The Amalfi Coast

The main tourist center on the coast is Amalfi. Composed of narrow alleys, this small village stands in a panoramic position on the Tyrrhenian Sea and preserves the beautiful Cathedral of Amalfi, with its characteristic long staircase, the current symbol of the important and thriving city of the past and a jewel of art, history and culture. This large church has very ancient origins and is made up of various architectural styles, ranging from Romanesque to Byzantine-Gothic, with Baroque elements.

Also suggestive is a visit to the Cloister of Paradise, with its gardens and clear Byzantine-style colonnade. Finally, it is also worth a tour of this important medieval Maritime Republic, which has still preserved the flavor of the past.

Another symbolic village of the Amalfi Coast is Positano. For its characteristic colored houses that cover the hill and for its characteristic alleys in contrast with the wide bay, it is one of the most enchanting and romantic places in the world.

Due to its large bay, Positano has one of the largest beaches on the coast, from where you will constantly see the hill overlooking the sea. Well equipped with services, the bay is also a good place to have a pleasant aperitif.

The evening of Positano becomes even more fascinating and evocative, with its numerous clubs and hotels with sea view terraces.

If you prefer to look at breathtaking views, sipping wine or eating a good meal, another ideal choice is Ravello. This small panoramic village, in fact, is renowned for its gardens with breathtaking views and for its rooms with terraces overlooking the sea. With its 350 meters of altitude, it offers an even wider view of the coast and the sea.

If you are a lover of ancient gardens overlooking the sea, then go to the gardens of Villa Cimbrone, defined by many as the most beautiful and evocative gardens in the world. The maximum expression of this beauty is the Terrace of the Infinite: it is a natural balcony, adorned with eighteenth-century marble busts, from which the gaze seems to get lost in the immense sea.

Other renowned gardens, which reflect the romantic atmosphere of the place, are the Gardens of Villa Rufolo, in the center of Piazza Duomo. Starting from the Cathedral of Ravello, a church of historical interest dating back to the thirteenth century, it will be interesting to take a walk through the alleys of the town, and then finish in the same square, of this small and charming town

Ravello is also the"city of music" and in more recent times an auditorium with a pleasant terrace overlooking the sea was built.

Vietri sul Mare is a pretty town on the outskirts of the Amalfi Coast, known and appreciated for centuries for the art of ceramics. In addition to the visit to the ceramic museum, it will be pleasant to wander around the center, strolling among the craft shops and buying some small ceramic souvenirs from the Amalfi Coast.

Faced with this context, Maiori and Minori seem to lose importance, which remain, however, fascinating places and are not intimidated by the context of the coast.

Maiori is the largest town after Vietri sul Mare. With a good central location on the Amalfi Coast, it is often a point of reference, for its good position on the coast and for its restaurants and hotels at lower prices than the more touristy places.

Minori is smaller and is joined to the other places by small winding streets. However, the bell tower of the basilica, clearly visible on the road, and the Roman villa reveal its historical importance.

In addition to the road, the two villages are connected by the Sentiero dei Limoni, a short panoramic path overlooking the sea, at the edge of which the typical lemons of the area are grown, the large Sorrento Lemons, from which another typical product of the area is born: the limoncello, well-known lemon liqueur.

Another charming medieval village characteristic of the coast is Atrani, located between Amalfi and the junction for Ravello.

A boat ride is highly recommended to see this incredible coast from the perspective of the sea. Here you can see the coastal villages from the sea and other rarities of this unique place in the world.

One thing to see by boat is the Emerald Grotto, which is located in the territory of the municipality of Conca dei Marini, between Amalfi and Positano. It is a karst cavity partially invaded by the sea. It takes its name from the emerald hues that the water takes on by means of sunlight filtered through an underwater slit that connects it outside with the open sea. In very ancient times it was placed above the sea level and, inside, now there are numerous stalactites and stalagmites, which join together giving shape to the mighty columns, which, in some sections, exceed 10 meters.

Another point reachable by boat is the nearby island of Capri, with its famous Faraglioni and the equally famous Blue Grotto.

In addition to the aforementioned Path of the Lemons, there are numerous paths on which to venture out to discover the wonders of the Amalfi Coast. They are found mainly on the headlands of the coast and often offer breathtaking views of the sea.

A well-known path is the Path of the Gods, where the landscape becomes suggestive thanks to the alternation of pine forests, caves to explore and above all spectacular views of the Amalfi Coast. It is a nature trail on the Lattari mountains that runs along the coastal strip for about 7 km, from Nocelle to Bomerano. Another access to the path, more tiring, is found in the coastal town of Praiano.

For lovers of natural landscapes, a visit to the unspoiled natural oasis of the Valle delle Ferriere, one of the most evocative in Italy, cannot be missed. It starts from the ancient medieval village of Atrani and crosses the valley of the Dragone stream, until you reach the locality of Pontone, where you enter the Valle delle Ferriere reserve. Here you will see lush tropical vegetation, as well as waterfalls and springs, which are the natural habitat of rare plants and amphibians.

Another place that deserves an excursion is the promontory of Punta Campanella, in the west end of the Sorrento Peninsula. This place is one of the most evocative points of the Amalfi Coast, where you can see the Gulf of Salerno and that of Naples join. In front of you the enchanting island of Capri will open up to the view, in addition to the panorama that surrounds it.

Although they do not belong to the Amalfi Coast, Capri and Sorrento enjoy an excellent reputation, for which a separate chapter could be opened.

Sorrento is the largest town on the peninsula of the same name, located on the north side, from where you can see Vesuvius and Naples in the distance. In addition to giving its name to the characteristic lemons of the area and to some traditional dishes, it preserves monuments of historical interest.

Capri is a small island west of the Amalfi Coast, about 5 km from Punta Campanella, which can also be reached from Sorrento or Naples by ferry. In addition to its rich history, Capri offers its visitors a protected marine area with crystal clear and pristine water.