A colourful three-day guide for the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is one of the most romantic, rugged and colourful stretches of the southern Italian coastline. Vineyards and lemon groves grow cliffside, and colourful houses cling to the sides of hills, built up originally as fishing villages, while other cliffs plunge straight into the Tyrrinean Sea. I visited the Amalfi Coast last year in July and have put together a three-day guide to visiting some of the beautiful towns that comprise this magical part of Italy.
Day one
Ravello
Ravello is scenic, fairytale town perched atop the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. This town is home to some spectacular vantage points with sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea and famous villas with whimsical gardens open for tourists to explore.
Places of interest
✘ Villa Rufolo
✘ Villa Cimbrone
Villa Rufolo was built in the 13th Century and features castle-like architecture with a fairytale tower laced with ivy as well as sprawling gardens blooming with bright flowers.
Villa Cimbrone dates back to the 11th Century. The beautiful Villa features a stunning terrace that overlooks the sea called the “Terrace of Infinity”. The terrace has recently become an infamous landmark after it was featured in the recent revamp of the movie Wonderwoman.
Aside from its fairytale villas, Ravello has plenty of markets and shops selling ceramics and clothes as well places to eat with views just an incredible as the ones you would have just seen in the gardens of the villas.
Amalfi
Amalfi is the largest and most centrally located town, between the two most outer coastline towns of Sorrento and Salerno, on the Amalfi Coast. Amalfi is sometimes considered the cultural and historical heart of the coast.
Places of interest
✘ Amalfi Cathedral
✘ Piazza del Duomo
Day two
Conca dei Marini
Conca dei Marini is a much less touristy and quaint town along the Amalfi coast. The town, similarly to other towns on this infamous stretch of Italian coastline, is located on top of a hill and exudes the charm of a small fishing village.
Places of interest
✘ Marina di Conca Beach
✘ Grotta dello Smeraldo
Conca dei Marini hidden treasures is most definitely Grotta de Esmeraldo, which a small sea cavern. What makes this cave even more special is a submarine fissure that filters in light from the sun outside and illuminates the green tones in the water.
Furore
In the town of Furore is a slice of hidden paradise. (You might’ve seen pictures of Fiordo di Furore Beach has been blowing up on Instagram recently.) Mostly hidden from sight if you’re out in the sea or until you’re directly over the bridge, there is only a small, narrow inlet to this small, once-secret beach.
Places of interest
✘ Fiordo di Furore Beach
Day three
Positano
Positano is one of the most popular and most photographed towns on the Amalfi Coast and it’s not difficult to understand why. This beautiful, colourful village hangs vertically from the cliffs leading all the way down to Marina Grande Beach.
Places of interest
✘ Marina Grande Beach
✘ Le Sirenuse
✘ Amalfi Drive
For views over the coast, I recommend taking a walk along Amalfi Drive, where you’ll find plenty of photo opportunities.
And, I highly recommend taking a boat trip along the coast to see the towns from the Tyrrhenian Sea (as above). Or take in the view from Le Sirenuse with a cocktail (as below).
Other things to note:
Transport – getting to the Amalfi Coast
Getting to the Amalfi Coast isn’t the easiest in terms of direct transportation (nor is it necessarily cheap). The closest airport is in Naples. From there, you can organise a coach bus, taxi or private car to take you to the Amalfi Coast (generally, Sorrento).
I arrived in Naples by plane, took a bus to Pompeii and then took a private car to Conca dei Marini, which isn’t cheap. But I know there was a coach option directly to Sorrento.
Transport – getting around the Amalfi Coast
Getting around the Amalfi Coast is relatively easy with public buses, taxi or car/ scooter hire. Some towns are even in walkable distance from one another, such as Conca dei Marini to Furore.
Can’t wait till my next Amalfi trip! We need to go during the off season so the beaches are a bit emptier.
Thank you so much for a beautiful and helpful article <3
All the best
Hild
Absolutely gorgeous photos. Loved the guide too!
Beautiful place! Thanks fr sharing this guide and your experience! Can you recommend a hotel around there? Thank you!
Apologies for the very delayed response to your comment, I did not see it until just now. I stayed in Conca dei Marini, which is between Amalfi and Positano. I stayed at Hotel Terrazze Amalfi Coast, which is a little pricey. There are cheaper options available in most areas.
Ohh my dream to be there!
Wow these photos reminds me of the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. I have been there twice but many many years ago! So it’s high time I went back! My favourite place are Ravello and Positano! 🙂
I’m getting ready to plan a trip to the Amalfi coast, so this was very helpful! Thank you!!
Such gorgeous photos and a really handy breakdown of what exactly to do! I’ve been trying to get to the Amalfi Coast for years but as of now, will just have to keep dreaming! Also, can I steal all the beautiful plates hanging on the wall?!
I’m off to Amalfi I September so this is going to be so useful! Love the colourful photos and useful info!
What a lovely photos! Last weekend I spent one day in Positano and Amalfi, it was really nice (but rainy, though 🙂 ) When I am next time in Amalfi coast I will make sure to visit also other places you mentioned in your post!