There are places that capture your gaze and never let go. Amalfi is one of them. If you are looking for things to do in Amalfi, let us tell you something: this little town perched between the sea and the mountains stole our hearts the moment we stepped off the ferry. Colorful houses climbing up the cliff, steep little streets smelling of lemon, and a Duomo that will leave you breathless. Incredible!
We stayed 3 nights in Amalfi and, on another trip, we spent two weeks in Salerno using it as a base to explore the whole coast. So, we speak from experience about this area. In this guide, we share the town’s must-sees, the spots that aren’t on the postcards, and a bunch of practical tips to help you make the most of every minute. Let’s get started.
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Summary: Things to do in Amalfi
| Category | Must-sees and recommendations |
|---|---|
| Key monuments | Duomo di Sant’Andrea, Chiostro del Paradiso, and the Arsenale della Repubblica. |
| Local experiences | Visit the Paper Museum, wander the center’s narrow streets, and walk to Atrani. |
| Nature and views | Valle delle Ferriere and the famous “Path of the Gods” (Sentiero degli Dei). |
| Surroundings (Towns) | Ravello (gardens), Positano (views), Minori/Maiori, Cetara, and Vietri sul Mare. |
| Gastronomy | Products with the “sfusato” lemon, scialatielli ai frutti di mare, and delizia al limone. |
| Logistics | Ferry (recommended option), SITA bus, or car (only with experience). |
| Best time | May, June, and September (avoiding extreme heat and the crowds of July/August). |
Amalfi, the soul of the Amalfi Coast
Amalfi gives its name to the entire coast, and it’s no coincidence. In the Middle Ages, it was one of Italy’s great maritime republics, a power that traded with half the Mediterranean. Today, stones, churches, and a maritime identity that can be felt in every corner remain from that greatness.
The town is small and can be walked through completely in a couple of hours. But beware: it’s hard to leave. You might think you came to “see the main highlights” and end up getting lost in narrow alleys that climb upward, tunnels connecting squares, and stairs that appear where you least expect them. In our case, the best thing we did was exactly that: walk without rushing.
The entire Amalfi Coast is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and when you explore it, you understand why. It’s one of those landscapes that seems hand-painted.
Things to do in Amalfi: the historic center’s must-sees
This is the heart of the town. When people look for things to do in Amalfi, almost everything that appears is concentrated within a few blocks around the main square. We break it down for you by part.
The Duomo di Sant’Andrea and its staircase
If Amalfi has an iconic image, this is it. The Duomo di Sant’Andrea stands atop a giant staircase of more than fifty steps, with a black-and-white striped facade and golden details that blend Arab, Norman, and Byzantine styles. It’s impossible not to stare at it.
We climbed those steps and were out of breath (hehehe) but it was worth every single one. From the top, the view of the square is beautiful. Inside, the relics of the apostle Saint Andrew, the town’s patron saint, are kept. Seeing it by day is fine, but if you can return at night with everything illuminated… it’s a whole different experience.
The Chiostro del Paradiso
Right next to the cathedral is the Cloister of Paradise, a 13th-century courtyard with interlaced arches with a Moorish vibe that seems taken from another world. Many travelers recommend it as the best part of the complex, and the truth is the photos that circulate do it justice. It has an affordable entrance fee that gives you access to the cloister, the crypt, and the small diocesan museum. It’s worth it if you like these quiet corners away from the hustle and bustle.
Piazza del Duomo and the Fountain of Saint Andrew
The square is the meeting point for the entire town. Café tables, people coming and going, and in the center, the fountain of Saint Andrew. It’s the perfect place to sit, order something fresh, and watch Amalfi life go by. We returned several times, at different hours, and it always had a different energy.
The Arsenale della Repubblica and the Compass Museum
Just a few steps from the marina, you’ll find the Arsenale della Repubblica, the old shipyards where the galleys of the Amalfi fleet were built. Today, it functions as a museum space. Many travelers recommend peeking in to understand the town’s shipping past, especially if you are interested in maritime history.
The Paper Museum (artisanal paper)
Here is a curious fact few people know: for centuries, Amalfi was a center of artisanal handmade paper production, the famous “bambagina.” In the Museo della Carta, housed in an old mill, they show you how it was made. Other travelers who visited it choose it as a unique and very authentic stop. If you want to take home an Amalfi paper notebook as a souvenir, it’s one of the best you’ll find.
