Visit the Town and Villages

The Amalfi Coast will captivate you with its spectacular coastline and picturesque villages. From Vietri sul Mare to the east, a town famous for its ceramics and majolica, to Piano di Sorrento to the west, the Amalfi Drive is beautiful and will lead you through these stunning resort towns. Discover the sophisticated town of Ravello, high above the sea; ritzy Positano that sits right on the water; and historic Amalfi (town) also located on the sea. You will also want to head off the beaten path and explore the lesser-known towns, all with a rich history and impressive views of the coast. East of Amalfi, you will find the fishing village of Cetara; the tow coastal villages of Maiori, Minori and Atrani; and the inland villages of Scala and Tramonti. Located west of Amalfi are the quaint villages of Conca dei Marini, Praiano, and Vettica Maggiore (all seaside resorts) and the mountain villages of Agerola and Furore.

Duomo di Sant`Andrea (Amalfi`s Cathedral)

The Duomo di Sant`Andrea is a beautiful Cathedral that reflects the (Amalfi) town`s past as an 11th-century maritime superpower. The cathedral is accessible through the adjacent Chiostro del Paradiso, part of a four-section museum, incorporating the cloisters, the 9th-century Basilica del Crocefisso, the crypt of St Andrew and the Cathedral itself. The cloisters of paradise, built in the 13th century, are located next to the cathedral. It is home to old mosaics and paintings, and 120 columns built in the Arabic style. For a small fee, you can enter and see Roman sarcophagi in the cloisters, beautiful religious artifacts in the treasury, and the remains of a saint in the athedral itself.

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano

Famous for its fashion design and nearly vertical setting with colorful villas stacked one on top of another up the cliff side, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is an important part of Positano`s cultural, religious and architectural landscape. The church is one of the town`s most prominent and photographed sights, as it is located right in the center of Positano just a few steps from the Marina Grande beach. The church`s colorful majolica tiled dome is one of the town`s iconic symbols, its intricate pattern of yellow, green and blue tiles shining against the blue sky and Mediterranean Sea.

Walking along the beach or through the narrow staircases lined with boutiques, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta is always at the center of attention. Positano`s romantic allure has encapsulated this beautiful church, which has appeared in countless paintings, photographs and written descriptions of this pretty town on the Amalfi Coast. Today artists sell their paintings on the beach and along the bougainvillea covered walkway leading down to the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, many of them depicting this beautiful church in Positano.

Hiking the Amalfi Coast

Hiking the Amalfi Coast allows for some adventure while enjoy the breath-taking views of the coast. Various towns along the coast offer several beautiful pathways and trails to explore. Visitors will find several hikes that vary in length and difficulty. One of the most well-known pathways is the II Vallone delle Ferriere, an almost 4 mile trail that winds through a wooded area found just atop the town of Amalfi near Ravello. As you hike this path and it`s absolutely amazingly picturesque setting, you`ll be welcomed by fern-lined streams, cascading waterfalls and ruins of medieval foundries and paper mills, the later of which Amalfi is widely known for producing.

For more coastal views, check out the La Baia di Ieranto, a 4-mile journey considered moderate in difficulty. Located in the small fishing village of Nerano, this trek on the tip of the peninsula takes visitors to the Bay of Ieranto, passing through a sea of lush, Mediterranean shrub along the way. From the Bay of Ieranto, travelers can see the nearby island of Capri and venture down to the pebble beach of Ieranto Bay. There`s also the Il Sentiero degli Dei, also known as the `Path of the Gods` (at the peak, you`ll understand why it`s earned such a grand title). This 5-mile-long journey situated in Positano hugs Amalfi cliffs, offering an unforgettable view of the seemingly never-ending coastline. You can also catch a bird`s-eye view of Positano where the path eventually ends.

Trailhead locations vary, though the best way to reach most of them is by car. Sita buses service all of the areas where the above trails are located. Trails are free to explore at all hours of the day, however, it`s smart to factor in trail lengths and weather conditions before beginning your journey. If you`re anxious about roaming the often steep trails that cover the coast on your own, you may want to check out the guided hiking tour options available.

