The Amalfi Coast is a corner of Old Italy that has been preserved right up to the present day. The landscapes and views are stunning, the scenery is beautiful, and the architecture and food are things of beauty. With all of this in mind it can be hard to know where to start when you come to planning your stay. You might already know where to stay in the Amalfi Coast, but do you really know what to do when you get there?
Take a look at the following ideas to give yourself plenty of food for thought on what to do in the Amalfi Coast. One thing’s for sure, once you arrive on the Coast you’ll be glad you read up on what to do.
Lie back on the beach and recharge your batteries
The best time to visit will depend on what you want to do, but if it’s chasing the sun and getting a healthy tan that appeals to you most then you’ll want to visit during the peak summer months of June-September. During this time you can be assured of virtually uninterrupted good weather, tempered by a gentle sea breeze that just takes the edge off the beating afternoon sun.
To get the most out of your stay you’ll want to pack plenty of sunscreen, some sunglasses and a hat, and some swimming gear so you can take a refreshing dip in the ocean. If you’re travelling with the kids then Vietri sul Mare will offer plenty of entertainment and a large expanse of sandy beach for them to run wild on. But if it’s just the two of you then you might want to think about heading further along the coast to one of the more secluded beaches such as Furore. (Check a list of best beaches in the Amalfi Coast)
Enjoy some snorkelling on the Marina Grande
The Marina Grande is the most popular beach for good reason, and part of it is because of how close you are to the rest of the town. If you want to be able to try your hand at snorkelling and diving then there are plenty of rental shops who will hire out everything you need at a reasonable price. There are trained instructors who will happily teach you the basics so that you can feel safe and confident in the water — something which is especially important if the kids decide they want to come with you.
Check the details guide on: How to get to the Amlfi Coast
Play some tennis at Al Settimo
The Al Settimo tennis club is the place to go if you want to blow off a little steam and work up a sweat under the beating sun. Despite it being in the heart of the Med, it actually offers some stunning grass courts. Ideal if you want to feel like you’re playing on Centre Court at Wimbledon on your holidays!
See the Miniaci Art Gallery
Whilst it’s smaller and quieter than the big galleries in Rome and Milan, the Miniaci offers plenty for you to enjoy. As well as plenty of windows into the history of the local area, it also houses new and exciting collections by various local artists throughout the year.
Explore the Museum of Roman Archeology
The Museum of Archeology is a great place to spend the afternoon if you really want to immerse yourself in the history of the Coast. With perfectly preserved Roman artefacts that tell the story of the area, you’ll come home with a newfound appreciation of what the Amalfi Coast has meant to the locals over the centuries.
Stare in awe at the Emerald Grotto
The Emerald Grotto is easily reached by boat in a few minutes, and offers a stunning sight that you won’t be able to enjoy anywhere else. As the light weaves its way down between the gaps in the rocks, it takes on a green hue which illuminates the whole grotto in a way that has to be seen to be believed.
Enjoy a drink aboard El Pirata
El Pirata is a real life pirate ship that’s now open for food and drink during the summer months. It makes the ideal evening destination if you want to grab a few photos to send to friends and family back home. Perfect for one of those shots you’ll love to look back on in the years to come.
Picnics at sunset in Praiano
Praiano offers the best coastal views anywhere in Amalfi, and the pastel colours of the local residences only add to the stunning look and feel of the place. Packing a picnic and getting setup on the clifftop an hour or two before sundown is the best way to go about it. That way you can lie back and relax as you get away from it all for a few hours.
Cook at home with local produce
Every town has markets along the Amalfi Coast, and fresh food is very much the order of the day. Get yourself over to Sorrento and buy some produce, and then try and recreate some of the local recipes one evening if you’ve opted to go self catering.
Have a day out in Salerno
The Centro Storico in Salerno is a great place to go if you want to sample plenty of the local pastries and espressos.
Off the main square you’ll see all manner of side streets weaving off into the city, each one offering a unique array of boutique shops and artisan bakeries.
Book yourself onto a Limoncello tasting tour
It’s the local speciality that will get your taste buds smiling with delight, so why not become something of a connoisseur? If you book yourself on a tour you’ll get to know the difference between half a dozen subtly different blends, and finally find the perfect drink for you!
Hire a gozzo and get out on the water like the locals do
Hiring one of the locals to take you out on a traditional gozzo is a great way to beat the crowded ferries when you want to explore the Coast from a different perspective. The clever wooden sun shades ensure you’ll stay nice and cool, and with sizes starting from just 6 passengers, you can get that intimate and calm experience on the water that you won’t find on a packed ferry.
Pay your respects at the Grotta di Fornillo
The Grotta di Fornillo is a corner of the Coast that’s steeped in the tradition of the church. It holds a special place in the hearts of the locals, and it’s a place that should bring peace and good luck to your life too. Take a few minutes to pay your respects there and you’ll have really got in touch with the local culture.
Walk around the gardens of Ravello
The Villa Cimbrone Gardens are nestled on the cliff tops of Ravello, and offer something stunning all year round. In the summer months you’ll be able to see miles out to sea whilst simultaneously smelling the natural scents of the blossoming flowers in the air. There’s perhaps no better way to get in touch with the natural side of the Amalfi Coast.
Driving the Amalfi Coast enables you to see all the stops along the way
The beauty of the Amalfi Coast is that you can drive it in approximately two hours with a little help from your Daytrip driver, and get a real feel for how all of the villages, towns, and cities fit together in this beautiful corner of the world. Take a camera with you so you can snap some of the views of the ocean as the road meanders around the coast. You could even pack a picnic so that you can stop off for a bite to eat at whichever beach catches your eye.