When planning a trip, you go through a series of websites, guides and videos looking for information to compose your itinerary.
This becomes difficult when, having accumulated so much information, you have to make choices in order to fit in your travel time.
In this guide, we will try to recommend the ten experiences that, in our opinion, best sum up the essence of the Amalfi Coast.
In selecting them, we thought of a traveller who does not have a lot of time available, who is coming to the Amalfi Coast for the first time and who travels by public transport.
While we had this ‘fictitious traveller’ in mind, whom we imagined without sandals and socks (hence, not the classic tourist!), we collected ideas to propose a nice concentrate of Costiera-ness, putting together those that represent the not-to-be-missed experiences, in short, those stops that you have to make, if you come to the Amalfi Coast.
Right now, we like to imagine ourselves as local friends energetically taking you under their arm and saying: “Today I’m taking you to a beautiful place!”
If you are ready to discover ten unmissable experiences and attractions on the Amalfi Coast, let’s start this virtual tour with pleasure and enthusiasm!
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The marvellous Amalfi Cathedral
The city’s iconic monument could not be missing from this guide.
The first thing that will strike you is the long staircase overlooking Amalfi’s piazza, usually crowded with tourists and travellers.
Of course, we advise you to visit the Cathedral, the Cloister and the Diocesan Museum, because they are really worth a visit. We discuss this in detail in an article dedicated to Amalfi’s wonderful Cathedral.
Try sitting on the steps of Amalfi Cathedral by day and by night and watch the lively hustle and bustle of people of all nationalities, perhaps enjoying a delicious lemon granita or some citrus fruit and chocolate from the historic Pasticceria Pansa.
If you find yourself in Amalfi on Saint Andrew’s Day, 27 June, you could watch the running of the Saint, who is carried right down the monumental steps of the Duomo: a very special and heartfelt tradition for the people of Amalfi, who are very devoted to the town’s patron saint.
On the Path of the Gods
You will walk for about four hours and we assure you that it will not be the physical effort that takes your breath away!
The Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) is an authentic walk in paradise: an easy road that connects the hamlet of Bomerano di Agerola to Nocelle, a rural village in Positano, passing through unspoilt nature that man has not dared alter.
The excitement is great when, after a few hours’ walk, you begin to glimpse the colourful houses of Positano in the distance.
We have a complete and detailed article, which will provide you with all the information you need to organise your excursion on the Sentiero degli Dei to perfection.
Must do experiences on the Sentiero degli Dei
Boat Excursion
An experience that should be included in your travel itinerary, especially if you are staying several days on the Amalfi Coast, is definitely a boat tour.
Besides giving you new perspectives, views and magnificent details, it offers you the chance to stop at the most exclusive beaches, which are often only accessible by sea.
You may not know it, but there are about one hundred beaches on the Amalfi Coast. Some of them can be reached by land, but their accessibility can make them crowded in July and August, when the area is literally stormed by tourists.
If you are looking for more privacy and tranquillity or simply want to explore new destinations, organise a half-day boat tour and set off to conquer your own piece of paradise.
In addition to the exclusive beaches, you may also discover hidden natural beauties, such as the Pandora Cave, a small rocky cavity where the water is so clear that it is almost emerald in colour, or the Sulphurous Cave, from the bottom of which sulphurous-magnesium water emerges.
Another tip for a day of relaxation and good living is definitely a stop at one of the many restaurants by the sea, to complete your journey of the senses on the Amalfi Coast with gusto.
Finally, if you decide to spend a whole day on board your boat, you can go further afield to Positano, to enjoy the wonderful and exclusive spectacle of unspoilt nature around the Li Galli islands or in the bay of Punta Campanella.
We have a guide that will make you happy, if you decide to organise a boat tour on the Amalfi Coast.
Live the marine adventure: discover the magic of the Amalfi Coast
Lemon Tours on the Amalfi Coast
Those who come to the Amalfi Coast for the first time are struck by the conformation of our gardens, which appear as huge staircases sloping gently down to the sea.
The cultivation of sfusato amalfitano is the fruit of the skilful hand of man who, with ingenuity and determination, has been able to wrest cultivable land from the mountains.
Over the centuries, sfusato amalfitano has represented an incredible resource for the inhabitants of the Amalfi Coast. A resource that still today contributes to the wealth of the area, both in economic and gastronomic terms.
Our sfusato amalfitano is, in fact, a true symbol of our land: we could say that the hard work involved in producing it, transporting it and transforming it into a source of sustenance is not only a perfect metaphor of our passionate and determined nature, but also of the beauty of these apparently impervious places, which enclose, like secret caskets, treasures that enchant for their charm and beauty.
If you want an experience that will take you back in time, in direct contact with our history and traditions, include in your travel itinerary a walk among the terraced lemon groves of the Amalfi Coast.
We recommend a ‘full-sea’ experience on the ‘lemon path‘, the little road that connects Maiori and Minori, or you can treat yourself to a guided tour in the enchanting Valle dei Mulini, in Amalfi, in a canyon with an Amalfi ‘character’, immersed in work, perfumes and timeless suggestions.
In the meantime, you can find out more about sfusato amalfitano by reading our article on the cultivation and history of our lemon.
In Minori… with sweetness!
On Minori‘s jetty you can relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape, the sound of the sea and its cool breeze, perhaps at sunset or in the evening, delighting your palate with a delicious cake or ice cream such as those from Sal De Riso’s nearby laboratory.
Since you are here, you can take another dip into the past by visiting the ancient Villa Romana di Minori, an archaeological site dating back to the 1st century AD.
