14 Amazing Highlights of an Amalfi Coast Holiday
Here are the highlights to help you imagine your Amalfi Coast holiday.
Take in the view from Villa Cimbrone, Ravello
Villa Cimbrone sits high above the sea in Ravello. Wander the formal gardens of wisteria-draped walks, hidden grottos and pergolas and then pause on the famed belvedere Terrazza dell’Infinito (Terrace of Infinity). Stone busts line the parapet, framing a panorama that sweeps from Amalfi to the far curve of the Sorrentine Peninsula. It’s one of those ‘just stand and stare’ moments.
Join a guided walking tour of Amalfi
Amalfi is a compact seaside town that’s packed with history. A walking tour brings it together: the striped façade of St. Andrew’s Cathedral rising over the square, quiet cloisters and lanes where washing flutters above you. Visit the Museo della Carta to learn about the town’s handmade paper tradition, and pop into one of the family-run cafés for coffee.
See the coastline by boat
A boat trip shows you the Amalfi Coast from its best angle. You’ll pass steep cliffs, sea caves, watchtowers and small beaches you can only reach from the water. In summer, there’s often time for a swim in the clear, cool sea. Taking the ferry to the glamorous island of Capri is also a must when visiting the Amalfi Coast. Here you can enjoy the wonderful Gardens of Caesar Augustus, Anacapri’s white lanes and spectacular views over the Bay of Naples.
Ride the chairlift to Monte Solaro on Capri
Capri’s charm begins at the marina, but the best views are found up high. In Anacapri, settle into the open-air chairlift and float over terraced vineyards, whitewashed villas and flowering cacti to Monte Solaro, the island’s highest point. At the top, you get huge views of the Faraglioni rocks, the Sorrentine Peninsula, and, on clear days, Mount Vesuvius. There’s a café at the top where you can enjoy a cool drink while you soak it all in.
Looking for ideas on when best to travel? Read our guide to the best time to visit Italy.
Walk the ancient streets of Pompeii
No visit to the Amalfi Coast feels complete without a visit to Pompeii. Buried by Vesuvius in AD 79, this ancient Roman city’s grid of streets, frescoed villas, bakeries, baths and amphitheatre remains remarkably legible. With a knowledgeable guide to bring context, the site becomes more than ruins: everyday Roman life unfolds around you, with Vesuvius’s green slopes as a backdrop.
Take a hike on Italy’s Amalfi Coast
If you enjoy a good walk, you’re in the right place. Stretch your legs as you explore some of the stunning Amalfi coastline in your free time.
The Path of the Gods is the most famous trail – a well-marked route along old mule tracks high above the sea, with expansive views towards Positano and the Sorrentine Peninsula. You’ll pass stone steps, thyme and rosemary growing wild, and terraces of vines and lemons. For something gentler, try the Lemon Path between Minori and Maiori. It winds through citrus groves and past small chapels with regular spots to stop for photos – or a lemon granita. Wear decent shoes, take water and it’s worth donning a hat in summer.
Visit the spectacular gardens at Villa Rufolo
Villa Rufolo sits right off Ravello’s main square and mixes history, gardens and big views. Wander through Moorish-style courtyards and neat flower beds, then step onto the terrace where the gardens appear to meet the sky.
Shop for ceramics in Vietri sul Mare
If you love colour, you’ll love Vietri sul Mare. This town has been known for hand-painted ceramics since the 15th century. Plates, pitchers and tiles bloom with lemons, fish and swirling floral motifs in sunshine yellows and sea blues. Browse small studios, watch artisans at work and pick up pieces you’ll use at home – from espresso cups to serving plates.
Enjoy a seafood lunch by the water
Simply prepared, fresh seafood is the dish of the day on the Amalfi Coast. Try spaghetti alle vongole slick with olive oil and parsley; grilled pezzogna (sea bream) with lemon and capers; or fritto misto – tender calamari and prawns dusted with flour and fried in hot oil. Find a spot by the marina, order a glass of local white wine and take your time. Waves, sunshine and the scent of the sea do the rest.
Discover more about Italian food and the dishes you must try.
Travel the coastal road
The famous coastal road is legendary – hairpin bends, cliff-hugging stretches and vistas that steal your breath. On a Travelsphere tour, you can relax and take it all in. Look for terraced vineyards stitched into the rock and domed churches peeping over bougainvillaea. The road is a feat of engineering; the pleasure is simply letting the views roll past your window.
Try local pastries with your coffee
Follow the scent of butter and sugar to a pasticceria. Order a sfogliatella – crisp, layered pastry filled with ricotta and citrus – or a lemon delizia, a light sponge with a glossy lemon glaze. Pair with a caffè macchiato or cappuccino and enjoy a slow morning.
Stroll Sorrento for a taste of Neapolitan charm
Sorrento sits on a cliff by the sea and has a lively centre with shops, cafés and pretty cloisters. It’s a great place for an evening stroll, a gelato and a coffee on Piazza Tasso while you watch the world go by. Ferries to Capri and Amalfi come and go below.
Unwind on Amalfi Coast beaches
Beaches on the Amalfi coast in Italy are often pebbly coves with incredibly clear water. In Amalfi and Atrani, you’ll find lidos with sunbeds and umbrellas; on Capri, bathing platforms step down into the sea. Bring swim shoes, enjoy a light lunch and watch the speed boats leave white trails across the bay.
Take five in a sunlit piazza
Find a shady chair, order a coffee, a cold drink or an Aperol spritz and let the pace of the place sink in. Church bells ring, scooters buzz past and the smell of pastry drifts through the air. Simple, relaxing and oh-so-very Amalfi.
