Amalfi Coast Travel Guide

Overview

The Amalfi Coast isn’t just one town or city, but is actually the entire area comprised of the southern coast of the Sorrentine Peninsula. It is a part of the province of Salerno and can be found south of the city of Naples. It is one of the most naturally beautiful and historically significant parts of Italy, and the whole area has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. In fact, the beauty of the region, with its breathtaking cliffs and gorgeous vistas, has inspired a great number of writers, musicians, and artists, including the likes of Pablo Picasso, Richard Wagner, and Giovanni Boccaccio.

The main towns of the Amalfi Coast are Positano, Ravello, Atrani, the region’s namesake, Amalfi, as well as the glamorous island of Capri. Besides those, other nearby places worth visiting would be Herculaneum and Pompeii which are both favorites among many tourists, artists, and archaeology buffs, drawing in visitors from all over the globe.

Once a major port and a maritime power in the Middle Ages, the Amalfi Coast Area has since taken on a much slower and idyllic pace of life, particularly in the early 19th century when it was first established as a haven for tourists looking to get away from the more frequented and populated cities. From that point on, the Amalfi Coast has continued to attract the romantics and the affluent, becoming a popular playground for VIPs, celebrities, and jet-setters.

Take note that the Amalfi Coast gets the bulk of its visitors in the summer, so the best time to visit may be during spring or early autumn. However, also keep in mind that in winter, the area slows down significantly and a majority of the establishments shut down as the nearby seas become too cold to swim in and attract visitors.

There are many, many points of interest in this area, both natural and manmade, and first and foremost among the places to visit would be the town of Positano, a picturesque seaside location that is easily recognizable in pictures due to the colorful houses and buildings that are stacked along its cliffs. It also boasts of lovely beaches that people trek to each summer, and the numerous hotels and establishments there are ready to accommodate the town’s visitors.

Meanwhile, there’s the town of Amalfi itself that features beautiful architecture, particularly the Duomo. Built in the 12th century and dedicated to Saint Andrew, it is located right in the middle of the town, in the main piazza. Not too far away and sitting just east of Amalfi is another town, Atrani, which also has its own impressive buildings that are well worth the visit and admiration.

Ravello is another place worth seeing despite the fact that it can be a little more difficult to get to as it is situated even higher than Amalfi. However, upon reaching it, one is rewarded with truly breathtaking panoramas of the sea and the surrounding areas, and it is a perfect spot for photography, or for just simply basking in the beauty of the place. It also has many interesting buildings and structures that showcase medieval eastern influences.

Next would be Vietri sul Mare which is renowned for its handcrafted ceramics industry. This is the town where the entire Amalfi Coast’s supply of tiles, dishes, vases, and other ceramic products come from, as they are manufactured by local artisans whose workshops continue to flourish. Vietri ceramics are known for its high quality and colorful looks, and many tourists opt to purchase a piece or two to take back home with them.

Last but not least would be the town of Sorrento, which is a transportation hub, and can therefore serve as a good base for people who are interested in exploring the surrounding areas. Though it lacks its own beach, this isn’t a problem since the boats at its marinas can easily shuttle visitors to nearby beaches as well as to Capri. It is also a popular shopping venue where one can purchase local specialties, and most of all, this is the best place to grab the area’s specialty drink, limoncello.

And then, of course, there’s the island of Capri itself. Another famous stomping ground for the rich and famous, it has gorgeous beaches, natural reserves, as well as a good number of churches, monuments, and museums that are also a good choice for a daytrip. This is also where the famous Blue Grotto can be found. Meanwhile, other spots worth checking out would be the charming and ancient town of Scala, Furore with its fjord, and Conca dei Marini where one can find the enchanting Emerald Grotto.

So if it’s sun, sand, and lazy beach afternoons that you’re after, the Amalfi Coast is the place to be.

Where to Go and What to See

Visiting the Amalfi Coast to see everything it has to offer may take you more than one visit. This is probably why people pledge to come back again and again because this picturesque part of Italy does warrant a few visits in order to get to enjoy all it has to offer. Here are some of the more notable and popular parts of this mountainous seaside region that most people will recommend you visit first:

Amalfi – Of course, one of the places you should not miss visiting here is the town that the coast itself is named after. This town is located at the foot of Mount Cerreto, at the bottom of a rather deep ravine. With its coastal positioning and the cliffs right behind it, it is no wonder that people are left in awe when they first see this town. Amalfi has quite a number of attractions for visitors to check out, and these include the Amalfi Cathedral, the Cloister of Paradise (Chiostro del Paradiso), The Museum of Handmade Paper (Museo della Carta), and the Arsenal of the Maritime Republic (Arsenale della Repubblica).

Positano – This village was once a poor fishing village and a port of the Amalfi Republic in its earlier days. Its transition into a tourist destination began in the 1950s, thanks to John Steinbeck who wrote about this coastal destination in Campania, Italy in an essay that was published in Harper’s Bazaar. It seems that his calling the town a “dream place” made tourists come and see it for themselves. This town has a few notable sites for people to see, and these include the church of Santa Maria Assunta, and the cascading colorful houses that cover the town’s hillsides.

Sorrento – Called the Gateway to the Amalfi Coast, this cliff town is one of the first resort and tourist towns in the area. While technically facing the Bay of Naples, this town is still one of the must-visit locales here. Some of the places you need to visit in this town include the Museo Correala di Terranova, Museo Botega della Tarsia Lignea, Basilica si Sant’ Antonio, and Il Vallone dei Mulino.

What to Do in Amalfi

The Amalfi Coast is an area that has lots to offer tourists and locals alike. Aside from the amazing views and the colorful homes, you will also find that there are lots of activities for you to indulge in when you get there. Here are some of the things that you should add to your list of things to do in this part of Italy:

Hit the Beach – When you go to a coastal region, one of the things you should never miss out on doing is going to the beach. Some of the best beaches in the Amalfi Coast include the Marina Grande in Positano, Cavallo Morti in Maiori, Santa Croce in Amalfi, and Lannio Beach in Cetara, to mention but a few.

Walk Around and Hike – Much like the rest of Italy, the villages and towns of the Amalfi Coast are best enjoyed on foot, and walking around as well as hiking to and from some of the tourist attractions found here is recommended. This will allow you to not only enjoy your surroundings but it also gives you time to interact with the locals, discover new things, and get a great feel of the uniqueness of these places.

Have a Glass of Limoncello – The region is known for its limoncello liqueur, which is due to the fact that this area is where lots of lemons are cultivated. This Italian liqueur is made using the zest of Sorrento Lemons, which is then steeped in either vodka or grappa. The yellow liquid that is produced is then mixed with simple syrup that gives it its sweetness. These are served chilled and in small glasses, usually after dinner.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak, when it comes to visiting this part of Italy. It is advisable that you should spend upwards of a week to totally immerse yourself in the beauty that is the Amalfi Coast. If you are thinking of visiting Positano or taking a tour of historic Pompeii, we can help you plan your trip. Contact Travel Italy Now at 203.803.4277 to find out how we can assist you in making your trip to the Amalfi Coast as memorable as possible.

More Attractions in Amalfi Coast