend, a sign that it is one of the centres of Magna Graecia. Legend has it that Palinurus, the helmsman of the Aeneas, while sailing along the coast of present-day Cilento, fell in love with a beautiful maiden named Kamaraton. The girl did not return Palinuro’s love, and in despair, he chased her to the bottom of the sea, losing his life. Venus, the goddess of love, outraged by Kamaraton’s cruel behaviour, turned her into a rock (the very spot on which the town of Camerota stands today), condemning her to gaze eternally at her spurned lover. In fact, we suggest you do not miss the breathtaking view from the outermost ring of the town centre. By the way, its name derives from the Greek (kamarōtós, ‘curved’) and refers to the numerous limestone caves in which finds dating back to the Palaeolithic era can still be discovered. The oldest settlement was founded by the Greeks in the 8th and 7th centuries B.C., while the medieval town developed between 535 and 553 A.D., traces of which can still be seen in the castle and the oldest district.

Marina di Camerota is particularly famous for its wonderful beaches, which are among the most picturesque on the coast. Every year they receive the coveted Blue Flag and are the destination of tourists from all over the world. The centre of Marina di Camerota preserves many alleys and narrow streets of the ancient fishing village. It has a promenade where you can take a pleasant stroll and enjoy a good homemade ice cream. The tourist harbour is the starting point for boat excursions, ancient night fishing with the Lampara lamps, a relaxing day out sailing, but also snorkelling and diving adventures. Of particular interest are the palaeontological caves and the MUVIP (Interactive Stone age Museum).

Calanca Beach
Nestled between two small rocky promontories, it is the beach with the shallowest water, perfect for children and from where you have a wonderful view of the island of Marina di Camerota. It is practically a 5-minute walk from the historic village centre.

Marina delle Barche Beach
Also known as San Domenico beach, it is close to the old town and the port. With its fine white sand, lapped by the turquoise sea, it is equipped with children’s play areas.

Lentiscelle Beach
Bordered by rocky clifs covered with vegetation, it lies just outside the centre near the Palaeolithic caves. The golden sand and gravel beach slopes quite steeply into the sea.

The Mingardo Beaches
The stretch of coastline of the famous club ‘Il Ciclope’ between Marina di Camerota and Palinuro hosts a series of beaches, both with free public access and with amenities. They are loved mainly for their fine sand and deep water, but also for the stunning clifs which surround them.

The Watchtowers
Looking along the coast of Marina di Camerota, you will undoubtedly notice the ‘telegraph towers’ or ‘Saracen towers’, dating back to the vice-royal period. They constituted a valuable lookout and communication system and were located at strategic points conveniently positioned along the southern Tyrrhenian coast. The Zancale Tower, the largest, is the only one located high up because it served as a connection between the various coastal towers.

The Caves
Due to the karstic nature of its soil, Marina di Camerota is known to palaeontologists for the interesting caves scattered throughout its territory, in most of which important archaeological finds have been made dating mainly from the Stone Age. Recently opened is the MUVIP, the Palaeolithic Virtual Ecomuseum. It is a fascinating museum in which modern multimedia technology allows visitors to explore the coastal territory during prehistoric times. A virtual adventure in time and space to discover the roots of man, within an extraordinary landscape. One of the caves in Lentiscelle is home to the small museum ‘Leone di Caprera’, a schooner that crossed the Atlantic from Montevideo to Livorno in 1890-1891; the name is a tribute to Giuseppe Garibaldi who was so nicknamed. One of the three crew members, Pietro Troccoli (1852-1939), was a citizen of Marina di Camerota who emigrated to Uruguay at a very young age. The boat is currently being restored.

Its historical origins date back to the Middle Ages, 1464, when the Saracens destroyed the town of Molpa. In one of their habitual raids, they landed at night at the mouth of the Mingardo river and attacked the town, where the castle stood, sacking it. The survivors fed to the mountain where St Peter’s Abbey stood. They settled near the abbey from which they also obtained protection and work. The village became the area of the “Li accasati” (the married ones) to distinguish the celibate monks from the married inhabitants. The cemetery is of great historical interest, as it contains the remains of the 9th century Italian-Greek monastery of St Peter.