11 Best Things to Do in Amalfi Coast, Italy
By Parker Villas
As you plan your trip to the Amalfi Coast, you will see just how many things there are to do. With only so much time in a day and only so many days being spent on the Amalfi Coast, it can be hard to figure out the best things to do. There are beaches to swim in, views you don’t want to miss, and restaurants you must try. It can seem overwhelming.
Luckily, we’ve done all the research needed and compiled a list for you. And remember, regardless of what you do, book a great accommodation to complement your trip.
We recommend renting an Amalfi Coast villa to experience the true taste of Italy. So continue reading to learn about the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast.
If you’re considering a trip to the Amalfi Coast, chances are high that you plan to spend time at the beach. With its long stretches of Italian coastlines and incredible blue waters, the Amalfi Coast offers some of the country’s best — if not the best — beaches. And of all the beaches along the Amalfi Coast, Positano has the best.
Known as the most popular beach town on the Amalfi Coast, Positano is home to two of the best beaches in the area: Spiaggia Grande and Spiaggia di Fornillo. One of the biggest beaches along the coast, the Spiaggia Grande, is visitors’ first choice for fun in the sun. Soak in the sun while relaxing in the white sand, or dip in the Mediterranean waters.
If you want a beach that’s a little quieter and a little less crowded, visit the Spiaggia di Fornillo while in Positano instead. This beach offers a calm atmosphere and a gentle Italian breeze, so you can escape into the amazing setting around you. No matter which of these two beaches you choose, you’ll catch warm sun rays and the best water views along the entire coast.
Any time you visit the Amalfi Coast, you should take some time away from actually being on the water to take in some amazing views of the water. And there’s no better place to do that than by venturing to the mountain-top city of Ravello and looking out over the coast below you. From Ravello, you can see out over the sea and capture views along nearly the entire coast.
The best place to go in Ravello to capture some of the most amazing views you’ll ever see is the Terrace of Infinity. Located in the Villa Cimbrone, the Terrace of Infinity (Terrazza dell’Infinito) offers unobstructed views of almost the entire Amalfi Coast and the picturesque blue waters of the Mediterranean over 1,000 feet below you.
Getting to the Terrace of Infinity is easy once you’re in Ravello. Head to the Villa Cimbrone and take the main path called Viale dell’Immenso. Along the way, you’ll also find amazing parks and gardens such as the gardens of Villa Cimbrone — more on those later. At the end of the path, you’ll reach the Terrace of Infinity. You’ll know when you get there because the view will take your breath away.
While you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast, you should consider taking some time away from the coastal towns and spending a day or two on one of the nearby islands. By far the most popular, and for good reason, is the island of Capri. This island has amazing views and is frequently visited by celebrities from all over the world. But if you visit Capri, there’s one thing that you absolutely must check out while you’re there.
That would be the Blue Grotto, also known as Grotta Azzurra. One of the most beautiful places in the Mediterranean — if not the world — the Blue Grotto offers visitors the chance to look into arguably the bluest and prettiest waters you’ll see anywhere on the planet.
The Blue Grotto sea cave is located along the northern edge of Capri and can be accessed via a few different boat tours. While you’re on the island, the Blue Grotto is something you don’t want to miss. It’s an unforgettable experience, and the deep blues of the cave will be with you for the rest of your life.
As mentioned previously, the gardens of the Villa Cimbrone are a fantastic sight to see while you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast. Don’t get it twisted; the Villa Cimbrone gardens are worthy of a visit, not just as a ste
The villa’s gardens are open to the public for a small fee and are worth every penny. As you walk along the main pathway, you’ll be surrounded by rich colors, especially if you visit in spring when everything is in full bloom. Besides incredible plants and views around you, the Villa Cimbrone gardens are also home to many statues and temples, making the journey even more memorable.
As you walk, you’ll see the Statue of Ceres, a copy of Donatell’s Statue of David, the Crest of Mercury, a few small temples, and more. So, although the Terrace of Infinity gets a lot of praise for its amazing coastal views, the gardens along the way offer visitors just as much to look forward to. So, no matter which one you see, check out the gardens and the amazing views from the terrace!
While you’re on the island of Capri visiting the Blue Grotto, you should take the time to knock out the next best thing to do along the Amalfi Coast: chairlift to the top of Monte Solaro. Monte Solaro is the highest point on the island of Capri and provides visitors with some of the best views of anywhere along the Amalfi Coast.
The views from the top of this mountain are incredible and rival even those seen from the mountain-top city of Ravello. You will have unobstructed views of the Gulf of Naples and the Tyrrhenian Sea in all directions. Take a look back towards the Amalfi Coast and take in the incredible views of the land coming down to meet the water in the distance. It’s something you’ll never forget.
Not only are the views from the top something to marvel at, but the chairlift is also an experience you’ll always remember. Riding to the top of the highest point on one of the most beautiful islands anywhere in the world is a surreal experience. Everywhere you look along the ride to the top is a unique view that will take your breath away. Take in the endless blue of the waters around you, and check out the rock formations all over the island.
Visiting Capri and doing these two activities is undoubtedly one of the best ways to spend a day while you’re on the Amalfi Coast.
Any trip to southern Italy, even one to the Amalfi Coast, should include a day trip to see the Ruins of Pompeii. Though not technically on the coast, Pompeii is a short bus ride from Sorrento, Positano, or Amalfi. And that bus ride is well worth every second. Bus rides through southern Italy are actually a welcome experience themselves, and you can take in the unique views all around you on the way to Pompeii!
