IMAGINE A COASTLINE SO BEAUTIFUL IT’S RECOGNIZED BY UNESCO. SUN-DRENCHED VILLAGES CLING TO DRAMATIC CLIFFS. THE AIR IS SCENTED WITH LEMON GROVES AND FRESH SEA SPRAY. THIS IS ITALY’S LEGENDARY AMALFI COAST. A SLICE OF HEAVEN ON EARTH.
STRETCHING ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE OF ITALY’S SORRENTINE PENINSULA, THIS ICONIC LANDSCAPE OVERLOOKS THE SPARKLING TYRRHENIAN SEA. IT’S A PLACE WHERE VIBRANT CULTURE AND BREATHTAKING NATURE MEET. A DESTINATION THAT HAS CAPTIVATED ARTISTS, WRITERS, AND DISCERNING TRAVELERS FOR DECADES. SINCE 1997, ITS UNPARALLELED BEAUTY HAS BEEN PROTECTED AS A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
THIS GUIDE IS YOUR PERSONAL INTRODUCTION TO THE AMALFI COAST. WE WILL EXPLORE ITS MOST FAMOUS TOWNS AND UNCOVER ITS HIDDEN GEMS. YOU WILL LEARN THE SECRETS TO NAVIGATING ITS WINDING ROADS AND FIND INSPIRATION FOR YOUR OWN ITALIAN ESCAPE. PREPARE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH ONE OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR PLACES ON EARTH.
THE THIRTEEN JEWELS OF THE COAST
THE AMALFI COAST IS A STRING OF THIRTEEN PICTURESQUE TOWNS. EACH ONE OFFERS A UNIQUE CHARM AND A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE OF THIS STUNNING REGION. WHILE MANY VISITORS ARE DRAWN TO THE FAMOUS TRIO OF POSITANO, AMALFI, AND RAVELLO, THE SMALLER VILLAGES OFFER QUIET CORNERS AND AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCES.
THE THIRTEEN TOWNS ARE:
- POSITANO: THE GLAMOROUS STAR, FAMOUS FOR ITS STEEP, NARROW STREETS AND CHIC BOUTIQUES.
- PRAIANO: A QUIETER TOWN WITH SPECTACULAR SUNSETS AND A MORE LOCAL FEEL.
- FURORE: KNOWN FOR ITS DRAMATIC FJORD, A HIDDEN GEM FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS.
- CONCA DEI MARINI: HOME TO THE ENCHANTING EMERALD GROTTO.
- AMALFI: THE HISTORIC HEART OF THE COAST, WITH A MAGNIFICENT CATHEDRAL.
- ATRANI: THE SMALLEST CITY IN ITALY, OFFERING A PICTURESQUE AND AUTHENTIC BEACH SCENE.
- SCALA: THE OLDEST TOWN ON THE COAST, NESTLED IN THE HILLS WITH A RICH HISTORY.
- RAVELLO: THE “BALCONY OF THE AMALFI COAST,” OFFERING UNRIVALED PANORAMIC VIEWS.
- MINORI: A RELAXED TOWN KNOWN FOR ITS CULINARY TRADITIONS AND ROMAN VILLA.
- TRAMONTI: A COLLECTION OF HAMLETS SET IN THE LUSH MOUNTAINS.
- MAIORI: BOASTING THE LONGEST SANDY BEACH ON THE COAST.
- CETARA: A TRADITIONAL FISHING VILLAGE FAMOUS FOR ITS ANCHOVIES.
- VIETRI SUL MARE: THE GATEWAY TO THE COAST, CELEBRATED FOR ITS VIBRANT CERAMICS.
A CLOSER LOOK: THE BIG THREE
WHILE EVERY TOWN HAS ITS ALLURE, THREE HAVE BECOME THE ICONS OF THE AMALFI COAST. THEIR FAME IS WELL-DESERVED. THEY OFFER A PERFECT BLEND OF LUXURY, HISTORY, AND NATURAL BEAUTY.
