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AMALFI COAST

INTRODUCTION TO AMALFI COAST

Sun, sea and limoncello - la dolce vita is alive and well on the Amalfi Coast, Italy. This 40km strip of beaches, mountains and general good-times has been a major draw card for centuries. Everyone from the Ancient Greeks to the Romans, the Byzantines to the British Aristocracy, to Beyoncé and Jay Z have holidayed in this slice of heaven.

Whether you’re a history nerd, culture buff or a beach bum, our Amalfi Coast Travel Guide will give you a taste of the best of the Amalfi Coast.

What was once one of the global centres of trade, academia and the arts, the Maritime history of the Amalfi Coast is still alive and well. Dive deep to uncover ancient knowledge, from learning about medieval medical practices to delicate paper crafts in one of the Amalfi’s most famous museums.

When it comes to Amalfi Coast activities, we’ve got you covered. Be blown away by the intricacy of local ceramics and the decadence of old-world villas in Vietro sul Mare. Get lost in the manicured gardens and lemon-lined orchards of Ravello. Discover ancient Greek and Roman artefacts in Salerno.

There’s no better place in the world to eat than Italy and we’ve got the low down on all the best bites. Seafood off the back of a boat? Yes please. Handmade pasta with names we can’t pronounce? Why not. Drowning it all down with locally-made limoncello? Absolutely. The Amalfi Coast is bursting with fresh produce and we want you to try it all and more. From fresh pastries and coffee in the morning, to the mandatory twice-a-day gelato, you’ll be in a permanent food coma and loving every second of it.

For those wanting to work on their tans, Amalfi Coast beaches are some of the best in the world. Kick back on the sandy shores of Maiori or live it up in a beach club Positano – you’ll never run out of things to do in the Amalfi Coast.

FAST FACTS
Language: Italian
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 220V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Italy.
Dialing Code: +39
Time Zone: (GMT +01:00 / CEST)

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Visit the town of Amalfi

The town that gave the coast its name, the town of Amalfi is an icon of the region. Nuzzled between dramatic cliffs and the Tyrrhenian Sea, this historic town is a traveller’s dream. Climb the steps of the Amalfi Cathedral and marvel at the Arab-inspired architecture of this 9th century wonder. Stroll down the cobblestoned streets and visit the local stores lining the laneways. Lie under a stripped umbrella on its sandy beaches. Feast on fresh seafood at night, before washing it all down with gelato made from the signature local lemons. For the best bits of Southern Italy, Amalfi is not to be missed.
Admire the pastel coloured houses of Positano

Ahh Positano, the what Instagram dreams are made of. The sheer colour of this place is enough to put a smile on your face. With its pastel-coloured homes bringing life to the cliffs, you won’t even mind having to hike up a few (hundred) steps to get anywhere. Get your energy hit at one (or more) of the town’s gelaterias on your way to soak up the sun at the beach. For those looking to be a bit more adventurous, walk the path of the gods up the mountain face to receive a to-die-for view of the region as your reward.
Head up to the heights of Ravello

What would a trip to the Amalfi Coast be without views of the iconic cliff face? But don’t be fooled, Ravello is much more than a photo opp – full of medieval villas and orchard-lined hills, this historic town is one of the Amalfi Coast’s best-kept secrets. Explore the grounds of Villa Rufolo, a restored 13th century home, whose breath-taking gardens burst with colour. Sip on an Aperol Spritz and people watch from a bar in the main piazza, or grab a pizza to take away and enjoy on the steps of the Cathedral of San Pantaleone – just like the locals. The view from the top is even sweeter in remarkable Ravello.
Enjoy the beaches of Maiori

Ask any local what the best beach on the Amalfi Coast is and they’ll tell you it’s Maiori. This place has been a holiday hot-spot since Roman times – and with its crystal-clear waters, sandy shoreline and surrounding mountains, it’s not hard to see why. But the best thing about the beach isn’t its natural beauty: it’s experiencing #beachlife the way the locals do. For Italians, going to the beach means dressing up, renting a beach bed and getting table service. Ordering cocktails and gelatos on the beach will become your new favourite pastime in magical Maiori.
Take a boat tour into the Grotta dello Smeraldo Cave

The Amalfi Coast and cave exploring go together just like coffee and biscotti. One of the most famous caves in the region is the Grotta dello Smeraldo, named after its stunning emerald colour. Twice a year, on December 24 and January 6, divers take to its waters to visit the ceramic nativity scene located on the cavern floor, which – with a little special lighting – you might be able to catch a glimpse of. Even outside of festival times, the grotto worth the visit. Jam packed with stalactites and stalagmites – some of which are up to 10 metres in length – this impressive cavern can only be explored by boat.

Things to do in Amalfi Coast

Byzantine New Year
Culture

Dating back to the Byzantine era, the Republic of Amalfi once celebrated New Year on the last day of August and the first day of September. While the Byzantines have long-gone, the party remains: each year, locals dress up in traditional clothes, hold a parade and play medieval games, just as their ancestors did.
St. Peter and St. Paul’s Day
Culture

Based on Catholic traditions, the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul is celebrated all throughout Italy on the 29th of June – but it’s even more special on the Amalfi Coast. Honouring St. Peter’s early life as a fisherman, towns across the Amalfi Coast come to life with processions, fireworks and food galore.
Ravello Music Festival
Music

With a stage set in the gardens of Villa Rufolo overlooking the sea, the hills of Ravello echo with classical melodies between August and September during this annual Music Festival. But it’s not just Mozart and penguin suits – the festival also boasts an array of dance, from classical ballet to contemporary numbers, as well as electronic beats and local accordion players.
Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics
Culture

The annual Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics is a historic boat race between Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice – the four Maritime Republics of ancient Italy. While the date of the festival changes every year, the city of Amalfi plays host once every four years. If you find yourself in the area in 2020, this is a must-see event. Not that you’ll be able to miss it – the city comes to life with parades, festivities and general party vibes, and you’ll be right in the middle of the action.
Feast of Santa Maria Maddalena
Culture & Food

A patron saint of the town of Atrani, the feast day of Santa Maria Maddalena is a public holiday for locals. So on the July 22 every year, this beautiful city gets lit up and ready to party. Follow the religious procession down to the beach by day, then get ready to celebrate at night. Tonnes of food vendors line the streets, local musicians play in the piazza and wine flows all night long.

