A Walk through the Glamorous Amalfi Coast (Italy)

Looking for a sun and beach destination? Looking for a charming place to visit? Looking for full on Mediterranean flavor? Looking for something beyond beautiful scenery? Then it’s time to get acquainted with the Amalfi Coast. You’ll fall in love with it right away. Sea, sun, charming fishing villages, a rich history, cool stores, lemon orchards, turquoise waters… And all just a few kilometers to the South of Naples.

The SS-163 is the name of the road stretching from one end of the Amalfi Coast to the other, tracing the outline of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its amazingly winding curves make this road to the South of Naples very popular with bikers looking for an adrenaline filled ride. Its 40 kilometers of tarmac cross the coastal towns of Salerno, Praiano, Positano, Amalfi, Atriani, Ravello, Minori, Maiori and Vietri. This post will stop at each of them to discover what the Amalfi Coast, aka the Divine Coast, has to offer.

 

• The Ceramics of Vietri, Salerno: Without a doubt one of the 13 pearls of the Amalfi Coast. This Southern Italian town, located in the valley of the Bonea River is known worldwide for its polychrome pottery. And this is no exaggeration. Buyers from all corners of the world have been visiting this town since the 15th century to take home ceramic souvenirs. Today, this remains one of its main attractions.

 

• Amalfi and its Lemon Trees: Amalfi is the land of lemons and limoncello, of course. You can’t leave this town without trying their delicious elixir of eternal youth. Located on a hill top, with narrow little streets and colorful houses, this is one of the most frequented destinations of singers, actors and artists from all over the world. Its beauty has earned it a mention as UNESCO World Heritage Site. A tourist town of astounding natural beauty that has been drawing in film makers and producers since the early days of cinema.

 

• Positano, the Town Built on a Mountain Side: One of the crown jewels of the Amalfi Coast, with a steep cliff that divides the town in two and breathtaking views over the bay and the Tyrrhenian Sea. Most of its streets are steep and narrow pedestrian streets that crisscross it from top to bottom, and East to West. One of its most emblematic monuments is the Chiesa di Santa María Assunta, a 13th century church that dazzles locals and tourists alike.

 

• Ravello, Salerno: If we keep on traveling down the SS-163 Road, we reach Ravello. This town still preserves remnants of its old city walls, which are certainly worth exploring for a while. Villa Rufolo boasts some of the best views in town. From there, at the top of the hill, you’ll see the towns of San Cosma, Minori or Maiori, and even the gem that lends its name to this entire stretch of coast: Amalfi. The lookout point of Villacimbrone is also worth a visit; a place that housed the likes of such dissimilar characters as Greta Garbo and Winston Churchill.

 

• Atriani, Home to Sailors: This small town surrounded by vegetation was home to the families of sailors. Noble families. Nowadays it is better known for its hiking trails and less so for its beaches and virgin coves hidden below its cliff walls. Lose yourself in the area around Atrani, it won’t disappoint.

 

• Praiano: Don’t forget to stop at Praiano’s cave turned beach bar Il Pirata. It’s not every day that one gets the chance to eat or enjoy a cold beer, vermouth, or long drink at a cave dug into a breathtaking cliff face. It could be a great way to end the trip.