The spectacular Amalfi coast stretches along the northern coastline of the Salerno Gulf on the Tyrrhenian Sea. This stunning area is famous for beautiful coastal towns set against steep hills or perched high above the sea. Discover the 5 best towns to visit on the Amalfi Coast with spectacular views and best photo opportunities.
What is the Amalfi Coast?
- The Amalfi Coast is a picturesque coastline with steep cliffs on the northern coast of the Salerno Gulf on the Tyrrhenian Sea in southern Italy.
- The Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- 13 stunning seaside towns are located on the Amalfi Coast.
- The Amalfi Coast is famous for its colorful seaside towns, cliffs, and beaches.
Where is it?
The Amalfi Coast is located in the province of Salerno, in the Campania region of Italy. It's situated between the Gulf of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast by car?
The only way to reach the Amalfi coast by car is to drive the route of Strada Statale 163 along the coastline between the towns of Positano and Vietri Sul Mare. The length of the route is about 38 km (24 miles).
What is the Amalfi Coast famous for?
The Amalfi Coast is famous for its picturesque seaside towns, cliffs, and beaches. It's known for its stunning coastline and colorful villages with steep and narrow streets. Many towns along the Amalfi Coast have a rich historical legacy with important sights of historical and artistic value.
Lemons are grown in terraced gardens along the entire Amalfi coast. As a result, the Amalfi Coast is also famous for its production of limoncello liqueur.
13 Seaside Towns on The Amalfi Coast
Belos is the list of the 13 seaside towns on the Amalfi Coast, from the East to the West. To reach these towns by car, drive the route of Highway 163 (Strada Statale 163) along the coastline between the towns of Positano and Vietri Sul Mare.
- Vietri sul Mare
- Cetara
- Maiori
- Tramonti
- Minori
- Ravello
- Scala
- Atrani
- Amalfi
- Conca dei Marini
- Furore
- Praiano
- Positano
5 Best Towns on the Amalfi Coast
There are a total of 13 towns along the Amalfi Coast. Some of them are known for their beaches, others are known for their landmarks. But what is common between all Amalfi coast towns is the atmosphere. It's the atmosphere of leisure, relaxation, and enjoyment of life.
Discover the 5 best towns on the Amalfi Coast that offer the most spectacular views! All 5 towns below boast breathtaking coastal scenery and offer amazing views of the sea.
1. Ravello
Geographically, the town of Ravello is different from most other towns on the Amalfi Coast because it sits above the coastline offering some of the most breathtaking views! Ravello's elevation is 365 m (1,198 ft).
Ravello is a much quieter and less crowded place than most other towns in the Amalfi area. It's famous for its panoramic views, lush vegetation, and spectacular gardens.
Main sights in Ravello include Villa Rufolo, Villa Cimbrone, Cathedral of Ravello, and the Church of San Giovanni del Toro.
2. Amalfi Town
The town of Amalfi is located at the foot of Monte Cerreto, surrounded by steep cliffs and spectacular coastline. It's designated as one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Main sites include the Cathedral of Sant'Andrea, the Campanile (the bell tower), the Piazza Duomo, Cloister of Paradise (an open-air museum featuring Roman and medieval pillars).
The town of Amalfi is worth the visit because of its spectacular geographical location, beautiful Cathedral, and the town's importance in history.
The Cathedral of Sant'Andrea dates back to the 11th century. The facade of the cathedral features a stunning Byzantine style.
3. Atrani
Atrani is a beautiful town on the Amalfi Coast in the Province of Salerno in the Campania Region of Italy. It is located very close to the town of Amalfi. You can also take a scenic walking trail from Atrani to Ravello.
Main sights in Atrani include Church of San Salvatore de' Birecto (built in the 10th century), Collegiate Church of St. Mary Magdalene, Torre dello Ziro.
If you visit the town of Amalfi, definitely visit Atrani, since the 2 towns are so close to each other.
Collegiate Church of St. Mary Magdalene:
4. Minori
Minori is located on the Amalfi Coast between Maiori and Ravello. You can take a scenic walking trail from Minori to Ravello. Minori is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
Main sights in Minori include Basilica di Santa Trofimena, Roman Villa (dating back to the 1st century), and Saint Nicola Convent (dating back to the 11th century).
Basilica di Santa Trofimena:
5. Positano
Positano is a cliffside town on the Amalfi Coast famous for its dramatic cliffs and coastal scenery. It's one of the most popular towns on the Amalfi Coast.
Positano is famous for its pebble beaches and colorful houses nestled on the cliff side of town. The famous Spiaggia Grande Beach is at the base of the town. Other popular beaches include Fornillo, Laurito, and Arienzo. Positano is also famous for its steep and narrow streets.
Hi Julia,
Do you have a driver to recommend to drives us around Amalfi Coast for 3-4days of visit?
Thank you.
Ping
Ping, we just drove ourselves all the way from the north of Italy to the south.
This looks stunning. How do you explore other towns from there, and what is close and worth a visit please?
Any recommendations as to wear to stay? We are planning our first trip to Italy in October and we’d like to end our trip here with a view of the ocean.
Albin, we stayed at Villa Fraulo in Ravello (one of the towns on the Amalfi coast). In my experience, Ravello was the least touristy town with the best views (because it is at 1,148 feet elevation). This hotel had such breathtaking views, including from our rooms. I actually wrote an article about this hotel. I took all photos in this article myself during the trip (like all photos on my website) - it has photos of our room and the view from our room, too:
https://juliasalbum.com/villa-fraulo-ravello/
You might also find this article interesting - it has the names of the towns and photos that I visited:
https://juliasalbum.com/amalfi-coast-photos/
Is it safe to drive inAmalfi coast or is their public transport to trave for this 5 best town
Any thoughts on driving on Amalfi coast?
Yes I did it on my own in 2005. Navigation in car is a must & I got car hire to set to English before I left. The strada motorway from Naples to Positano was relatively easy. Stay in slow lane until comfortable. Some hotels have car parking, need to confirm. Best way to explore but be careful where you park, avoid a fine.
Melody, those are great tips!
If you’re really never drive to the mountains and where is turns and curves. Get a experience driver! You’re dying driving over there, I jus can’t back from Italy, and we when there , and was really excited, exhausted and loved the experience!
It's so true - you have to be very careful driving in the mountains and among the cliffs of the Amalfi coast. You have to be an excellent driver or get an experienced driver to drive you! It's not for the faint of heart!
Excellent advice.
Thank you!