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INDEX
- How to visit the coveted World Heritage Site of Amalfi and the surrounding resorts
- A glimpse into everyday life in Salerno
- Amalfi, a symbol of medieval prosperity that still remains today
- Panoramic coastline views! Two gardens decorating Ravello
- Positano: A breathtaking landscape
- Colorful "Vietri" is a town full of pottery
How to visit the coveted World Heritage Site of Amalfi and the surrounding resorts
We will introduce a trip to the surrounding resorts, based in Salerno, the town at the easternmost tip of the Amalfi Coast. Salerno is easily accessible by high-speed train, making it possible to make a round trip. If you are visiting from Japan, transfer at a major European city such as Paris or Frankfurt to get to Naples airport. From Naples, take the high-speed train and arrive in Salerno in about 40 minutes. You can also take a high-speed train from Rome Termini Station, which will take you to Salerno in about 2 hours.
Salerno itself is not a resort town and is not included in the World Heritage Site, but it has a port where high-speed boats depart and arrive, making it an ideal gateway to the towns of the Amalfi Coast. The boats run along the Amalfi coastline, allowing you to efficiently tour towns such as "Amalfi" and "Positano." From Amalfi, you can also travel to the hilltop town of "Ravello."
Route map (Travelmar official website)
Please note that there are no boats operating during the off-season in winter. However, buses run from Salerno throughout the year. The bus travels along winding roads overlooking the vast ocean, making it a thrilling attraction.
A glimpse into everyday life in Salerno
Let's start touring the resorts. First, we will introduce Salerno, the base for sightseeing on the Amalfi Coast. If you walk south from Salerno Central Station, you will see the ocean in front of you in about 5 minutes. The small port of Concordia there is the starting point for touring Amalfi. There are several ports in Salerno, but this port is the closest to the station and many short-distance ships depart and arrive from there. It is a good idea to check the timetables and make a plan in advance.
Travelmar
| web | ： | https://www.travelmar.it/en/index |
|---|
The coastal road stretches for about 2 kilometers
A pleasant stroll along the seaside promenade from Concordia is a great way to explore Salerno. We recommend relaxing on a bench enjoying a gelato or ordering a coffee or cocktail at a bar.
The gorgeous decoration of the crypt (underground chapel) is captivating
If you want to enjoy shopping, head to the old town from Vittorio Emanuele Street, a pedestrian mall that runs straight from the station square. There are rows of shops on both sides, making it a great place to look for souvenirs. The alleys lined with houses that are over 300 years old are full of atmosphere, and one of the must-sees is the Cathedral of San Matteo, built in the 11th century.
Cathedral of San Matteo
| address | ： | Piazza Alfano I, 84125 Salerno |
|---|---|---|
| Admission fee | ： | 5 euros |
| web | ： | San Matteo Basilica Official Website (foreign language site) |
The town is built on a slope, and the further you go the steeper the roads get, but there are public elevators at various points that anyone can use for free.
Salerno as seen from the hilltop "Gardens of Minerva"
The Minerva Gardens at the top of the hill are a spectacular spot. You can spend your time here however you like, taking photos or taking a short break while looking down on the city of Salerno.
Minerva Gardens
| address | ： | Vicolo Ferrante Sanseverino 1, 84121 Salerno |
|---|---|---|
| Admission fee | ： | 3 euros |
| web | ： | Minerva Gardens Official Website (foreign language site) |
You can get to Areki Castle by city bus from the city center.
If you have time, you should also visit the Arechi Castle, built around the 6th century and located at an altitude of 300 meters. The castle with a great view is also a museum, where you can learn about the history of Salerno.
Arechi Castle
| address | ： | Località Croce, 84125 Salerno |
|---|---|---|
| Admission fee | ： | 4 euros |
It's also interesting to stop by a market where you can see how people live. Fresh seafood and sun-ripened vegetables and fruits are lined up, giving you a glimpse into town life.
Amalfi, a symbol of medieval prosperity that still remains today
From the port of Concordia, it takes about 35 minutes by high-speed boat (if you take a direct flight) to arrive at the coveted Mediterranean resort of Amalfi!
The view of the cliffs from the boat is also spectacular.
The port of Amalfi, crowded with tourists
It may be hard to imagine that this small town, now a hugely popular resort town, was an important trading center on par with the great cities of Venice, Genoa, and Pisa as one of Italy's four great maritime republics in its heyday in the 11th century.
However, if you take a walk around the area you will find impressive evidence.
The Cathedral of Sant'Andrea was remodeled in the 13th century to its current form. It is a symbol of the city that shows how prosperous it was at the time.
As you enter town, passing by the small beach lined with umbrellas, the first thing you see is the shining golden Cathedral of Sant'Andrea.
It is called "The Corridor of Heaven (Il Chiostro del Paradiso)".
The two-tone arches combine the Arab-Norman style with the medieval Romanesque style. There is also a gorgeous underground altar made of marble, and a white-themed corridor on the left hand side after climbing the stairs.
Amalfi was once a maritime nation, and it was here that navigation techniques were greatly developed. In the 12th and 13th centuries, Chinese paper-making techniques were introduced to Amalfi via the Arabs, and even today Amalfi paper is a famous product.
Cathedral of Sant'Andrea
| address | ： | Piazza Duomo, 1, 84011 Amalfi (SA) |
|---|---|---|
| web | ： | Sant'Andrea Cathedral Official Website (Foreign Language Site) |
After touring the cathedral, go down the stairs to the main street on the right.
