The Amalfi Coast has been an exclusive tourist destination since the 18th century when it was one of the highlights of the famous Grand Tours that were enjoyed by Europe’s wealthy and elite. In the modern world, since travel has been massively democratized and opened up to wider society, the Amalfi Coast in Italy is somewhere that should be on everyone’s bucket list!
Located in Campania in Southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast is a beautiful stretch of coastline on the Sorrentine Peninsula that overlooks the stunning Gulf of Salerno and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the late 1990s, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacular regions of Italy that truly embodies the very essence of the Dolce Vita.
Each year more than 5 million people visit the Amalfi Coast to visit the traditional seaside towns, hike on the trails that crisscross the area and experience the region’s unique culinary and cultural delights. The colorful towns and villages, perched high on rocky cliffs overlooking the ocean, are the perfect place to stay during your time on the Amalfi Coast and with great transport links, lovely hotels and hundreds of small independent restaurants, it’s undoubtedly one of Europe’s top holiday spots.
How Do You Get To The Amalfi Coast, Italy?
Whether you’re traveling from within Europe or from further afield, reaching the Amalfi Coast is very easy and convenient. If you’re traveling from overseas then you simply need to fly to the Naples International Airport, the nearest major airport to the Amalfi Coast, and then travel onwards from there. At the airport, you can take a taxi or hop on a local bus to get to your accommodation.
Alternatively, if you’re traveling from within Italy you can catch a train to Naples before traveling onward by a local train or bus. Once you have arrived on the Amalfi Coast you can travel between the seaside towns by train or, if you’d like to take in spectacular scenery at your own leisure, you can catch one of the numerous boats and ferries that shuttle passengers up and down the coast.
Lastly, if you would prefer to have the freedom to travel wherever you like in the region you can rent a car for your trip to the Amalfi Coast. If you do decide to rent a car it’s worth remembering that it can sometimes be tricky to find parking spaces in smaller coastal towns.
What Is The Best Time To Visit The Amalfi Coast, Italy?
The Amalfi Coast is an extremely popular tourist attraction so if you want to avoid the main crowds and benefit from lower-cost accommodation you should visit during the shoulder seasons, which last from April until late June and from September through October.
At these times of the year, the average temperatures range between 20 to 25 Degrees Celsius during the day and dip to around 15 Degrees Celsius in the evening. However, the weather can be a little unpredictable at times so it’s always worth bringing a waterproof jacket with you to be on the safe side, especially if you’re planning to go boating in the area.
What Is There To Do At The Amalfi Coast?
Join A Luxury Private Tour Of Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi And Ravello.
This full-day tour departs from Naples and takes you through all the major towns of the Amalfi Coast. You’ll be driven in style in a chauffeur-driven car or minivan that has air conditioning and gives you plenty of scope to adapt the schedule to a more personalized itinerary. During the day you’ll stop at Sorrento, Positano, Praiano, Conca dei Marini, Amalfi and Ravello.
The tour also includes a hotel pickup and drop-off in the evening. Don’t forget to bring your camera because you’ll certainly want to remember the trip with some fantastic selfies! You can find out more about the private day trip or reserve your place on the tour here.
Relax On The Divine Beaches Of The Amalfi Coast
During your trip to the Amalfi Coast, you simply must stop off at a few of the region’s magnificent beaches. There are more than 100 distinct beaches along the Amalfi Coast each of which has its own unique selling points and sea views. Most of the beaches are made up of pebbles with striking cliffs rising out of the ocean around you although you can also find patches of sand and isolated coves to explore.
Ideal for a family picnic, sunbathing or splashing around in the warm ocean waters, the beaches of the Amalfi Coast are a must-see attraction of the region. One of the most popular beaches is the Marina Grande Beach in Positano which is one of the largest on the coast measuring almost 1 km from end to end. If you’d prefer a more secluded beach then you can visit Arienzo beach which although much smaller than Marina Grande Beach has a much more exclusive atmosphere.
Learn To Cook Like An Amalfi Coast Local.
If you’d like to learn how to cook local cuisine like a pro, then why not join this fun class in a family kitchen that overlooks the magical Sorrentine coastline? The class is hands-on so you’ll really understand how to create flawless Italian classics under the tutelage of your teacher.
After you’ve prepared and cooked the courses you’ll eat the food you have cooked together in a romantic al fresco terrace with picture-perfect sea views. During the class, you’ll learn how to make perfect eggplant parmesan, gnocchi in tomato sauce and delicious tiramisu among other Italian delights.
To get to the classes you can arrange a hotel pickup for an additional 10 Euros each way or else you can make your own way to the location. You can find out more about the classes or reserve your place here.
Hike Along The Legendary Path Of The Gods Trail.
Starting in the town of Momerano and finishing up in Nocelle, the Path of the Gods trail takes about 4 hours to complete and is lined by some of the most impressive scenery in Italy. The hiking trail is suitable for people of all abilities but just make sure that you bring some sturdy shoes, plenty of bottled water and a few snacks to keep you energized during the walk.
If you’d prefer to join a hassle-free guided hiking tour of the Path of the Gods you can book your trip here. The tour includes a pickup and drop off from Sorrento and your guide will provide you with hiking poles before you are taken through the spectacular vineyards, ancient monasteries and farmhouses as you traverse the clifftops of the Amalfi Coast. The beautiful trail provides you with magical views of the Island of Capri, the Archipelago of the Sirens and if you’re lucky you might even bump into a local shepherd herding his flock amongst the cliffs!
Stay At The Villa Cimbrone Hotel.
Situated just outside of Ravello, the upmarket Villa Cimbrone Hotel has incredible views across the valleys below and astounding gardens full of sculptures and statues that simply have to be seen to be believed! Famous guests such as Winston Churchill, Salvador Dali and Virginia Woolf have all stayed at the Villa Cimbrone Hotel which has long been a trendy Bohemian retreat in the heart of Italy’s Southern Peninsula.
The earliest records of the remarkable villa date right back to the 11th Century although today it is a luxury hotel with all the modern conveniences, fantastic staff who are always on hand to give you tips about what to see and do in the area and a magnificent restaurant that serves top quality regional and international cuisine.
The Villa Cimbrone Hotel is the ideal place to base yourself during your time on the Amalfi Coast and allows you to visit all the surrounding towns and coastal attractions in the region with ease.
Join A Private Truffle Hunting Tour From Sorrento.
This fantastic day trip sets off from Sorrento where you’ll be joined by a professional truffle hunter and his well-trained dogs to learn how to find these treasured culinary icons of the Amalfi Coast. First, you’ll travel through the beautiful Monte Picentini park and then walk through the surrounding forests in search of the elusive truffles.
During the truffle hunt, you’ll be able to taste the truffles as they are dug fresh from the ground! Along the way you’ll learn all about truffle hunting traditions in Southern Italy and when it’s time for lunch you’ll be driven to a lovely local restaurant for a 3-course feast before being dropped off back in Sorrento.
Hotel pickups are also included in the tour. You can find out more about the private truffle hunting tour or book your tickets here.