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Positano's beauty is breathtaking.
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The Amalfi Coast is an extraordinary natural treasure. Here,
the hills of the southern half of Italy's Sorrento Peninsula
flow sharply the sea, forming dramatic landscapes providing
excellent coastal views. The towns in the area appear
precipitously perched on small terraces, appearing as stairs that
tread down the sides of the hill ending only when the sea
impedes their progress.
(Click the map on Positano to center it, then select Hybrid to see
the terraces in a satellite view with the roads overlaid on the image. Zoom the map to
see greater detail.)
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As noted in our main text, the best (and sometimes the worst) way
to see the Amalfi coast is to drive it. Many travelers head
south from Naples to Sorrento, followed by a trip across the
peninsula to the towns on the Amalfi Coast that ring the waters of
the Gulf of Salerno. The circuit is usually closed by
traveling uphill to Ravello and north to the Autostrada (A3).
However, we recommend continuing along the coast to Salerno and
heading south for the amazing Greek temples as Paestum.
Finally, you may hear the road along the Amalfi Coast described by
some as the "corniche", a French term for a road that winds along a
steep coast or cliff.
Note than the traffic has taken its toll on the area.
Several of the cities have created parking lots away from the
centers of the towns, while other towns have taken more direct
action. Positano, for example, is officially a "slow
city (Cittaslow)", which means that there are times when you cannot
drive your car if you are staying there. Be sure and ask about
parking and road regulations when you book your hotel reservations.
The Amalfi Coast is a popular tourist area and a seemingly
mandatory inclusion on every travel company's tour of Italy.
Be prepared for crowds and smoke belching buses if you drive the
Amalfi in summer. For example, Amalfi's population trebles from its
normal five thousand during the summer travel season.
Those of you who have flexibility in their travel schedules,
should opt to see the Amalfi Coast in late spring or early
fall. If you really want to enjoy the area, you need to take a room
and spend a few nights exploring the cities after the tour buses
have hit the turn back to Rome or Naples.
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If you are interested in Italy, its people, history, economy and geography, visit our section:
Italy
Country Facts
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Tips
on driving, facts about health care and other Tourist Tips
for traveling in Italy can be found
here. |
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The town of Amalfi has a dramatic setting |
Positano is the most beautiful and the most crowded of the towns along the
Amalfi and like many coastal cities, it is best seen from the water.
Positano is preferred by many as the best location for an overnight stay in the
Amalfi. The town offers fine shopping, but lacks any buildings of
historical significance.
The town of Amalfi combines beautiful scenery with an interesting history.
Its Cathedral of Saint Andrew is a popular attraction. Parts of the cathedral
date from the tenth century and it is the burial place of Saint Andrew the
Apostle. You may also want to see the Emerald Grotto or take a boat trip so you
can see the town from the sea. Amalfi is known for the unusually rich taste of
its lemons, so look for the sorbet shops. Or if you like your lemon a
little tangier, try Limoncello, a lemon liqueur.
Ravello is a small village that sits uphill and is detached from the coast.
It provides dramatic views of the Amalfi Coast and has been a magnet for the
rich and famous over several centuries. Be sure to see the city's two
noted villas - the Villa Rufolo and the Villa Cimbrone, both originally built by
local nobility.
Sorrento is the largest town on the
Peninsula, but that does not diminish its beauty |
Sorrento is not part of the Amalfi Coast is usually included in the tour,
as it is the first major stop after Pompeii when heading to the Amalfi.
Sorrento is less scenic than the towns along the Amalfi, but it is a popular
stop that attracts many travelers. It is also relatively flat compared
to the towns further south - which means that you can walk the town with a
minimum of exertion, a statement that cannot be made about the towns along
the Amalfi. The Old Town (called the Old City Center)
offers several Palazzos (Veniero, Correale) and the beautiful
cloisters of Sant Francesco. Along the coast you can tour
the ruins of Queen Joan's Baths (Villa Pollio Felice), which was an
over-the-top villa during the time of the Roman Empire.
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The Cathedral of Saint Andrew in Amalfi is well worth a visit. It is
filled with interesting religious art and is the final resting place of the
Apostle St. Andrew
| Click here for the
information
on Sorrento
provided
by
the Sorrento Tourism. Click here for the website of the
Amalfi Tourist Office. For
information from Ravello's Tourist Office, click
here. |
Best Places to Visit in Italy
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The view from the gardens at the Villa Ruffalo in Ravello is world famous.
A close-up view of Sorrento snuggled right to the edge of its cliffs
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