13 Best Amalfi Coast Towns to Visit in Italy

The Amalfi Coast is famous for its picture perfect towns dotted along the Mediterranean. Positano Ravello and Sorrento are rightly famous but there are other small towns which are well worth a visit. Here is our guide to the best Amalfi Coast towns that you shouldn’t miss on a trip to Italy.

Where Is The Amalfi Coast?

Spread over 11,231 hectares, the Amalfi Coast is situated in Southern Italy in the region of Campania. This spectacular area starts at Punta Campanella and finishes at Vietri sul Mare. Along the way, there are many charming Italian coastal towns and hamlets that will enchant the visitor.

Most Beautiful Towns on the Amalfi Coast

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, la Costiera Amalfitana as it is known in Italian, is a popular tourist destination with friendly locals and beautiful beaches. There are amazing views of the Tyrrhenian Sea from most of these popular Amalfi Coast towns.

In this article, we’ll focus on towns and villages that are officially part of the Amalfi Coast. We’ve also included a couple of towns located along the coast that you might also like to visit.

1. Amalfi

Any good Amalfi Coast itinerary should include a visit to the town of Amalfi, that gives the whole coast its name. The Cathedral is an unmissable sight but there’s plenty more to see here.

Parts of the Duomo di Amalfi, as Amalfi Cathedral is known, date from the 11th century. The superb marble and stone exterior dates from 1891 and has a distinctive Arab-Norman style.

Head behind the cathedral and up via Pietro Capuano, where you’ll find La Fontana De Cape E Ciucci. Nativity scenes are normally located indoors but unusually, this one is outdoors in the fountain.

Next to the fountain you’ll notice stairs leading to Pizzeria Donna Stella. This charming Amalfi pizza restaurant has a shady terrace under lemon trees. Staff are very friendly and the food is delicious.

About ten minutes from the fountain on the outskirts of the town, the Museo della Carta, the Amalfi Paper Museum. This historic museum is the last working paper mill in Amalfi.

Visitors see how paper used to be made and get the opportunity to make it themselves. For beautiful views over the coast, take the elevator at Sottoportico S. Andrea to the Cimitero Monumentale.

Back at the port, you can take a boat to nearby Positano or Capri. Whilst the latter is not actually part of the Amalfi Coast, being an island in its own right, it’s an easy day trip from Amalfi to Capri by boat that takes around 1 hour.

We’d recommend staying a couple of nights in Amalfi as it’s a great base from which to explore the whole coast. Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi has a perfect location ten minutes walk from the centre but away from any noise.

This luxury Amalfi hotel is situated on a clifftop at 80 metres above sea level. A former monastery, it dates from the 12th century.

There are stunning cloisters and a church that’s popular for weddings. Part of the luxurious NH Hotel group, it has contemporary rooms and a stylish restaurant.

2. Atrani

Less visited than some of the other Amalfi Coast towns, Atrani nevertheless has a certain charm. It’s popular with locals who take a foot tunnel from Amalfi to walk through to the beach. As a general rule, Amalfi Coast beaches are quite pebbly but in Atrani the beach has a dark sand.

Driving along the Amalfi Coast over Atrani’s arched bridge, you can’t miss the main church, Chiesa Collegiata di Santa Maria Maddalena with its distinctive green and yellow dome. Piazza Umberto I is a nice square in which to enjoy a coffee or aperitivo.

3. Positano

One of the most picturesque towns on the Amalfi Coast, Positano is renowned for its colorful buildings. Its dramatic location on the cliffside makes for some stunning views.

The resort town has just 4,000 inhabitants yet it has an influx of visitors during the Summer months. Spiaggia Grande, the main beach in Positano is particularly popular.

There are some lovely boutiques along the pedestrianized streets, such as Viale Pasitea. In fact the Positano look is quite famous, with a boho chic vibe generally involving cotton and linen materials in free flowing styles. The town is also known for its custom-made leather sandals.

Art lovers should not miss the Liquid Art System gallery. It has regularly changing art exhibitions.

Amalfi Coast hiking is second to none. The iconic Path of the Gods hike or Il sentiero degli Dei starts in Nocelle on the outskirts of Positano and finishes near Bomerano.

