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Costiera Amalfitana

Amalfi · Italy

Background

World Heritage since
1997
Type of site
Cultural
Duchy of Amalfi
10th–11th c.

UNESCO describes the Amalfi coast as an area of great physical beauty and natural diversity, intensively settled since the early Middle Ages, with towns such as Amalfi and Ravello holding architectural and artistic works of great significance. The terraced vineyards and orchards on the lower slopes and the upland pastures show how its people adapted their use of the land to the terrain.

The Duchy of Amalfi ruled the coast in the 10th and 11th centuries until Pisa sacked the town in 1137. Thirteen municipalities line the coast along the 40-kilometre Amalfi Drive from Vietri sul Mare to Positano; the coast is known for its limoncello, Cetara's anchovies and Vietri's ceramics.

More on the UNESCO listing More on Wikipedia

  1. Early Middle AgesThe coast is settled and terraced
  2. 10th–11th c.The Duchy of Amalfi rules from the town
  3. 1137Pisa sacks Amalfi
  4. 1997Inscribed as World Heritage

Find Your Way Around

The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them

  1. 1
    Amalfi Cathedral
    The Duomo and its Cloister of Paradise.
  2. 2
    Positano
    The church of Santa Maria Assunta and the stacked houses above the beach.
  3. 3
    Ravello
    Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, high above the coast.
  4. 4
    Atrani
    The small town next to Amalfi, with its two churches.
  5. 5
    Path of the Gods
    The 7-km cliff path from Bomerano to Nocelle above Positano.
  6. 6
    Fjord of Furore
    The inlet with its old paper mill.

Know Before You Go

From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides

Come by Boat
Wikivoyage: most trips are by ferry, often from Naples, Salerno or Capri in summer. Cars are discouraged by the road and the lack of parking.
Odd and Even Days
In peak season an alternating number-plate rule applies on the coast road.
Hike with Steps
The Path of the Gods is moderately hard, with many steps, and rewards with the best views of the coast.
Summer Is Hot and Dry
Long hot summers and mild winters; spring and autumn bring more rain but fewer crowds.

The Coast by Boat

From the GoGo Naples guide · Open the Naples Guide ›

  1. 09:00
    Positano and Amalfi by Boat7 hrs
    Cliff villages by ferry from Naples or Sorrento.

Best Time to Visit

Best months: May–Oct.

Typical highs

Best monthsRain: wettest Nov (130 mm), driest Jul (21 mm)

Climate: NASA POWER

Pair It With

Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance

WORTH A NIGHTDAY TRIPSAME DAYDistance not to scale · tap a site
Do These Together
Pompeii and Herculaneum are just over the peninsula, and Naples itself is about 40 km away.
Sources
UNESCO World Heritage Centre, listing 830 · Wikipedia: Amalfi Coast · Wikivoyage: Amalfi Coast (CC BY-SA 4.0) · GoGo Naples guide · UNESCO listing