Amalfi Coast

Background

The Amalfi Coast lies in the province of Salerno, Campania, southern Italy, on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula, facing the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno. The 40-kilometer Amalfi coastal road (SS163) winds from Vietri sul Mare in the east to Positano in the west, with cliffs, terraced lemon groves and colorful towns layered upon one another. The Cathedral of Amalfi and its Cloister of Paradise, the Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Positano, the Emerald Grotto at Conca dei Marini and the Fiordo di Furore are all unmissable stops along the coast. The coast was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1997 under criteria ii, iv and v, covering 11,231 hectares. In the 10th–11th centuries this was the Duchy of Amalfi, centered on the town of Amalfi; in 1137 Amalfi was sacked by the Republic of Pisa. The 13 communes along the coast retain their settlement patterns and terraced farming landscape from the Middle Ages. Local specialties include limoncello made from the terraced Sfusato Amalfitano lemons, the Tramonti herbal liqueur concerto, handmade thick paper (bambagina), Cetara anchovies and Vietri ceramics.

Local customs

Travel along the coast section by section by bus or ferry, going down to the beach at Positano to look up at the colorful houses, and viewing the coastline from the garden terraces of Ravello. Enter the Cathedral of Amalfi and its Cloister of Paradise, visit the paper museum to learn about handmade thick paper, and look back at the cliffs and towns from a boat. Taste the local limoncello and anchovy dishes.

Rules that apply here

Travel tips

• In high season the coastal road and buses are very crowded, and ferries are an alternative that avoids traffic jams. Accommodation and restaurants in the coastal towns need advance booking in high season. Summer sunshine is strong, so bring sun protection and water. For ticket prices and timetables, check official information. You can take a train from Naples to Sorrento, or a train to Salerno, and then transfer to a bus or ferry into the coast. Along the coast, buses on the coastal road and ferries link the towns, and boats depart from Positano and Amalfi.
• The Mediterranean climate brings warm summers and mild winters. Late spring to early autumn is best for travelling along the coast and taking boats. In winter some ferries and sights reduce their opening, so check official announcements before travelling.