More about: Best Things to Do in Amalfi
For the beauty of its landscapes and the warm water of its beaches, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most visited destinations in Italy. And Amalfi is the main town and one of the most beautiful in the Campania region, especially for its combination of paradisiacal views and medieval architecture.
Among the best things to see and do in Amalfi are walking through the Piazza del Duomo, visiting the picturesque Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, taking a swim at Lido Delle Sirene, taking in the panoramic views of the region from Torre dello Ziro and visiting the gardens of Villa Rufolo.
1. Walk through Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo, located in the heart of the city, is Amalfi's main square and is named for its proximity to the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, an Arab-Norman Romanesque building that is also one of Campania's most famous attractions.
The Piazza del Duomo is the epicenter of Amalfi's social and cultural life and a very popular place for tourists, so you can't miss it. In Piazza del Duomo you can relax, have lunch and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
But it is also the place where you can enjoy the typical dishes of the local cuisine, so it will also be the meeting point for the start of the best gastronomic tours of Amalfi. In the area near Piazza del Duomo you can also find cafes, where you can enjoy Italian coffee.
Interesting details
- Location: Piazza Duomo, Amalfi.
- How to get there: By bus lines 5070 and 5120.
2. Take a swim at Lido Delle Sirene
Lido Delle Sirene is a famous stretch of coastline near the port and Marina Grande of Amalfi that is ideal for the best views towards the Tyrrhenian Sea. Unlike other beaches in the city, it is much less crowded and offers all kinds of services, such as changing rooms, showers, restaurants and umbrella rental.
Lido Delle Sirene (the beach of the Sirens) is usually included in the tours of the best tours of Amalfi, and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches of the Amalfi Coast. However, it has a rocky shore, which makes snorkeling and scuba diving excursions difficult.
Note also that Lido Delle Sirene is one of the best beaches in Amalfi, but it has most of the services for a fee, so it might not be the cheapest option, but it is worth discovering. Plus, you might also see it from the sea when you book a boat trip along the Amalfi coast.
Interesting details
- Location: Piazzale dei Protontini 4, Amalfi.
- How to get there: By bus lines 5110.
3. Take in the panoramic views from Torre dello Ziro.
The Torre dello Ziro is an ancient fortress that was built in the 15th century to keep the coast safe from pirates, since during the Middle Ages Amalfi was one of Italy's main ports on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
This stone structure is built overlooking the gulf of Salerno, so from here you can enjoy some of the best panoramic views of the Amalfi coast.
The Torre dello Ziro is one of the most famous viewpoints in the region and, if you plan on spending the summer months, when the sunsets are clear, you can catch a glimpse of one of the best sunsets in Campania.
Interesting details
- Location: Via Valle delle Ferriere 36, Pontone.
- How to get there: by bus lines 5110 and 5120 or by hiking route that lasts 3 to 4 hours.
- Price: entrance to the tower is free, although you can only climb the outer part of the fortress.
- Recommendation: if you like trekking, I recommend booking an excursion to the Valle delle Ferriere from Amalfi.
4. See the cliffs of Amalfi from the sea
Book a boat trip along the Amalfi Coast to see the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast from the sea is one of the best alternatives to discover the colorful buildings and all the constructions that are located towards the Tyrrhenian Sea coast.
I recommend you to choose some of the best boat tours in Amalfi to enjoy a different profile of the city. Most of the tours start from the Marina Coppola harbor and during the tour you will have time to take a swim and discover from the coast other nearby towns like Ravello, Atrani and Positano.
In addition, you will also learn about the marine fauna of Campania and tour the caves, grottoes, waterfalls and historical sites of the region. If you want, you can also opt for a night tour, which is one of the best activities to do at night in Amalfi
Interesting details
- Price: 137 euros per person.
- Duration: approximately 4 hours.
5. Take Via dei Mercanti and taste the limoncello.
Via dei Mercanti is one of the main streets of the city and the epicenter of commercial stores in Campania. This artery will find stores of the most famous clothing brands in Italy and Europe, historic buildings, restaurants and cafes. During the night, it also gathers part of the nightlife.
The best alternative to get to know Via dei Mercanti is to walk along it, especially if you plan to visit Amalfi in June or during the summer months, when the temperature is warm and the weather is pleasant.
Another feature of Via dei Mercanti is that you will find many places that offer the traditional limoncello, which is a drink made from lemon peels that in Italy is as popular as or more popular than wine. At Ruga Nova Mercatorum you can try this liqueur which is sometimes the protagonist when booking a cooking class in Amalfi.
6. Visit the gardens of Villa Rufolo
Villa Rufolo is a historic building in Ravello that stands out for its gardens, built on balconies overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and for its Moorish architecture. There you can walk through the gardens full of flowers, fountains and sculptures and also enjoy the panoramic views of the coast.
