Amalfi Coast Travel Guide: What to See and Do in Amalfi Coast

General Information about Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is the destination of choice for thousands of visitors every year. For this reason, we have prepared this complete travel guide to the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful areas of Italy.
If you are thinking of traveling to the Amalfi Coast, a region full of charms, you should keep in mind that it will be an experience you will never forget.
Below, we tell you what to do and see in the Amalfi Coast, the cities we recommend to visit, how to move around its beautiful cities and much more.

Photo by Tom Podmore on Unsplash

Location of Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is a beautiful coastal area located in the Campania region of southern Italy and stretches for about 50 kilometers along the coast of the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
It has several picturesque villages and beautiful beaches, and is located approximately 70 kilometers south of Naples.

Map of Amalfi Coast on Google Maps

Amalfi Coast Tourism

The Amalfi Coast seems to have emerged from the palette of a painter. With landscapes that captivate at first sight, coastal cliffs that show a typical vegetation, while multicolored villages coexist with the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean.
The vertical landscape is characterized by a picturesque maze of stairs and narrow alleys, a contrast from the sea to the mountain is perfect: the mountain has been modeled over the centuries, as if it were a masterpiece of the Renaissance!
Over the years, many famous painters have tried to capture its beauty and splendor, but its appeal can only be appreciated in person. The Amalfi Coast (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), is in southern Italy near Naples and Salerno. The coast starts from Vietri sul Mare and ends in Positano, and also offers access to the famous islands of Capri and Ischia.
The Amalfi Coast's high season coincides with the summer months, July and August offer a calendar full of festivals and lively nightlife.

Most Beautiful Towns of the Amalfi Coast

Positano

If there is only time to visit one of the towns on the Amalfi Coast, Positano is the best choice. Positano represents all the attributes of the Amalfi Coast, it offers extraordinary panoramic views, it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque villages on the Sorrento Peninsula. This former fishing village has become one of the most elegant and cosmopolitan places on the Amalfi Coast.

Amalfi

Amalfi is one of the most historic towns along the coast, with important commercial activity in medieval times. The town is on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea, has a marina full of luxurious boats, as well as beautiful medieval architecture. The Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, the Cloister of Paradise and the Arsenal are the most visited historical sites.

Furore

Known as "the most hidden village in Italy" and for its famous Fjord (a narrow coastal inlet), Furore is a picturesque village on the Amalfi Coast. Due to the geography of the terrain it does not have the typical Italian piazzas, however, it offers several tourist attractions. Every year the world diving championship is held on the Furore bridge (30 meters high).

Conca dei Marini

It is a charming fishing village whose history, like all the other villages of the Amalfi Coast, is linked to the ancient Republic of Amalfi. Its main tourist attraction is represented by the Grotta dello Smeraldo, a cave with impressive rock formations (stalagmites up to 24 meters and stalactites with 10 meters coming out of the water). It is also famous for an emerald green color created by sunlight entering underwater.

Atrani

Atrani is a neighboring village of Amalfi, it preserves the ancient medieval structure and has houses with steep flights of stairs and small gardens. Despite being considered the smallest town in all of southern Italy, it is also one of the most romantic places on the Amalfi Coast. It offers panoramic views of the sunset over the sea, an extraordinary natural spectacle worth the visit.

Ravello

Although Ravello is not by the sea, the town offers natural and historical charms that are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (since 1993). It is a "natural balcony" with an extraordinary view of the Tirrano Sea and is a 20-minute drive from the town of Amalfi. It is also known for musical and cultural events, such as the Ravello Festival and the Chamber Music Festival. One of the most popular sites is the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium.

Minori

Minori (in ancient times known as Reghinna Minor), was a residential area for nobles during the Roman Empire. It has archaeological monuments dating back 2,000 years and Minori has been proclaimed the "City of Taste" for its traditional pasta production since the 16th century. The Villa Romana and the Basilica of Santa Filomena are the most visited sites in high season.

Maiori

The historic town boasts one of the longest beaches of the Amalfi Coast, formerly named Reghinna Maior, Maiori offers the characteristic splendor of the area. The Castle of St. Nicholas of Thoro-Plano is on one of its hills, a fortress dating back to the 15th century and receives thousands of visitors every year. It is also known for serving as a backdrop for films by the famous director Roberto Rossellini.

