Looking for coastal cliffs, lemon groves, and Mediterranean romance? Head to Amalfi! Set along Italy’s dramatic Amalfi Coast, this charming seaside town offers pastel buildings, historic cathedrals, and picture-perfect scenery. Whether you're sipping limoncello, cruising the coast, or climbing ancient stairways, Amalfi is timeless Italian beauty at its best.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Amalfi is from May through October. Spring and early fall offer warm, pleasant weather with fewer crowds. July and August are peak season—perfect for sunbathing and boat tours, but expect higher prices and more visitors.
How to Get There
- By Air: The closest airport is Naples International Airport (NAP), about 1.5 to 2 hours away by car or shuttle.
- By Train: Take a train to Salerno or Naples, then continue by bus, ferry, or private transfer to Amalfi.
- By Ferry: During the warmer months, ferries connect Amalfi with Positano, Sorrento, Capri, and Salerno for scenic coastal arrivals.
- By Car: The coastal roads are beautiful but winding—parking in Amalfi is limited, so plan accordingly.
Where to Stay
- Hotel Santa Caterina – Luxurious cliffside hotel with private beach club, infinity pool, and romantic views.
- NH Collection Grand Hotel Convento di Amalfi – A 13th-century monastery turned upscale hotel with terraces and sea views.
- Hotel Marina Riviera – Boutique beachfront stay just steps from the town center and Duomo.
Top Attractions
⮕ Ignazio Cerio Museum, Capri
Discover Capri’s natural history and explore rare artifacts on a quiet retirement visit.
© Ignazio Cerio Museum
Peruse collection after collection of fossils, prehistoric and classical archaeological finds, as well as items relating to minerals, fauna and flora of Capri at the Ignazio Cerio Museum.
The museum, which boasts a fantastic location overlooking the Square of Capri, beguiles nature lovers and curious minds with over twenty thousand items that were discovered and gathered by Ignazio Cerio throughout the late nineteenth and twentieth-century.
In just four exhibition halls and through seven collections, the museum manages to tell a story that is 190 million years old in a succinct and interesting way. To end your tour at the museum, make sure to head to the terrace of the Palazzo Cerio to enjoy remarkable views of the island, the Gul of Naples and the Capri Piazzetta.
Piazzetta Ignazio Cerio, 5, Capri, Italy 80073, Phone: +39-08-18-37-66-81
⮕ Museo Casa Rosssa, Anacapri
See eclectic art and walk historic halls during a quick cultural stop.
© IvanDub/stock.adobe.com
It goes without saying that the Museo Casa Rosssa is one of the most striking buildings in Anacapri.
The bright red walls of this complex will catch any visitor’s eye from a distance and retain that attention with its eclectic architecture and out of this world design elements. Designed at the tail end of the 19th century by an American colonel named John C MacKowen, the Casa Rossa today is a must-visit museum that features a variety of pieces from sculptures, to paintings and even archaeological artifacts.
Among the most popular items to see in the museum are the unusual design elements of the building itself. Some of the spectacular things to see are the majolica cupola inspired staircases, the Classical columns, and Moorish windows of the building.
Via Giuseppe Orlandi, 78, Anacapri NA, Italy 80071, Phone: +39-08-18-38-21-93
⮕ Museo d’Arte Sacra Don Clemente, Maiori
Admire sacred art and explore religious treasures on a peaceful weekend visit.
© Museo d’Arte Sacra Don Clemente
Visitors on the hunt for a divine experience through artistic beauty are bound to enjoy a visit to the Museo d’Arte Sacra Don Clemente, Maiori.
Located in the crypt of a collegiate church, the museum is filled with collection after collection of religious artefacts and art works worthy of a country like Italy, which is known for its religious history. Individuals who take some time to enjoy the museum can gain an appreciation and better understanding of the ‘sensus fideo’ of the Maiorese people, while also being able to get an up-close look at valuable pieces of Catholic arts.
