Breathtakingly beautiful sights await you on the Amalfi Coast. Under the majestic peak of Mount Cerreto, pastel shaded villages are hewn into dramatic cliffs, connected together by the bewitchingly scenic 16th century road, the SS. 163. Experience this and the history that is Pompeii and Herculaneum whilst you holiday here
The Amalfi Coast appears to have leapt straight out of a majestic painting, with all the breathtaking beauty you’ll discover here. Situated in southern Italy, in the Campania region, this magnificent UNESCO World Heritage site of coastline stretches out across 31 miles.
The Amalfi Coast has been the playground of the rich and famous for decades with its alluring Mediterranean vibe. With the backdrop of the craggy green Lattari Mountains and cliffs, you’ll find bold blue skies stretching out over the rugged coast towards the sparkling turquoise Tyrrhenian Sea in seamless succession. Venture into pastel-coloured villages perching on cliffs, which offer mesmerizing views over inviting sun-kissed beaches. The bold yellow of lemon trees and the pink hues of bougainvillea pop out from every angle.
Through all the glamour of the Amalfi Coast, there remains a simplicity that’s rooted in nature. Farmers cultivate steep terraces, artisan producers craft delicious cheeses and olive oil, while fishermen cast their nets and bring back delightfully fresh frutti di mare.
There are 13 towns and villages that make up the Amalfi Coast, each with their own unique essence and quintessentially steep streets. You can reach them all by the scenic 16th century Strada Statale Amalfitana (SS. 163) road, which bewitchingly curves and winds through the cliffside. The ancient town of Amalfi gives the coastline its name, and is a bustling haven filled with a labyrinth of whitewashed houses, alleys and stairways. Situated below the Valle dei Mulini, this town was once at the capital of the maritime republic. The Cloister del Paradiso is a magical garden to explore, and views from the belltower of its historic Arabic-Norman cathedral are worth the 62-step climb up from the Piazza Duomo.
In glitzy Positano, the town where the trendsetting jetsetters gather, you’ll find buzzing bars and chic boutiques filled with handmade leather sandals and signature linen clothing. Heart-stirringly romantic with its faded aristocratic glory, Ravello perches in the mountains. Filled with secluded grand villas and gardens that inspired the German composer Richard Wagner, the town is home to one of Italy’s oldest musical festivals.
Amalfi’s smaller towns are less dominated by visitors, but remain charmingly simple, stop-worthy destinations. Visit the authentic towns of Furore, Atrani, Maiori, and the fishing villages of Cetara and Conca dei Marini. Explore colourful ceramics in the town of Vietri sul Mare, and silk production in Praiano. Taste full-bodied wines in the hilly town of Tramonti, and tuck into the renowned handmade pasta found in Minori.
The Amalfi Coast is home to plenty of well-trodden trails where you can hike through panoramic nature, such as Sentiero degli Dei, the Path of the Gods. With so much to marvel at, it's perfectly clear why the Amalfi Coast is considered the crown jewel of the Neapolitan Riviera.
Experience more of Italy by adding an excursion to your holiday. Below is a selection of our most popular group excursions in this area.
In addition we can also arrange private tours and experiences tailored to your individual requirements.
To pre-book please call our Personal Travel Planners on 01293 765055*.
Discover the real Amalfi Coast while staying in one of our carefully selected hotels
The closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples (NAP), which is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes from Amalfi. Direct flights to Naples airport (NAP) are available from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted, Manchester and Newcastle and take approximately 2 hours 45 minutes.
Like many coastal spots in Italy, the Amalfi Coast tends to be busiest during July and August, when you'll find tourists as well as Italians enjoying the hot weather and summer festivals that take place. A good time to go is May-June and September-October, when you can enjoy fewer crowds and good weather. Although the Amalfi Coast is mostly a summer destination, visitors during the winter can still enjoy quite mild temperatures and normally dry weather. However not all restaurants and shops remain open out of season.
At the current time, British citizens do not require a visa to visit Italy.
Whilst tipping isn’t embedded into Italian culture it is always appreciated as an acknowledgement of good service. Nowadays people generally round up a bill in a bar or cafe and leave 5-10% extra on a restaurant bill. Taxi bills are usually also rounded up.
On guided tours/excursions, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide.
On small group escorted tours, it is customary to leave a token of appreciation for the driver and guide at the end of the tour.
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is widely spoken too, so getting by is easy.