Atrani, the neighboring town you can’t miss
This is something we always repeat: don’t just stay in Amalfi. A ten-minute walk away, crossing a tunnel and going down some stairs, Atrani appears. And it is a gem.
Atrani is one of the smallest towns in Italy and, precisely for that reason, it retains an authenticity that Amalfi sometimes loses among so many tourists. It has an intimate square, a beautiful little beach, and a labyrinth of narrow streets where you can truly feel the local neighborhood life. We sat down to have a drink in its square and didn’t want to leave.
If you’re looking for things to do in Amalfi and Atrani together, the good news is that they can be combined in the same walk. Do it in the afternoon, when the large tour groups leave, and you’ll have the place almost to yourself. Not to be missed.
The beach and the marina of Amalfi
Spiaggia Grande is the main beach, right next to the port. It’s not a pristine fine-sand beach, mind you: it’s pebbly and tends to be quite crowded in high season. But taking a dip with the town in the background is one of those experiences you won’t forget.
Boat Trip and Sunset in Amalfi
What we liked most was walking along the marina at sunset, with the fishing boats, the ferries coming and going, and the sun hitting the colorful houses. If you love the sea, you can rent an umbrella at one of the beach clubs or, even better, join a boat tour to see the coast from the water. From there, Amalfi looks impressive.
Nature and trails: the Valle delle Ferriere
Amalfi isn’t just churches and beaches. Climbing up from the town, you enter the Valle delle Ferriere, a nature reserve with waterfalls, lush vegetation, and the ruins of old paper mills. It’s a beautiful and quite accessible trail, ideal if you want to escape the heat and the crowds for a while.
And if you’re a serious hiker, the star plan for the entire coast is the Sentiero degli Dei, the “Path of the Gods.” It doesn’t start in Amalfi itself but further up in Bomerano, but it’s easy to reach from here by bus. Many travelers describe it as one of the hikes with the best views in Italy, hanging literally over the sea. We left it for next time… because we are definitely coming back to Amalfi.
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Things to do near Amalfi: the towns of the coast
One of the great advantages of Amalfi is that it’s in the center of everything. From here, you can head out to visit a succession of towns that will each make you fall in love in its own way. These are the ones most worth your time:
- Ravello: high up in the mountains, famous for its gardens with breathtaking views. Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone are mandatory visits. Many travelers choose it as their favorite corner of the entire coast.
All the info: ➜ Things to Do in Ravello (Click HERE) - Positano: the most photographed postcard of the Mediterranean, with its houses cascading toward the sea. Very expensive, but you have to see it at least once.
- Minori and Maiori: two quieter towns with wider beaches, perfect if you want to slow down.
- Cetara: a fishing village famous for its “colatura di alici,” a traditional anchovy sauce. For foodies, not to be missed.
- Vietri sul Mare: the gateway to the coast from Salerno, known for its colorful ceramics. We leave you all the info in our guide on things to do in Vietri sul Mare.
If your trip continues toward the south of Italy, we recommend you don’t miss the Calabria region. Have a great time in Tropea in one day, another one of those towns that fascinated us. And if you’re coming from the north, it’s always worth making a stop in Florence before heading down.
How to get to and around Amalfi
Getting to Amalfi has its tricks because there is no train that goes down to the town. These are the options we tried and the ones we recommend:
- By ferry: our favorite way, by far. They depart from Salerno, Positano, and other points on the coast. You avoid the curves, avoid traffic, and arriving by sea is spectacular. If you can, choose this option.
- By bus (SITA): the blue buses travel along the entire coast on the famous SS163 road. It’s cheap and the view is cinematic, but in high season they get crowded and the curves are not for sensitive stomachs.
- By car: driving the Amalfi Coast is an adventure. The road is narrow and parking in Amalfi is expensive and complicated. We only recommend it if you have experience and a lot of patience.
A good map of the Amalfi Coast will save your life when planning transfers. Keep in mind: in high season it’s best to buy ferry tickets in advance, because they sell out.
Where to stay in Amalfi and the coast
This is an important decision, because it defines how you will experience the trip. We tell you based on what we tried:
- In Amalfi town: ideal if you want to experience the nightlife and have everything at hand. It’s the most convenient option, although also the most expensive.
- In Atrani: steps away from Amalfi but quieter and cheaper. A great combination.
- In Salerno: we spent two weeks here and highly recommend it as a base. It’s a real city, with friendlier prices, and you have direct ferries to the entire coast.
