Amalfi

The enchanting seaside town of Amalfi is located in the province of Salerno, Italy. It gives its name to the Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known worldwide!

On Ferryhopper, you can find useful information about must-see places, beaches, local delicacies, and ferries to Amalfi. Take a look at our travel tips, routes and book cheap ferry tickets with just a few clicks!

The breathtaking natural landscape and coastline of Amalfi 

Vacation in Amalfi

Amalfi is perfect for those who want to spend a holiday in the heart of the Amalfi Coast, for those who love art, nature and glamorous events. Its retro and elegant vibes make it the ideal destination for days dedicated to the sea, culture, astonishing landscapes, and excellent cuisine!

Holidays in Amalfi are all about enjoying the sun and lemon gelato! Here, you can find stunning beaches, the impressive Vagliendola area filled with little pastry shops and the famous Torre dello Ziro, the historic tower watching over the city of Amalfi.

Being a rather popular destination, especially in summer, the best time to visit Amalfi is from April to June. The temperatures are mild allowing you to move around the villages on the coast with ease and comfort.

How to get to Amalfi

You can reach Amalfi by car, train, bus, plane, and ferry. The nearest railway station is Salerno connecting all major Italian cities. Also, there are direct buses leaving daily from the Tiburtina station in Rome to Amalfi.

As for planes, the Napoli - Capodichino airport, which is the closest one to Amalfi, offers direct flights to/from the main Italian and European destinations (including Spain, France, Germany, Greece, and England).

Alternatively, you can reach Amalfi by ferry. The fastest way to get to Amalfi by sea from the mainland is from Molo Concordia in the port of Salerno. However, there are other ferry connections from Naples, Positano, Sorrento, Castellammare di Stabia, Cetara, Maiori, Minori, Vietri sul mare, Ischia, Capri, and Procida. For more information about schedules and tickets, you can have a look at the ferry routes to Amalfi.

Twisting road overlooking the stunning coast of Amalfi

What to do in Amalfi

Amalfi is a blend of dazzling beauty and historic legend. It is a combination of pristine nature trails, mesmerizing beaches and colorful houses hanging on the cliffside above the sea.

There are various locations worth exploring in Amalfi from legendary old towers, well-preserved convents and museums to hidden caves and breathtaking views. The historical center is a small labyrinth calling you to meander through its narrow streets. 

Stroll along the streets of Lorenzo d'Amalfi, Capuano and Mercanti only to find Amalfi’s personality depicted on every little shop! Don’t leave before discovering all the hidden alleys, stairways, vaulted passages, and picturesque squares embellished with fountains.

Sounds magical? Read on to find out all you need to know about your trip, including travel tips, useful information and what to do and see in Amalfi!

Beaches in Amalfi

Most of the beaches on the Amalfi Coast are not very long. Nevertheless, they are endowed with great charm! 

Here are the most mesmerizing beaches in Amalfi:

• Marina Grande: it is the largest and most famous beach in Amalfi. Centrally located, it offers bathing establishments and a few secluded spots. However, finding a seat on weekends can be tricky if you don't arrive early.
• Santa Croce: the beach is accessible only by sea from the port of Amalfi. Its deep blue waters took their name after the old chapel with its remains close to the shore. There, you can find umbrellas, sun-loungers and showers. After taking a dip, you can enjoy excellent freshly made fish dishes in the 2 restaurants near the beach.
• Duoglio: you can reach this hidden beach from the SS163 through a staircase of 400 steps or by sea from the port of Amalfi. It’s 170 m long, it is made of pebbles and is known for its transparent water! There are 2 bathing establishments and a free area for a great relaxing day on the beach.
• O’Rarone: it’s a cove of pebbles and crystal-clear waters, accessible only by boat and not very crowded. It is an ideal place for those seeking tranquility. Here you will also find a natural arch known as the "lover's bow".

The dark blue waters and gorgeous scenery of O’Rarone cove in Amalfi

Sightseeing in Amalfi

Amalfi presents itself as a cluster of colorful houses clinging to the steep ledges of the Lattari Mountains reflecting themselves in the clear sparkling sea below. 

To this stunning panorama, we should also add the cultural and monumental part of the town. Amalfi hides numerous architectural beauties of undeniable interest. In fact, you can discover many places of great historical value by browsing through the center's narrow streets.