Boat Tours

A boat tour of the Amalfi Coast offers a different perspective of the area, where you can witness unobstructed views of the world-renowned cliffs, as well as the stunning vegetation and colorful architecture. The most cost-effective way to experience Amalfi by sea is by taking a ferry. The ferries run from April 1st to October 31st annually, with one of the most trafficked routes, Sorrento to Positano to Amalfi, starting in mid-May. Sorrento to Positano takes about 40 minutes, while Amalfi to Positano takes about 20 minutes. There is also a ferry service that goes directly to Capri and takes close to an hour to reach. Ticket prices vary depending on the port of departure.

If you`re looking to take a tour rather than just get from point A to point B, there are plenty of options in Amalfi offering short cruises, semi-private small group tours and private boat rentals. Shorter cruises are by far the most affordable option. A private boat with your own captain is an excellent way to treat yourself, just be prepared to pay. Generally, these boat tours stop at various points of interest on the coast, including the fjord of Furore, the Emerald Grotto, the islets of Li Galli and the bays of Arienzo and Laurito, to name a few. Some even stop at villages and allow for time on shore.

Furore di Fiordo

Furore di Fiordo is considered one of the most interesting geological spots on the Amalfi Coast. The Amalfi Highway connects the two sides of the fjord via a bridge, acting as both the beach`s main focal point and its point of access. Here you`ll find the gorge`s stony cliffs and either take a dip, admire the beautiful scenery or explore the trails. One trail in particular, takes you farther along the cliffs, leading to direct views of the ocean, while another opposite the beach will bring you to an old fishing village and a series of paper mills. The town of Furore is located just above the gorge and is also accessible via a trail.

The Furore di Fiordo is located about 4 miles southwest of Amalfi. The best way to get there is by car and the only place to park is along the highway. The Furore di Fiordo is free to visit and open all hours of the day and night.

Capri Island

The awe-inspiring Mediterranean island of Capri is a single block of limestone 3.9 miles long, with a maximum width of 1.8 miles and an area of 4 square miles, rising to 1,932 feet at Monte Solaro in the west. Two indentations in its precipitous cliff-lined coast serve as landing places: the Marina Grande on the north shore, protected by a breakwater, and the open Marina Piccola on the south, used when the north wind is particularly strong.

Since the second half of the 19th century, Capri has gradually become one of the most popular resorts in southern Italy, famous for its splendid scenery and the mild climate in which vegetation flourishes. It boasts ancient ruins, white cube villages and a rugged, rocky coastline. All this amongst glistening waters, seriously delicious food, world-class shopping and an elite crowd of visitors makes for the ideal framework for the famous Blue Grotto.

Amalfi Coast Beaches

One of the things that makes this region so unique is the sheer amount of beaches found here (100, to be exact). Due to the topography of the Amalfi Coast, long, sandy beaches are nonexistent. Instead, the beaches consist of pebbles or rocky platforms over the water.

Positano`s Marina Grande Beach is a great place to start since it`s located right in the middle of the town, with Positano`s famous colorful, cliffside buildings towering over both sides of the shore. The beach is also one of Amalfi`s biggest, measuring nearly 985 feet in length. Another popular spot for tourists is Arienzo Beach, also located in Positano. Arienzo is much smaller than Marina Grande and more secluded. Situated between two cliffs, travelers must descend a 300-step stairway to reach the beach. Though some admitted it was a bit of a trek, many travelers liked this beach because it was the opposite of Marina Grande; more peaceful and less crowded. If you're looking for something a little bigger, but still want a sense of seclusion, travelers say Fornilla Beach is your best option.

Praiano, which is located between Amalfi and Positano, is another hot spot. Praiano is home to the Furore Fiordo, as well as Marina di Praia. Here, travelers are treated to a number of coastal pathways perfect for hiking, as well as a bevy of dining options. In the town of Amalfi, you can find one of the coast's largest and most popular beaches, the Marina Grande (different from Positano's Marina Grande). During the summer months, plan to arrive in the morning because you likely won't be able to secure a spot in the afternoon. For something just a hair less crazy, hit up Atrani Beach, located less than a half-mile east of Marina Grande. Atrani is the smallest town in Italy, but its beach is pretty sizeable, housing rows of lounge chairs and umbrellas during peak season.