An Overture
Amalfi is the historic heart of the coast that bears its name — a former maritime republic clustered around a spectacular striped cathedral, with a paper-making heritage and lemon groves climbing the cliffs. Just above it, the serene hilltop town of Ravello trades beach bustle for clifftop villa gardens and what sources call "the best panoramic vistas on the entire Amalfi Coast." Together they make a natural pairing: Amalfi for piazzas, churches, and ferries; Ravello for gardens, quiet, and views. Nearby Minori is recommended as a quieter, cheaper place to actually sleep.
Top Things to Do
Amalfi Cathedral (Duomo di Sant'Andrea)
A Byzantine/Romanesque/Moorish blend with a mosaic façade and a dramatic staircase; the adjoining Cloister of Paradise holds frescoes and ancient Paestum sarcophagi, and the Diocesan Museum displays reliquaries.
Amalfi Paper Museum (Museo della Carta)
A 13th-century paper mill with live traditional paper-making demonstrations, a short walk up the valley from the cathedral square along Via delle Cartiere.
Amalfi's Piazzas & Backstreets
Wander the lanes off Piazza Duomo, sampling limoncello and lemon gelato and cakes — all on foot in the compact centre.
Villa Rufolo (Ravello)
Gardens and the Wagner Terrace overlooking the coast, beside Piazza del Duomo, and host of the summer Ravello Festival.
Getting there — Ravello sits ~350 m above Amalfi: take the frequent SITA bus up from Amalfi's seafront (~25 min) or a taxi; energetic walkers can climb the stair-paths from Atrani. From Ravello's piazza the villa is a 2-minute walk.
Villa Cimbrone (Ravello)
Crumbling follies, rose gardens, wisteria pergolas, and the famed Terrace of Infinity — a 10–15 minute walk through Ravello's lanes from the main square.
Ravello Cathedral
Bronze doors and fine sculpture on Ravello's main piazza; browse the town's ceramic shops nearby.
Walking Tours
Amalfi Old Town & Paper Valley
From the staircase of the Duomo di Sant'Andrea, slip into the Cloister of Paradise, then follow Via delle Cartiere up the lemon-shaded valley to the medieval Paper Museum.
Ravello Villa Circuit
From Ravello's cathedral square, take in Villa Rufolo's Wagner Terrace, then stroll the lanes to Villa Cimbrone for the Terrace of Infinity — rated by sources the single best view on the coast.
Amalfi to Ravello Stair Path
Skip the bus and climb from Amalfi through neighbouring Atrani and the lemon terraces to Ravello on foot — a sweaty but spectacular ascent with constant sea views.
Day Trips & Beyond
Positano
The coast's vertical icon, west along the shore — reached car-free by SITA bus or by ferry from Amalfi's jetty.
SearchPath of the Gods
The clifftop trail above the coast, with trailhead access via Agerola/Bomerano — take the SITA bus from Amalfi up to Bomerano to start.
SearchCapri & Sorrento
Both reached by ferry from Amalfi (best June–September) — Capri for the island day, Sorrento as the onward transit hub.
SearchMinori, Maiori & Cetara
Quieter neighbouring coastal villages just east — Cetara is known for its anchovies and colatura. Reached car-free by SITA bus along the coast road or by seasonal ferry.
SearchHidden Gems
Walk Up to Ravello
Reach Ravello from Amalfi on foot via the Valle delle Ferriere or the steep "Ravello Challenge" stair-path instead of the bus or taxi — a leg-burning climb rewarded with terraced lemon groves and sea views the whole way.
SearchFiordo di Furore Swim Stop
A dramatic fjord cove for a swim, on the shore between Amalfi and Positano.
Getting there — car-free by SITA bus along the coast (alight at the Furore fjord bridge, then take the steps down to the beach), or by small boat from Amalfi.
SearchSleep in Minori
Base in low-key Minori for an authentic, lower-cost coastal stay — the source author's pick.
Getting there — one stop east of Amalfi: a 5-minute SITA bus or a 30-minute seaside walk via Atrani, keeping you entirely car-free.
SearchFood & Dining
Signature Dishes
Where to Stay
- Mid-range · €€
- Luxury · €€€€
- Luxury · €€€€
- Luxury · €€€€
- Boutique · €€€
- Budget · €
Tip — Ravello is markedly cooler, calmer, and less crowded than the coast-level towns; for value, sleep in Minori, Salerno, or Sorrento and visit Amalfi and Ravello by day.
Practical Notes
Getting In (no car)
- By ferry: From Naples, Sorrento, or Positano (best June–September).
- By bus: SITA buses run the coast road in both directions.
- Up to Ravello: SITA bus or taxi up from Amalfi, or on foot via the cliff paths.
Getting Around
- On foot: Amalfi's core is compact and flat enough to walk.
- Between towns: Use buses and ferries; avoid driving — the corniche is narrow, congested, and parking is costly.
When to Visit
- Timing: May–June and September–October are ideal; high summer is crowded and traffic-bound; off-season closures are common.
- Ravello's edge: Cooler, calmer, and less crowded than coast level — a good antidote to Positano's crush.
Costs
- Budget hack: Costs run high — Minori, Salerno, or Sorrento cut accommodation expense considerably.
Notable Insights
Don't Miss
- The best view: The Geographical Cure rates Villa Cimbrone's Terrace of Infinity as the single best view on the Amalfi Coast, and pairs Amalfi + Ravello as a full day.
How to Travel
- Value hack: Laura the Explorer's tip to sleep in Minori — quieter and well-connected — is the standout saving for this stretch.