Things to see on the Amalfi Coast
Latest update: 2 February 2024
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It's very difficult to find original words to describe the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. After all, it has been commented upon by poets, writers and film-makers, each of whom has tried to capture the essence of just what they were seeing in front of their eyes.
The coastline stretches from Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east, a distance of around 40 kilometres which somehow feels a lot longer. This is borne out by the fact that if you drive the length of the famous Amalfi Drive, (aka the SS163 which doesn't sound quite as sexy), it will take you around an hour and a half at an average speed of extremely slow. |
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However, anyone who undertakes this task does so not with speed as their first objective. You'll find yourself stopping regularly, reversing and inching closer to the rock face in order to let pass that big bus that's coming towards you which often feels impossible but somehow works out.
The Amalfi Drive also allows plenty of places where you can pull over safely to take photos of the stunning scenery. The most popular/busiest stretch of the coastline is that between Positano and Amalfi, both of which are magnets for tourists, deservedly so for they are essential stops. In my opinion, sharing equal billing with those two is the hill town of Ravello, situated around half an hour inland from Amalfi.
Ravello is home to two of the most beautiful gardens in Italy, Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo; in a similar way to when you can't name the songs of a band but you know them when you hear them, you might not know the names of these gardens but you will most certainly have seen the photos while planning your trip.
Leaving Amalfi and heading east back along the coast road, you come to Atrani, officially Italy's smallest comune as they proudly boast on the sign introducing you to the town, very swiftly followed by the one that says "arrivederci", such is the tiny distance from one end to the other. This is definitely the quieter half of the road and perhaps the half that provides more of a feeling of discovery. The towns of Maiori and Minori are the most famous along this stretch but there are some lesser-known pearls to come with the likes of Erchie and Cetara.
The Amalfi Drive also allows plenty of places where you can pull over safely to take photos of the stunning scenery. The most popular/busiest stretch of the coastline is that between Positano and Amalfi, both of which are magnets for tourists, deservedly so for they are essential stops. In my opinion, sharing equal billing with those two is the hill town of Ravello, situated around half an hour inland from Amalfi.
Ravello is home to two of the most beautiful gardens in Italy, Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo; in a similar way to when you can't name the songs of a band but you know them when you hear them, you might not know the names of these gardens but you will most certainly have seen the photos while planning your trip.
Leaving Amalfi and heading east back along the coast road, you come to Atrani, officially Italy's smallest comune as they proudly boast on the sign introducing you to the town, very swiftly followed by the one that says "arrivederci", such is the tiny distance from one end to the other. This is definitely the quieter half of the road and perhaps the half that provides more of a feeling of discovery. The towns of Maiori and Minori are the most famous along this stretch but there are some lesser-known pearls to come with the likes of Erchie and Cetara.
Seaside Towns on the Amalfi Coast
Praiano
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Hill Towns of the Amalfi Coast
Piazza Duomo, Ravello
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Amalfi Coast Beaches
Marina di Praia
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Gardens of the Amalfi Coast
Villa Rufolo, Ravello
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