Amalfi is the main town of the Costiera Amalfitana, the spectacular stretch of coastline on the southern side of the Sorrentine Peninsula of Italy. The first view of the town is unforgettable, with its tightly packed pastel-coloured villas and palaces clinging to the cliffside and steep alleyways and steps that wind down from the higher part of the town into the fishing port and shingle beach below. An independent republic from the seventh century until 1075, Amalfi rivalled Pisa and Genoa for prosperity and maritime importance, and its golden age is symbolised by its stunning cathedral: its Arab-Norman facade dominates the Piazza Duomo, the unofficial town centre that is always pulsating with people. Today it is an important tourist destination together with other towns on the same coast, and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The Amalfi coast is famed for its production of Limoncello liqueur and home-made paper used throughout Italy for wedding invitations, visiting cards and elegant writing paper.

More information about Amalfi

Set in a wide cleft in the cliffs, AMALFI is the largest town and perhaps the highlight of the coast, and much the best place to base yourself. It has been an established seaside resort since Edwardian times, when the British upper classes found the town a pleasant place to spend their winters. Actually Amalfi's credentials go back much further: it was an independent republic during Byzantine times and one of the great naval powers, with a population of some 70,000; Webster's Duchess of Malfi was set here, and the city's traders established outposts all over the Mediterranean, setting up the Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. Amalfi was finally vanquished by the Normans in 1131, and the town was devastated by an earthquake in 1343, but there is still the odd remnant of Amalfi's past glories around today, and the town has a crumbly attractiveness to its whitewashed courtyards and alleys that makes it fun to wander through. 

The Duomo , at the top of a steep flight of steps, utterly dominates the town's main piazza, its decorated, almost gaudy facade topped by a glazed tiled cupola that's typical of the area. The bronze doors of the church came from Constantinople and date from 1066. Inside it's a mixture of Saracen and Romanesque styles, though now heavily restored, with a major relic in the body of St Andrew buried in its crypt, though the cloister - the so-called Chiostro del Paradiso  - is the most appealing part of the building, oddly Arabic in feel with its whitewashed arches and palms. There's an adjacent museum  with various medieval and episcopal treasures, most intriguingly an eighteenth-century sedan chair from Macau, which was used by the bishop of Amalfi; a thirteenth-century mitre sewn with myriad seed pearls, gold panels and gems; and three silver reliquary heads - two gravely bearded and medieval, the third an altogether more relaxed and chubby Renaissance character, with elaborately braided hair.

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Attractions Around Amalfi

Atrani

A short walk around the headland, Atrani is an extension of Amalfi really, and was indeed another part of the maritime republic. It's a quiet place, maintaining the atmosphere of a small  fishermen's town, which benefits from all the attention bestowed upon its neighbour. The main entrance to the town starts from the gloriously peaceful (and free) patch of sandy beach, and from there, the traditional houses climb up the steep mountain valley, intertwined with gardens, and vibrant lemon terraces. Because it only opens to its beach and sea, Atrani is away from traffic and remains quiet and relaxed even in summer. A few bars have opened in the last couple of years making Atrani's pretty and almost entirely enclosed little square, Piazza Umberto, the place to meet and chat. Hard to believe the bustle of Amalfi is just around the corner!

Ravello
Perched high in the hills above Amalfi, Ravello is just thirty minutes away from Amalfi by public bus and "closer to the sky than the seashore", wrote André Gide - with some justification. It's not much more than a large village, but its unrivalled location spread across the top of one of the coast's mountains, 335m up, offers stunning views of the coast. Ravello is famous for its beautiful gardens, and two that are open to the public, Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, are among the finest in Italy, with perfectly laid-out flower beds, palm trees, sculptures and fountains. The Villa Rufolo was built on a ledge in 1270 by Nicola Rufolo, one of the richest men of Ravello, and has become a famous attraction for thousands of visitors. The villa was mentioned by Giovanni Boccaccio in his Decameron and it is the place where Richard Wagner in 1880 was inspired for the stage design of his opera Parsifal. The vast terrazza seems to hang right over the sea far below and is the venue for the renowned concerts of the Music Festival. To secure tickets, book as long as possible in advance. For all its genteel airs, Ravello has a lively street market every Tuesday morning, where you will find not only wine, fresh mozzarella and olive oil, but also discount designer clothes from Milan.

One of Amalfi Coast’s most popular tourist destinations is the Emerald Grotto, or Grotta di Smeraldo,  located in Concai dei Marini, a lovely bay about five kilometres (or 3 miles) west of Amalfi. It was hidden for centuries until its discovery in 1932, and has since become one of the most famous caves of Italy, known for its natural “fireworks display” caused by light reflecting off its stalactites, and the jewel-like sheen of its green waters. The experience is breathtaking! You can visit daily provided that the seas are calm enough not to bash boats to pieces as they try to land. From the coastal road, you can descend via an elevator and then take a boat ride to the grotto, however, the best way to go is by boat all the way from Amalfi's docks, which takes about 15-20 minutes.

Where to Stay in Amalfi

Hotel Antica Repubblica * SPECIAL VALUE* 

Average Nightly Rate £77.21 Location. The family-run Hotel Antica Repubblica is located in a restored townhouse dating from the 11th century, 100 metres from the Tyrrhenian Sea in the historic town of Amalfi. St Andrews Cathedral is 50 metres from the hotel and the Emerald Grotto is 3.5 kilometres away. Naples Capodichino Airport (NAP) is 65 kilometres from the hotel, an approximate driving time of 80 minutes.

Hotel Features. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can offer advice and information about touring and sightseeing in the area as well as arranging babysitting and childcare. The hotel has its own bar and a complimentary Italian-style buffet breakfast is served on the adjoining terrace each morning. Parking is available in the hotel garage for a charge.

Guestrooms. The seven guestrooms over two floors have ceramic tiled floors and stylish contemporary Italian furnishings and decor. All are equipped with satellite television, direct-dial phones, high-speed Internet connections, safes and minibars. Bathrooms have handheld showers, bathrobes and hair dryers.

Expert Tip. A lift descends into the Emerald Grotto which is illuminated by an extraordinary, ethereal light produced by indirect sunlight.

Area Attractions

St Andrews Cathedral - 50 metres
Amalfi Harbour - 200 metres
Villa Rufolo (13th century) - 1.5 kilometres (1 mile)
Coral Museum - 2 kilometres (1 mile)
Emerald Grotto - 3.5 kilometres (2 miles)
Driving Directions

Getting there.

Taxis and buses are available at the airport.

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