Here are the 10 places of Amalfi you shouldn’t miss:

• The medieval arabesque style Cathedral of Amalfi, with its imposing staircase
• The Baroque style Fountain of St. Andrew, depicting the statue of Amalfi’s patron saint
• Piazza Municipio, the seat of the city council
• The Cloister of Paradise, with its wonderful garden filled with palm trees, built between 1266 and 1268 
• The Paper Museum, housed in an old paper mill dating back to the 13th century 
• The Compass Museum, an ancient shipyard illustrating the incredible history and sea power of Amalfi’s Maritime Republic 
• The Vagliendola District, a walk through old aristocratic tower houses, small shops and famous pastry shops
• The Emerald Grotto, a cave filled with sparkling light and shades of green to visit by land (by elevator or stairs) or by sea
• The Ferriere Valley and the Valley of the Mills, nature trails through woods of ferns and streams
• The Ziro Tower, a historic watchtower perching above the coast and dominating the city of Amalfi 

The beautiful medieval-style Cathedral of Amalfi

Nightlife in Amalfi

Amalfi and its entire coast offer various options for evening entertainment for all ages: live music, aperitifs, discos, or quiet walks while enjoying an ice cream. During the summer, you may also enjoy an open-air movie night at Cinema Iris and watch a movie under the starry night sky!

Food in Amalfi

The intense citrus scent emanating from Amalfi’s picturesque streets leads you straight to the local restaurant with its mouthwatering fish dishes and finger-licking desserts.

Here are some of the most delicious local delicacies, impossible to resist:

• scialatielli (thick pasta scented with basil and paired with fresh seafood)
• cuoppo di mare (fried morsels of various fish such as cod, octopus and squid)
• la pezzogna all’acqua pazza (fish, garlic, onions, and tomatoes in herbed broth)
• squid stew served with potatoes
• melanzane al cioccolato (fried eggplant slices layered with chocolate and sprinkled with nuts and fruits)
• Santa Rosa sfogliatella (cake filled with pastry cream and raspberries) 
• delizia al limone (dome-shaped cake drizzled with limoncello syrup and filled with a lemon-flavored custard)
• limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur)

A traditional lemon-flavored dessert in Amalfi 

Which places to visit near Amalfi

Amalfi is a great location offering you the flexibility to move around and discover other beauties of the Amalfi Coast such as Positano, Praiano, Ravello, and Minori.

The towns of the coast are connected by the SS163, known as the "Amalfitana". It’s one of the most beautiful roads in the world with sharp bends overlooking the sea interspersed with villages set in the rocky landscape. During the low season, it is possible to go through it by car, motorbike or public transport. 

However, keep in mind that it is one of the busiest streets in Italy during the high season! Therefore, if you don't want to risk spending hours in the sun, the best option is to travel by ferry.

Tips for Amalfi

Here are some useful tips for your holidays in Amalfi:

• Always keep your smartphone or your instant camera close at hand because every corner of the Amalfi Coast deserves a place in your memory and photo album!
• We recommend that you only rent a car if you plan to travel out of season. Due to the intense traffic on the roads of the Amalfi Coast and the difficulty with parking, it is better to rent a scooter.
• The narrow streets of the Amalfi Coast are full of fairly tight curves. If you suffer from motion sickness, make sure you have travel gums for nausea. 
• During the summer, buses heading to the most popular resorts and attractions of the Amalfi Coast tend to fill up quickly. For a more relaxed and peaceful experience, it’s better to book a private excursion instead.
• The Amalfi Coast can be quite expensive, especially during the high season.  Therefore, it is preferable to visit it in the low season when it is not so crowded and less expensive.

Useful information about Amalfi

Despite its size, Amalfi offers various services. In the city center, you can find many supermarkets, several banks and 2 pharmacies. 

As for the health facilities, there are no hospitals in the city. However, the closest local health center is ASL Salerno is less than 2 km from Amalfi in the Ravello area. 

When it comes to accommodation, Amalfi is full of hotels, villas and guest houses for all budgets. The cheapest options are around Amalfi, a few minutes by car from the city center, an excellent option for families with children.

Also, the city is one of the most accessible places on the coast. Being directly above sea level, it offers easy access to the central part of the city. There are a few stairways and a flat walk that leads to the church square, where you can find a variety of bars and restaurants for every taste!

Amalfi is a pearl gleaming over the blue sea and its breathtaking beauty should be accessible to everyone! Therefore, people with reduced mobility can take private tours and visit the wonderful places of the Amalfi Coast without missing a thing! 

