Amalfi Coast: A complete travel guide

Discover everything about Amalfi Coast

Amalfi Coast, also known as Divina Costiera (Divine Coast) is a world heritage site declared by UNESCO. It is iconic for its natural beauty, fascinating beaches and artistic landscapes. The place is filled with breathtaking scenic views and attracts tons of tourists from all over the world every year. The lush green beauty, dramatic cliffs, mesmerizing landscapes and exotic coastal cuisine are bound to steal your heart. In this guide, we have covered every detail about Amalfi Coast that you need to know before you go.

Where is Amalfi Coast?

Amalfi Coast is a 34-mile stretch of southern Italy's coastline that faces the Gulf of Salerno and the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is situated north of the Cilentan Coast and south of the Sorrentine Peninsula. Geographically speaking, the Amalfi Coast stretches from Vietri Sul Mare to Punta Campanella, which is located on the southern tip of the Sorrentine Peninsula.

Salerno lies far to the east of the shore, which is about 50 km north of the Cilento peninsula and south of Naples. The only land route to the Amalfi Coast is the 40-kilometer-long Amalfi Drive which runs along the coastline from the town of Vietri sul Mare in the east to Positano in the west.

Note: The closest airport to Amalfi Coast is Salerno Costa d’Amalfi Airport which lies around 45 km in distance. However, for international travel, Naples International Airport (Napoli-Capodichino) is the main gateway to reach the location and the distance between the two is 65 km.

Amalfi Coast main attractions

Amalfi Coast boasts a lot of historical places, gardens and churches that you can visit. Here are some of the places where you can find solace and learn about their rich history.

• Villa Cimbrone Gardens
• Duomo di Sant'Andrea
• Duomo di Salerno
• Museo della Carta
• Arechi Castle
• Giardino della Minerva
• Chiostro del Paradiso
• Museo Archeologico Romano Positano

If you love going on hikes and trails and exploring hidden gems, the following are must-tries on this coast.

• Valle Delle Ferriere
• Walk of the Gods
• Ravello-Minori Walk
• Sentiero dei Limoni

Amalfi Coast weather and best months to visit

Being a Coastal region, Amalfi has a Mediterranean Climate; hosting warm summers and mild winters. The temperature here ranges from 14°C in winter up to 31°C in the summer.

The best months to visit the Amalfi Coast are from April to May (late Spring) and September to October (late Autumn). During this period, the weather is comparatively cooler and breezy, rain is moderate and there is plenty of sunshine to enjoy. This period also gives the best sunsets and sunrises which will fill you with tranquility.

Things to do in Amalfi Coast

With elegant historical towns, glittering seas breathtaking views and authentic coastal cuisine, this place has the best of everything. Adding to the surreal and relaxing environment, there is so much to do at this location to make your trip worth remembering.

For instance, you can go on road trips, do water sports activities and go on tours to amplify the thrill and adventure of your trip. Below we have mentioned all the things that you can do in your itinerary.

• Relax at Amalfi Coast beaches

  

  Get your soul soaked in the cooling waters of Amalfi Beaches. While you relax here, you can add a bit of adventure as well by trying out some water sports activities. These activities include Parasailing, Water Ski, Banana Boat, Tubing, Kneeboard, Scuba Diving and many more.

  Note: Fornillo, Spiaggia di Positano Marina Grande, Lido di Ravello and Marina di Praia Beach are among the top beaches on the Amalfi Coast.

• Get into Amalfi Coast road trips and boat tours

  Enjoying the picturesque terrains and inhaling the fresh breezy air while you drive across the coast is what the Amalfi Coast is all about! Road trips are quite popular in this location as roads take you through the dramatic coastal scenery of the Mediterranean Sea, making your trip worth remembering.

  Covering the Amalfi Coast just by road is not quite fulfilling. Some of the best sights and experiences await you on the boat tours. You can go on short cruises and boat trips which are hosted by the locals at regular intervals. On these tours, you will get to see Amalfi Coast's most famous villages, sea caves and many quintessential landmarks as the sun sets over the horizon.

• Enjoy sirenic night views from a sea facing hotel room

  Add luxury and comfort to your journey at Amalfi Coast by booking the best hotels in the town. With scenic night views, enjoy the serenity of the ocean by booking sea-facing rooms in advance. The best-rated hotels in Amalfi are Hotel Santa Caterina, Anantara Convento di Amalfi Grand Hotel and Palazzo Avino.

  Some of the popular hotels in famous towns on the Amalfi Coast are San Pietro di Positano, Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Le Sirenuse, Casa Angelina, Grand Hotel La Favorita and Villa Fiorella Art Hotel.

• Explore Amalfi Coast cities and towns

  Amalfi Coast is lavish with limestone cliffs, Mediterranean brush and small towns and villages with perfect scenery to give you many memorable pictures. Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento, Vietri sul Mare, Atrani and Rovello are well-known towns on the coast that you can visit during your trip.

  Positano is famous for its romantic environment intertwined with calmness and peace and is ideal for couples who are on their honeymoon. Amalfi town is rich in Cathedral and maritime history which is ideal for visitors who have a keen interest in these two.

  Rovello is prominent for hosting classic musical festivals to give you an adrenaline rush. If you wish to visit some quiet and less crowded towns, you can go to Conca dei Marini, Furore, Erchie and Atrani.

• Savor authentic coastal cuisine

  Indulge in Amalfi’s culture by savoring its exotic mouth-watering cuisine. The staple food of this coast is seafood which is cooked in olive oil, local herbs and spices to give it an authentic touch.

  Ndunderi, one of the oldest pastas in the world, originated in Minori. Colatura di Alici, an anchovy-based fish sauce, is the reason Cetara is well-known. While in town, you may also relish enormous servings of pizza, pasta and seafood.

  The biggest hit of Amalfi is its lemons which are used in making various dishes with all the Mediterranean love. When in Amalfi, try as many lemony-flavored dishes as possible. You may also try limoncello which is savored by one and all.

How to get to Amalfi Coast?

Reaching the Amalfi Coast is quite easy and stress-free. You get to enjoy the scenic beauty while you travel to this exquisite place. You can reach nearby cities via airplanes, trains, buses and ferries. The airports near Amalfi are Naples International Airport and Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport. The only railway station is located in Vietri sul Mare which is linked with the stations of Naples and Salerno.

If you do not have a personal vehicle to commute in and around Amalfi, the best way to get into the heart of the Coast is to opt for car rentals. You can pick up your vehicle directly from the airport, train station, bus station or port and commence your journey right away. In addition to this, hiring a car will help you voyage around according to your schedule and see the panorama at your pace. You can drive anywhere, at any time and stop over best towns and crystal clear waters as per your wish.

Here is a list of places from where majority of travelers start their journey to the Amalfi Coast and their respective distances.

Rental cars are the most popular in Italy as these help travelers to explore the best of it. Many top-notch companies such as Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, etc., are available at this location to make your trip easy and full of comfort. You can hire a car most suitable for you from Naples, Rome, Brindisi, Venice, Milan and many more locations in the country. Once the vehicle is at your disposal, you can take it to the Amalfi Coast as well if you wish to.