It is immersed in the heart of the marvellous Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park, declared a patrimony of humanity by Unesco.
It is a perfect synthesis of history, culture, sunshine and sandy beaches.
Marina di Ascea is mostly known for its splendid, large sand beach measuring about 5 kilometres long by 70 metres wide.
The "Arab district", the most ancient fishing area, is picturesque and located close to the sea. You can see its external ladders to access the upper floors built in one block with side walls. The noble palaces are equally interesting, such as Palazzo Alario, Palazzo Torrusio and Palazzo Ferolla.
In the Ascea Marina area, stands the ancient Greek city of Velia Elea, birthplace of the Philosophical school of Parmenides and Zeno.
It is here that the archaeological site of the city founded by Greeks from Phocea in the 6th century BC and called Hyele, which then became Velia in the Roman era. The city became a municipium in 88 BC, although the right to use the Greek language and mint coins was preserved.
Excavations have taken place since 1927. Most of the settlement at the foot of the acropolis was brought to light in those years, together with furnishings, vases and other items.
One highly interesting feature is the Porta Rosa, a full arch built from juxtaposed parallelepiped blocks forming one of the oldest arches found in the western world. It was built around the middle of the 4th century BC in a very narrow section of a natural gorge. The gateway enabled passage from the southern to the northern part of the city. Mario Napoli, the person who discovered the arch, named it after his wife, Rosa.