Trying to find your sunshine in Italy? The Amalfi Coast is surely a great area for coastal living, with lots of picturesque little towns, perched up on cliffs among lemon orchards, set against the backdrop of the glittering blue sea. Wondering what are the best beach towns in Amalfi? This list rounds up 9 of the most beautiful, charming, and idyllic spots along one of Italy’s most stunning and world-renowned coastline: Amalfi.
When visiting Amalfi for the first time, many are surprised by the abrupt terrain and rocky mountainous character of the peninsula. However, at the bottom of the cliffs, or sometimes literarily built into the cliffs, sit tens of adorable little towns that are unique to this area. From Salerno to Sorrento, it’s impossible not to find a great coastal town in Amalfi that you’ll never want to leave. So whether you’re searching for a place to retire as an expat or just looking for a breathtaking vacation home, be sure to check out this list.
The most amazing coastal towns, boasting the best beaches in Amalfi:
- Salerno
- Vietri sul Mare
- Cetara
- Maiori
- Minori
- Atrani
- Amalfi
- Positano
- Sorrento
Salerno
Salerno is a beautiful beach town in Amalfi, located on the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the southeastern part of the Amalfi peninsula. The closest beach to Salerno is the lovely Sea Garden Beach, which is a great spot for swimming, sunbathing, and relaxing. In the early 6th century BC, the Etruscans created a city here called Irnthi. Today, Salerno is a thriving small metropolis with much to offer visitors and residents alike. Fairly large in size, with around 140,000 residents, there’s something for everyone in this wonderful Italian city, from its stunning natural scenery to its rich cultural heritage. If you’re looking for a busy lively coastal town in Italy to call home, Salerno fits the description.
What is Salerno known for? The town is home to many historical and cultural sites, including Greek ruins, as well as stunning natural scenery. Visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as boating, swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and kayaking. There are also numerous restaurants and cafes offering delicious local cuisine and mouthwatering seafood.
Vietri Sul Mare
As you travel west from Salerno, you encounter Vietri Sul Mare, a much smaller but equally beautiful Italian coastal town. The closest beach to Vietri Sul Mare is Crestarella, which is only a few minutes away. What is Vietri sul Mare, Italy known for? The most prominent building in Vietri Sul Mare is a church called The Church of St. John The Baptist, a late Neapolitan Renaissance-style building that has a high bell tower that overlooks the entire town and sea.
The town of under 10,000 residents is also home to many great restaurants serving fresh seafood caught daily. And for those looking for something other than sand and sea, there are numerous shops selling ceramics, as the Vietri Sul Mare is renowned for its pottery industry. Whether you’re looking to do some shopping in the town or looking to relax on the beach, this charming town has it all.
Cetara
Cetara is a small beach town located in the Campania region of Italy, west of Salerno. It borders the Tyrrhenian Sea and is just a short drive from some of the best beaches in the area. The closest beach to Cetara is Night And Day Beach, which offers stunning views of the vast sea. The village was originally settled by a group of Muslims in the 880s, but today it is known for its delicious seafood and tranquil atmosphere.
What is Cetara, Italy known for? The town’s main attraction is its harbor where you can find delicious seafood restaurants serving up catch-of-the-day dishes. Make sure to try out the anchovies of Cetara, as they are a specialty of the town. If you’re looking for a relaxing place to vacation or to call your second home, Cetara should be at the top of your list.
Maiori
Maiori is a tiny hidden gem and one of the best beach towns on the Amalfi Coast. Less famous than Positano, Amalfi or Ravello, it has been a resort since Roman times and today it is one of the most popular tourist destinations on this stretch of coastline. The Tyrrhenian Sea laps against its shoreline and Clear Water Beach is just one of the closest beaches to Maiori. The Clear Water beach stretches a vast distance, making it one of the longest beaches in Amalfi, but perhaps what makes it stand out most is its crystal clear waters which make for perfect swimming conditions.
The town has a long history dating back to Roman times when it was known as just Reghinna Major. Today, visitors can enjoy plenty of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, fishing and windsurfing or simply take a stroll along the promenade with cafes and restaurants and enjoy the locally-made limoncello. With its dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and azure skies, Maiori encapsulates all that is beautiful about the area.