Important phone numbers for your stay in Amalfi

Here are some useful contacts to keep within reach during your trip to Amalfi:

• Tourist Information Center: +39089871107
• Municipality of Amalfi: +390898730211
• Amalfi Police Station: +39089871633
• Amalfi Port Authority: +390819368176
• Radio taxi services: +3907143321
• Roadside Assistance: 116
• Sea Rescue: 1530
• European emergency number: 112 

Transportation in Amalfi

Scooters are certainly the most recommended way to get around the Amalfi Coast without worrying about traffic and parking. In Amalfi, there are several rental services to choose from and the daily rates are around €35. However, some stretches of the road are challenging, so it is advisable to drive with caution.

For those who prefer to move by public transport, a shuttle service runs along the route "Port of Amalfi - Valle dei Mulini". Tickets can be purchased onboard and are free for citizens over the age of 65.

Useful info: the Amalfi center area is usually closed due to traffic jams at particular times of the day, and access is allowed only to residents with authorization.

Where to park in Amalfi

There is no free parking in Amalfi, so leaving your vehicle in one of its paid parking lots is the only option. Just beyond the tunnel that leads from Atrani to Amalfi, you will find the Luna Rossa parking garage.

In the port area, there is the Berma, the largest parking lot in Amalfi. However, you should keep in mind that it is an unguarded paid parking with rates starting from €2-€5 per hour, depending on the season.

The port of Amalfi

The port of Amalfi is also known as La Marina. There are numerous services such as parking lots, scooter rentals, hotels, and bars at the port of Marina Coppola.

In just a few minutes, you can also reach the central square Flavio Gioia, the ideal starting point for your visit to Amalfi.

The scenic port of Marina Coppola in Amalfi

Amalfi ferry: schedules and tickets

The port of Amalfi is connected with Naples and other destinations on the Amalfi Coast (Positano, Cetara, Vietri sul Mare, Maiori, and Minori) and Sorrento (Sorrento, Castellammare di Stabia). There are also ferry routes from the city of Salerno and the island of Capri from April to October. However, the connections with Ischia only take place during the summer.

The companies that operate the routes are Navigazione Libera del Golfo (NLG), Positano Jet, Alilauro, Alicost, Coast Lines, Seremar, Grassi Junior, and Travelmar, offering up to 77 daily crossings with ferries and hydrofoils. Depending on the various destinations, the rides can last from 5 minutes to 3 hours.

Here you can find more information about all the ferry connections from Amalfi:

• Naples - Amalfi ferry: the ferry route from the port of Naples to Amalfi is one of the most popular ferry trips. Usually, there are around 4-6 daily crossings with a duration of 1 hour 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes.
• Positano - Amalfi ferry: the ferry trip from Positano to the port of Amalfi includes around 20 daily trips operating throughout the year. The crossings last 15-30 minutes.
• Sorrento - Amalfi ferry: the connection from the port of Sorrento to Amalfi includes around 10 daily trips with crossings of approximately 1-2 hours.
• Salerno - Amalfi ferry: the ferry route from Salerno to Amalfi offers more than 10 daily connections with crossings of about 25 minutes to 1 hour.
• Ischia - Amalfi ferry: the connection from the island of Ischia to Amalfi includes 7 weekly crossings lasting around 2 hours.
• Capri - Amalfi ferry: the ferry trip from the island of Capri to Amalfi provides up to 8 daily trips that last about 1-1.5 hours.
• Cetara - Amalfi ferry: the connection from Cetara to the port of Amalfi is usually carried out 6 times a day with a duration of 35-50 minutes.
• Vietri sul Mare - Amalfi ferry: the ferry route from Vietri sul Mare to the port of Amalfi is usually served 6 times daily with crossings of 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Maiori - Amalfi ferry: there are about 8 daily ferry trips from Maiori to Amalfi. The ride lasts about 15-25 minutes.
• Minori - Amalfi ferry: the ferry trip from Minori to Amalfi is the shortest. There are approximately 8 daily connections with crossings of only 5-15 minutes.
• Castellammare di Stabia - Amalfi ferry: the ferry connection from the port of Castellammare di Stabia to Amalfi usually includes 7 weekly trips. The duration is 2.5 hours.
     
• Procida - Amalfi ferry: the route to Amalfi from Procida is seasonal and has 1 daily crossing lasting 2 hours 50 minutes.

Take a look at our Map of ferries with all the connections available from the port of Amalfi and start planning your getaway right away!

Book ferry tickets to Amalfi online

Can't wait to discover the jewels of the Amalfi Coast? The most wondrous coastal corner of Italy awaits you with villages overlooking the sea, scenic beaches and breathtaking landscapes! On Ferryhopper, you can find all connections to Amalfi, compare prices, departure times, and book your ferry tickets online safely!