One of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world is Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Nestled south of the bustling seaport of Naples, the tiny towns composing this scenic coastline offer some of Italy’s most breathtaking views.
The Amalfi coast stretches from the Sorrento Peninsular almost as far as the port of Salerno. The town of Amalfi is in the middle and at the northern end is the scenic town of Positano, with its hundreds of houses, restaurants and hotels built into and on the mountainside.
Compared to other tourist sites, the Amalfi Coast gives visitors a real taste of what life is like in Italy’s sun soaked south. While the coast is beautiful enough for a long weekend, it's easy enough to see the best the Amalfi has to offer in one day.
One of the reasons is because of its many public transportation options that make it easy for even the most budget conscious tourist to enjoy the magnificent beauty.
The key to making a trip in the Amalfi successful is knowing a few details ahead of time.
From Naples a quick train ride to the quiet city of Sorrento is the perfect starting point for a trip along the coast. This transportation hub is known as a launching off point for the Amalfi Coast, but the city has it's own gems not to be missed.
One of the few major cities in the Amalfi, Sorrento, and the entire region, are world renowned for their lemon products. Sample some limoncello, a lemon liqueur, or some of Sorrento’s famous gelato while browsing the local shops. Tucked away behind lemon grove trees are Italian cafes and artisan shops specializing in wooden marquetry. The region is known for its ceramic work and offers some of the country’s best deals on hand made pottery.
From Sorrento, the best way to see the other cities along the coast is by local bus. For less than $10 visitors can purchase a round trip bus ticket that takes you from Sorrento all the way to the city of Amalfi, stopping at Positano along the way.
Even though it may be tempting to make the drive yourself, the small cliffside roads are difficult for even the most experienced Italian driver to maneuver.
Be sure to sit on the right hand side of the bus on the hour-and-a-half journey from Sorrento to Amalfi for the best views of the coastline.
Unlike Sorrento, which sits high above the water, all the shops and restaurants in Amalfi are within walking distance of the beach. With more great shopping, Amalfi is also the perfect place to take a stroll along the water.
For those looking to get a different view of the coast a great way to get from Amalfi to Positano, or all the way back to Sorrento, is by ferry.
For around $8 tourists can take the 30-minute boat ride from Amalfi to Positano while enjoying the refreshing sea breeze and some magnificent views of these incredible cities built into the coast.
Unlike its larger neighbors, the beauty of Positano’s rainbow colored façade homes and shops have made it the most famous town along the Amalfi coast.
With similar stores and restaurants in both Sorrento and Amalfi, what sets Positano apart from its neighborhoods is fashion.
From the classic Italian linen shirt, to crisp white frocks Positano is one of the lesser-known places for exquisite handmade clothing. While not cheap, all of Positano’s goods are locally made, some even before your eyes.
Each town offers its own distinct flavor and it is easy to see why this region of Italy has become such a tourist draw.
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