Top 5 Festivals in Amalfi Coast

It’s always a good idea to visit the Amalfi Coast, but this beautiful beach-lined region really comes to life during festival time. Whether it’s a seasonal celebration, a saint’s feast day or an ancient tradition, visiting the coast during festival season is a must. Here are our five top festivals in the Amalfi Coast.

Museum of Paper

While it might feel like you’re walking into a cave, this museum is actually one of the oldest paper mills in Europe. Learn how paper has been made over the years, plus pick up some local paper craft at the gift store.
Coral Museum

Born from owner Giorgio Filocamo’s love of his art and passion to share his family history, the Coral Museum in Ravello is a private collection of jewellery carved from coral. You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled, as this little gem is hidden away at the back of Giorgio’s jewellery store.
Museo della Ceramica

Known as the gateway to the Amalfi, Vietri sul Mare is a tiny town just west of Salerno and is famous for its brightly-coloured ceramics. These ancient beauties are used to decorate everything from private villas to walls of Cathedrals. Check out some of the town’s most notable works at the Museo della Ceramica, the Ceramics Museum.
Provincial Archaeological Museum

The Amalfi Coast has been attracting settlers and visitors for millennia, so it’s no surprise that they’ve got a few relics on their hands. The Provincial Archaeological Museum in Salerno has a collection of ruins and artefacts that tell the story of the local region, from the days of indigenous cave dwellers, to the colonising Greeks and Romans.
Virtual Museum of Salerno's Medical School

As a global centre for trade and culture throughout the years, Salerno’s history is also deeply rooted in science, having absorbed the knowledge of Greek, Roman and Arab medical traditions. The Virtual Museum of Salerno’s Medical School tells the stories of some of the city’s greatest medical achievements, dating back to medieval times.

Top 5 Museums & Galleries in Amalfi Coast

In between swimming and sunbaking, take some time to discover the history of the Amalfi Coast. What was once a hot-spot for global trade, the Amalfi Coast was home to some of the world’s brightest minds and most talented artisans. Whether you’re an art buff, history geek or a jewellery lover, the Coast has a museum that’ll pique your fancy. Here are our top five picks.

Scialatielli
Every region in Italy has its own type of pasta, and on the Amalfi Coast, its scialatielli. A short, thick version of linguine, this local dish is best served with a tonne of seafood. When in the town of Amalfi, you can’t get much better than La Piazzetta’s scialatielli amalfitani ai frutti di mare. Prawns, clams and other seafood delights tossed in with a tomato sauce? Yes, please.

_{Best eaten at}
_{La Piazzetta, Piazza Dei Dogi 7, 84011, Amalfi}
Ndunderi
If you’re a fan of gnocchi, you’re going to love ndunderi. Much like its northern counterpart, ndunderi are light, fluffy clouds of goodness – but instead of being made of potato, ndunderi are made using ricotta. Restaurant Al Cancelletto in Amalfi is the place to chow down on these delicious dumplings.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Al Cancelletto, Piazza Dei Dogi 11, 84011, Amalfi}
Sarchiapone
The Amalfi Coast’s answer to melanzane and cannaloni is sarchiapone. This local delight is made using long, green pumpkin, which is stuffed with a mixture of minced meat, diced mozzarella, grated parmesan and salami. The sarchiapone are then battered, fried and baked in napolitana sauce. Are you drooling yet?

_{Best eaten at}
_{Ristorante Eolo, Via Pantaleone Comite, 3, 84011 Amalfi}
Pigniatello all’amalfitana
While it’s hard to get past Ristorante Eolo’s sarchiapone, their pigniatello all’amalfitana is a close contender. A local favourite, this seafood stew is made using prawns, clams, mussels and squid. Slow cooked in a clay pot in a tomato and white wine sauce and a dash of chilli, it’ll leave you licking your bowl clean.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Ristorante Eolo, Via Pantaleone Comite, 3, 84011 Amalfi}
Sfogliatelle
While we might be used to savoury breakfasts, you’ll quickly find that the Italians like to start their day with a sweet treat. On the Amalfi Coast, this usually means sfogliatelle. Light, crunchy and stuffed with fresh cream or pistachio paste, these flaky golden pastries will leave you seriously satisfied. For the best sfogliatelle on the Amalfi Coast, you can’t go past Pasticceria La Dolce Arte in Sant’Agnello.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Pasticceria La Dolce Arte, Via Nastro Azzurro 28, 80065 Sant'Agnello}

Food in Amalfi Coast

Let’s be honest, it’s hard to have a bad meal in Italy. The secret to good Italian food is fresh, local produce, and on the Amalfi Coast, that means lemons, seafood and pastries packed with nuts. Here are our top five picks for foods you’ve got to try on the Amalfi Coast.

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