Does anyone have advice or thoughts about visiting Brindisi in southeast Italy as well as Cetara on the Amalfi coast. They are considered less busy but are they worthwhile? Thank you
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2375 posts
Haven't been to Cetara but really enjoyed Brindisi. We happened to go there on a holiday and families where everywhere enjoying themselves. Very nice.
Posted by
5698 posts
I have heard good things about Brindisi, so I think it would make a fine base for southern Puglia. I think it just gets lost in the choices because there are so many, and many just pass through because of the ferry port.
I loved Cetara, it made a nice economical base for the Amalfi Coast with a couple very good restaurants. We stayed there in order to access Pompeii since it is closer to the mainland, and we also visited Amalfi and adjacent villages for hiking.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks to both of you!
Posted by
North Italy
463 posts
Yes, Brindisi is a nice town. We spent a week there one November. It depends also if it's your first/only visit to Puglia or if you've already visited the area, time of year and whether you will have a car.
https://slowtravelitalyspain.blogspot.com/2019/11/puglia-brindisi-in-november-trip-report.html?m=1
Posted by
18 posts
I haven’t been to Brindisi myself, so can’t speak from experience there, but I did pass through Cetara last summer. It’s a very small, charming fishing village – you can easily explore it in a day. That said, it’s a lovely, quiet spot compared to the rest of the Amalfi Coast and could actually make a great base if you're looking to avoid the crowds.
Brindisi, on the other hand, is a much larger city with more going on in terms of history, transport, and things to see – very different vibe overall.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Appreciate your thoughts!
Posted by
178 posts
Cetara is a beautiful little seaside village, easily reached by Amalfi Coast ferry or SITA bus, nice to visit Spring and Fall, very busy beach area in the summer. Cetara is know for anchovies, especially spaghetti with colatura di alici, like that served at Ristorante Acquapazza Cetara.
Cetara & Erchie 2016
https://goo.gl/photos/K1Hwn7rUV4S8ByHm7
Amalfi, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Positano 2018
https://photos.app.goo.gl/zpajr6AocQoCpntK2
Posted by
new york
331 posts
I love Cetara and visit the town every time I'm on that coast.
There is one main street, lined with shops (many selling anchovies and other local foods) and restaurants; it's known as THE town for food lovers on that coast. There is a moving Jewish memorial on a tiled plaque at the top of the street, near the restaurant AL CONVENTO, which is also a great place to eat, maybe a tad less pricey than AQUAPAZZA.
My favorite restaurant is ACQUAPAZZA, you need to book ahead. The food, and the welcome, are terrific.
There is only one hotel of any substance that I know of in Cetara, and it's not in the center but it is along the sea. Hotel Cetus.
There are plenty of flats to rent.
Brindisi in lovely, but perhaps Bari is more interesting.
But neither Brindisi nor Cetara is the least bit unknown, although neither gets many North Americans tourists, or at least that I've noticed. Brindisi is the departure point for cross-Adriatic ferries so many tourists come through there but not too many linger on.