👉 See the best accommodation offers in Amalfi and surroundings here
Keep in mind: if you are traveling between June and September, book several months in advance. Amalfi is one of the destinations that fills up first and prices skyrocket in summer.
Where to Stay in Amalfi: Map and Prices
On the map below you can move, zoom, and filter by your dates to see real accommodation prices in Amalfi:
Where to eat: Amalfitan cuisine
Eating in Amalfi is part of the trip. The undisputed star is the lemon: the famous “sfusato amalfitano,” those giant and sweet lemons that you will see hanging everywhere. They are used to make limoncello, candies, cakes, and even the “delizia al limone,” a small dessert we tried that blew our minds.
Regarding food, we ordered tortelloni (a typical pasta) and another day “scialatielli ai frutti di mare” (a typical seafood pasta); for dessert, whatever contains lemon. Amalfi restaurants lean more toward touristy in the marina area; if you want more honest prices, move away a bit from the center or cross over to Atrani. And a golden tip: try a lemon granita while you walk. It refreshes you and is pure happiness.
Things to do in Amalfi in 1 day: express itinerary
Do you have little time? Don’t worry, Amalfi can be enjoyed very well in one day. This is how we would organize a perfect day:
- Morning: arrive early by ferry, climb the Duomo staircase, and visit the Chiostro del Paradiso before the tour groups arrive.
- Mid-morning: get lost in the narrow streets of the center, take a look at the Arsenal, and buy some artisanal paper or limoncello.
- Noon: have lunch with fresh fish overlooking the sea and finish with a delizia al limone.
- Afternoon: walk to Atrani and relax in its square. If you still have energy, go for a dip in the beach.
- Sunset: return to the marina to watch the sun go down before taking the ferry back.
With this plan, you cover the essentials without rushing. And if you have more days, add Ravello, Positano, and some hiking. To avoid over-improvising, our guide on how to plan your trip step by step will be useful.
Tips to keep in mind for your trip to Amalfi
After several visits to the area, these are the tips that served us best:
- When to go: the best time is May, June, and September. In July and August, it is very hot and packed. In winter, many services close, but prices drop and there is total tranquility.
- Comfortable footwear: Amalfi is all stairs and hills. Leave the uncomfortable sandals at home.
- Wake up early: the first hours of the day are magical, with the town almost empty. The difference from midday is enormous.
- Cash on hand: in small towns and kiosks, they don’t always accept cards.
And something that for us is non-negotiable: we never travel without insurance. In an area with so much walking, stairs, and boats, it’s worth being covered. We leave you our comparison of the best travel insurance for Europe so you can choose the one that suits you best.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Amalfi
How many days are needed to see Amalfi?
To see the town of Amalfi, one full day is enough. But if you want to enjoy the Amalfi Coast without rushing and add places like Ravello, Positano, and hikes, 3 to 4 days in the area is ideal.
What are things to do in Amalfi in 1 day?
In one day you can see the Duomo di Sant’Andrea and its staircase, the Chiostro del Paradiso, Piazza del Duomo, the marina, and the beach, and go for a walk to the neighboring town of Atrani. With that, you cover the essentials.
Is it worth visiting Amalfi?
Yes, absolutely. Amalfi combines history, a spectacular Duomo, charming little streets, and a unique sea and mountain landscape. It stole our hearts and is one of those places you want to return to.
How to get to Amalfi from Salerno?
The most comfortable and beautiful way is the ferry, which in season connects Salerno to Amalfi in about 35 minutes. You can also take the SITA bus, which is cheaper but slower due to the coast’s curves.
Is Amalfi expensive?
Amalfi is one of the most touristy destinations in Italy and prices reflect that, especially in summer. A good way to save is to stay in Atrani or Salerno and do the visits as day trips.
What to buy as a souvenir in Amalfi?
The most typical souvenirs are limoncello, lemon products, artisanal paper from the Museo della Carta, and colorful ceramics from the area. They are authentic and high-quality memories.
Amalfi stole our hearts (and it will yours too)
If you’ve made it this far, you already have a clear idea of things to do in Amalfi: its imposing Duomo, the Cloister of Paradise, the marina at sunset, the town of Atrani, and those lemons that perfume everything. But beyond the list, what you take from Amalfi is a feeling. That mixture of sea, history, and warmth that isn’t fully explained until you experience it.
We had a wonderful time and would go back without thinking twice. So pack your suitcase, book in advance, and let yourself be surprised. The Amalfi Coast is waiting for you… and we assure you that you won’t regret it. Happy travels!
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