But of course, the main attraction of this day trip is the ruins themselves. Pompeii is an ancient Italian city that was destroyed when the nearby Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The ruins of the city still stand today, with the remains of many stone sculptures, structures, and buildings all around. Feel free to explore the area alone or take a guided tour of the ruins to learn about the city’s history.
You will want to set aside a few hours at the very least to explore the ruins of Pompeii, but you could easily spend a whole day getting lost in the history and sights that the ancient city has to offer. A restaurant has been added to the middle of the ruins so you can grab a bite while taking it all in. Visiting the ruins of Pompeii is an absolute must for anyone spending time along the Amalfi Coast.
If you’re the adventurous type, you will want to consider hiking the famous Path of the Gods while you’re spending time along the Amalfi Coast. Known to the locals as Sentiero degli Dei, the Path of the Gods is a hiking trail along the top of the mountains from Positano to Agerola. If you like hiking and want to see some of the most amazing views of any trail anywhere in the world, then the Hike of the Gods is for you.
Any trip to the Amalfi Coast will include some time spent in Positano, so adding the Path of the Gods to your itinerary is the best way to spend a couple of hours when you’re done at the beach.
It’s a 4-mile trail that takes about 2 hours to complete. But you’ll likely want to spend even more time on it, taking in the gorgeous views around you.
The trail takes you halfway up Mount Sant’Angelo a Tre Pizzi and puts you well over 1,500 feet above the coast below. So you can imagine the breathtaking views you’ll see throughout your walk. If you’re in the area, hiking the Path of the Gods is an unforgettable experience and something you won’t want to miss.
If you choose to stay in Sorrento as your main hub during your trip to the Amalfi, consider taking some time out of your busy day to check out St. Francesco’s Church.
Even if you’re only planning on spending a day or two in Sorrento, visiting this famous church is a must while you’re in the area. For incredible architecture, inviting walkways, and gorgeous interior design, St. Francesco’s Church is the place to visit in Sorrento.
If you’re heading to the popular Villa Comunale gardens in Sorrento, close to the entrance you’ll stumble on St. Francesco’s Church and Covenant. But even if you aren’t headed to the gardens, taking time to see it is well worth it! As you walk up to the church, you’ll see gorgeous Italian architecture towering overhead and perfect landscaping adorning the exterior of the building.
The adjoining cloister is a gorgeous covered walkway you don’t want to miss. Stroll through and look at the amazing art inside and some other exhibits available. This beautiful church is common for events, so you might even catch a wedding as you walk by!
Although far less popular than the Path of the Gods, hiking through the Valle delle Ferrier is something you don’t want to miss out on if you’re the adventurous type who loves the outdoors. Getting to the valley is an incredible journey, but it’s fairly easy to reach if you’re willing to spend some time walking.
Starting from the central hub of Amalfi, you’ll want to walk past the historical paper museum and follow signs for the Riserva Naturale for about 90 minutes or so. Don’t skimp on this part of the walk, either. Spend some time taking in the rich history of Amalfi and even exploring the paper museum. It’s all part of the hike through Valle delle Ferriere!
After you reach the valley, you’ll feel like you’re smack dab in the middle of a postcard. All around you, you’ll see luscious greens of the land and blues of the streams rushing together. As the streams converge and fly over the side of a cliff, you’ll see a massive waterfall into the canyon below. The entire walk is a surreal experience that you will always remember.
We know what you’re thinking. “How did a pizza place make a list of the best things to do on the Amalfi Coast?” With all the beaches, incredible views, and picture-perfect water all around, it might seem a little out of place on this list. But it deserves a spot on the list. And that’s because Franco’s Pizzeria isn’t just any old pizza place. It’s the pizza place.
Serving the best Pizza anywhere on the Amalfi Coast, Franco’s Pizzeria is one of the few restaurants that are an absolute must-visit while you’re visiting the coast. Located a little off the beaten path as you travel down Corso Italia in Sorrento, Franco’s Pizzeria is a hidden gem that often gets overlooked by some of the more prominent pizza places nearby.
This small and quiet restaurant offers the best pizza outside of Naples, and you’ll enjoy the calm ambiance of the place compared to other locations. Not only is the food excellent, but it’s also extremely affordable. This is a must-do while in Sorrento!
One of the best places to visit during your Amalfi Coast vacation is the quiet town of Minori. Commonly discussed in conjunction with its bigger sister city, Maiori.
Minori is the smaller and more quaint of the two. A great place for families to spend time and grab some authentic Italian food, Minori has a lot to offer. One of its most well-known activities is the small dessert shop known as Pastry Sal de Riso.
After eating all the pasta you can imagine (what Minori is known for), journey to Pastry Sal De Riso to grab your dessert. The Delizie Al Limone — also known as the Lemon Delight — is world-famous and nearly obligatory to try while you’re in the area. The best option on the menu is the delicious Delizie Al Limone, but you won’t be disappointed with anything you try here.
So spend your day on the quiet beaches of Maiori or Minori before settling in for dinner. Have some of the best pasta of your life from nearly anywhere in Minori, and then venture to this dessert shop to polish off your trip. There’s no better way to end your vacation to the Amalfi Coast than relaxing and enjoying a delicious Italian dessert.
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