As people say, “the best thing comes in small packages,” and this is very true of Amalfi, Italy This little town on the Amalfi Coast is so small that you can reach one end to the other in just 20 minutes. But despite being small, it is abundant with beautiful beaches and sea, a picturesque piazza, historical churches, impressive museums, wines to indulge in, and alluring nature. Here are 10 things to do to witness the charms of Amalfi:
1. Have an unusual kayak experience with Amalfi Coast Sea Kayak Tours (from USD 60.0)
Amalfi Coast Sea Kayak Tours brings you along the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Capri Island, and the Sorrento Peninsula and lets you admire and explore the coastline from a unique perspective – from the sea. Your journey will be complete with the coast’s hidden secrets and the mesmerising scenery. Guided by very experienced instructors from the Italian Canoe and Kayak Federation, your safety will be in good hands. Plus, the provided life jacket given adds one more layer of security.
Take it easy if you are shy and slow to warm up to strangers; the instructors are easy going, have a great sense of humour and create a friendly atmosphere. While exploring, you will be given clear and complete knowledge about the area by the well-informed instructors. Instructors will make sure that everyone is together and no one gets left behind. They are also friendly and observant of different characters, like some independent ones who like to paddle alone and others who have countless questions. Beginners will also be well-guided with confidence and patience.
You will be given a wet bag to keep your belongings dry and safe. If you want to take pictures, you can bring a waterproof case for your phone. But anyway, the instructors will take beautiful photos throughout your journey and email to you after. Snacks and drinks are also included as part of the tour price.
Amalfi Coast Sea Kayak Tours
Address: Via Mauro Comite 41 | Duoglio Beach, 84011, Amalfi, Italy
Website: Amalfi Coast Sea Kayak Tours
⭐️Kayak along Beaches Arches & Grottos
Duration: 3 hours
2. Hike up Valle delle Ferriere
The 6 km (3.73 miles) hike up Valle delle Ferriere takes about 3 to 4 hours to complete. The hike begins at Pontone, which you can reach by taking the Sita bus that goes past Amalfi, Ravello, and Scala, and ends at Amalfi. The road up the hill is full of stairs and paths, so build your stamina before going up. In your journey, you will encounter abandoned paper mills, lemon trees and vineyards, waterfalls, rock pools, residential areas, and most importantly, alluring views of nature, the city, and the sea that will make your hike worthwhile. On your way up, there is also a cafe called Porta Fore for you to restore some energy, quench your thirst, and feed your stomach. If you are lucky, you will spot some wildlife, like wild goat or snakes. So hike and burn some holiday calories at Valle delle Ferriere.
Valle delle Ferriere
Address: Riserva Statale Valle delle Ferriere, 84010 Scala SA, Italy
3. Learning history of maritime of Amalfi at Arsenale della Repubblica
Arsenale della Repubblica was Amalfi’s centre of shipbuilding, custom houses, and warehouses from the mid 11th century. Today, it is the only well-preserved medieval shipyard in Southern Italy. The museum tells the story of the ancient maritime activities of Amalfi through collections that elucidate the development of nautical navigational instruments, among which is the compass that transfigured navigation techniques allowing for the discovery of new ocean routes to the New World. It also captures and shows the historic moments through artefacts and exhibitions including cartographic drawings showing the Duchy of Amalfi, bygone parchments, manuscripts and codices, paintings, Medieval and Roman sculptures, jewelled costumes, and more. The museum brings history to life through music with brilliant sound effects.
Arsenale della Repubblica
Address: Largo Cesareo Console, 3 | angolo Via Camera, 84011, Amalfi, Italy
Website: Arsenale della Repubblica - Italian
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Wander the streets of Ruga Nova Mercatorum (Via dei Mercanti)
Ruga Nova Mercatorum is a charming historical street that is lined with shops selling things including bags, shoes, clothes, souvenirs, local products, such as chilies, pasta herbs, and limoncello, and cafes and restaurants selling delicious food. It is full of small passageways in between the historical buildings that are worth strolling through to admire the architecture. There is also a historic fountain that is worth admiring. The street often comes alive with classical concerts, festival light shows, and fashion shows that attract people from all around the world. When you reach the end of the street, you will see the view of the sea. In this buzzing beautiful street, you can easily feel the culture of the people who live here.
Ruga Nova Mercatorum (Via dei Mercanti)
Address: Contrada S. Simone | just north of Maria Santissima Addolorata, Amalfi, Italy
5. Go on a wine tour with Wine Tour Amalfi Coast (from USD 442.0)
Treat your taste buds with delicious Italian wine and food in a wine tour with Daniele from Wine Tour Amalfi Coast. Daniele will bring you to visit wineries like Reale where you can sip wine and taste spoonfuls of food among the mountains while sitting in terraced gardens overlooking the ocean. You will also visit the vineyard with grape vines, wine grapes, and olive trees. Some tour packages are also accompanied with a tour around the city and landmarks while some contain activities like making mozzarella, tasting delicious local limoncello, wine tasting, and more. It all depends on what kind of experience you want. No matter which you choose, Daniele who is warm, sensible, and friendly, will be the one leading you on an amazing tour.