POSITANO: THE VERTICAL VILLAGE
POSITANO IS PURE GLAMOUR. IT’S THE TOWN YOU’VE SEEN IN COUNTLESS PHOTOGRAPHS. PASTEL-COLORED HOUSES CASCADE DOWN A STEEP HILLSIDE TO A SPARKLING BEACH. THIS CLIFFSIDE VILLAGE IS A LABYRINTH OF NARROW STREETS AND STAIRWAYS. EACH TURN REVEALS A CHIC BOUTIQUE, AN ART GALLERY, OR A BREATHTAKING VIEW.
POSITANO IS KNOWN FOR:
- STUNNING VIEWS: THE VERTICAL LAYOUT PROVIDES INCREDIBLE PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES FROM EVERY CORNER.
- SHOPPING: FROM HIGH-END FASHION TO HANDMADE LEATHER SANDALS, IT’S A SHOPPER’S PARADISE.
- BEACHES: SPIAGGIA GRANDE IS THE VIBRANT MAIN BEACH, PERFECT FOR PEOPLE-WATCHING. FORNILLO BEACH OFFERS A MORE RELAXED VIBE.
- PATH OF THE GODS: THIS WORLD-FAMOUS HIKING TRAIL STARTS NEARBY, OFFERING UNBELIEVABLE COASTAL VISTAS.
POSITANO BECAME AN INTERNATIONAL HOTSPOT IN THE 1950S. IT HAS BEEN A FAVORITE OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS EVER SINCE. DESPITE ITS POPULARITY, IT RETAINS AN IRRESISTIBLE CHARM. IT’S A PLACE TO SEE AND BE SEEN, YET YOU CAN STILL FIND QUIET MOMENTS OF BLISS.
AMALFI: A STORIED MARITIME REPUBLIC
THE TOWN OF AMALFI WAS ONCE A GREAT MARITIME POWER. TODAY, IT STANDS AS THE COAST’S HISTORIC AND CULTURAL HEART. THE TOWN HAS A BUSTLING, LIVELY ATMOSPHERE. ITS PAST GLORY IS EVIDENT IN ITS GRAND ARCHITECTURE. THE CENTRAL PIAZZA DEL DUOMO IS THE PERFECT STARTING POINT FOR EXPLORATION.
HIGHLIGHTS OF AMALFI INCLUDE:
- DUOMO DI AMALFI: THE MAGNIFICENT CATHEDRAL DOMINATES THE MAIN SQUARE. ITS ARAB-NORMAN ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE IS A TESTAMENT TO THE TOWN’S RICH HISTORY.
- LOCAL FEEL: AMALFI FEELS MORE LIKE A LIVED-IN TOWN THAN A PURE RESORT. YOU’LL SEE LOCALS GOING ABOUT THEIR DAY AMIDST THE VISITORS.
- TRANSPORTATION HUB: IT’S A CENTRAL POINT FOR BUSES AND FERRIES, MAKING IT A CONVENIENT BASE FOR EXPLORING THE ENTIRE COAST.
- VALLE DEI MULINI: A BEAUTIFUL VALLEY WITH HIKING TRAILS THAT LEAD PAST OLD PAPER MILLS AND WATERFALLS.
AMALFI OFFERS A WONDERFUL BLEND OF HISTORY, CULTURE, AND COASTAL CHARM. IT PROVIDES A FASCINATING GLIMPSE INTO THE REGION’S POWERFUL PAST.
RAVELLO: THE BALCONY OF THE COAST
PERCHED HIGH IN THE HILLS ABOVE THE SEA, RAVELLO IS A HAVEN OF PEACE AND ELEGANCE. IT IS LANDLOCKED BUT OFFERS THE MOST SPECTACULAR PANORAMIC VIEWS ON THE ENTIRE COAST. THIS TOWN IS A SANCTUARY OF ART, MUSIC, AND REFINED BEAUTY. IT’S A PLACE TO SLOW DOWN AND SIMPLY BREATHE.
RAVELLO’S MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS ARE:
- VILLA CIMBRONE: FAMOUS FOR ITS ENCHANTING GARDENS AND THE TERRACE OF INFINITY. THIS BALCONY OFFERS WHAT MANY CALL THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEW IN THE WORLD.