If you want to stay in Positano, Le Sirenuse is the most famous hotel. Villa TreVille, Il San Pietro di Positano and Villa Magia are some of the other 5 star hotels in Positano.

4. Praiano

This small town on the Amalfi Coast is located between Amalfi and Positano. Ristorante Franchino is a great place to stop for lunch, with breathtaking views over the cape of Conca dei Marini and beautifully presented dishes. Steps lead down to the Marina di Praia, a small beach where you can rent boats.

5. Ravello

Perched high on a hill at 365 metres above sea level, the cliffside town Ravello commands fantastic views over the glittering sea. There are two stunning gardens to visit, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone. The writer Gore Vidal said that the view from the belvedere at Villa Cimbrone was the most beautiful he had ever seen.

The town has an attractive cathedral which dates in part to 1086 although the facade is from the 16th century. Ravello also has a famous auditorium designed by the architect Oscar Neimeyer. The town’s opera festival is extremely popular and runs from end of June to the last week of August.

6. Sorrento

Sorrento is officially on the Bay of Sorrento yet it’s usually considered to be one of the Amalfi Coast towns. It’s another excellent choice as a base, since you can take day trips by boat to Amalfi, the island of Capri and Positano.

The town’s main street, Corso Italia, is now pedestrianized and lined with many fashionable boutiques. You’ll find Sorrento Cathedral just off the main street on Via Santa Maria della Pietà.

The cathedral has an impressive three tiered bell tower and an ornate marble altar. Back on Corso Italia, Fondazione Sorrento is housed in the beautiful Villa Fiorentino.

When we visited, local art students were on hand to explain the meaning behind the paintings. In the basement there’s the Enrico Salierno collection of music boxes and gramophones.

Museo Correale di Terranova on Via Correale is also very impressive, with a European art collection spread over 4 floors. Another lovely place to visit in Sorrento is Chiostro di San Francesco.

The Arabic style cloisters date from the 14th century and are a great spot to escape the heat. Upstairs, Gallery Celentano is an exhibition space with an outdoor swing and a cut-out Fiat 500 from which to admire the coastline.

The permanent exhibition features the work of talented local photographer, Raffaele Celentano. There are also frequent temporary exhibitions such as one on Sofia Loren when we visited.

Marina Grande is the old port in Sorrento and still a working fishing port. There are some charming restaurants along the water’s edge. Back in the centre, one of the best places to eat in Sorrento is O’Parrucchiano.

The iconic Italian food dish, cannelloni, was invented here over 100 years ago. The restaurant is still owned by the same family and has a series of gorgeous outdoor terraces bedecked with flowers and lemon trees.

Grand Hotel La Favorita is also owned by the same family and is a great place to stay in Sorrento. The lovely rooftop pool and terrace is just one reason why it’s among the top rated Sorrento hotels on TripAdvisor. The bedrooms and bathrooms have traditional ceramic tiles that are real works of art. 

See our full Sorrento travel vlog here, including the place where cannelloni was invented!

7. Maiori

With one of the best beaches on the Amalfi Coast, Maiori is a popular destination for families. Stretching for around a kilometer this golden sandy beach is mostly occupied by bathing establishments.

Maiori also has a large waterfront promenade and many boutiques and restaurants. Culture lovers will enjoy visiting the Chiesa di San Nicola de Thoro-Plano. For a gourmet meal with views of the Bay of Naples, head to Torre Normanna, a luxurious restaurant in a medieval watchtower.

8. Vietri sul Mare

This lesser known Amalfi Coast town is renowned for its colourful ceramics. There are many ceramic stores in Vietri sul Mare and also a ceramic museum in the nearby village of Raito.

One of the most unusual buildings in Vietri sul Mare is Ceramica Artistica Solimene. This ceramic factory has a spectacular ceramic facade designed in the 1930s by Paoli Soleri who later worked with Frank Lloyd Wright. It produces a huge range of handmade tiles which are also painted by hand.

Also worth seeing is the church of San Giovanni Battista, which has a dome made from coloured majolica pottery and an 11th century crucifix.

9. Cetara

A lesser known Amalfi Coast town, Cetara is nevertheless quite easy to get to. Close to Salerno, this is a working fishing port, with a charming marina.

