Amalfi Coast Guide
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LOCATION AND TERRITORY
The Amalfi Coast, or Costiera Amalfitana in Italian, is a stretch of coastline on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy (Province of Salerno), extending from Positano in the west to Vietri sul Mare in the east.
The towns lying on the Amalfi Coast are: Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Maiori, Minori, Positano, Praiano, Ravello, Scala, Tramonti, Vietri sul Mare.
We find the range of the Monti Lattari (Lattari mountains) that lies directly on the sea and forms an indented coast line with many outreaching cliffs and coves.
In this part of the world the gardens of the villages cohabit with a natural and typical vegetation of the Mediterranean area, a huge part of which is still untouched. Whoever sees this wonderful part of Italy with rich history, culture and folklore, popular sayings and gastronomical traditions is for sure going to be fascinated.
ACTIVITIES
For a true Amalfi Coast experience, you'll want to rent a car and drive the dramatically twisting cornice road that follows the coastline, but be sure to ask about overnight parking fees as space is limited and prices are high.
Otherwise you can find private boat excursions and water taxis along Praiano, Positano, the Amalfi Coast, Capri and Sorrento - day and night on typical local boats with knowledgeable local sailors - to allow you to discover the mythical and infamous coastlines from the sea.
In Positano there is a world renowned hiking trail “Sentiero degli Dei” (Path of Gods): eleven kilometers of awe-inspiring peaks reaching towards the sky into the mountains in the hinterland of Positano and Amalfi.
Nightlife
The Amalfi Coast and Sorrento are full of life which allow you the opportunity to have fun and culture.
If you really want to have a different evening, we can suggest fashionable venues (some in cliff-face grottos!) where you can dance the night away, or simply watch the world pass by.
WHAT TO VISIT
Amalfi
Amalfi is a picturesque seaside resort that has the most vibrant, typical Italian atmosphere, an ideal climate, breath taking views and unique natural beauties.
It is the main center of the Costiera Amalfitana, and an important Italian tourist destination, included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
In the past, Amalfi was the first Sea Republic, from four in total.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Amalfi was the first city to restore a relationship between the East and the West.
The people from Amalfi transported and introduced merchandise such as coffee, paper and carpets, in Italy.
Countless fascinating tales and historical monuments, such as the Cathedral, the old dockyards, and Paper Mills that, in the past, made the famous paper of Amalfi, and are still making this paper today, all accompany this small town.
Maiori
The town has a very ancient and remarkable history, and today is a lively tourist resort, boasting the longest uninterrupted sandy beach on the Amalfi coastline, as well as a rich cultural life.
You can visit the Palazzo Mezzacapo, today the seat of the town hall; the church of Santa Maria a Mare, with its unmistakable dome covered by majolica tiles; the Castle of San Nicola de Thoro-Plano, a huge, wide fortress covering 7500 square meters.
Praiano
One of the centers of the Amalfi Coast, Praiano is located at the tip of a peninsula separating the bays of Amalfi and Positano, with the small town on the hills of the promontory, and the beautiful beach of Marina di Praia along the sea.
Its privileged position allows seeing both sunrise and sunsets on the sea, a feature for which the town is deservedly famous.
You can visit the parish church of San Luca Evangelista, built in the baroque style; the many sighting towers, as the Torre a Mare, Torre de Lo Grado, Torre della Gavitella and Torre Asciola.
Ravello
Famed for its medieval gardens (one of which inspired Wagner) and its bluer-than-blue vistas, this mountain aerie is often called the most beautiful town in Italy.
Positano may focus on pleasure, and Amalfi on history, but cool, serene Ravello revels in refinement.
DON'T MISS
Positano
It is one of the most well known holiday places in the world.
The town is built in a charming fashion on terraces on the steep rocks of the Monte Comune, and around a small, well-protected bay.
Positano has earned its worldwide reputation not only because of the beauty of its surroundings, but also because of the shops that produce made-to-measure clothing in the distinctive 'Positano style'.
You can visit the church of Santa Maria Assunta, with a dome made of majolica tiles; the Torri saracene, sighting towers built to defend the area from pirate raids, signaling the arrival of attackers with cannon; the beautiful beaches of Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo, which can be reached only on foot.
You can also do the boat trips to the Sirenuse (or Li Galli) Islands , 3 miles off the coast, composed of the three islands of Castelluccio, Gallo Lungo and Rotonda.
Grotta dello smeraldo
The Amalfi's coast il rich of Caves, built through the water erosion on the calcareous rocks. Between these caves, there is one, called 'Grotta dello Smeraldo', that has typical karst and marine caves element.
In the beginning the cave was above the sea and, during this age, stalactites and stalagmites took shape. Slowly, when the sea level rised on the coast, the cave was partially flooted up by the sea. Today, the cave is connected to the sea through an tunnel 12 mts long and at 4 mts deep.
FOOD SPECIALTIES
Scialatielli. It’s unique pasta prepared with flour, eggs, milk, grated Parmigiano, and parsley, shaped into stout strands, and tossed with seafood and flavorful cherry tomatoes.
Limoncello.
It’s the traditional liqueur distilled from the peel of lemons (called sfusato amalfitano). It's a natural liqueur and an optimal digestive when it comes served in a cold glass.
CLIMATE AND TRAVEL SEASON
The climate of the coast is typically Mediterranean, but we can find some micro-clime as in the 'Valle delle Ferriere', between Amalfi and Scala, rich of water, where leave some rare ferns, like the 'woodwardia radicans'.
A wintertime visit to the Amalfi Coast will find you in search of a hotel, not as a result of crowds, but rather because most accommodations close from November to March.
Late spring and summer are cramped with both Italian and foreign tourists, so the shoulder months of May - June and September - October offer fewer people and azure waters.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Luminaria di San Domenico (from 1st to 4th August, Praiano).
In the evenings the central San Gennaro Square shines with the light of 3000 candles, and all terraces, windows and balconies of private homes are decorated with oil and wax lamps, and huge bonfires are lit.
Ravello Music Festival (in the summer months, Ravello). It begun in 1953 in honor of Richard Wagner.
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