- VILLA RUFOLO: A HISTORIC VILLA WITH STUNNING GARDENS THAT OVERLOOK THE SEA. IT HOSTS THE RENOWNED RAVELLO MUSIC FESTIVAL EACH SUMMER.
- DUOMO DI RAVELLO: A BEAUTIFUL AND UNDERSTATED CATHEDRAL IN THE TOWN’S MAIN SQUARE.
RAVELLO OFFERS A DIFFERENT KIND OF AMALFI COAST EXPERIENCE. IT’S LESS ABOUT THE BEACH AND MORE ABOUT SERENE BEAUTY, CULTURE, AND QUIET CONTEMPLATION.
GETTING AROUND THE COAST
NAVIGATING THE AMALFI COAST IS PART OF THE ADVENTURE. THE MAIN ARTERY IS THE FAMOUS AMALFI DRIVE (STRADA STATALE 163). THIS 25-MILE ROAD WINDS FROM POSITANO TO VIETRI SUL MARE. IT IS A MARVEL OF ENGINEERING, CARVED INTO THE CLIFFS.
HERE ARE YOUR TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS:
- RENTING A CAR: DRIVING OFFERS FREEDOM, BUT IT’S NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. THE ROAD IS NARROW, WINDING, AND SHARED WITH LARGE TOUR BUSES. PARKING IS EXTREMELY LIMITED AND EXPENSIVE. WE STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST RENTING A CAR DURING THE HIGH SEASON (MAY-SEPTEMBER). IF YOU DO, CHOOSE THE SMALLEST CAR POSSIBLE.
- BUSES: THE SITA BUS NETWORK CONNECTS ALL THE TOWNS. IT’S AN AFFORDABLE AND EFFECTIVE WAY TO GET AROUND. TICKETS MUST BE PURCHASED IN ADVANCE FROM TABACCHI SHOPS.
- FERRIES: TRAVELING BY SEA IS THE MOST SCENIC AND RELAXING WAY TO EXPERIENCE THE COAST. FERRIES CONNECT THE MAJOR TOWNS FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER. THEY OFFER A STUNNING PERSPECTIVE OF THE VILLAGES CLINGING TO THE CLIFFS.
- TAXIS & PRIVATE DRIVERS: THIS IS THE MOST COMFORTABLE AND CONVENIENT OPTION. A PRIVATE DRIVER ELIMINATES THE STRESS OF DRIVING AND PARKING. IT ALLOWS YOU TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE INCREDIBLE VIEWS.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT TRAINS DO NOT SERVICE THE AMALFI COAST TOWNS DIRECTLY. THE NEAREST MAJOR STATION IS IN SALERNO, WITH A LOCAL LINE (THE CIRCUMVESUVIANA) CONNECTING NAPLES TO SORRENTO.
INSIDER TIPS FOR YOUR VISIT
A LITTLE PLANNING CAN ELEVATE YOUR AMALFI COAST EXPERIENCE FROM WONDERFUL TO UNFORGETTABLE.
- BEST TIME TO VISIT: THE SHOULDER SEASONS OF APRIL-MAY AND SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER ARE IDEAL. YOU’LL ENJOY PLEASANT WEATHER, FEWER CROWDS, AND MORE ATTRACTIVE PRICING. JULY AND AUGUST ARE THE PEAK MONTHS, WITH HIGH TEMPERATURES AND LARGE CROWDS.
- WHERE TO STAY: YOUR HOME BASE WILL SHAPE YOUR EXPERIENCE. FOR GLAMOUR AND ENERGY, CHOOSE POSITANO. FOR A CENTRAL LOCATION WITH A HISTORIC VIBE, STAY IN AMALFI. FOR TRANQUILITY AND BREATHTAKING VIEWS, RAVELLO IS PERFECT. FOR A QUIETER, MORE LOCAL EXPERIENCE, CONSIDER PRAIANO, WHICH IS IDEALLY LOCATED BETWEEN POSITANO AND AMALFI.