Via Capitolo, Maiori, Italy 84010
⮕ Paper Mill Museum, Amalfi
Learn handmade paper techniques and explore antique tools on a cheap historical tour.
© Paper Mill Museum
There’s nothing quite like walking into an ancient paper mill and at Amalfi, everyone is welcome to do so at the Paper Mill Museum, Amalfi.
Housed in an authentic paper mill dating back to the 13th century, the Paper Mill Museum is a unique attraction that allows visitors to take a trip back in time and experience ancient paper production techniques. Guests can admire centuries-old machinery that was used in the production of paper like wooden hammers, water wheels, hemp rags and more.
If you’re looking for an in depth experience of the Paper Mill Museum, guided tours are also available in various languages, hosted by tour guides with incredible knowledge about ancient paper making practices.
Via Delle Cartiere, 23, Amalfi SA, Italy 84011, Phone: +39-08-98-30-45-61
Activities and Attractions for Couples:
⮕ Villa Rufolo, Ravello
Walk through elegant gardens and see panoramic views on a romantic summer escape.
© jsk12/stock.adobe.com
Built in the 13th Century, the Villa Rufolo, Ravello is a monumental complex that was named after the family that built it.
Home to more rooms than there are days in the year, the village boasts of an extraordinary heritage was nearly lost due to time and, in many ways, negligence of care. Much of the beauty of the villa was, thankfully, restored through careful and loving restoration with gorgeous sites for visitors from near and far to see.
Some highlights include the tower gateway with its terracotta columns, entwined arches and ribbed down, as well as the cloister, which has ancient walls and is lined with lush cypresses and lime trees. Not to mention 36 intact columns, the great tower, and the hall of the knights.
Piazza Duomo, Ravello, Salerno, Italy 84010, Phone: +39-089-85-76-21
⮕ Museo della Ceramica, Vietri sul Mare
Discover traditional ceramics and tour colorful displays on a fun kids outing.
© durisi63/stock.adobe.com
Inaugurated in 1981, the Museo della Ceramica, Vietri sul Mare
is found inside the Belvedere Tower.
The tower is found inside the Villa Guariglia, an eclectic complex that is best known for being the summer home of Rafaele Guariglia, the Ambassador of Italy. The museum showcases traditional ceramics, which are undeniably the pride of the locals, and give insight to the unique craftsmanship involved in creating these gorgeous ceramic pieces.
Practically a cultural institution, some of the must-see items in the museum include the Vietri ceramics, some of which are the oldest preserved specimens of ceramics in the country, as well as wall and floor tiles from Calle Driggiole.
Villa Guariglia, Via Nuovo Raito, Raito di Vietri sul Mare SA, Italy, Phone: +39-089-21-18-35
⮕ Liquid Art System, Capri and Positano
Explore contemporary galleries and see bold installations during a spring art trip.
© Liquid Art System, Capri and Positano
Learn about art research, gain appreciation for various forms of art, and feast your eyes on amazing examples of contemporary and fine arts at the Liquid Art System, Capri and Positano.
The museum takes a “glocal”, or global and local, approach to contemporary art and features the works of 62 artists. With close to 800 pieces of art stored in the Liquid Art System, and counting, guests can look forward to appreciating rotating exhibits with the works of artists like Coderch & Malavia, Antonio Sannino, Marco Cornini, Matteo Procacciolo, Umberto Ciceri. The Liquid Art System is also home to pieces by international artists like Seo Young-Deok, Zhuang Hong Yi, Peter Demetz.
Via Vittorio Emanuele, 56, Capri, Italy, Phone: +39-089-87-52-57
⮕ Italian Fine Art Gallery, Positano
View Italian masterpieces and walk refined spaces on a cultured couples visit.
© Italian Fine Art Gallery, Positano
With a folklore claiming that the town was born by Poseidon, there is an undulating bond between the people of Positano and the sea. This love and ancient bond with the sea has resulted in a deep artistic awareness, a lot of which can be viewed and enjoyed at the Italian Fine Art Gallery, Positano.
