Cetara has always been a village of expert fishermen. Even if the Latin term cetus, from which the town derives its name, means tuna, anchovy is the most valuable and esteemed fish for the inhabitants of Cetara. The salt anchovies from Cetara are very famous all along the Coast and even more so the increasingly precious strained substance, a very pungent liquid, obtained by anchovy salting and used to dress pasta or salads.

Today the town lives a tranquil life, made of tourism and fishing. It is a calm and industrious village, that has preserved its urbanistic structure almost intact surrounding its sandy beach and port.