TRAVEL GUIDE TO THE AMALFI COAST

A winding road with breathtaking views of the Tyrrhenian Sea makes its way between mountains and charming villages full of color ... Yes, you are on the Amalfi Coast! Maybe right now you are alone in your imagination, but if you plan to turn that vision into reality, read on because in this Amalfi Coast travel guide We are going to tell you everything you need to know so that your experience in this suggestive area of ​​southern Italy is unforgettable.

In 1997 UNESCO decided to declare the Amalfi Coast as a World Heritage Site, thus recognizing the tourist and cultural importance of this stretch of the Italian coast.

But let's go back in time a little more ... Amalfi, one of the best known destinations among travelers today, was the capital of one of the seafaring republics that dominated the Mediterranean in the 12th century. But its tourist importance goes back much further back in time. Nothing more and nothing less than the Roman Empire! Yes, already in the time of emperors and conquests, the Amalfi Coast was a popular holiday destination. Things did not change over the years, because artists and public personalities continued to find in these lands the desired inspiration or simply a perfect place to enjoy the dolce far niente.

Beautiful villages impregnated with tradition and culture, dreamlike landscapes and delicious gastronomy are the ingredients for the Amalfi Coast to remain today one of the most desired destinations among travelers from around the world.

Do you know what they say about "to taste the colors"? Well, if there is something that is not missing in the Amalfi Coast it is color! So choosing your favorite town will depend only on your preferences and personal tastes. And for you to get an idea, here we tell you which are the most beautiful villages of the Amalfi Coast:

Positano

In a constant battle with Amalfi to play the leading role of the Amalfi Coast, there is no doubt that Positano has long since ceased to be a humble fishing village to become a tourist destination of international fame. In your walk you will come across boutiques and souvenir shops and with a good number of tourists practically during any time of the year. In spite of everything, its beauty is indisputable and its visit we could say that it is obligatory in a trip to the Amalfi Coast.

Furore

There was a time when travelers overlooked this place known as "the town that does not exist" ... But it does exist! A dramatic and beautiful landscape with a fjord that roars when in stormy days the sea is enraged.

Conca dei Marini

Without diminishing importance to this small town, approaching there is worth it especially to know the Grotta dello Smeraldo. In this marine cavity, discovered by a local fisherman in the 30s, you will enjoy a good dose of emerald color… don't miss it!

Amalfi

A photogenic stairway (very Instagram!) Leads to the gates of the imposing Duomo di Sant'Andrea, the main tourist attraction of this town. Amalfi is also an ideal place to get lost while walking through the charming streets of its historic center. And why not do it while savoring a delicious lemon ice cream so typical of this area? 😉

Atrani

While walking aimlessly through Amalfi you may arrive without realizing it until Atrani. The two locations are connected and many do not notice where one ends and the other begins. So if you don't reach it by chance, do it intentionally! This tiny town, encased between the Civita and Aureo mountains, is a small jewel of Mediterranean architecture that you cannot miss.

Ravello

You will not find beaches in this inland town, but you will have splendid views of the entire coast from the beautiful Villa Rufolo Y Villa Cimbrone. In addition to some tranquility and some fresh air, which you will especially appreciate in the warm summer days.

Minori

If history is your thing, you cannot miss this town. In Minori you can visit one of the most important monuments of the entire Amalfi Coast, the Roman Maritime Villa 1st century A.D.

Maiori

Ideal for those looking to rest after so much tourism and relax enjoying a day at the beach. The Maiori beach It claims to be the longest of the entire Amalfi Coast, so in it you won't have to suffer to find a place to spread your towel. And if you dare to explore the neighboring town of Erchie, you can admire one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole area.

Vietri sul Mare

We have already told you that color is not lacking in the Amalfi Coast and Vietri sul Mare is the best example of this. His famous ceramics they reproduce all the colors of the Coast and you will find them covering different buildings and houses of the town ... a delight for the eyes!

Positano beach at sunset

There are different ways to get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast:

Train

The only town on the Amalfi Coast that has a train station is Vietri Sul Mare. It is possible to reach it from the Napoli Piazza Garibaldi Station (just below the Naples Central Station) in just over an hour for less than € 5. Being regional trains you will not need to book in advance, just arrive at the station for a little while before the train leaves, buy the ticket at the box office and ring it at the machines.

