Cetara history is linked to the role of fishing centre of the dukedom, it is not a case that it is the village of the whole Costiera that still has a deep-sea fishing fleet which remains outside from the port also for long periods.

It was born as a stronghold for Saracens and then it played an important role among estates which belonged to S. Maria of Erchie Abbey first and then of the biggest and most famous SS. Trinità of Cava dei Tirreni Abbey. For the last one it represented the access to the sea and therefore it was a strong source of incomes. It was attacked by Saracens in 1543 and population who did not yield   to be imprisoned by invaders either was killed or escaped to Naples, abandoning the village.

After gaining independence following the end of Amalfi dukedom enfeoffment, of which it was part, it became an integral part of Vietri sul Mare municipality and only in the mid of 1800 it became an independent municipality.