Cetara is known for its fresh tuna fish, as well as colatura di alici, a fish sauce made with anchovies. Try this local delicacy in one of Cetara’s restaurants such as Ristorante Dea Mangiona on Corso Garibaldi.

10. Minori

This small Amalfi Coast town has preserved its traditional atmosphere and there are fewer tourists. Wander along Minori’s narrow streets, visit Minori Cathedral and taste the delicious pastries at Sal De Riso.

Villa Romana e Antiquarium is an archaeological site that is also worth a visit. If you like hiking, don’t miss the Path of the Lemons, or Il Sentiero dei Limoni. You get stunning views as you walk among the lemon groves.

11. Furore

Although it’s more of a village than an Amalfi Coast town, we had to include Furore due to its photogenic aspect.

Meaning fury in Italian, it has no main piazza but several attractive churches. However, the main attraction for visitors is its secret beach.

Accessed by a long staircase, this natural fjord is spanned by a historic bridge and surrounded by abandoned buildings. It’s quite hard to park here so you might need to take a cab or local bus.

12. Capri

Capri is a small island located in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrentine Peninsula in the Campania region of southern Italy. With its rugged landscapes, upscale resorts and amazing grottoes, Capri is a famous tourist destination known for its natural beauty.

Some of Capri’s top attractions include the Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra), the Villa Jovis ruins, the Piazzetta in the main town of Capri, the iconic Faraglioni rock formations, and Monte Solaro mountaintop.

The island has been a coastal resort since ancient Roman times. It attracted many artists, writers and celebrities over the centuries drawn to its dramatic scenery.

There are two main towns – Capri (the main center) and Anacapri. Both are filled with boutiques, restaurants and winding streets perfect for wandering.

13. Ischia

Ischia is another beautiful island located in the Gulf of Naples, not far from Capri. While not as famous as Capri, Ischia offers a more low-key island experience focused on its volcanic thermal waters and laid back atmosphere.

Major attractions include the Aragonese Castle, Maronti Beach and the villages of Ischia Ponte and Ischia Borgo. Ischia’s thermal spas have been popular since ancient Roman times.

The island’s landscape is lush and green with vineyards, pine forests, citrus groves and hilly terrain. In addition to its beaches and spas, Ischia is known for its ceramics and wines.

Getting to Ischia is easy with frequent ferries and hydrofoils making the trip from Naples in under 2 hours.

How To Get To The Amalfi Coast

The closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples International Airport, 74 kilometres from Amalfi. Driving from Naples to the Amalfi Coast takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes if there’s no traffic.

In high season and depending on which town you’re going to then it may take 3 hours. The main roads are not as intimidating as you might have heard, although Strada Statale 163 is known as the road of 1000 bends!

We don’t recommend that you travel to the Amalfi Coast from Milan as it takes 6 and a half hours by train or over 8 and a half hours by car.

How To Get Around The Amalfi Coast

During your Amalfi drive, you’ll notice that there are barriers and walls along the coastal sections and the roads themselves are well maintained. However, the streets are narrow, so we recommend opting for a small hire car.

In some towns the streets in the centre are quite narrow. Once you’ve arrived at your destination then you can also get around by boat. There are regular boat services to and from Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento, Capri and Ischia.

Where to Stay on the Amalfi Coast

When deciding where to stay on the Amalfi Coast, you’ll be spoilt for choice. There are some truly stunning luxury Amalfi Coast hotels.

The only difficulty is deciding which ones to stay in. It’s a good idea to stay in two towns and two different Amalfi Coast hotels as there’s so much to see in the area. Both Amalfi and Sorrento make great bases and we recommend NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi and the Grand Hotel La Favorita in Sorrento.

Final Thoughts on the Best Amalfi Coast Towns

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful and picturesque areas in all of Italy. From Positano to Ravello, each town has its own unique charms that are sure to captivate and delight visitors. Towering cliffs, dramatic ocean views, charming medieval towns…what’s not to love?

It’s an area that you’ll want to return to time after time for a taste of la dolce vita. Put these stunning towns of the Amalfi Coast on your Italy itinerary. Have you ever visited the Amalfi Coast and which was your favorite town?

Check out all our posts on Italy here

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