From this summer Trenitalia also offers the possibility to reach Amalfi for less than € 15 buying a ticket that combines the train journey to Salerno and a road connection to the center of Amalfi (called “Amalfi Buslink). All information about prices and schedules here.

Different regional and high-speed trains connect the Naples Central Station daily with the Train Station Salerno. Once in Salerno, you can continue by bus with the Salerno-Amalfi route of the SITA company to Vietri Sul Mare, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, Atrani and Amalfi. More information here.

It is also possible to reach Sorrento with Circumvesuviana, a railway company that operates services in the metropolitan area of ​​eastern Naples, and from there continue to one of the towns of the Amalfi Coast with the bus services of the company SITA.

Bus

From the Naples Capodichino Airport there is a bus that leads directly to Sorrento in about an hour and a half for € 10 (more info). Once there, the buses of the SITA company connect Sorrento with the different locations of the Amalfi Coast.

From the port of Naples, SITA also offers connections to the different coastal towns via Salerno.

Ship

In the past there was the possibility of arriving by boat from Naples to the Amalfi Coast, but it is no longer possible today. However, there is still the option of arriving by train or bus to Salerno or Sorrento and from there use some of the transport services that exist to arrive by sea to several locations on the Coast (more information in the section on how to get around the Amalfi Coast).

Car

And of course, there is always the possibility of reaching the Amalfi Coast in your own car or with a rental car. To do this you will only have to take the A3 Napoli-Salerno Highway and take the Vietri sul Mare exit to continue on the SS163 that runs through the different towns of the Coast. Of course, keep in mind that it is a road with many curves, narrow and with a lot of traffic. If you are not used to driving on these types of roads, we advise against this option.

One of the most comfortable ways to get around the Amalfi Coast is the bus. As we have already told you in the previous section, the SITA company communicates all the towns of the Coast quite frequently throughout the day.

There are different modalities of banknotes: from single tickets valid for a single trip, to daily tickets that allow you to use their services unlimitedly for 24 hours (from € 10), and even a day ticket that includes a boat trip in the price with the company Mischief (€ 13). More information.

However, you have to keep in mind that the Costa road is narrow and full of curves and, especially during the summer months, buses tend not to respect schedules and suffer delays.

Move in car, motorcycle or even bike (If you're fit, of course!) will give you more flexibility on your trip, with the possibility of stopping whenever and wherever you want and without having to worry about the schedules of the other means of transport. Now, keep in mind, especially if you choose the option of moving by car, that traffic on the Amalfi Coast can be desperate and much more during the summer months. In addition, parkings are paid and during the months of greater influx of tourists can be filled easily.

One way to avoid the inconvenience of moving by road on the Amalfi Coast, and in the process to enjoy beautiful views, is to do it in ship by sea. A large number of companies (Travelmar, NLG, Volaviamare, Alicost, among others) offer daily connections between the main towns of the Coast. Probably the only negative aspect is the high ticket prices, which can also vary greatly depending on the company and the type of boat chosen (fast boats are the most expensive).

Ravello, one of the wonders of the Amalfi Coast

If you have several days to visit the Amalfi Coast, you have several options:

• If you travel by car, the ideal would be to stay in several places. You can meet different villages and you don't have to always return to the same place. Make sure the accommodation has private parking, you will save a headache!
• If instead you have chosen to move in bus or ship and you depend on the means of transport to make your visits, it is best to base on a site so you do not have to carry your luggage every day. In this case, the important thing is to find a place in the middle of the Amalfi Coast route and make sure it has good connections with the rest of the places you want to visit.
• Here you can find budget accommodation on the Amalfi Coast.

If you are lucky enough to explore the Amalfi Coast for several days, we advise you to dedicate at least three. Obviously you can make an excursion in the day from Naples, Sorrento or Salerno ... Or also spend a week, a month, a summer, but to us three days seems the minimum duration to enjoy a trip along the Amalfi Coast. A possible itinerary It could be the following:

- Day 1 -

We start our first day of travel visiting the colorful town of Vietri sul Mare, to continue with Cetara and the small town of Erchie. From there we will move to Maiori to perhaps take a bath in the longest beach of the Amalfi Coast and continue our journey towards Minori. If you feel strong you can do it on foot traveling il Sentiero dei Limoni that communicates both towns. You can spend the night in Minori or move to Ravello.