Minori
Maiori’s little sister, as the name suggests, Minori is another one of the best beach towns located on the Amalfi Coast. It is a Unesco World Heritage site situated between the towns of Maiori and Ravello. The closest beach to Minori is Minori Beach, which offers stunning views of the coastline. According to some archaeological research, Minori was the longest-occupied location on the Amalfi Coast. This history can be seen in its architecture, with many buildings dating back centuries.
Today, Minori is a popular tourist destination for those looking to experience true Italian culture. This little town has everything you need for a perfect day at the beach: beautiful beaches, great food, sunshine and plenty of activities to keep you entertained. For those looking for a bit more excitement, there are also some excellent nightlife spots in Minori.
Atrani
Atrani is a beautiful coastal town on the Southern side of the Amalfi Peninsula, in the province of Salerno. It borders the Tyrrhenian Sea and its closest beach is Spiaggia di Atrani. With a population of around 1,000 people, it is one of the smallest municipalities in all of Italy. But, despite its size, Atrani has a lot to offer.
What makes Atrani one of the best beach towns in Amalfi? Most visitors are attracted to Atrani for its beautiful scenery. Another great thing about Atrani is that it provides easy access to some fabulous hiking trails through UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Valle Della Ferriera Nature Reserve.
This reserve protects an area of exceptional natural beauty including waterfalls, gorges, and secluded forests. It’s well worth spending a morning or afternoon exploring here before heading back into town for dinner al fresco at one of Atrani’s many atmospheric restaurants.
The weather is mild and rainy during winter months but becomes progressively hotter and sunnier as summer approaches. However, unlike most other coastal areas in Italy which experience foggy conditions due to high humidity levels, Atrani remains almost always clear thanks to steady sea breezes coming off the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Amalfi
The namesake of the area, Amalfi is the most famous and one of the best coastal towns on the Amalfi peninsula, Italy. The town has a population of just over 5,000 people and it attracts thousands of tourists every year, from Hollywood stars to regular visitors like you and me. There are also some lovely beaches close by including the Delle Sirene beach which is only a few minutes from the center of town. While the town of Amalfi was once the capital of a maritime republic, it now acts as an important stop for tourists looking to explore all that the Amalfi Coast has to offer, including the ninth century Duomo di Amalfi.
The coastline around Amalfi is dramatic with high cliffs and small coves providing plenty of opportunity to explore. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in Amalfi there are lots of great accommodations available ranging from cliffside hotels to luxury villas overlooking the sea. You can also find some excellent restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. In summary, if you’re looking for a spectacular, busy beach town where you can rub shoulders with celebrities, then Amalfi should be at the top of your list.
Positano
Positano is not just one of the most beautiful and popular beach towns on the Amalfi Coast, but also one of the best coastal towns in Italy. It borders the Tyrrhenian Sea and its closest beach is Fornillo Beach. The first confirmation of Positano’s existence dates back to Upper Palaeolithic times when gatherers and hunters used Grotto La Porta as their base camp. Excavations have also revealed Roman ruins indicating that the village was under Roman rule.
These days, Positano is known for its dramatic cliffs, winding streets lined with colorful houses, and delicious seafood cuisine. Visitors can enjoy plenty of sunny days lounging on the beach or exploring all that Positano has to offer including shops selling handmade ceramics, jewelry, art galleries, and more.
Sorrento
If you’re looking for a breathtaking beach town on the Northern side of the peninsula, your search ends with Sorrento. Sorrento is a town in Campania, Italy, across the bay from Naples. The closest beach to Sorrento is Spiaggia La Marinella. Before the Roman Republic took over, Sorrento belonged under the rule of Nuceria.
In addition to its natural beauty, Sorrento is very lively, home to plenty of restaurants, making it the perfect place to taste a variety of food. And if you want to explore beyond Sorrento’s shores, there are plenty of day trips you can take from this central location, whether you want to head up to see Mount Vesuvius or visit one of Italy’s other iconic towns, such as Pompeii. Needless to say, if you are lucky enough to call Sorrento home, living in Italy will feel like a day at the beach.
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