It is an example of a ‘maritime’ villa, with the entrance facing the sea in ancient times, the baths to the east and the reception rooms to the west.
The villa can be visited in its entirety and admission is free.
An escape to the oldest village on the Amalfi Coast
Most travellers who come to these parts set out to discover the iconic places, such as Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. But the Amalfi Coast is not only this: the towns further inland reserve, for those with the desire to discover them, just as many surprises.
Take, for example, the municipality of Scala: an authentic medieval treasure chest, not far from Ravello, that manages to amaze for the variety of its itineraries.
As you move through the six districts of Scala, you can choose whether to dedicate yourself to trekking, perhaps starting from the Borgo di Pontone, from which you can reach the Torre dello Ziro or the Valle delle Ferriere, or you can discover monuments and picturesque corners, walking serenely through the quiet streets of the hamlets.
In the centre of Scala, the oldest area, you can visit the ancient Cathedral of San Lorenzo, witness to the ancient splendours and ruins of the village. One of the unique features on the Amalfi Coast is the presence of a Gothic-style crypt, the Crypt of Paradise.
From the centre of Scala, after leaving the piazza, heading towards the village of Minuta, you will come across the Mansi D’Amelio Palace along the road, an authentic example of what a medieval noble palace must have looked like. Don’t be fooled by the façade, which was restored in the 18th century: the inner hallway has retained its original medieval structure.
Reaching the hamlet of Minuta, you can visit the Church of SS Annunziata, overlooking the square, or you can go to the ruins of the Basilica of Sant’Eustachio, a Romanesque church in a position that offers a breathtaking view of Pontone and Monte Aureo.
A dreamy sunset
Among the unmissable experiences on the Amalfi Coast, a sunset could not be missing.
The one in Praiano will leave you speechless; you can admire it from the splendid Lodge of the Church of San Gennaro or from the many other terraces and small restaurants in the area, rounding it off with a delicious plate of squid and potatoes, the local speciality that, like the Amalfi Coast, blends sea and land.
Among the places where the sun sets later is the Gavitella beach, right in Praiano.
You reach it via a path not far from Piazza San Gennaro, walking up 413 steps that will lead you to a spot from where you can see the Li Galli islands and the Faraglioni of Capri: a perfect spot to enjoy a romantic sunset on the Amalfi Coast.
If you decide to travel to Amalfi or Positano, a convenient boat service is available on site.
A tasty fish lunch or dinner
Breathe in and enjoy the seafood atmosphere in the characteristic town of Cetara, with its narrow streets and small restaurants where you can sample tasty seafood dishes and, above all, anchovies and its ‘colatura’, a true local speciality.
If your intention is to have a romantic dinner, you can go to Positano, where you will fall in love with its narrow streets, colourful houses and evening lights that give it a truly perfect atmosphere for an evening between lovers.
An alternative is to dine at one of the small restaurants by the sea that can only be reached by boat: the setting is generally more casual, but you will have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious dinner of fresh fish right by the sea.
How do you reach them? They all offer a sea taxi service, which picks up guests from the Amalfi pier and takes them back to their destination at the end of the evening.
Not only sea: discover the local wines!
The Amalfi Coast is not only sea. A walk among the exceptional vineyards of Furore and Tramonti, designed following the profile of the hills, will allow you to sum up the knowledge and flavours of the Amalfi Coast in an excellent glass of d.o.c. wine.
You will be able to sip wines produced from native vines, such as Ripolo, cultivated in a few areas, between Furore and Positano, or Ginestra, grown between Scala, Ravello and Minori.
The wines of Furore, for example, are produced among vineyards wrested from the mountain, in an area that develops vertically. However, in spite of the difficulty, the particular climate, characterised by wind and lower temperatures, yields very fine wines, such as the famous Furore Bianco Fiorduva.
The wines of Tramonti, sold under the ‘Costa d’Amalfi’ controlled denomination of origin, subzone ‘Tramonti’, are characterised by the production of Tintore grapes, produced from a centuries-old vine typical of the Coast.
In addition to tasting the indigenous wines, you could add to your itinerary a guided visit to a local vineyard: you will discover how grapes are grown in such a special geographical area, which grapes are made, and what makes the wines of the Amalfi Coast so special.
Prepare your taste buds too, because there is always a final tasting, based on wines and tasty local products!
Ravello: a Divine Terrace
Among the iconic monuments of the Amalfi Coast, it is impossible not to mention the splendid terrace of Villa Cimbrone, in Ravello.
Looking out from this height, you will be suspended between the blue of the sky and the sea and will be able to see the entire coastline as far as Salerno.
Ferdinand Gregorovius, one of the many protagonists of the Grand Tour, said of the Belvedere of Villa Cimbrone: “In contemplating from those gardens of Armida, among the roses and the hydrangeas, that magical sea in which is reflected the blue hue of a very clear sky, the desire to fly is born”.
Many intellectuals of the Bloomsbury circle stayed here, including Virginia Woolf, Forster, Lawrence and many others.
The gardens of Villa Cimbrone are a monument to eclecticism, whose gardens, redesigned in the early 20th century, are still an important example of Anglo-Saxon botanic culture in Southern Europe.
Since you are in Ravello, Villa Rufolo, the enchanting setting of the Ravello Festival, is also worth a visit.
Here you will walk through Landolfo Rufolo’s garden, recounted by Boccaccio in his Decameron, remodelled in the mid 19th century by botanist Francis Nevile Reid. Finally, you’ll look out from the famous belvedere, where you can immortalise the iconic pine tree juxtaposed against the domes of the Annunziata.
