Amalfi Coast, Italy
The Amalfi Coastline is home to many scenic and charming towns including Positano, Amalfi, Ravello, Vietri sul Mare, Praiano, and many others. Salerno and Sorrento are at each end. A few towns are situated next to the sea, like Amalfi and Positano, while others are located higher up in the hills, such as Ravello and Praiano.
If you are travelling to the area from Rome via car or train or arriving by cruise, Naples serves as the gateway into the region of the Amalfi Coastline and to Pompeii.
To access the Amalfi Coast towns, you can drive, hire transportation, take the bus, join a tour, or travel by boat (usually a ferry).
Highlights include:
Hire a private driver to take you touring along the coastline.
Take a boat ride, possibly one that visits the Island of Capri and the Blue Grotto. You can join a small group to keep the cost down or hire your own personal boat for the luxury experience.
Walk the Path of The Gods (Hiking distance varies but is normally around 3.5-5 miles depending on where you start and end.)
Visit Pompeii.
Naples
In the historic city centre, see the Castel dell’Ovo and visit Piazza del Plebiscito, the city’s largest square. View the Basilica of San Francesco di Paola and the Italian baroque facade of the Royal Palace. Don't miss the San Carlo opera house and the Galleria Umberto I.
Explore the rugged medieval Castel Nuovo and visit the Vomero District for a walk to San Martino, the district’s highest point. The Certosa di San Martino, a former monastery now a museum, houses many Spanish and Bourbon artefacts.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii, about 15 miles from Naples and the closer UNESCO World Heritage Site of Herculaneum.
Pompeii & Herculaneum can be visited as a day trip from Rome, Sorrento, Naples, and the Amalfi Coast. For those in transit between any of these cities, Pompeii makes a nice, quick side trip. It is closest to Naples. Tickets are required and need to be purchased in advance. Normally plan to spend 1-2 hours here. In the summer, it can get extremely hot.
The port of Naples is called Porto Napoli, and the cruise terminal is called Stazione Marittima. In the port area of Molo Beverello, ferries and hydrofoils travel between Naples and other towns.
Once you leave the cruise terminal, there's a passenger walkway that leads you to the Piazza del Plebiscito in the city centre, which is about a 10-minute walk. If you want to explore outside of Naples, a guided shore excursion is recommended.
Salerno
Salerno is a city at the end of the Amalfi Coast, serving as a major transportation hub and port city. Its attractions include Castello di Arechi, offering a panoramic view of the city, beaches, shopping areas, and the Salerno Cathedral, which features 28 columns from Paestum in its courtyard.
The Salerno Cruise Terminal is located west of downtown Salerno.
The city of Salerno offers a free shuttle service from the port gate to the cruise ship due to the inconvenience of walking to the city from the port.
Cruise passengers can then enjoy a walk along the promenade or take a guided tour.
Ravello
Ravello's Piazza Centrale is the main square and is home to the Duomo, cafes, shops, restaurants, and an art gallery. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone can be visited from the square, while ceramics and limoncello are available for shopping.
Amalfi
Amalfi is one of the best towns on the Amalfi Coast. It is small and quick to visit. The Amalfi Duomo is the main attraction in town. It costs a few euros to enter the Duomo complex, where you can visit the Cloister of Paradise, the crypt, the museum, and the cathedral.
Positano
Positano is a breathtaking town on the Amalfi Coast with stunning views of the sea and a wide black sand beach. The colourful buildings that cling to the steep cliffs add to its charm. This town features some of the top hotels and restaurants in the region, making it one of the best places to stay and one of the most expensive!
The shops, restaurants, and hotels are all located amongst the hills, so be prepared for plenty of walking up and down on staircases.
The main attraction in Positano is spending time on the beach, with a couple of options to choose from. Marina Grande, the harbour and ferry port, is next to the main beach of Positano, Spiaggia Grande.
Fornillo Beach, which is connected to Marina Grande via a cliffside path, is not visible from the heart of Positano and can be reached by a 5 to 10-minute walk from Marina Grande.
You can spend time at any of the beach clubs, such as Pupetto Beach Club, Arienzo Beach Club, and La Scogliera, which is Positano's VIP beach club. Most require reservations, and prices vary.
While in Positano, kayaks can be rented right from Spiaggia Grande, which is a great activity to do during your stay.
Sorrento
Sorrento is the perfect base to discover all the beauties of the Campania region, from the Amalfi Coast to Naples and, with only thirty minutes by yacht or hydrofoil, the mythical island of Capri.
While it doesn't offer many traditional sandy beaches due to its cliff-side location, Sorrento's long concrete or wooden docks with lounge chairs and umbrellas provide excellent swimming spots in secluded coves.
For a stunning view of Sorrento, don't miss Piazza della Vittoria & Villa Comunale di Sorrento.
Meanwhile, Leonelli's Beach, Marameo Beach Club, and Peter's Beach are all located next to each other, just below Villa Comunale di Sorrento. They each offer various facilities, including sun loungers, changing cabins, and food and drinks, but expect to pay a fee.
Marina Grande is a beautiful marina with colourful buildings, piers, small fishing boats, and seafood restaurants. Though it's a bit far from the heart of Sorrento, it's worth experiencing. To get to the marina, take a 10-15 minute walk from Villa Comunale di Sorrento. The uphill walk on the return journey might be a bit challenging.
Marina Piccola is the ferry port in Sorrento, where you can catch a ferry or boat ride to Capri, Naples, or the Amalfi Coast. Piazza Tasso is the main piazza in Sorrento and where you will find most of the nightlife.
Take a short drive from Sorrento to reach Bagni Regina Giovanna. Here, you'll find a natural pool surrounded by ruins that make for a stunning hike and dip. You can also kayak to this area. Finally, don't leave without trying Limonoro's famous Limoncello – it's the most popular place to get it.
Capri
Capri is a small island which can be easily accessed from Naples, Sorrento, and Positano. Regular ferry and boat tours run between these destinations throughout the day. The tickets and tours for this idyllic island do sell out quickly, so it's best to book in advance.
Once on the island, visitors can explore two towns, Capri and Anacapri. Those who prefer not to walk up the hills can take advantage of the funicular and chairlift, which offer stunning views.
For a truly memorable experience, take a tour that will transfer you from the port to the island. You'll get to see the Blue Grotto, where you can even take a small rowboat inside, along with other grottos and cliffs surrounding the island. This tour also allows you to spend some time on the island and see many highlights without having to take a bus, ferry, taxi, or walk a lot.
