TWO DAYS ON THE AMALFI COAST: CHOOSE THE ITINERARY THAT SUITS YOU!
Do you have two free days and want to spend them on the Amalfi Coast in the best possible way? Follow our tips!
by Roberta Cascone
Let's face it: when you go to the Amalfi Coast, the last thing you want to do is have to leave it too soon! But even if everyday commitments leave us with little free time, that's no reason to stop us from spending carefree days in one of the most beautiful corners of the world!
Two days may not seem like much, but below I will suggest some itineraries that are perfect for the time you have available: choose the one that best suits your needs!
For example, if this is your first time here, you cannot miss visiting the two iconic towns of the Coast, Positano and Amalfi. On the other hand, if you have been here before and want to vary the usual route, you could devote your time to the magical villages of Ravello and Vietri sul Mare. Or again, if you want to experience the more authentic Coast less traveled by tourists, Cetara, Furore and Minori are the places for you!
In short, even if you only have two days to spare, follow our tips and find out how to make the most of them to experience your Amalfi Coast vacation to the fullest!
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The Amalfi Coast
Itinerary #1: the "Classic"
This itinerary is designed for those coming to the Coast for the first time in their lives. In this case I recommend two key stops: Positano and Amalfi!
You've surely seen at least once an image of the colorful village that spreads vertically on the rock face below: this is Positano, the pearl of the Coast, a symbol of luxury and elegance.
Positano is visited by millions of tourists every year and is a coveted vacation destination for the international jet set. Spending a day here is like living in a daydream: you can stroll through the alleys of the village surrounded by boutiques and typical little stores and maybe stop to enjoy a refreshing lemon granita. Once you reach the end of the village's main street you will find yourself on a marvelous terrace from which to access the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, topped by its tiled dome. Inside you will find the famous Byzantine icon of the Virgin, which, according to tradition, saved from shipwreck the sailing ship on which it was carried. A few steps from the Church, moreover, you will find the MAR (Roman Archaeological Museum) of Positano: it will seem incredible to you, but right there you will be able to visit a real maritime villa from the Roman era, which still preserves intact the colorful frescoes! Finally, go down the last stairs of the Church terrace and look around: you are in Marina Grande, the beach of Positano, from which you can admire the village in all its extraordinary beauty.
On the second day you leave for the capital of the Coast: Amalfi! Amalfi has a centuries-long history of great maritime power behind it. It was one of the four Maritime Republics, and it still retains a prominent role in the Divine Coast, to which it gives its name.
The first, unmissable stop in Amalfi is Piazza del Duomo. It is one of the most famous Italian squares: here you will find the fountain of St. Andrew the Apostle and in front of it, at the top of an imposing flight of steps, the Cathedral of St. Andrew, in a unique style that mixes Byzantine, Baroque, Romanesque and Islamic elements. After visiting the cathedral you can sample the delicious pastries from the Pansa pastry shop: their sfogliatella Santa Rosa is so incredibly famous! I recommend strolling along Amalfi's main street and looking around: along the way you will find stores, typical trattorias, and even a permanent nativity scene in a fountain, called "Cap 'e Ciucc" (literally, “Head of the donkey”)!
Amalfi is attached to another village on the Coast: this is the smallest town in Italy, Atrani! With a 15-minutes walk you will arrive in this picturesque village, where you can visit the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena, the only example of Rococo in the Amalfi Coast, and, if the weather is nice, go down to the beach and take a dip in its crystal clear waters!
Marina Grande in Positano and the Duomo of Amalfi
Itinerary #2: the "Romantic"
Do you want to come to the Coast with your better half and are looking for super romantic places to spend unforgettable moments? If the answer is yes, this is the itinerary for you!
Some of the most incredible views of the Divina can be found in the hillside villages: in Ravello you will find the most beautiful of them all! The town will seem like something out of a movie, with its elegant square overlooked by the Duomo, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, which houses the relic of St. Pantaleon, the patron saint of the place. I suggest you enjoy the calm and charm of the square from one of the many cafes you'll find there; then continue your visit to the two famous villas, Rufolo and Cimbrone, a symbol of Ravello throughout the world! In these two villas, which we have talked about in detail here, you can stroll through manicured gardens and flower beds and finally admire some of the most beautiful views of the entire Amalfi Coast. Spectacular is the view from Villa Cimbrone's so-called "Infinity Terrace": the deep blue sea stretches as far as the eye can see behind elegant marble busts. If you can, wait here for the sunset: it's the height of romance!
Another village perfect for your romantic getaway is Vietri sul Mare. Its intricate and colorful alleyways will lead you to discover the artisan stores where the world-famous glazed ceramics are sold. Also, just a short walk from the historic center is the Villa Comunale: it is an urban park overlooking the sea, all decorated with Vietri majolica, which will remind you with its shapes and colors of Barcelona's Parc Guell. It is truly unique!
Finally, as the sunset approaches, there is another place where you can end your two days on the Coast in beauty: the Trieste waterfront in Salerno! Here you can stroll for a long time and if you want to dine you will be spoiled for choice, as there are plenty of restaurants and pizzerias across the street.
Trust me, it will be a perfect two days!
The "Infinity Terrace" in Villa Cimbrone and the Villa Comunale in Vietri sul Mare
Itinerary #3: the "Tasty"
The Amalfi Coast is also an ideal choice for those who love good food and good wine! Although you can eat well everywhere, there is one place where you will find a typical dish to lick your lips: Cetara!
In this really characteristic seaside village and a bit off the usual tourist track you can in fact taste the colatura di alici DOP. This is a world-famous product: it is an amber-colored sauce that is produced by maturing anchovies in a solution of water and salt. In Cetara any trattoria or restaurant will offer you spaghetti with colatura: try it, you will not regret it!
In the afternoon you can continue your food and wine adventure with a visit to the Marisa Cuomo Winery in Furore. This is one of the most renowned wineries on the Coast, where excellent wines are produced. Here you can explore the winery and complete the tour with incredible tastings.
After a day of good food, devote the second day to exploring two other villages on the Coast: Maiori and Minori!
These are connected by a path, called the Lemon Trail, which will take you from the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare in Maiori to the center of Minori. The path is not difficult to walk; there are, however, some stairs to negotiate, but the views are magnificent! Also, once in Minori, there is the perfect way to repay yourself for the effort made...by popping into the historic Sal de Riso Pastry Shop! Among cakes of a thousand different flavors, delizie al limone, sfogliatelle and other delicacies you are sure to find the dessert of your dreams!
In short, even if only for two days, you will always find places to visit and things to do on the Amalfi Coast. These itineraries are just a few possible alternatives: choose the one that suits you and enjoy your little vacation to the fullest!
Spaghetti with the anchovies' colatura and the Delizia al Limone
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- To move between villages you can use the Sita buses or the very convenient Travelmar fast ferries. The latter are for sure the best solution! They are fast, cheap and what's more, they give you a unique experience: being able to observe the Amalfi Coast from the sea! For more information and to buy tickets in advance, click here.
- To book a visit to the Marisa Cuomo Winery click here.
a few tips
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