THE MUST-DO ATTRACTIONS AND ACTIVITIES OF THE AMALFI COAST

There is a reason the Coast is named after the town of Amalfi: of Roman origin, it became a real power in medieval times, when the first Italian maritime republic was born. Its thousand-year history and importance over the centuries have made it the main geographical and historical center of the Coast. And so it is absolutely necessary to visit it!
Among the most relevant points of interest I would obviously point out the Amalfi Cathedral and the square it overlooks. In Baroque and neo-Moorish style, the cathedral is dedicated to St. Andrew, patron saint of the town, whose relics are preserved inside. Being in this square, surrounded by the sounds and scents of Amalfi, and admiring the imposing staircase and the wonderful facade of the Cathedral, in which open and closed spaces alternate with infinite grace, is already worth the whole trip!
Then look around: pop into the local craft stores (which mostly sell items made from the world-famous Amalfi paper) and sit down at Pasticceria Pansa for coffee and a typical dessert. In short, enjoy the moment!

The best way to move from village to village along the Coast is absolutely by sea! Whether by a private boat ride or by the very convenient ferries that connect all the ports, such as those of Travelmar, traveling by sea is a truly magical experience. As you pull away from the coast, you will immediately notice the many Saracen towers that in ancient times served to defend towns from pirate raids, and that today often house charming restaurants; not only that: you will see caves, hidden beaches, natural stone arches and the magnificent pastel-colored houses of Positano perched vertically on the hillside. Believe me, it is a sight that no one ever tires of admiring!

On any self-respecting itinerary of a visit to the Amalfi Coast there must necessarily be a visit to the village of Ravello. Why? Well, because some of the most famous and breathtaking views of the entire Coast can be found here. In fact, just a few steps from the main square, overlooked by the Duomo (which is also worth a visit), are the very famous Rufolo and Cimbrone villas. These are villas that house gardens, restaurants and hotels, from which you will be able to admire from above the Amalfi Coast in all its splendor. In particular, Villa Cimbrone's Infinity Terrace is an enchanting place: classical marble busts decorate the parapet, and behind them the sea and sky merge into one wonderful shade of blue. Unmissable!

Have you ever heard of Positano Moda Mare (literally: beach fashion)? Brought to the forefront of the jet set by the likes of Jackie Kennedy and Brigitte Bardot, Positano's handicrafts have been endlessly successful ever since. Handmade bespoke sandals, ultra-light and colorful linen dresses, swimwear, hats... The boutiques along Positano's main street are definitely worth a visit! Moreover, if you continue your walk towards the sea you will get to a small square made of light-colored stone: this is Piazza Flavio Gioia, from which you can access the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the symbols of the town. After visiting the church go down the steps that are right in front of you and... You will find yourself on the beach of Marina Grande, probably the most famous of the whole Coast! From here you will be able to admire the houses of Positano up close: I recommend having lunch or an aperitif in one of the many places that overlook the beach and enjoy the view and the atmosphere.

It may seem redundant and perhaps obvious, but from this list of activities my suggestion to taste the typical cuisine of the Amalfi Coast could not be missing! I have told you about it in detail here: whether you are a pasta and pizza aficionado or a textbook glutton, trying typical coastal dishes will make your experience even more complete. What's more, eating a fried cuoppo during a walk or a spaghetti alla colatura di alici in the village of Cetara will bring you even closer to the culture and culinary traditions of the people of the Coast. For anyone who calls themselves a traveler, this is something not to be underestimated!

There are still some iconic places on the Coast that in my opinion should not be left out of any trip to this corner of the world. I am talking about places where nature has done its best to enrich them with charm and beauty!
One of these is the Path of the Gods. The name is evocative in itself: this trekking path, accessible to all but recommended for the most athletic, is the most famous and longest on the coast, with its almost 9 km, and connects Bomerano in Agerola with Positano. Walking the trail is truly a unique experience: the views are among the most striking in the world, with the Lattari Mountains sloping into the blue sea of the Gulf of Salerno, and views of the island of Capri and the coastal villages from above.
Another creation of nature that is unique here on the Coast is the Fjord of Furore. Hollowed out by the Schiato stream, it ends with a truly characteristic little beach, overlooked by a bridge, part of State Road 163. With a flight of steps you can access the pebble beach, which is small but fascinating: it is one of the most picturesque places on the Coast and worth a visit for its distinctiveness. 

The activities I've described here are of course just some of the things to do and admire on the Coast, but they really are a must. If this is your first time here, start from these places: you will definitely want to come back to discover more and more!