The Amalfi Coast: Beyond Amalfi Town
Many people dream of visiting the Amalfi Coast, and come all this way to only visit Amalfi, missing out on the other incredible towns that line the coastal cliffs. While Amalfi is beautiful, during the summer months — and a lot of shoulder season — its narrow streets are overcrowded, making it possibly my least favourite town of the bunch.
I’ve been living here for a few months, so here’s my two cents on where to go, what to eat and where best to post up on the beach.
Vietri sul Mare
Starting off this iconic coastline is the picturesque Vietri sul Mare, where I’ve been living with my boyfriend since May of 2025. The town is fondly known as “the first pearl of the Amalfi”. Covered in locally made ceramics, the town is colourful, vibrant and worth visiting.
Vietri sul Mare from above
What to do
Souvenir shopping
Better quality, handmade and more original than the lemon-covered everything that you’ll find in Amalfi and Positano, pop into a few of the shops and find the perfect ceramic creation to bring home with you!
Stop into Ceramica Solimene
A studio, shop and showroom all wrapped into one. Ceramica Solimene is impossible to miss with its unique exterior design perched above the town at the base of Via Madonna degli Angeli. Pop in, and watch the local artists at their craft, or find a memento to remember the trip by.
Admire the Due Fratelli
The local legend is that two brothers swam out to save a girl they believed to be drowning during a storm. As it turned out, the young woman was a daughter of Poseidon and was unharmed, while the two brothers drowned. Poseidon erected the two rocks in honour of their bravery. Halfway up the road along the coast, there is a viewpoint perfect for catching sunset with the two brothers in the foreground.
Grab a bite at Il Fornaio
A favourite amongst locals and a hit with tourists, too. If you make your way down the steep streets of town to the water, stop into Il Fornaio; whether you’re indulging in a fresh baked cornetto (croissant) and cafe latte for breakfast or grabbing a panino on some pillowy focaccia for lunch, the prices and the quality are unreal.
Torre di Cetara from the water
Cetara *
Accessible by either ferry or bus, Cetara is the second town along the coast from Salerno. It’s small, local, and perfect if you’re wanting to explore a town that’s less concerned with catering to the tourists, and get some practice using your Italian phrases.
What to do
Enjoy the quiet beach
Being one of the towns that often gets skipped when people visit the area, Cetara’s beach is way less crowded than the ones you’ll find in the flashier towns. And you’ll still get the crystal clear waters and beautiful scenery that you would expect from the south of Italy.
Eat some fresh seafood
You can find fresh seafood anywhere along the Amalfi Coast – they are all coastal towns after all – but Cetara is a fishing village historically, it is literally named after being one. If you’re hoping to grab a great ocean dish, be sure to visit this often over-looked town.
Walking along the Path of the Lemons
Maiori & Minori
Two of my favourite towns along the water, these two are the perfect pair. Seamlessly walking the line of tourist friendly without losing the charm of local life, we’ve visited more times than I can count in the months we’ve been living here.
What to do
Walk the Path of the Lemons
Winding though lemon groves, the path is full of picture-perfect views, locally run bars and some quaint B&Bs (pack light if you’re staying here because there are no access roads). You can walk either direction, but I suggest starting in Maiori and ending in Minori for the best views (and easiest time on the stairs).
Enjoy award winning treats at Sal de Riso
If you have a sweet tooth, I cannot recommend stopping into this pasticceria enough! Whether cheesecake, gelato or macaroons are your treat of choice, you will not be disappointed.
Rent an affordably priced beach chair
Both towns have plenty of reasonable options to choose from, so if you’re looking to indulge in the luxury of a chair and umbrella, without the luxury price tags seen in other towns, spend a day in the sun here.
View of the coast from Ravello
Ravello
Technically sitting above the coast, this is one of the few stops listed here that is not right on the water. Its a popular place to visit, but because it takes more effort to access, it is substantially less crowded than Amalfi below.
What to do
Visit during the Wagner Festival
An annual summer festival in Ravello centring around art and music, which has been happening for almost 75 years.
Dinner with a view
Stop into one of the many cliffside restaurants with incredible views of the coast.
Take the steps to Atrani
Climb up, or walk down — whichever you choose, your legs will be sure to feel it the next day. It’s over 1,400 uneven steps between the two towns, with memorable views along the way.
An alley in Atrani
Atrani
Small, beautiful and a short walk over from the town of Amalfi, Atrani is the perfect place to escape the crowds for a few hours without travelling too far from the heart of the action.
What to do
Enjoy some drinks on the beach
If you’re hoping for a budget friendly spot to enjoy a cold peroni or takeaway aperol spritz, pop into one of the bars and grab drinks to go before laying out your towel on the free public access beach. Wade into the beautiful Tyrrhenian Sea and let your thoughts drift away for a while.
Explore the quiet streets
Take a walk up some staircases, wander through the narrow alleyways and enjoy the charming residential neighbourhoods less trafficked by tourists.
Amalfi
The coast’s titular town, Amalfi, is gorgeous. Hugging the water, and tucked beneath towering hills, it’s wildly popular with tourists, likely because the entire Coast is named after it. So while it’s beautiful, and definitely worth stopping by, I wouldn’t plan on spending more than a couple hours in Amalfi itself.
What to do
Check out the Amalfi Duomo
From the aptly named Piazza del Duomo you would be hard-pressed to avoid catching a glimpse of the stunning Cathedral of St Andrew Apostle overlooking the square. Wander up the steps and pay a small entry fee to enter the gorgeous gardens and explore inside the cathedral.
Walk up the main road
Continue up the bustling main strip from Piazza del Duomo and pop into some shops; grab a snack or drink along the way. Fried frutti di mare and lemon gelato served in Amalfi-sized lemons are crowd favourites.
Grab a drink at Melphi’s
If you continue up the main strip, past the crowds, there’s a great bar with limited seating — but it’s Italy and takeaway drinks are not only allowed, they’re almost encouraged. They brew a selection of locally made beers and have a variety of spritz options as well. If you’re a fan of espresso martinis, don’t pass on their caffe spritz; it is delicious.
Wander the side streets
As with any Italian town, the best views are found on the quaint little side streets. Peek around corners, climb a staircase, stumble on a quiet spot with a great view. Make sure you aren’t entering people’s personal properties, but most of the staircases are public-access, so enjoy!
Praiano
The least accessible town on the coast, in my opinion. Unless you are renting a car or planning to take a taxi (prices can get very steep), I would recommend spending your time elsewhere. Buses run through, but if they’re full, and they often are, they will drive right past, leaving you hoping that the next one in half an hour will be different. If you do make your way to Praiano, though, be prepared for some breathtaking views.
Positano*
The final town of the Amalfi Coast is Positano, and it might beat Amalfi Town for the most popular destination on the Coast. If you can, arrive by boat and see it in all its glory, cascading down over the hills. Positano from the water truly belongs on a postcard.
Positano from the water, taken on my CampSnap camera
What to do
Take a cooking class*
Have you seen the viral boozy cooking class? It lives up to the hype, some of my friends went while visiting and they could not have had a better time if they’d tried!
Hike the Path of the Gods*
If you’re looking for the best views for less effort (there will still be sore legs tomorrow), it’s recommended to end your hike in Positano and start from Bomerano, heading downhill. The hike one way is about 8km, pack a lot of water and be prepared for the heat if you’re going in summer. Take advantage of the cafes along the way to rest if you need (or want)!