Vietri sul Mare

It is considered (since medieval times) as the "Gateway" to the Amalfi Coast. The town of Vietri sul Mare is famous in Italy for its pottery production, it has a pottery museum that honors the tradition. It is also only 6 km from the sea station and port of Salerno.

Best Excursions from the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast has extraordinary places to visit, which offer natural and historical charms that are worth knowing. The best excursions are described below:

Capri

The island of Capri is one of the most visited in Italy, it is near the Alamfitana Coast (30 minutes by ferry from the port of Sorrento and 90 minutes from Salerno). You will have the opportunity to visit the village of Anacapri and the famous Church of St. Michael the Archangel decorated in baroque style. In addition, the popular Blue Grotto is only 13 minutes away by car (you can also visit its amazing interior from a small boat).

Sorrento

It is a port city that offers benefits for its geographical location, thousands of visitors use it as a starting point to visit the Amalfi Coast. You will have easy access to the Isle of Capri and the seaside town of Positano (only 18 km away), even enjoy the historic center (home to important tourist attractions, such as the Museo della Tarsia Lignea). You can even visit the trendy stores and restaurants that serve the traditional Limoncello.

Salerno

The most important city near the Amalfi Coast, Salerno allows easy access to the famous villages of the region. Salerno has a lively nightlife, fashionable stores, restaurants serving regional cuisine and important museums. It also offers modern transportation systems, Salerno's train station has connections to Rome and Naples, while ferries offer routes to Positano, Amalfi and Capri.

Pompeii

Pompeii, one of the most visited archaeological sites in the world, is only 37 km from Amalfi and a 40-minute drive from Naples. It has a fascinating and captivating history dating back to the 8th century BC, as well as a great diversity of interesting sites to visit. You will have the opportunity to visit the famous Forum of Pompella (a square that includes ancient architecture), the Teatro Grande and the "Garden of the Figitivi".

How to Get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples?

The Amalfi Coast is in the Campania region, south of Naples. The main transportation services to the area are in Naples, Sorrento and Salerno. The public transport service offers bus and ferry routes, while the nearest airport (Capodichino) is 65 km from Amalfi.

For those traveling from northern Italy, the first town you will find is Positano. Continuing along state road 163, you pass the towns of Praiano, Amalfi, Minori, Maiori, Cetara and Vietri sul Mare. The only railroad station on the Amalfi Coast is in Vietri sul Mare, which is connected to the railway stations of Naples and Salerno.

How to Get around the Amalfi Coast?

Motorcycles are the most popular means of transport to move around the Amalfi Coast, they allow greater freedom to explore the area. Also, considering the characteristics offered by the road (1 single channel), you won't have to worry about traffic or where to park in high season. However, motorcycles are recommended for people with experience; if this is not your case, you can also opt to rent a car.
Buses also offer an alternative for touring the coastal towns, however, be aware of the influx of tourists in high season (schedules may vary according to the traffic on the SS163 road).

Tips for Visiting the Amalfi Coast

The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is between May to June and mid-September to mid-October. Afternoon temperatures during these months range from 22°C to 27°C, and rainfall is also avoided during this season.

For those planning to enjoy the beach in warmer temperatures, the best time of year is from June to mid-October. However, to enjoy the beaches without the crowds, it is best to plan for late spring or early summer.
As for events and festivities we can learn about, on June 27 Amalfi celebrates its patron saint. St. Andrew is considered the protector of fishermen, with an event commemorating the "miraculous storm". According to local tradition, St. Andrew caused a storm that prevented an assault on the city by pirates in 1544.
If you like nightlife and local festivals, most events are held during the months of July and August. The calendar of concerts and festivals is particularly full during these two months, and most of the famous restaurants and nightclubs are also available. You will have the opportunity to eat in Michelin star restaurants (there are at least 7 on the Amalfi Coast), such as: "La Caravella" (it is in the center of Amalfi, it is gourmet style and serves specialties of regional gastronomy with local ingredients).

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