Our guide to the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most inspiring and surprising stretches of the Mediterranean coastline. Everyone seems to have their own favourite port of call and whichever you decide to visit we have some stunning villas to offer and will most undoubtedly remain etched on your mind for years to come!

Nestled centrally on the coast in the region of Campania immediately south of Lazio and some would say marks the beginning of the south of Italy. Sprung from the shadow of Mount Vesuvius first discovered by the Romans who named it "Happyland".

At present along with Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast is probably one of the most popular regions of Italy and quite often a first stop for a novice traveller looking to begin their Italian adventure. For centuries, this region was the final stop of the Northerner Italians grand tours according to old Italian fables.

No journey to the Amalfi Coast is dull, this is an imposing rock garden with breath-taking cliffs and deep ravines and a stunning coastal road offering exceptional panoramic sea views and mesmerizing sunsets. Its most notable features include Roman sites, amazing stretches of coastline and small dotted islands out into the Gulf of Naples.

Much has been written about this area of Italy but it really is a charming place with old ports, hillside retreats and hanging gardens. The landscape is full of vineyards, lemon trees and olive groves with almond trees, chestnut trees and explosions of bougainvillea.

Although it's nearest city is Naples, it is also easily accessible from Rome.

The resorts

Amalfi - itself is a sophisticated gem of a town with a lovely marina (great for jetting off to the islands and other ports). The spectacular Piazza Duomo offers some great cafés and there are plenty of pretty cobbled backstreets to wander around with many hidden Trattoria's.

Positano  - is the pin-up of the coast with pretty coloured villas, winding cobbled streets, a quaint little beach and endless café's, restaurants and boutiques. Regarded as Italy's most nearly vertical town spilling down like a waterfall of pink, cream & yellow villas, a well-known hideaway for artists & writers and in more modern times famous celebrities.

Praiano - could be Positano's little sister. Squeezed into a cleft in the rocks, much smaller and with two tiny centres, Vetica Maggiore on the Positano side and Marina de Praiano on the Amalfi side. This quaint village tends to attract those looking for a laid-back ambience. A small area of beach with a couple of sandy coves close by ensures a relaxing & peaceful stay.

Ravello - in the hills above Minori offers the theatrical gardens of Villa Ruffolo (with a host of summer events), pretty courtyards, ancient churches and some of the best views over the coastline. With its crumbling walls, rows of lemon trees and wisteria, the town gives just the sort of visions that one goes to Italy for. With it's winding streets filled with art galleries it's easy to see why budding artists find inspiration here. 

Sorrento - is an old favourite and for those looking for a livelier resort. The town itself has excellent views over the bay of Naples and although there is no beach, there are plenty of bathing platforms for sunbathing and accessing the sea. This is the perfect place to explore the coastline with a busy harbour and plenty of boats to neighbouring islands (including Capri). The backstreets of the town come alive in the evening with plenty of bars and restaurants to choose from.

Capri - juts out of the sea just off the far end of the Sorrento peninsular is this enchanting island haven with breath-taking caves, charming narrow lanes and luscious vegetation and has attracted visitors for centuries. The main town on the island is nestled between its two mountains with small central square of Piazza Umberto. For those with expensive taste the island is a boutique shop hotspot filled with designer labels from all over the world.

Ischia - is the largest of the islands in the Bay of Naples rising out of the sea in a series of pointy green hummocks and is host to charming beach resorts, thermal springs and therapeutic sands. Not as dramatic as its sister island Capri, but rest assured of being alone in exploring parts of its mountainous interior. If you're after some beach lounging, good walking and lively nightlife within striking distance of Naples, it might be just the place.

Amalfi Coast things to do

Walking - The Amalfi coast hosts dozens of small paths & stairways that almost fall into the sea and connect the coastal towns & villages. One of the most well-known hikes is the path of the gods, an 8km trail which runs from Agerola to Nocelle (not vice-versa), sloping gently downhill with stunning views of the region and the island of Capri. is rated one of the best in the world. On some of the trails you can not tell where the sea line finishes and the sky starts, hence its name the path to the gods.

Cruises & sailing tours - discovery the Amalfi coast by boat whether it's a day trip, organised tour, chartering your own boat, passenger ferry to the islands or being lucky enough to hire your very own luxury sailing yacht. A big favourite is Capri and the Blue Grotto boat trip. On this, you can discover the dazzling beauty of Capri from the water with its natural arch, the Carla de Mitigliano waterfall and the Blue Grotto - a cave in the side of the mountain reached by squeezing through a narrow opening at water level to reveal a magical natural cavern filled with an ethereal & eery light reflecting on the tranquil blue waters. The main transport hub of Sorrento is where most tourists tend to head to for main excursions, however there are several ports in the region, particularly in Positano on the southern side of the peninsular.

Sights & landmarks - there is no shortage of things to see & do in this region. Not to be missed when holidaying here is the daily excursions to the buried city of Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius. Please bear in the mind that the day can be physically exhaustive but extremely worthwhile as Pompeii is one of the most important Archaeological sites in Italy and truly deserves its UNESCO World Heritage status.