Wine Tour Amalfi Coast
Address: Via San Basilio 7, 84011, Amalfi, Italy
Website: Wine Tour Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast Wine Tour
Duration: 6 to 9 hours
6. Revive your faith at Amalfi Cathedral
Amalfi Cathedral, sitting in Piazza del Duomo in Amalfi, is a Roman Catholic cathedral from the 9th century. This cathedral holds relics from St. Andrew, the patron saint and protector of Amalfi. As it has been remodelled multiple times, you will find the Romanesque, Byzantine, Gothic, and Baroque architectural styles in its design and a little bit of Arab style architecture in the exterior with stripes, arches, and mosaics.
If you observe carefully, you will find interesting features like the medieval bronze doors that made its first appearance in Italy, the high altar with carvings of the Twelve Apostles alongside St. Basil, St. Nicholas, Jesus, and the Virgin Mary, the Chapel of the Relics showing different antiques, the crypt of St. Andrew where the relics from St. Andrew are preserved, and more. While walking along the aisles of the cathedral, look up and you will see paintings illustrating the life of St. Andrew. No matter which religion you practice, you will be calmed by the peacefulness and tranquillity of the cathedral.
Amalfi Cathedral
Address: Via Duca Mansone I, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
Website: Amalfi Cathedral
7. Have a moment of peace at Chiostro del Paradiso
Prepare your phones and cameras people, as here, on the left of the Amalfi Cathedral, is a stretch of Moorish-style cloisters that can compose an artistic photo. Along the cloisters, you can see whole rows of Arabic arches supported by 120 marble columns and remains from the 13th century adorning the walls. Being surrounded in the middle of the cloisters is a beautiful, central Mediterranean garden. The cloisters were built in 1266 to provide a home to the tombs of Amalfi’s prominent citizens. Walking along the cloisters, simply feel the tranquillity of the atmosphere which gives peace to the dead and lets you enjoy the serenity for a moment.
Chiostro del Paradiso
Address: Salita Episcopio, 1, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
Website: Chiostro del Paradiso
8. Witness the beauty of the Amalfi Coast (from USD 130.03)
The view of the Amalfi Coast is like a colourful layered rainbow cake, with the calming blue sky on the top, the deep blue sea on the bottom, and the colourful homes in the middle. Like a painting, the Amalfi coast is painted with different colours: the pure white of the typical whitewashed houses, the vibrant colours of the villages consisting of bougainvillea, majolica domes, and pergolas clinging impressively at the edge of the bright greenery of the mountains. In between the mountains and the sea, the town is interspersed with narrow alleys and staircases. Connecting the land and the sea are headlands, bays, inlets, and fjords that are scattered with beaches, rocks, and numerous ancient viceregal towers sitting on the coast.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is made up of 13 towns including Amalfi, Positano, Cetara, and Ravello. Connecting them is the SS 163 road which was built in the 19th century and has been deemed one of the most beautiful roads in Italy. There are several ways to explore the coast; you can take the bus, a boat, go kayaking, or hiking. One way or other, you get to witness the enticing beauty of the Amalfi Coast.
Amalfi Coast
Address: 84011 Amalfi Province of Salerno, Italy
Website: Amalfi Coast
Amalfi Coast Full-Day Tour from Sorrento
Duration: 7.0 hour
9. Understand how paper is made at Museo della Carta
Museo della Carta is a paper museum that leads you through the history and evolution of the making of paper from the 13th century until today. Just so you know, it is the oldest printing factory in Europe. For machine geeks, you will be interested in the paper pulverizing machines, from water-powered to electrically powered. The tour guide is knowledgeable, friendly, and will demonstrate how paper is made. You will also get to try your hand at papermaking. As a souvenir, you will get some handmade paper after the tour. If you can’t get enough, more handmade paper products are available for sale at the gift shop.
Museo della Carta
Address: Via delle Cartiere, 23, 84011 Amalfi SA, Italy
Website: Museo della Carta - Italian
10. Watch a performance at Amalfi Musical
Amalfi Musical is a performance that tells the story of the rise of the first Republic of Amalfi in the 9th century. The story is about the deceitful persecutor of the city, Sicardo, hindering the love between Giovanna and Antonio. Just being about 2 feet (0.6 metres) from the stage, you will be drawn to the performance, not only by the nearness but also by the talent of the performers in singing and acting. It will be like you are part of the action. The visual and lighting enhancement makes the scenes change dramatically, adding to the thrilling experience.
From the sword fights to the love scenes, the plot is full of twist and turns, making your pulse rise and drop according to actions and emotions of the musical. The seatings area is in an oval shape, where everyone will be directly facing the front of the stage and the guest are arranged in a way that people can see subtitles on the large screen. All in all, everything is well considered for the audience to have a unique experience.
Amalfi Musical
Address: Piazza Flavio Gioia, Largo Cesareo Console, 3, 84011, Amalfi, Italy
Website: Amalfi Musical
Fall in love with Amalfi
These 10 activities show the best and truest sides of Amalfi that you just can’t miss. If you are hit by the arrow of love for the irresistible charm of Amalfi, it’s time to start your planning to embark upon an adventurous journey.
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
Create an account to