- Day 2 -

We start this second day soon to dedicate an hour to visit Ravello and enjoy its wonderful views. We will continue our tour of the Amalfi Coast knowing one of its main dishes: Amalfi. And as from Amalfi to Atrani there is a step (almost literally) we will take the opportunity to get to know this little jewel, before continuing towards Conca dei Marini and visit the Grotta de lo Smeraldo (closes at 4pm in summer / 3pm in winter). We are still on time to finish this second day in Praiano, famous for its beautiful sunsets and good place to spend the night.

- Day 3 -

We dedicate the first part of the morning of this last day to walk around Praiano and to find the "hidden" town of Furore To admire its beautiful landscape. We will put the icing on the cake on our trip along the Amalfi Coast in the famous Positano, an ideal place to do some last minute shopping and enjoy the dolce far niente

If you have one day To visit the Amalfi Coast, the best option is to take an organized tour, avoid headaches and make the most of your time. Book a boat trip or a bus tour.

If after exploring the Amalfi Coast, you still have time, there are a number of interesting places within walking distance that you should not miss. Here are just some proposals:

Pompeii

From my personal experience I have to say that Pompeii is one of the places in the world that has impressed me most, one of those places that simply MUST be known. Take advantage of your days in this area of ​​southern Italy and come to visit the remains of this ancient city of the Roman Empire that remained hidden and forgotten for centuries under the great layer of ash that caused the eruption of the Vesuvius volcano.

• Price: € 15
• Summer hours from 9.00 - 19.30 (from 8.30 on Saturdays and Sundays), winter time from 9.00 - 17.00 (from 8.30 on Saturdays and Sundays)
• More information about the visit to Pompeii
• All the information about the archeological site here

From Sorrento you can easily reach the Circumvesuviana line. Check schedules here. If you prefer you can choose to hire an excursion from Positano to visit Pompeii or even to visit Pompeii and the Vesuvius volcano on the same day.

Capri

Symbol of hedonism, famous among celebrities, unquestionably beautiful and with a good number of interesting places to see: from its well-known Piazza Umberto I, to the Grotta Azurra or Mount Solaro, with its breathtaking views of the entire island. “Take a leap” from the Amalfi Coast to visit the island of Capri is a perfect day trip that you cannot miss.

• More information about the visit to Capri

You can reach Capri by ferry from Sorrento and Salerno, or from other ports on the Amalfi Coast such as Positano and Amalfi. Check different options here. If you prefer, you can hire an organized one-day tour from Positano.

Sorrento

Get lost in its historic center, partially surrounded by a wall, browse the many craft shops, visit the Duomo ... But above all, do not forget that you are in the land of lemons ... and Sorrento is a LEMON with capital letters! Try it in one of its many versions and do not forget a drink of Limoncello 😉 There are a good number of interesting things to see and do in Sorrento on an excursion from the Amalfi Coast.

Salerno

A very important enclave in the Campania region for its history and its strategic location. A treasure little explored by travelers and one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Italy. In short, a perfect place to meet on a day trip from the Amalfi Coast.

We leave you a map where we have indicated the most important points of the Amalfi Coast:

We leave you a few tips to help you plan your trip to the Amalfi Coast:

- In an area as visited as the Amalfi Coast is recommended plan ahead what do you want to see and where to spend the night You will avoid unpleasant surprises and find better prices.

- Get away from the more central areas to spend the night. Amalfi and Positano have the highest prices of the entire coast in accommodation, so you should avoid them if you are traveling on a tight budget.

- Choose the best moment To make your trip. During July and August prices are higher, there are more tourists and it can get too hot. The spring and the autumn They are ideal stations to get to know the Amalfi Coast.

- Italian cuisine is tempting and here you will find temptations at every step, but if you want to save time and money, a good idea is pull supermarket. Maybe not every day, but occasionally it is a quick and economical solution.

- Early morning and the day starts soon, if you move by car you will find less traffic on the road and it will be easier to park. In addition, you can enjoy the places in less crowded moments.

- Ask the price before putting your towel on a sunbed with umbrella from the Beach, after knowing it, you might prefer to spread your towel in the sand.

And here our Amalfi Coast travel guide. We hope you find it useful and help you enjoy this area of ​​Italy to the fullest, which deserves to be visited at least once in a lifetime! 🙂

Video: Amalfi Coast Vacation Travel Guide. Expedia (May 2024).