The Amalfi coast is a stretch of mountainous coastline and beaches located in the Province of Salerno, in the Campania region. The main town here is the one the province is named after- Salerno. Other major towns, or municipalities, are:  Vietri sul Mare, Cetara, Maiori, Tramonti, Minori, Ravello, Scala, Atrani, Amalfi, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Praiano and Positano. 

As a coastal province, fishing was a very popular past time and was Amalfi’s major industry. Now it has been taken over by tourism and consequently, you will find the area very tourist-friendly with the majority of people where speaking English.

The town Amalfi is a great place to be situated to explore neighbouring towns. The gardens of Ravello are famous and their location in the mountains only enhances the strong natural environment. Positano is regarded as a ‘posh resort’ and would therefore suit those looking for more high-end boutiques.

The cuisine here is a highlight, with popular dishes here being the pasta dish of scialatielli, and sfogliatelle, a delicious shell shaped pastry. The area is also popular for its scenic, picturesque coastlines which are fine examples of nature, as well as the area having lots to offer in terms of history and culture.  For example two popular natural sites include:  “Ferreira” and “Punta Campanella”.  Or visit the Cathedral of Amalfi and the villas of Ravello to experience some architecture. There are also numerous churches scattered around Amalfi, which makes it an ideal location for those looking to explore even more history and culture.

Attractions and things to see and do here include:
• The museums, both big and small, including the paper museum and the ceramic museum.
• Several boutiques and ceramic shops that are very popular with tourists.
• A wide and varied selection of bars and restaurants.
• Boat trips that allow closer observation and exploration of the area by sea.
• Festival of Saint Andrew , running on the 25-26-27th of June and 30th of November, celebrates the patron of Amalfi with fireworks and a procession.
• An ancient rowing competition among the four Sea Republics:  Amalfi, Genova, Pisa, Venezia, occurring on the first Sunday of June.

Transport

To get here by plane, the nearest airport is Naples Capodichino. Reaching the Amalfi Coast from within Italy is relatively simply; areas such as Naples or Salerno have great transport links to the area via train, bus or ferry, and if you are travelling from a different area in Italy it usually requires a changeover at these places. However, there is a direct bus that goes from Rome to Amalfi.

The main ferry service here is Travelmar, which has connections to Salerno, Minori, Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento allowing you to explore the different towns of the Amalfi coast. Salerno to Amalfi takes 35 minutes, and costs €4, with eight departures daily in each direction. The boat will make for a comfortable ride and this form of transport is advised over taking the bus.

Public transport in this area is cheap and generally efficient and of good service.  SITA is a bus company that runs the main blue buses that connect the towns.

Weather

The sunny weather is a fine example of the Mediterranean climate, where summers are hot but not to the point of being uncomfortable, and winters are mild and generally quite warm. The average daytime temperature in winter is around 12°C / 54°F, rising to around 29°C / 84°F or even 30°C / 86°F during the summer months. These sorts of summer temperatures make the beaches of the Amalfi coast a hotspot during warmer weather.

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