Top 6 Things to do on Your Amalfi Coast Vacation

Sunrise at Piazza del Duomo in Amalfi

The Amalfi Coast of Italy, located in the Campania region and spanning 30 miles South of Naples, is one of the top European vacation destinations. Travelers can hike in the hills above the Mediterranean, sail between the islands, drink wine and limoncello, or visit ancient ruins and cultural sites. The Amalfi Coast offers every type of traveler a dream vacation. 

The best time to plan your Italy vacation is late spring, summer, and early fall. However, in June, July, and August you will be battling crowds of tourists traveling through Italy. During the high season, book your accommodations and restaurant reservations well in advance.

Here are the top six things to do while touring the Amalfi coast:

1. Path of the Gods

The Path of the Gods, or Il Sentiero degli Dei, is a beautiful footpath between the tiny town of Agerola and Nocelle, the upper part of Positano. Start in Agerola and stop at a salumeri for fiordilatte, a type of local mozzarella. Then walk the downhill sloping path to Nocelle and take in the views of the coast and the island of Capri. 

Once in Positano, have lunch at La Tagliata, which is built on three terraces overlooking the ocean and vineyards. Dine on fresh Italian dishes made with vegetables from the organic gardens that line the terraces of the restaurant.

2. Island Hopping the Bay of Naples

If sailing through pristine blue Mediterranean waters to beautiful islands, visiting fishing villages, and lounging on beaches sounds like a good time, then you don’t want to miss the islands in the Bay of Naples. Charter a sailboat for an overnight trip. Start in Procida, a tiny island with colorful buildings that has not experienced the massive tourism of some of its neighbors. Relax at a waterfront cafe or take a stroll across the island, which is less than two square miles, to one of the beaches.

Then sail to Ischia, the largest island in the bay, with less tourism than Capri and beautiful towns and vineyards. Visit the majestic Castello Aragonese, a 15th Century castle situated high above the Mediterranean. Then, sip a limoncello at a cafe or dine on Coniglio all'Ischitana, a local dish of rabbit stew.

You can’t sail the Bay of Naples without a trip to Capri, the most popular island on the Amalfi Coast. A celebrity hangout for decades, there are many tourists here, but it is still worth the trip. Be sure to take a trip up Mount Solaro for the panoramic views of the island and the Amalfi Coast. Then, take a boat tour of the blue cave grotto. If you enjoy nightlife, Capri has much to offer for bars and restaurants. Visit the main square to be in the center of the action.  

Also read - Eating in Italy: The Best Food and Where to Find It

3. Pompeii

On August 24, 79 AD, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius froze the city of Pompeii in time, burying its buildings, art, and people under 20 feet of ash. In the late 18th Century, archaeologists re-discovered this historical treasure trove, which was extraordinarily well preserved because of lack of exposure to moisture and the elements. 

If you are a history buff, plan to dedicate a full day to exploring Pompeii’s ruins, bright frescoes, and statues. In the garden of the fugitives you can see preserved casts of city inhabitants who didn’t escape the eruption. 

4. Grotta dello Smeraldo cave

Take a boat tour into the Grotto dello Smeraldo cave, one of only several caves in the world bathed in natural emerald light. Partially submerged by sea, the cave has no natural outlet above the waterline. It was hidden for years, but now you can access it on the SS163 route in between the towns of Amalfi and Praiano via an elevator and then join a boat tour.

5. Ravello

Ravello, a town high up on the Amalfi Coast, is a World Heritage Site with cobblestone streets, lush gardens, and beautiful architecture. Known as the City of Music, Ravello’s Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer offers a venue for music and dance performances, as well as the city’s summer music festival.

Don’t miss Villa Cimbrone, a five-star hotel known for its public gardens where you can spend several hours admiring the landscape. Visit the rose garden, the tea room, and the many statues and temples spread throughout the gardens. American author Gore Vidal, who lived in Ravello for years, claimed the view from its belvedere, Terrazza dell’Infinito, is one of the best on earth. The belvedere is lined with marble busts and offers an impressive view of the sea below.

For a high-end dining experience, enjoy dinner at the one-Michelin-starred Rossellinis in the Palazzo Avino, which is sure to be a highlight for any foodie's Amalfi Coast vacation.

6. Piazza del Duomo

At the Piazza del Duomo in Amalfi you can visit the famous Duomo, a 9th Century Roman Catholic cathedral. The entrance to the cathedral has 62 steps that end at two magnificent bronze doors cast in Constantinople in 1066. After you tour the Duomo, relax at one of Amalfi’s cafes and sip a limoncello or eat a delizie al limone, a local cake made from the region's juicy lemons.

Also read:
• Tips for Planning a Trip to Italy
• Why Travel Insurance is a Smart Decision for a European Vacation
• How to Choose the Best European Tour for You

Insuring Your Trip

The Amalfi Coast offers the trip of a lifetime, and a good travel insurance plan from Generali Global Assistance can be helpful before, during, and even after your trip.

Leading up to your vacation, Trip Cancellation coverage may help you recoup your trip costs, such as flights or accommodations, if you need to cancel or move your trip dates for a covered reason.

Baggage coverage can help you when you travel if your luggage is lost, stolen or damaged during your trip. In addition, some health insurance policies don’t offer coverage while traveling outside of the country. An international travel insurance plan with Medical and Dental coverage can help you get the medical care you need if you fall ill while traveling. See more ways travel insurance can help during your vacation

And, if you come home and realize that the pickpocket who stole your wallet has also stolen your identity, Generali plans come with Identity Theft Resolution services that remain in effect for 180 days after you return from your trip.

We hope this list of some of the tops sights in the Amalfi Coast region of Italy helps you plan a dream vacation. And, in case you’re not fluent in Italian, this list of helpful Italian phrases could come in handy as you’re traveling through Italy. If you need to yell “Chiamate un’ambulanza!”, we hope you’re traveling with trip insurance!

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