Amalfi Coast Cape

The Amalfi Coast is a rugged, scenic coastal stretch on the Sorrentine Peninsula in Italy’s Campania region, characterised by steep cliffs, terraced vineyards and seaside towns. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage site recognised for its dramatic landscape and historical coastal settlements.

Key places along the coast include vertical towns such as Positano, the historic maritime centre of Amalfi with its cathedral, and hilltop Ravello with villas and gardens offering panoramic views. Travel along the SS163 coastal road and by ferry between ports are common ways to move between towns.

Settlement and maritime activity on the coast date back to antiquity and the medieval period; Amalfi itself was an important maritime republic in the early Middle Ages. Over time the coast developed its distinctive terraces, churches and villas that now attract international tourism.

The Amalfi Coast runs along the southern shore of the Sorrentine Peninsula on the Gulf of Salerno in Campania, south of Naples and accessible by road, ferry and local bus services.

• Road access and driving conditions: The coastal road SS163 links the principal towns but is narrow with many hairpin turns; driving can be slow and parking limited during high season.
• Best times to visit: Late spring and early autumn offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds compared with July and August, when local traffic and ferries are busiest.

What to See#

• Positano: Positano - a vertically built coastal town with narrow streets and steep stairways, known for its cliffside houses and pebble beaches.
• Amalfi town: Amalfi town - the historic port and town from which the coast takes its name, featuring the 9th-century cathedral façade and compact harbour.
• Ravello: Ravello - located above the coastline and noted for historic villas and gardens such as Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone with panoramic terraces.

The Amalfi Coast is the scenic stretch of road along the SS163 (Strada Statale Amalfitana) linking towns such as Positano, Amalfi and Ravello. From Naples it is typically reached by car via the A3 and then the coastal SS163 - driving distance is roughly 60-70 km and can take 1.5-2 hours depending on traffic. Public options: take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento and then SITA coastal buses up the SS163, or ferries (seasonal) from Salerno/Naples to several towns; note that parking is limited and towns are best explored on foot once you arrive.

• Avoid the busiest hours on the SS163 coastal road by traveling early morning or late afternoon; traffic and parking in towns like Positano and Amalfi peak around midday.
• Use ferries between key towns (Positano, Amalfi, Capri) when possible to skip the narrow coastal driving and to arrive with less hassle; harbor docks are centrally located in each town.
• Base yourself in a smaller town such as Praiano or Ravello if you want quieter evenings and easier access to scenic viewpoints (Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo in Ravello are often calmer than Positano).