With its impressive coastal villages, colourful houses, terraces and beautiful sea, the coastline around the village of Amalfi has become one of the most photographed areas in the world. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists flock to the coastal towns to take a look at this beautiful piece of nature for themselves. In addition to the villages of the Amalfi Coast itself, there are also a variety of opportunities for excursions, great sights and, last but not least, the opportunity to simply relax with a dip in the cool sea.
The most beautiful Italy south of Naples
While Tuscany or Lombardy have enjoyed a special cult status among visitors to Europe for many centuries, the area south of Naples and thus also Amalfi has only developed into an insider tip in the last twenty or thirty years. The south of Italy is a little less urban, the landscape is rougher and especially by the sea it is the extensive cliffs and mountains that dominate the country. The small villages, which used to be built mainly by fishermen and farmers, fit almost perfectly into the rugged regions that lead down to the end of the boot of Italy.
Amalfi – namesake but not the only village on the coastline – was probably first settled a few thousand years ago and was for a long time an important junction in the history of Italy, which was not yet united. Some sights that have survived economic downturns and upheavals in history still bear witness to this today. The city itself is already a sight. Built in terraces, it looks as if it was built into the rock and stretches through cliffs and small valleys. A unique sight, especially when you can look down on the city from the sea.
The main attractions in Amalfi and the Amalfi Coast
Each small village along the coast can actually be seen as a sight in its own right. The unique architecture, the colourful tiled houses of villages such as Vietri sul Mare and the beautiful small churches that are the heart of the villages everywhere are just a few examples. Amalfi itself, for example, is blessed with a cathedral, which was probably built as early as the 10th century and is therefore one of the oldest buildings that can still be visited on the Amalfi Coast today. Life in the city takes place right around this cathedral and so it is an important meeting place for tourists and locals and for the city to explore the region.
The star of the Amalfi Coast, however, is not the historical buildings or the cities themselves. It is above all nature. You never get the impression that the cities have taken something away from nature, but that they complement each other perfectly and are therefore able to enhance each other’s beauty. While the land itself is only sparsely built-up, you have the opportunity to immerse yourself deeply in nature around the Amalfi Coast and also have a variety of activities available to appreciate this naturalness of the region.
Excursions and discoveries on the Amalfi Coast
In addition to the beautiful landscape that connects the cities, the impressive coastline with the variety in nature, the sea is of course the star. Anyone who has ever been to the region knows about the charm of the Mediterranean in the south of Italy. The beautiful coasts are lined with a horizon full of small islands and a pleasant temperature in summer. Along the coast of Amalfi there are a variety of very high-quality beaches, most of which have a sand that is rarely seen in this form in the world.
In addition to the opportunity to simply plunge into the waters after a long day, there are also many excursions and activities that are directly related to the sea. Tours to the islands such as Capri or long trips by boat along the coast – food usually included in the price – would be an example of this. But divers and snorkelers will also get their money’s worth in the region. The sea is wonderful and has a lot to offer even below sea level.
Finally, the region of the Amalfi Coast is also particularly popular with hikers and cyclists. So you get a different view of the coastal strip and can work out in nature while having the wonderful climate of southern Italy behind you.
Hospitality and the wonderful cuisine of the south of Italy
Of course, when visiting Amalfi, you should not forget that this region has become famous above all for its cuisine. In traditional restaurants, not only excellent wines are served, but of course especially fish and seafood, which sometimes come freshly caught from the harbours of the villages. A special highlight are the lemons, which are also processed into the limoncello schnapps and are a delicacy of the region. So if you are looking for a great end to a particularly beautiful day in Amalfi, you will certainly find it in the many restaurants that can be found in the villages.
