Amalfi Coast

A coast road of villages

The Amalfi Coast runs along the southern side of Italy's Sorrentine Peninsula, a narrow, winding road connecting villages built directly into the cliffs above the sea. Positano, the most photographed of these, rises in tiers of pastel-coloured buildings from the water's edge, while Amalfi town and the hilltop village of Ravello add their own distinct character further along the coast.

Getting around slowly

Because the coast road is narrow and often congested in peak season, many visitors travel between villages by boat, which also offers views of the coastline and its grottoes unavailable from the road. Ravello, set higher above the sea, is known for its gardens and views back down the coast, while Amalfi town's cathedral and historic maritime past reflect its earlier role as a powerful medieval republic. Lemon groves terrace the hillsides above much of the coast, and limoncello, produced from the local fruit, is a common taste of the region offered in shops and restaurants alike. Our Amalfi Coast Escape itinerary links several of these villages together.

Pairing with Naples and Capri

Naples, with its historic centre and access to the ruins of Pompeii, sits within reach of the coast, and the island of Capri makes a popular day or overnight trip by boat from Sorrento or Positano. The coast's cuisine leans heavily on seafood and produce from the surrounding hills, best sampled at a family-run trattoria rather than a larger resort restaurant. Travellers weighing this coastline against a similar Greek trip often read our comparison with Santorini before deciding. Late spring and early autumn, roughly May, June, September and October, bring warm, settled weather with lighter crowds than the peak of July and August.