Best Things to Do in Amalfi

For the beauty of its landscapes and the warm water of its beaches, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most visited destinations in Italy. And Amalfi is the main town and one of the most beautiful in the Campania region, especially for its combination of paradisiacal views and medieval architecture.

Some of the best things to see and do in Amalfi include walking around the Piazza del Duomo, visiting the picturesque Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, taking a swim at Lido Delle Sirene, taking in the panoramic views of the region from Torre dello Ziro and visiting the gardens of Villa Rufolo.

The Piazza del Duomo, located in the heart of the town, is the main square of Amalfi and is named after its proximity to the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, an Arab-Norman Romanesque building that is also one of Campania's most famous attractions.

The Piazza del Duomo is the epicentre of Amalfi's social and cultural life and a popular place for tourists to visit. In Piazza del Duomo you can relax, have lunch and enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the Tyrrhenian Sea.

But it is also the place where you can enjoy the typical dishes of the local cuisine, so it will also be the meeting point for the start of the best gastronomic tours of Amalfi. In the area around the Piazza del Duomo you will also find cafés where you can enjoy Italian coffee.

Interesting details

• Location: Piazza Duomo, Amalfi.
• How to get there: Buses 5070 and 5120.

Lido Delle Sirene is a famous stretch of coastline close to Amalfi's harbour and Marina Grande which is ideal for the best views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Unlike other beaches in the town, it is much less crowded and offers all kinds of facilities such as changing rooms, showers, restaurants and umbrella rental.

Lido Delle Sirene (the beach of the Mermaids) is usually included in the itineraries of the best Amalfi tours and is considered one of the most beautiful beaches on the Amalfi Coast. However, it has a rocky shore, which makes snorkelling and scuba diving excursions difficult.

Also note that Lido Delle Sirene is one of the best beaches in Amalfi, but most of the facilities are paid for, so it might not be the cheapest option, but it is worth checking out. You might also be able to see it from the sea when you book a boat trip along the Amalfi coast.

Interesting details

• Location: Piazzale dei Protontini 4, Amalfi.
• How to get there: Buses 5110.

The Torre dello Ziro is an ancient fortress that was built in the 15th century to keep the coast safe from pirates, as during the Middle Ages Amalfi was one of Italy's main ports on the Tyrrhenian Sea.

This stone structure is built overlooking the Gulf of Salerno, so from here you can enjoy some of the best panoramic views of the Amalfi coast.

The Torre dello Ziro is one of the most famous viewpoints in the region and if you plan on spending the summer months when the sunsets are clear, you can catch a glimpse of one of the best sunsets in Campania.

Interesting details

• Location: Via Valle delle Ferriere 36, Pontone.
• How to get there: by bus lines 5110 and 5120 or by hiking route which takes 3 or 4 hours.
• Price: Entrance to the tower is free, but you can only go up the outside of the fortress.
• Recommendation: If you like trekking, I recommend booking an excursion to the Valle delle Ferriere from Amalfi.

Booking a boat trip along the Amalfi Coast to see the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast from the sea is one of the best alternatives to discover the colourful buildings and all the constructions that are located towards the Tyrrhenian Sea coast.

I recommend you to choose some of the best boat trips in Amalfi to enjoy a different profile of the city. Most tours start at the Marina Coppola harbour and during the trip you'll have time to take a swim and discover other nearby towns such as Ravello, Atrani and Positano from the shore.

In addition, you will also learn about the marine fauna of Campania and tour the caves, grottoes, waterfalls and historical sites of the region. If you want, you can also opt for a night tour, which is one of the best things to do at night in Amalfi

Interesting details

• Price: 137 euros per person.
• Duration: approximately 4 hours.

Via dei Mercanti is one of the city's main streets and the epicentre of shopping in Campania. This artery is lined with shops selling the most famous Italian and European clothing brands, historic buildings, restaurants and cafés. At night, it is also the hub of nightlife.

The best way to explore Via dei Mercanti is on foot, especially if you plan to visit Amalfi in June or during the summer months when the temperature is warm and the weather is pleasant.

Another feature of Via dei Mercanti is that you will find many places that offer the traditional limoncello, which is a drink made from lemon peel that is as popular in Italy as wine, if not more so. At Ruga Nova Mercatorum you can try this liqueur which sometimes takes centre stage when booking a cooking class in Amalfi.

Villa Rufolo is a historic building in Ravello that stands out for its gardens, built on balconies overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, and for its Moorish architecture. You can wander through the gardens, which are filled with flowers, fountains and sculptures, and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.

Villa Rufolo is also one of Ravello's main sites, hosting the town's cultural events as well as Italy's most important music festival.

