Amalfi coast, map and how to get around

Lets explore the Amalfi Coast

From Positano a Vietri Sul Mare passing through Ravello, Amalfi and Cetara: The Amalfi Coast is part of the Campana Coast situated south of the Sorrentine Peninsula and Naples that faces the Gulf of Salerno. This part of the coast is not only a geographical location it is like a balcony overlooking the Tirreno Sea, where you can see the immense slopes of Mount Lattari, the beaches and the terraced lemon, olive and grape coltivations.

Vietri sul mare

The first town you will get to leaving from Salerno is Vetri Sul Mare. Crystal clear waters, dreamy beaches that will make you fall in love with the Amalfi Coast. Known all over the world for its famous ceramics, the characteristical streets of Vetri Sul Mare are packed with little boutiques that respect the traditional craftmanship of handpainted ceramics.

Conca dei Marini

The Amalfi Coast is however rich of hidden beautys, one of these is surely Conca Dei Marini, an ancient fishing village with a population of a few hundred inhabitants. It has become one of the most popular tourist attractions of the Amalfi Coast, it is charming and enchanting a definate must on a tour of the Amalfi Coast.

Conca Dei Marini gastronomical delicacies that characterise its tradition, the most delicious and important is la sfogliatella Santa Rosa, la tonnara and the pomodorini a piennolo.

La sfogliatella Santa Rosa, was first discovered by accident in the 1700 by the Domenican Conservatorio di Santa Rosa di Lima who decided to add sugar, milk, dried fruit,corn flour and sour cherries to a little left over dough. The sweet was delicious, and became a symbol of the village, and to this day, in August, they celebrate with a Festa dedicated to the goodness of this delicious pastry.

Conca dei Marini culinary culture is represented by the tonnara, (tuna) a system of fishing with nets trapping the tuna, that pass through during seasonal migration, and pomodorini a piennolo (similar to cherry tomatoes), typical of the area, are freshly picked , tied together and kept in the shade to conserve all year round. Patience, expertise and the salty sea air transform these little pomodorini into a very savory delight added to mussell soup and various other dishes.

Fiordo di Furore

La Conca Dei Marini rises alongside Fiordo di Furone, immense rock formations that create an almost alpine scenery, high rocky walls overhanging onto the sea, protecting the small isolated beach from the world.

Grotto dello smeraldo

Another marvel of the Conca dei Marini is La Grotta dello Smeraldo, about 30 metres wide and 60 metres long and 24 metres high. Found in 1932 by a local fisherman by the name of Luigi Buoncuore, the Grotta dello Smeraldo can be reached by boat from Amalfi or from the state road 163 there is a lift or stairs that take you down.

When the sea is calm and the sun is high, the grotta dello smeraldo is magical, light from the sunbeams dancing around giving the feeling of a magical kingdom.

The most beautiful beach of the Amalfi Coast

Apart from the great excursions, the Amalfi Coast is the perfect place to just relax on the beach, although some of them are in hard to reach places, hiring a small boat or doing a tour of the most beautiful beaches on the Amalfi Coast is the perfect solution to be able to enjoy 100% of these breathtaking beaches.

Marina del Cantone

In the vacinities of Nerano, on the western end of the Amalfi Coast you will find Marina del Cantone. Sheltered from the winds Marina del Cantone is the perfect place to relax in the sun. The water is transparent and there are many restarants that offer the typical local dish pasta and zucchine or a seafood dish.

Marina grande di Positano

Positano is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the italians and the foreigners. Its caracteristic streets, the houses all grouped together, beautiful beaches, enchanting sea and the local cuisine lure hundreds of thousands of tourist in the summer season.

Marina Grande is classed one of the most beautiful beaches of Italy, with its breathtaking surroundings it makes Marina Grande one of the most loved and renowned places to visit.

Maiori e Minori

Maiori beach’s panorama is definately different from the other beaches along the Amalfi Coast, a kilometer of sandy beach and many swimming establishments on a flat seafront. The swimming estiblishments offer the possibility of hiring watercrafts, or organising a tour of the Grotta di Pandora and the Grotta Sulfurea: attractions that will make your day interesting and fun.

If Maiori has changed its aspect, Minori has remained the same, with its 250 metres of beach and 3 swimming establishments, facing south it is kissed by the sun all day.

Marina di Cetara

A small village facing the sea, groups of antique houses, a tower and a church with a large majolica dome make Cetara the classic postcard immage. Cetara is principally know for its tuna from the Amalfi Coast, and its famous anchovy sauce and also to enjoy their delightful small beaches.

How to get to the Amalfi Coast

There are several ways to get to the Amalfi Coast, train, bus or car, there is also a direct connection from Naples Airport and Salerno. The best way to get to the Amalfi Coast is by car.

How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Rome

• From Rome Ciampino airport you go to Stazione di Roma Termini either with a shuttle bus or in Taxi;
• From Rome Fiumicino airport you can get the Leonardo Express, the train that arrives from Terminal and takes you to Stazione Roma Termini;
• From Rome Termini you can get a train for Naples Central Station and for Salerno, with the Freccia Rossa Which is the quickest and most comfortable, in an hour you will arrive in Naples Piazza Garibaldi. The price is about €50;
• Or there is the intercity train from Rome to Naples, that takes about 2hrs and the cost is about €20 or there i salso the regional train that costs about €10 and in 4hrs you will arrive in Naples.

How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Naples

• From the international airport Capodichino in Naples you can get the AliBus or a taxi to the Central Station or you can also get the Curreri Bus (80mins 10€) that takes you to Sorrento.
• If you would like to go to Amalfi, Minori, Maiori, Cetara or Vietri sul Mare, from the station you can reach in Taxi or train il Varco Immacolatella and from there on a SITA bus (2hrs and abt €4) that will take you to Amalfi.
• Alternatively you can choose a regional train that will take you to Salerno Station or the Circumvesuviana that takes about 70 mins to Sorrento, the price is €3.20, once in Sorrento you get the SITA bus to get to Positano or Amalfi.

How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Salerno

• From Salerno Station, you can reach from Naples on a regional train or a fast train, the SITA bus line that takes about 75 mins at about 3-4 € per person.
• Alternatively from Molo Concordia, which is in front of the train station, a fast hydrofoil (35mins at 8€) to Amalfi and 70mins to Positano €12 per person.

How to get to the Amalfi Coast from Sorrento

• From Sorrento train station the SITA buses leave for Positano and Amalfi, it takes about 60-90mins depending on your destination (Positano, Praiano, Conca Dei Marini, Amalfi) and it costs from €3-€5.
• A Hydrofoil leaves from Sorrento port that takes about 30min €16 to Positano. Another hydrofoil that takes about 50mins at €17 to Amalfi.