The Amalfi Coast is considered by many to be the most beautiful coast in the Mediterranean. The area extends in a breathtaking scenery between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, and has 14 municipalities, connected to each other by one of the most beautiful roads in Italy.
And no wonder, since the road that winds through these 56 km of coastline offers incredible landscapes of picturesque villages nestled in the mountains, high cliffs, terraced vineyards and lemon groves overlooking the sea. Its unique beauty has made it part of the UNESCO World Heritage List.
But how to visit the Amalfi Coast, what to see and how to get there? Here is a small guide to make the most of your journey to discover this wonderful corner of Italy.
What to do and see on the Amalfi Coast
The first thing that is recommended to do as soon as you arrive in the area is to go to one of the tourist information offices to ask for the timetables of trains, buses and ferries in the area, because they will be very useful for getting from one place to another. especially if you don't arrive by car.
Vietri sul Mare
It is the first city you meet coming from Salerno, and for this reason it is called "The first pearl". The main attraction of Vietri sul Mare is the production of ceramics: an ancestral tradition that the inhabitants of this village pass from generation to generation.
Walking through the streets you will notice all the houses that contain ceramic “something” that adorns the facades: be it a plate, a glass or a real artistic composition in ceramic.
Obviously, one cannot fail to visit one of the workshops where these ceramics are produced and sold. Many of them offer demonstrations to curious tourists.
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Amalfi
The charming village of Amalfi, which gave its name to this stretch of coast, is undoubtedly the nerve center of the whole area and the most visited place of the entire route.
Amalfi has played a very important role in history, it has always been an important marine center and one of the richest and most opulent cities in the entire Mediterranean basin.
Although it remains a tourist resort, it is pleasant to stroll through its narrow streets, visit its splendid cathedral, a true architectural work of art that stands out among all the buildings in its labyrinthine streets, visit its many artisan shops and taste a good ice cream.
From Amalfi, it is possible to go to Positano and Sorrento starting from the pier in front of Piazza Flavio Gioia.
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Ravello
The picturesque village of Ravello is considered the "House of the Muses" because many artists have found inspiration here, creating beautiful works of art. Walking in its narrow streets it is possible to find ateliers, exhibition rooms and workshops open to the public.
In summer, the Music festival, an event that reflects the splendor of old Ravello, which at the beginning of the XNUMXth century was one of the main attractions of the Amalfi coast and the cradle of the world elite of the artistic world.
Among the best known attractions of Ravello are its villas, such as Villa Cimbrone e Villa Rufolo. Also not to be missed is a visit to the Cathedral and other churches in the city.
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Conca Dei Marini
Conca dei Marini is a small town perched on a rocky hill, about 4 km from Amalfi. The town is located in a panoramic view of striking beauty between Capo di Conca and the Emerald Grotto and is one of the most beautiful places on the whole coast.
Its magnificent bay, bathed by an intense blue sea, hosted famous people in the 60s - 70s such as Carlo Ponti and Sofia Loren, the Agnelli, Jakeline Kennedy, ...
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FURORE
Hidden in the mountains of the Amalfi Coast is this small village called "Furore". It is about one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a UNESCO heritage site, known above all for its suggestive natural fjord from where you can observe one of the most beautiful natural landscapes on the coast.
Walking through Furore is an unforgettable experience: the tranquility of its streets, the wild vegetation and the small beach of the Fiordo make this village an enchanting place.
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Positano
Positano is perhaps the city that most characterizes the Amalfi Coast, the most popular, the most picturesque and the most visited of all. The resort offers several beaches with crystal clear sea which are very popular during the summer months.
But Positano is not only made up of beautiful beaches. This city offers many "treasures" to visit such as the Saracen towers and Church of Santa Maria Teresa, stroll through the towns of Montepertuso e Nuts, and get lost in the narrow streets full of shops, businesses and artisan workshops.
The main handicraft products of Positano are those in leather, in particular sandals. You can find leather sandals of the most varied types, colors and sizes ...
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Other destinations
There are many other places that are really worth visiting: atrani, with its beautiful churches, Praiano with its jagged coasts overlooking the sea, Ladder, the oldest coastal city, or the beautiful ones Maiori e Minori with their charming historic centers and their 1st century Roman villas.
How to reach the Amalfi Coast and how to get around
Being one of the destinations that attracts the most tourists from all over Italy, it is very easy to get here. The main starting points are: Naples, Salerno e Sorrento.
By train - from Naples central station you can take a train, the Circumvesuviana, which takes you to Sorrento in about 70 minutes (the ticket price is 3.20 euros). This is the cheapest and easiest way to get there.
By bus - from Sorrento numerous and frequent buses leave for all the places of the Peninsula and the Amalfi Coast. They are the same buses that allow travel from one location to another.
ferry - there are ferries that connect Sorrento with many other nearby cities, such as Naples, Amalfi or Positano. The frequency of these ferries is scarce, perhaps a couple a day, at defined but variable times (check the routes and timetables here).
By car - arriving by car is certainly the best choice, even if the roads are narrow, queues can happen and parking spaces in the villages are scarce and expensive.
When to visit the Amalfi Coast
The best time to visit this wonderful part of the coast is spring, especially in May, or the beginning of summer and the month of September. In August it is very hot, there are many tourists and prices soar.
Beaches
If you visit in spring or summer or early autumn and want to enjoy the beautiful sea of the Amalfi Coast, you should know that most of the beaches are private and to get there you need to pay a fee that includes the price of umbrellas and sunbeds, and sometimes even lockers where you can keep your belongings safe.
Prices vary according to the beaches and companies that take care of them, but usually range between 10 and 15 euros per person.
Where to sleep on the Amalfi Coast
The whole area offers numerous hotels, hostels and apartments where you can stay, with prices for all budgets. The important thing is to decide where to stay, taking into account that the most famous cities (such as Amalfi or Positano) are more expensive than the others, but have more variety of accommodation and are in a perfect position for getting around by public transport.
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Amalfi Coast tours and excursions
All inclusive Amalfi Coast tour from Naples
From the Amalfi Coast: a day cruise to Capri and Anacapri
Tour: Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast from Naples
