The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful and exciting vacation destinations, and it should be at the top of your “must-see” list. Spending your days lying on the beach, swimming in the Mediterranean, perusing shops, and eating Italian food sounds like a dreamy getaway. We’re here to help you plan it.
The Amalfi Coast stretches over 50 kilometers of Italy’s western coastline and is known for its natural beauty. Additionally, it features uniquely bright architecture that provides a stunning contrast to the blue water and green landscapes. Needless to say, you should have your camera ready when exploring this destination.
Here’s a list of our favorite things to do and favorite villages to visit on the Amalfi Coast.
Hike the Path of the Gods
If you’re counting down the minutes until you’re immersed in the picturesque landscape of the Amalfi Coast, overlooking the water and colorful buildings crowded on the mountainside, start your trip by hiking the Path of the Gods.
The trail starts in the mountains, giving you expansive views of the bright blue Mediterranean sea and the seaside town. After hiking a little over 4.5 miles and soaking in the breathtaking views, you’ll end up in Positano, where you can cool off in pristine waters.
Trekking from Bomerano to Positano means you’ll be walking on a slight decline for the entirety of the trail, which means it’s a fairly easy hike to tackle. Consider stopping at a small sandwich shop in Bomerano before you begin for a mid-adventure meal.
Positano Beach
Speaking of Positano, their main beach is one of the biggest attractions for Amalfi Coast visitors. You can access this beach directly from the city, and it offers all of the views and amenities you could ever wish for.
Rent a beach chair for the day and lay back to look out over the bright blue water. To cool off, go for a swim and admire the bright buildings surrounding the beach.
There are a few restaurant options on the beach, so you can spend an entire day on the beach without needing to leave. Order your favorite beachy cocktail and let the sounds of the Italian coast wash over you.
Capri
Capri is an island in Italy’s Bay of Naples, which is known for its upscale shopping and lush landscape. The most famous sight in Capri, and the image most often captured on the front of their postcards, is the Blue Grotto.
The crystal clear and bright blue water is stunning against the backdrop of tall, rugged rocks covered with vibrant green foliage. Here, you can join a boat tour that takes you around the coast, giving you an up-close look at the island.
Whether you’re looking to splurge on a designer item or want to spend an afternoon window shopping and walking in and out of shops, carve out some time for Via Camerelle. This beautiful street in Capri Town has one of the highest concentrations of designer shops in all of Italy.
While many of the restaurants in Capri are pretty pricey, you can count on Da Gemma to serve you delicious Italian food at a reasonable price. Ristorante Da Gemma is well-loved by locals and tourists alike and is known for its Naples-style pizza.
Ravello
This small town on the Amalfi Coast is romantic and charming. This town is known for its relaxed pace and stunning scenery. Start your day in Ravello by exploring Villa Cimbrone, an 11th-century villa that was renovated in the early 1900s. Take in the views overlooking the water and tour the lovely gardens as you jump back into time at this centuries-old villa.
Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head over to Salvatore Ravello: This restaurant serves a large collection of Italian classics, with an outdoor patio surrounded by greenery and nestled against the water.
If you are visiting from April until November, you can take advantage of Ravello’s music season, which features frequent concerts. Ravello is known as the “City of Music,” so attending a concert is an unforgettable way to participate in the city’s culture.
Atrani
A neighbor to Amalfi, this small village is known for its ancient medieval structures, covered passageways, intimate gardens, and beautiful beach. It’s the smallest town in Southern Italy, which means it often gets unfortunately overlooked.
Access the Spiaggia di Atrani Beach by walking from town and rent a beach chair and umbrella for the day. Thanks to break walls, the water is very calm and perfect for a relaxing float or dip. Additionally, the beach is situated nicely, getting sun exposure all morning and into the early afternoon. The sun can be a bit intense, so make sure you are equipped with a seagrass beach hat and cat-eye sunglasses.
After a morning swim, walk over to the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maddalena. The baroque-style facade of this church is wonderfully detailed, and the views around the church are completely panoramic. This is a lovely spot to soak in the sights of Atrani and snap a photo.
Arienzo Beach Club
If you want to experience a classic Italian beach club with luxurious amenities and even better views, you have to reserve a spot at the Arienzo Beach Club. Arguably the most popular beach club on the Amalfi Coast, you will have a hard time leaving this gorgeous spot.
Upon arriving, you can lounge in their bright orange beach chairs and relax in the shade provided by their iconic orange and white striped umbrellas. Order a cocktail to your beach chair and spend your afternoon taking dips in the water, lying in the sun, and dining at their waterside restaurant.
This is guaranteed to be a highlight of your vacation and a day you will always remember!
Amalfi Town
A classic stop on a tour of the Amalfi Coast, Amalfi Town is known for its unparalleled views and scenic drive. Walking through Amalfi gives you the chance to admire the shore of the Tyrrhenian Sea as well as the rocky coastline. If you are a history lover, the landmarks in this small city will leave you in awe. You’ll stand wide-eyed in front of ancient towers, an ancient arsenal, and an ancient cloister.
Be sure to make your way to the city’s square and peek into the duomo, the centerpiece of the piazza. Right in front of the duomo, you will find the Fountain of Sant’Ansrea, which is one of the most iconic landmarks of Amalfi. Additionally, the water that pours out of this fountain is drinkable, so take a moment to fill up on water for the rest of your walk!
Lastly, let yourself get lost in the many narrow alleys that connect the city before finding yourself at the Amalfi main street. Enjoy the charming shops, family-owned restaurants, and stunning architecture.
Sorrento
Another beautiful coastal town facing the Bay of Naples, Sorrento is known for its water views, bustling town square, and historic center. The only rule when visiting this beautiful city is to let yourself slow down, take long strolls, and enjoy la dolce vita. To begin your trip with some of the best views Sorrento has to offer, head to Villa Comunale. This manicured park has impressive floral displays and a view of Mount Vesuvius towering over the Bay of Naples. A truly unforgettable sight!
Piazza Tasso is Sorrento’s main square and is perfect for sipping on an espresso, watching people walk by, and admiring the brightly colored architecture. For the best views and best menu, grab a table outside at Bar Fauno and order Aperol spritzes for the table.
Don’t miss out on the chance to stroll through Via San Cesareo, known to the locals as vicoletti (which means laneways). These local markets line the tight alleyways and sell a variety of goods, including fruit, vegetables, locally made goods, and, of course, limoncello. This is the perfect chance to see how the locals live and buy the perfect souvenir for your friends and family back home!
Coastal Drive
If you are feeling brave enough to get behind the wheel on the narrow Italian roads, you will be rewarded with remarkable views. Also, if you have limited time on the coast and want a way to squeeze in as many sights as possible, this drive will take care of that. Starting in Sorrento and ending in Cetara, this waterside highway is 75 kilometers of pure bliss.
Arrivederci!
Now that you have the ultimate Almafi coast trip planned, you just need to pack your bags and hop on a flight! Don’t forget a few classic swimsuit options for your many beach days ahead and your favorite coastal outfits for your dinners by the water. We can promise this is a vacation you will never forget!
Sources:
Via Camerelle | Sorrento Review