Villa Rufolo is also one of the main sites of Ravello, as it hosts the city's cultural events and is also home to Italy's most important music festival.
If you want to make the most of your visit to Ravello, you can also visit the Villa Rufolo museum, which exhibits works of art, archaeological finds and scores by Richard Wagner. You can also walk through the narrow streets of the town, which are often lined with craft stores and food stalls.
Details of interest
- Location: Piazza Duomo 1, Ravello.
- Hours: daily from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.
- How to get there: by bus lines 5110 or by car along the SS373 road.
7. Tour the Paradise Cloister
The Paradise Cloister is one of the main attractions of Amalfi and also one of the most beautiful. This open gallery, decorated with Arabic elements, is connected to the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, but it is a different construction from it. It was built in the thirteenth century to house the tombs of the nobility of the Amalfi Coast and since then.
This site occupies a central place in the history of the city, since there are the relics of St. Andrew the Apostle and also the ancient vault inlaid with precious stones that belonged to the bishopric of Amalfi. The Cloister of Paradise is also considered a masterpiece of Italian medieval architecture.
To access the Cloister, you must first enter the Cathedral, but they are two independent visits and attractions that can be visited each on its own. In addition, it draws attention for its Byzantine mosaics and gardens.
Details of interest
- Location: Via Salita Episcopio 1, Amalfi.
- Price: the entrance to the Cloister has an initial cost of approximately 3 euros per person.
- Hours: daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm.
- How to get there: by bus lines 5110.
8. Get to know the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle
The Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle is the main attraction of Amalfi and also one of the most important of the Amalfi Coast, as this religious building in the 9th century Arab-Norman Romanesque style houses:
- The relics of the saint after whom it is named since they were transported from Constantinople in 1208.
- The sarcophagus of Archbishop Pietro Capuano, who became one of the most important persons of the Catholic Church in the 13th century.
- An altar inlaid with precious stones.
- Medieval mosaics, frescoes and relics from the Holy Land.
- The entrance to the Cloister of Paradise, which is the site of the relics of St. Andrew the Apostle.
The design of the Cathedral shows the influences that the city has had throughout history, since Amalfi became the most important Italian port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. This cultural crossover can be seen in the Arab towers which, combined with the bronze doors from the Persian Gulf, form one of the most beautiful facades of a European cathedral.
Interesting details
- Location: Piazza Duomo 1, Ravello.
- Price: 3 euros per person approx.
- Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
- How to get there: by bus lines 5110.
9. Visit the Paper Museum
The Museo della Carta or Paper Museum is housed in a stone mill and not only presents exhibits of original instruments from the 13th century, but is also a testimony to the city's industrial past, which was deeply connected to the production of paper and foils.
It has samples of printing presses, presses, wooden mallets and manuscripts from the Middle Ages, which is a real treasure, since that historical period was known as the Dark Ages due to the little information and documentation that reached the present. In addition, you can also witness demonstrations to understand the operation of ancient machines.
At the Paper Museum you can also visit the store, which offers themed gifts and souvenirs for visitors, including paper crafts made from dried flowers and stationery.
Details of interest
- Location: Via delle Cartiere 23, Amalfi.
- Price: 12 euros per person approx.
- Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm.
- How to get there: by bus lines 5110.
10. Visit Positano, Ravello and Atrani
Amalfi is the most famous of the Amalfi Coast towns, but the region also includes some of the most beautiful places in Italy such as Positano, Ravello and Atrani, all towns that you can visit on the best day trips from Amalfi or on your own.
Positano is a pretty village of steep narrow streets considered the Pearl of the Amalfi Coast. Ravello is famous for its luxurious Arab villas, most notably Rufolo, and its narrow alleys. And Atrani, which is one of the smallest and most picturesque that will turn all the pictures you take there into magic.
Some tours also include Minori, Maiori and Praiano, but in any case you can make the most of your visit to Amalfi by getting to know the surrounding villages.
Plan your trip to Amalfi
Any date is ideal to visit this paradise on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Due to its mild temperatures all year round, even in winter in Amalfi you can enjoy boat trips or outdoor activities such as trekking or kayaking.
To know the best activities by time of year be sure to visit the posts that Hellotickets has prepared for you:
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in January
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in February
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in March
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in April
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in June
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in September
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in October
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in November
- 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in December
Plus, if you like to organize your visits according to the number of days your getaway lasts, we give you the work already done with our travel guides to explore Amalfi without missing the best:
- What to see and do in Amalfi in 2 days
- What to see and do in Amalfi in 3 days
- What to see and do in Amalfi in 4 days
- What to see and do in Amalfi in 5 days
Finally, I recommend you to book your transfers between the nearest airport and Amalfi to know all the options and get comfortably to your accommodation in the town. Now all you have left to do is... Enjoy!