For more information see the following useful links

http://pompeiisites.org/en/

https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/829

Shopping - hours can be spent meandering around the streets of the Amalfi Coast towns but our favourites for shopping particularly for local goods, designer wear, arts & crafts are Sorrento & the Island of Capri (the most famous trousers of the same name popularised by Audrey Hepburn in the 50's & 60's). For art lovers a visit to the hilltop town of Ravello which boasts some of the best local artwork of the region.

Wine tasting - the region is best known for the Aglianico grape, forming the basis of great wines such as Falerno and Taurisi. The two most popular tours include the Pompeii & Mount Vesuvius wine tour, but our favourite is the Amalfi Coast wine tour, a 6 hour scenic drive from Sorrento to Tramonti learning about the wine making process whilst walking through the vineyards and visiting the cellars, sampling the best three local wines the region has to offer.

Beaches & Lidos - the 50km stretch of coastline is comprised of dozens beaches, coves & cliffs, the largest of which are located in Positano, Amalfi & Ravello, however the best are to be found at Minori and Maiori, where the latter offers a half-mile of Volcanic ash sand and the typical Italian lido style resort and facilities. Although Sorrento is more of a larger town it is comprised of mainly lidos but a 15-minute walk west from Piazzo Tasso & heading for Marina Grande you will find a small beach with strips of sand.

The Arts & Museums - the town of Ravello has been named the city of music and has a truly vibrant cultural scene, hosting the Ravello festival and the Ravello Concert Society. The views from this captivating town have inspired countless artists and the town of Ravello itself is an open-air art gallery. One of our favourite local museums is in the town of Amalfi, a 15-minute stroll uphill from the Cathedral is the Museo della Carta, a centuries old papermill where you can still make a piece of paper using medieval methods.

Food & drink - being on the doorstep of Naples, the pizza in the area is fabulous. The Amalfi Coast also boasts some of the world's finest fish cuisine and you will be spoilt for choice in terms of trattoria's and restaurants (many with outstanding views). The buffalo mozzarella in the area is to die for, so expect some fabulous Caprese salads.  Enjoy the large Sorrento lemons in the form of limoncello, gelato or a refreshing granita. And for something naughty, the Sfogliatelle stuffed shell-shaped pastries are amazing!

Getting to and around the Amalfi Coast

The nearest airport is Naples International Airport, which is a 50-70 minute transfer depending on the resort you are staying in but it's also very easy to access the Amalfi Coast through either Rome airports Leonardo da Vinci International Airport or Rome Fiumincino.

From Naples to your Amalfi Coast resort, if you don't have a private airport transfer or a car hire, there are three options, train, ferry or hydrofoil or the local SITA bus service. These are all very reliable, frequent and low cost & range in time from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Another option would be a private airport transfer to your holiday accommodation.

For more information on the SITA bus service & timetables click here - https://www.sitabus.it/en/

For more information about the train service in Amalfi Coast click here -  https://www.italiarail.com/italiapass/how-to-get-from-naples-to-positano-amalfi-coast

The perfect way to explore the towns & villages themselves is on foot as many are pedestrianised & parking is not allowed within the centres. Ideally the best way to explore the region is by car and without this you will need to move around by SITA bus or by boat. The Travelmar Ferry will connect you with ports in Positano, Amalfi, Minori, Maiori and Salerno and you can consult the schedule online to plan your journey. To reach the islands the ferries and hydrofoils operate from Naples, Pozzuoli & Sorrento with some connections from Salerno, Amalfi & Positano.

Amalfi Coast weather & best time to visit

As with many resorts in Italy the peak season is July & August. If possible we would recommend trying to avoid the Ferragosto, usually around the middle of August, which is a national holiday in Italy, when offices, factories and many stores are closed and mark the beginning of the exodus from the towns and cities for families not working in the tourist industry to take their annual holidays for 2 weeks.

If you are a couple and looking for a relaxing holiday without the masses then we would suggest either April to June when the Spring flowers are in bloom and the weather is just warm enough the first dips into the Meditterranean sea of the season. September is also a good time to visit as temperatures are still warm enough, the children are back at school and demand is lower meaning reduced prices. 

If visiting outside of peak season they we recommend just checking the swimming pool of your villa is open for use as the owners are usually are quite shocked people like to use the pools when unheated.

Why Amalfi Coast holidays?

There is a great range of Amalfi Coast villas to offer, many with breath-taking views, from wonderful hillside apartments and villas to little gems in the heart of each resort. Most sought after are smaller villas with private pools in addition to those within walking distance of a village, therefore we recommend booking early to avoid disappointment.

The region is not really a bucket and spade holiday but a place for those who wish to mix the beauty of the coastline with great sights, villages and a traditional Italian way of life. Explore the area on the fantastically thrilling coastal buses, jump on a boat or ferry to the pretty islands - a boat is the only way to visit the beautiful Island of Capri and you can also truly appreciate the stunning and imposing landscape of the Amalfi Coast at a distance. Everyone seems to have their own favourite port of call and whichever you decide to visit will most undoubtedly remain etched on your mind for years to come!

An Amalfi Coast villa holiday is certainly one you will remember and chances are keep returning.