10 Amalfi Coast Places To Visit, From Hilltop Towns to Hidden Coves

It's a bold statement, but we can quite confidently say that the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places on earth. This rugged stretch of coastline running along the southern edge of the Sorrentine peninsula is home to jaw-dropping vistas around every corner. If you can't already tell, our travel experts at Plum Guide are big fans of the Amalfi Coast and have all the best tips and tricks for visiting. To help you make the most of your vacation, we've put together this guide to the Amalfi Coast's best places to visit.

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It’s fair to say that Positano is the most iconic town on the Amalfi Coast. Kayak tours offer the best views of the pastel-hued houses that seem to tumble down the cliffs, but exploring on foot is just as scenic. Fancy a beach day? Relax on Spiaggia Grande with its soft sands and rows of loungers and umbrellas. It’s a popular spot for sun-worshippers, so if you’re looking for a little peace and quiet, Fornillo Beach is a quieter alternative, just a ten-minute walk away. Positano’s sunsets are magical, and you can enjoy a sundowner with a side of views at Aldo’s Cocktail Bar and Seafood Grill (call ahead) or Franco’s Bar (first come, first served).

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No list of the best places to visit on the Amalfi Coast would be complete without Amalfi. With its tiny alleyways, medieval buildings, and distinctly Moorish feel, this coastal town is one of the loveliest places on the coast. As you wander through town, call in at the 9th-century Amalfi Cathedral – it’s a magnificent piece of architecture with many mesmerising details to look out for. Spend the rest of the afternoon shopping, with plenty of boutiques selling everything from arts and crafts to typically unique lemon-themed Amalfi souvenirs.

If all that retail therapy has worn you out, head down to Amalfi’s Spiaggia Grande. Backed by restaurants and snack bars, this is a hugely popular spot, especially in the summer. For something quieter, try the tiny cove of Santa Croce, which is reachable only by boat.

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Perched high on the cliffs, the historic town of Ravello boasts some of the most picture-perfect views of the Mediterranean Sea and Amalfi Coast. The best place to snap some photos is from the Terrace of Infinity in the gardens of Villa Cimbrone. For even more views, the iconic 13th-century Villa Rufolo has spectacular, brightly-coloured gardens overlooking the sea. Originally constructed to host banquets for kings and nobility, the views are indeed fit for royalty. Although you won’t spot royalty today, you will catch a variety of performances as part of the Ravello Festival, which takes place during the summer.

Ravello’s town centre is easy to get around on foot. Shop for souvenirs like ceramics and limoncello around Piazza Centrale, or pop into the Duomo di Ravello. Dating back to 1068, this church is home to both an art gallery and a museum.

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One of the smallest villages along the coastline, Atrani is a great place to chill out and relax. Although it’s just a three-minute drive from Amalfi, it feels like worlds away from the buzz of the town’s touristy streets. Catch a glimpse of local Italian life in Piazza Umberto I, Atrani’s central square. Surrounded by well-preserved medieval architecture and colourful houses, this is a lovely place to grab a drink and enjoy a spot of people-watching.

Despite its size, Atrani has a generous selection of cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine – we highly recommend Bistrot il Birecto on Piazza Umberto I. Sleep off your food coma on Atrani’s beach, a picturesque stretch of sand where the waters are crystal-clear – perfect for occasional dips when it gets too warm.

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Another small town enjoying the famously laid-back lifestyle of the Amalfi Coast is Praiano. Wedged between Amalfi and Positano, Praiano is a vision of whitewashed houses tucked into the cliffside. You’ll want to spend most of your time down on Marina di Praia, a charming little cove nestled between towering cliffs.

Art enthusiasts will love Praiano, too. Admire Chiesa di San Luca Evangelista’s stunning majolica tiled floor and marvel at Paolo Sandulli’s terracotta artworks in Torre a Mare, a medieval tower overlooking the sea. It’s also an ideal place for those who want to spend time in nature, with the iconic Sentiero degli Dei or Path of the Gods passing above the town. The trail starts in Bomerano, but there are stairs from Praiano leading upwards, where you can join the coastal path.

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For any self-proclaimed gourmands, Minori is an unmissable stop on the list of Amalfi Coast's places to visit. Minori has been known as the 'Città del Gusto,' or City of Flavour, for its excellent pasta. Whether you're chowing down on n'dunderi (dumplings made of ricotta) and scialatielli (fresh pasta ribbons) at the town's many restaurants or whipping up your own creations in a cooking class, you won't be short on delicious options. Make sure you try Delizie Al Limone at the famous Pasticceria Sal De Riso – it's a typical Campanian sponge cake filled with lemon cream and drizzled with limoncello syrup.

After a long day of eating, take a leisurely stroll through the town to admire the historic buildings, such as the Convent of San Nicola (XI) dating back to the 1st century. Minori’s narrow streets have plenty of nooks and crannies to get happily lost in.

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Not too far from Minori is Maiori, an elegant town brimming with character. There are plenty of historical sights to discover here, from romantic towers and crumbling castles to dazzling art-filled churches – it’s no surprise that Rossellini shot four of his films here. For a spot of shopping, Corso Reginna, Maiori’s main street, is home to an assortment of boutiques selling everything from ceramics and high-quality Italian shoes to local produce like limoncello.

Maiori is also home to the Amalfi Coast’s longest beach. Just under a kilometre, the beach is made up of various bathing establishments and restaurants. It’s particularly popular with families thanks to the calm waters and perfect sandcastle-building materials on hand. You can even hire canoes and pedal boats or take a boat trip out to the Grotta di Pandora sea cave.

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Along the coast from the village of Conca dei Marini is one of the Amalfi Coast’s most spectacular natural wonders. Grotta dello Smeraldo, or Emerald Cave, is a karst cave which has earned its name from the way the light turns into a magical emerald colour when it filters in through the cave. It's accessible by both land and sea. If arriving by land, there are stairs and an elevator taking you down to the cave’s entrance. Inside is a jetty where you can take a guided boat tour around the cave to admire the cathedral-like space.

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A stroll through the beautiful town of Vietri sul Mare has often been described as visiting an open-air museum. It’s famous for its handmade ceramics known as majolica, and the whole town is adorned in these colourful art pieces – even the 18th-century Church of San Giovanni Battista has a majolica-tiled dome. Visit the town’s historical centre awash with boutiques and workshops bursting with pottery. Be sure to swing by Museo della Ceramica in Raito to discover more about the history and culture of Vietri sul Mare’s ceramics.

Sightseeing completed, take a rest on Spiaggia della Crestarella. There’s a small fee to use this private beach, but that’s actually a good thing because it’s never overcrowded. The views are splendid and it’s one of the only sandy beaches around these parts.

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So far, our list of the Amalfi Coast's best places to visit has been by the sea – and with such wonderful scenery, who can blame us? But the Amalfi Coast has a few hidden gems tucked away inland, and it’s worth spending a day or two exploring them. One of our favourite spots for a walk in nature is the Valle delle Ferriere, a valley named after medieval foundries whose ruins are found here. The trail begins in Pontone and ends about two hours later in Amalfi, taking you through verdant forests and alongside a stream. You’ll also pass waterfalls which are an idyllic place for a refreshing swim. With steep ridges on either side, the valley has a microclimate providing a welcome relief from the intense summer heat.

Browse our collection of accommodations on the Amalfi Coast.

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