A narrow street lined with shops
There are also plenty of dresses and sandals in seaside colors, as well as souvenirs made with the local specialty lemons, and liqueurs such as limoncello.
"Delizia al limone" means "Lemon delight"
If you want to take a break, sit on the terrace of the cafe and try the famous lemon cake, "Delizia al Limone."
This cake is full of lemons, with a sponge cake soaked in limoncello syrup, filled with lemon cream, and the surface covered in more lemon cream. It has a refreshing sweet and sour taste and is easy to eat.
Panoramic coastline views! Two gardens decorating Ravello
After exploring Amalfi, we head to Ravello, located on top of a rocky mountain and also known as the "town in the sky."
You can enjoy the spectacular view from the bus heading to Ravello.
The only public transportation to Ravello, located at an altitude of about 350 meters, is by bus from Amalfi. Therefore, it is efficient to go to Ravello before or after a walk in Amalfi. It takes about 20 minutes by bus to reach the entrance to Ravello.
When you arrive at the bus stop in Ravello, this view is already waiting for you.
There are two gardens worth visiting here in particular.
The colorful gardens of Villa Rufolo
The first is Villa Rufolo, which is just a short walk from the bus stop. It is a luxurious mansion built in the 13th century by the Rufolo family, merchants who also appear in the medieval Boccaccio story "The Decameron." In addition to the quaint buildings that remain, the contrast between the sea and the flowers from the well-maintained gardens filled with colorful flowers is a stunning spot.
In addition, a music festival overlooking the sea is held every summer because of the musician Wagner's love for this land. It is said that Wagner was inspired by this garden when composing the second act of his final opera, "Parsifal."
Villa Rufolo
| address | ： | Piazza Duomo, 84010 Ravello (SA) |
|---|---|---|
| business hours | ： | 9:00-20:00 (subject to change during music festival) |
| Admission fee | ： | 8 euros |
| web | ： | Rufolo Villa Official Website (foreign language site) |
The other garden is Villa Cimbrone, which can be reached by walking all the way down a narrow alley from the Cathedral Square.
Its existence dates back to the 11th century, coinciding with the Golden Age of the Amalfi Coast. It then fell into ruin for a long time, but in the early 20th century it was acquired by an English aristocrat who restored it and redesigned the gardens in a style that combined British and Italian styles.
From above, you can see how the village was built.
The most fascinating feature is the "Terrazza dell'infinito".
The spectacular panoramic view of the Amalfi Coast below the cliffs, the beautiful sunsets, and the romantic scenery are a hot topic. It is also a popular wedding venue.
Ravello has a more relaxed atmosphere than bustling Amalfi, and there are many restaurants where you can enjoy food and wine on an elegant terrace, allowing you to spend a quiet and relaxing time.
Villa Cimbrone
| address | ： | Via Santa Chiara 26, 84010 Ravello (SA) |
|---|---|---|
| business hours | ： | 9:00～19:30 |
| Admission fee | ： | 10 euros |
| web | ： | Villa Cimbrone official website (foreign language site) |
Positano: A breathtaking landscape
If you want to enjoy more coastal towns, don't forget to visit the popular resort town of Positano, about 30 minutes west from Amalfi by high-speed boat (about 70 to 90 minutes from Salerno). This area has a glamorous and sophisticated atmosphere.
To get to the town, you have to go up the stairs from the port. There are cute shops in the area, so you won't get tired of walking. Positano, as seen from the hillside, is breathtakingly beautiful, and the world is like something out of a painting.
Starting point of the trek
The town of Positano overlooks the stunning coastline
If you're staying on the Amalfi Coast for more than three days, we recommend trying trekking along the coast. Take a SITA bus from Amalfi to the clifftop village of Bommerano (650 meters above sea level), then walk for three to four hours to Positano.
The 8-kilometer coastal trail known as the "Path of the Gods" is a series of breathtakingly spectacular views.
The path is easy to follow and you won't get lost, but there are some places where you have to climb rocky paths, so don't go there with a resort feel. Make sure you bring your trekking gear and plenty of water and snacks.
"Spaghetti allo scoglio" is a luxurious dish filled with clams and mussels.
After reaching the finish line, before descending to the center of Positano, enjoy seafood at a restaurant with a great view. You can enjoy Italian cuisine befitting a seaside town.
Colorful "Vietri" is a town full of pottery
The last place I would like to introduce is Vietri sul Mare, a neighboring town of Salerno. It is a small town that can be accessed by bus in about 15 minutes from Salerno Central Station, so it can easily be included in your itinerary before leaving Salerno, for example, on the morning of your last day.
The town of Vietri is located on a hilltop so the views are great, but the main attraction is undoubtedly the pottery.
Step inside the town and you'll see why it's known as a pottery town. Colourful tiles are displayed everywhere, including on church domes, drinking fountains and even the municipal park overlooking the sea.
As you walk down the alley, you'll see pottery shops on both sides! From traditional Southern Italian patterns to innovative and modern designs, the pottery is lined up, each with its own unique style created by artisans who are also artists, so why not try to find your favorite piece?
It's great to be able to get souvenirs unique to Italy, such as classic pasta plates, small espresso cups, olive oil dispensers, etc. However, they are a bit heavy, so be careful not to buy too much.
All of the towns we have introduced can be explored on foot. Although it is a resort surrounded by magnificent nature, there are many spots filled with various historical and cultural elements, making it an area where walking around the town is enjoyable. Why not take a luxurious and efficient trip around the Amalfi Coast in one go?
Interview and photography: Yuko Shintaku
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The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.