If you want to make the most of your visit to Ravello, you can also visit the Villa Rufolo museum, which displays works of art, archaeological finds and Richard Wagner's scores. You can also stroll through the town's narrow streets, which are often lined with craft shops and food stalls.

Interesting details

• Location: Piazza Duomo 1, Ravello.
• Opening hours: daily from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.
• How to get there: by bus lines 5110 or by car along the SS373 road.

The Paradise Cloister is one of the main attractions of Amalfi and also one of the most beautiful. This open gallery, decorated with Arabic elements, is connected to the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle, but is a different construction from it. It was built in the 13th century to house the tombs of the nobility of the Amalfi Coast and since then.

This site occupies a central place in the history of the town, as it contains the relics of St. Andrew the Apostle and also the ancient vault inlaid with precious stones that belonged to the bishopric of Amalfi. The Cloister of Paradise is also considered a masterpiece of Italian medieval architecture.

To access the Cloister, you must first enter the Cathedral, but they are two independent visits and attractions that can be visited on their own. It is also remarkable for its Byzantine mosaics and gardens.

Interesting details

• Location: Via Salita Episcopio 1, Amalfi.
• Price: Entrance to the Cloister has an initial cost of approximately 3 euros per person.
• Opening Hours: daily from 9.30am to 5.30pm.
• How to get there: by bus lines 5110.

The Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle is the main attraction of Amalfi and also one of the most important on the Amalfi Coast, as this 9th century Arab-Norman Romanesque religious building houses:

• The relics of the saint after they were transported from Constantinople in 1208.
• The sarcophagus of Archbishop Pietro Capuano, who became one of the most important persons in the Catholic Church in the 13th century.
• An altar inlaid with precious stones.
• Medieval mosaics, frescoes and relics from the Holy Land.
• The entrance to the Paradise Cloister, which is the site of the relics of St. Andrew the Apostle.

The design of the Cathedral shows the influences that the town has had throughout history, as Amalfi became the most important Italian port on the Tyrrhenian Sea. This cultural crossover can be seen in the Arab towers which, combined with the bronze doors from the Persian Gulf, make for one of the most beautiful façades of a European cathedral.

Interesting details

• Location: Piazza Duomo 1, Ravello.
• Price: 3 euros per person approx.
• Opening hours: daily from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm.
• How to get there: by bus lines 5110.

The Museo della Carta or Paper Museum is housed in a stone mill and not only presents exhibits of original instruments dating back to the 13th century, but is also a testimony to the city's industrial past, which was deeply connected to the production of paper and sheeting.

It has samples of printing presses, presses, wooden mallets and manuscripts from the Middle Ages, which is a real treasure, as this historical period was known as the Dark Ages due to the little information and documentation that has survived to the present day. In addition, you can also watch demonstrations to understand how old machines worked.

At the Paper Museum you can also visit the shop, which offers themed gifts and souvenirs for visitors, including paper handicrafts made from dried flowers and stationery.

Interesting details

• Location: Via delle Cartiere 23, Amalfi.
• Price: 12 Euro per person approx.
• Opening hours: daily from 10.00 am to 6.30 pm.
• How to get there: by bus lines 5110.

Amalfi is the most famous of the Amalfi Coast towns, but the region also includes some of the most beautiful places in Italy such as Positano, Ravello and Atrani, all of which you can visit on the best day trips from Amalfi or on your own.

Positano is a pretty village of steep, narrow streets and is considered the Pearl of the Amalfi Coast. Ravello is famous for its luxurious Arab villas, including Rufolo, and its narrow alleys. And Atrani, which is one of the smallest and most picturesque, will make every picture you take there magical.

Some tours also include Minori, Maiori and Praiano, but you can still make the most of your visit to Amalfi by exploring the surrounding villages.

Any time of year is a good time to visit this paradise on the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With mild temperatures all year round, even in winter you can enjoy boat trips or outdoor activities such as trekking and kayaking in Amalfi.

To know the best activities by season of the year do not forget to visit the posts that Hellotickets has prepared for you:

• 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in January
• 10 things to do and see in Amalfi in February
• 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in March
• 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in April
• 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in June
• 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in September
• 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in October
• 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in November
• 10 things to see and do in Amalfi in December

Plus, if you like to organise your visits according to the length of your getaway, we've got you covered with our travel guides to explore Amalfi without missing out on the best:

• What to see and do in Amalfi in 2 days
• What to see and do in Amalfi in 3 days
• What to see and do in Amalfi in 4 days
• What to see and do in Amalfi in 5 days

Finally, I recommend that you book your transfers between the nearest airport and Amalfi to get to know all the options and get to your accommodation in Amalfi in comfort. Now all that's left for you to do is... Enjoy!