The gallery is home to a collection of works including paintings by Roberta Diazzi, Ciro Palumbo, Claudia Giraudo, and sculptures by Isabel Miramontes, Mariela Garibay, Coderch and Malavia, Gio Frigo, Ermanno Leso, and more. The Italian Fine Art Gallery also has various photographs to peruse and study.
Piazza dei Mullini 8, Positano SA, Italy 84017, Phone: +39-089-87-51-13
⮕ Torre a Mare, Praiano
Climb the old watchtower and see coastal views on a scenic fall walk.
© lkonya/stock.adobe.com
A comforting and commanding presence in Praiano, which overlooks the emerald-green sea by the Amalfi Coast is the Torre a Mare, Praiano.
This ancient medieval tower sits peacefully on a photogenic promontory and was built to protect the coast from possible Saracen invasions. Today, the Torre a Mare is a treat for travelers who are eager to get a taste of the Amalfi Coast’s history. It’s also a great place to visit for people who are looking forward to seeing and appreciating medieval architecture.
Despite its place in history, the Torre a Mare is actually quite a romantic place to spend the afternoon with a loved one. After seeing all that Torre a Mare has to offer, guests should also explore the side streets to see a great collection of ceramics and artists by Paolo Sandulli.
Via Terramare, SNC Praiano, Italy 84010
Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:
- Duomo di Amalfi (Cathedral of St. Andrew) – Iconic cathedral with a striking staircase, mosaic facade, and historic cloister.
- Valle delle Ferriere – Hike through a lush nature reserve of waterfalls, ruins, and rare plants just above town.
- Piazza del Duomo – The heart of Amalfi's social life, surrounded by cafés, shops, and gelaterias.
- Arsenal of the Maritime Republic – Explore Amalfi’s naval history in this unique museum space near the harbor.
- Scenic Boat Tours – Cruise along the Amalfi Coast for breathtaking views of Positano, Ravello, and sea grottoes.
Where to Eat
- Trattoria da Gemma – Elegant yet relaxed dining with classic seafood and pasta dishes in the old town.
- Ristorante Marina Grande – Beachfront fine dining with Mediterranean flavors and a romantic setting.
- Pasticceria Andrea Pansa – Historic pastry shop near the cathedral offering sfogliatelle, lemon cake, and espresso.
If you are interested in local events:
- Festival of Sant’Andrea (June 27 & November 30) – Celebrations in honor of Amalfi’s patron saint with processions and fireworks.
- Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics (rotates annually) – Traditional rowing competition among Italy’s historic sea republics, with medieval pageantry.
- Amalfi Music & Arts Festival (Summer) – Classical and contemporary music concerts held in stunning coastal venues.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30–60 Minutes of Amalfi, Italy:
- Ravello (20 min) – Visit Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone for gardens, concerts, and spectacular cliffside views.
- Positano (30–40 min by ferry or road) – Chic cliffside village known for shopping, beaches, and pastel beauty.
- Capri (1 hour by ferry) – Famous island with upscale boutiques, the Blue Grotto, and dramatic sea cliffs.
- Pompeii (1 hour via Salerno) – Explore the ruins of the ancient Roman city buried by Mount Vesuvius.
- Sorrento (1 hour by ferry or road) – Larger town with great shopping, views of the Bay of Naples, and lemon everything.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Question: What is one of the most memorable vacation destinations in Italy?
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Answer: Arguably one of the most memorable and sought-after vacation destinations in Italy is the Amalfi Coast. This outstanding region is a glorious example of a Mediterranean landscape and has been duly recognized as such by UNESCO.
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Question: What experiences does the Amalfi Coast offer?
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Answer: A visit to this stunning Italian hotspot offers unlimited exciting experiences. Explore mountains that plunge right into the crystal-clear ocean, or trek through lush woodland. See abodes that cling to the cliffs or discover the underwater wonderland that thrives off the coast. Whatever it is you choose to do, there’s no denying that your vacation will be one for the books.
Plan Your Trip