- DAY TRIPS: THE AMALFI COAST IS A PERFECT LAUNCHPAD FOR EXPLORING THE REGION. DON’T MISS A BOAT TRIP TO THE ENCHANTING ISLAND OF CAPRI. THE ANCIENT ROMAN CITY OF POMPEII IS ALSO AN EASY AND ESSENTIAL DAY TRIP.
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
THE TRUE MAGIC OF THE AMALFI COAST LIES IN ITS SIMPLE PLEASURES.
- WALK THE STREETS: LOSE YOURSELF IN THE WINDING ALLEYS OF POSITANO AND AMALFI. EVERY CORNER HOLDS A NEW DISCOVERY.
- TAKE A BOAT TRIP: SEEING THE COASTLINE FROM THE WATER IS A MUST. RENT A SMALL BOAT OR JOIN A TOUR TO FULLY APPRECIATE THE DRAMATIC LANDSCAPE. YOU CAN EXPLORE HIDDEN COVES AND EVEN FIND THE FURORE FJORD FROM THE SEA.
- WATCH THE SUNSET: FIND A PERFECT SPOT FOR AN APERITIVO AND WATCH THE SUN DIP BELOW THE HORIZON. THE SUNSETS IN PRAIANO ARE PARTICULARLY LEGENDARY.
- DINE WITH A VIEW: ENJOY AN UNFORGETTABLE MEAL ON A TERRACE OVERLOOKING THE SEA. ONE CLIENT RECENTLY TOLD US ABOUT THE BEST CARBONARA OF THEIR LIFE, ENJOYED WHILE WATCHING THE LIGHTS OF POSITANO BEGIN TO TWINKLE. THAT IS THE KIND OF MEMORY THAT LASTS A LIFETIME.
YOUR AMALFI DREAM AWAITS
THE AMALFI COAST IS MORE THAN JUST A DESTINATION. IT’S AN EXPERIENCE THAT AWAKENS THE SENSES AND CAPTURES THE HEART. IT’S THE VIBRANT COLORS OF THE BUILDINGS, THE TASTE OF FRESH PASTA, THE SCENT OF BLOOMING FLOWERS, AND THE ENDLESS BLUE OF THE SEA.
THIS IS A PLACE OF PROFOUND BEAUTY AND EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE. IT’S A JOURNEY THAT PROMISES RELAXATION, INSPIRATION, AND PURE JOY.
ARE YOU READY TO CREATE YOUR OWN AMALFI COAST STORY? LET’S START PLANNING YOUR DREAM TRIP TODAY.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION’S
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT THE AMALFI COAST?
THE BEST TIME TO VISIT IS FROM APRIL TO OCTOBER, WITH MAY AND SEPTEMBER OFFERING PLEASANT WEATHER AND FEWER CROWDS.
HOW DO I GET TO THE AMALFI COAST?
YOU CAN REACH THE AMALFI COAST BY FLYING INTO NAPLES, THEN TAKING A CAR, BUS, OR FERRY TO THE REGION. PRIVATE TRANSFERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE.
WHAT ARE THE MUST-VISIT TOWNS ON THE AMALFI COAST?
POPULAR TOWNS INCLUDE POSITANO, AMALFI, RAVELLO, AND PRAIANO, EACH OFFERING UNIQUE CHARM, STUNNING VIEWS, AND CULTURAL EXPERIENCES.
ARE THERE SUITABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR ALL BUDGETS?
YES, THE AMALFI COAST OFFERS A RANGE OF ACCOMMODATIONS, FROM LUXURY HOTELS AND VILLAS TO BUDGET-FRIENDLY GUESTHOUSES AND BED-AND-BREAKFASTS.
WHAT ACTIVITIES CAN I ENJOY ON THE AMALFI COAST?
VISITORS CAN EXPLORE HIKING TRAILS, ENJOY BOAT TOURS, VISIT HISTORIC LANDMARKS, AND SAVOR AUTHENTIC ITALIAN CUISINE.
