Highlights
The Arts
Much more than just its coast and buildings, the Amalfi is the ideal destination for lovers of music, theatre and art. Each summer, from June to September, the beautiful town of Ravello hosts the Ravello Festival, a cultural extravaganza of orchestra, ballet, film and exhibitions. Ravello’s ultra-modern Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium showcases an impressive, year-round concert series, while in historic Pompeii, watch an array of musical treats – from opera to rock concerts. The views from Ravello’s clifftop location have inspired those creatively inclined for decades, once a popular destination for Spanish artist, Miro, alongside literary legends, D.H. Lawrence and Virginia Woolf.
Food and Wine
Italian food is a favourite across the globe, making the Amalfi Coast the ideal destination for a culinary discovery. Meander the hidden alleyways of Sorrento and find delicious aromas wafting from traditional trattorias, or head to Piazza Tasso, where tables and chairs spill out onto the cobbles – a great spot to watch daily life unfold, cappuccino in hand. The Amalfi area of Italy is particularly renowned for its lemons – sample them from local roadside sellers and colourful markets, or wash down an exquisite Italian meal with a shot of Limoncello.
Pompeii and Herculaneum
From the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento, you can easily access the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Pompeii in Campania. This spot is truly one of the most interesting and attractively located archaeological sites in Italy. An ancient Roman town buried under the volcanic ash of a disastrous eruption from Mount Vesuvius in AD79, it was discovered in the 18th century. Today, it provides first-class evidence of the way of life during the Roman Empire. Herculaneum was another ancient Roman town destroyed in the eruption. More preservation of furniture and buildings occurred here compared to Pompeii, while, in recent years, some 300 skeletons were uncovered – a harrowing yet fascinating place to visit.
Coastal Towns
Beautifully picturesque, the town of Amalfi is an ancient settlement with a fascinating heritage, with local museums on hand for those keen to find out more. Boasting glorious art and architecture, the Arabic-Norman cathedral overlooking the main piazza and Arab-Sicilian monastery are just two highlights. Positano is a vibrant, jet-set favourite, poised precipitously on the mountainside. Wander through the jumble of buildings, charmingly painted in hues of pink and yellow, visiting the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta – inside is a Byzantine-inspired icon of a black Madonna. Also attracting discerning visitors, Ravello is an exclusive clifftop retreat, the views from which are truly inspiring.
Beaches
Alongside its charming towns, the Amalfi Coast is home to some gorgeous beaches. In Amalfi town, brightly coloured parasols decorate the main beach, backed by the shimmering blue waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Alternatively, hop on a boat to Santa Croce west of Amalfi – a wonderful snorkelling spot. Positano is also a favourite with beach lovers, home to the glamorous Marina Grande Beach and its swanky row of eateries, as well as quieter options like Fornillo Beach. Soak up the Italian sunshine before cooling off with a dip in the water, followed by a sea-front cocktail or gelato. Why not hop over to beautiful Capri for the day, just a scenic boat trip from a number of the coast’s traditional fishing villages?