The treasures of the Amalfi Coast - part 1

The most beautiful stretch of coast in Italy and, according to many, even the most beautiful in Europe. We are in Campania, to be precise in the province of Salerno, south of the Sorrento peninsula. The Amalfi Coast extends for fifty kilometers of hairpin bends and cliffs overlooking the sea, in which fabulous places such as Positano, Amalfi, Ravello and Vietri follow one another. These places, together with Sorrento, have been a destination for international tourism since the nineteenth century. Together with tourism, the agricultural and seafaring vocation continues. Even today, the production of lemons and fishing are two economically important sectors, as well as crafts: the textile tradition of Positano and the ceramics of Vietri are famous all over the world and employ many people in the area. Find here below the main attractions of the Amalfi Coast, under UNESCO protection since 1997.

1. Positano
In terms of fame and frequentation, Positano is second only to Capri. We are therefore talking about an international tourist resort, very crowded during the summer months. In spring and autumn, however, Positano shows its best face, extraordinarily fascinating, especially for those who visit it for the first time. The most striking feature, in fact, is its prevalent vertical development. The houses are perched on each other, almost clinging to the rock that gently reaches the sea. Strolling through its narrow streets full of boutiques and shops (Positano is famous throughout the world for the handmade production of clothes and sandals) is a truly worthwhile experience. Also worth seeing is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta with its dome that stands out in the middle of the city. There are two main beaches: Spiaggia Grande, at the foot of the town; and the Spiaggia del Fornillo, just a few minutes' walk from the hydrofoil dock.
 


2. Praiano
Less than ten kilometers from Positano, Praiano is the ideal solution for those who especially want relaxation and tranquility. The town is divided into two hamlets: Vettica, the upper part, and Marina di Praiano, close to the sea. There are also two beaches: Gavitella and Marina di Praia. Despite their small size, these are exclusive beaches, perfectly equipped, complete with restaurants specialized in seafood and Campana cuisine. The view and the sunset complete the idyll. Praiano, in fact, is famous for its wide view and its fiery sunsets, almost always with Capri clearly visible in the background. It is the ideal location for a romantic holiday with the right mix of privacy and social life.
 


3. Furore
Immediately after Praiano, you meet the fjord of Furore, an unmissable stop during a holiday on the Amalfi Coast. It is a narrow inlet, carved out by the incessant erosion of the Schiato river, coming from the Lattari Mountains. The fjord, now known as Marina di Furore, represents the touristic part of the town. The actual village, on the other hand, is located 600 meters above sea level and can be reached via some steep paths that go up inland from the coast. In reality, it is improper to speak of a village, since one of the characteristics of Furore is the absence of a real inhabited center. The houses and churches of this small town are scattered here and there following, in most cases, the course of the land.
 


4. Conca dei Marini
We are talking about one of the smallest villages in Italy (just over 600 inhabitants) yet very proud of its history. An identity with a double soul, of land (cultivation of lemons and cherry tomatoes) and sea (the “tonnara” - traditional fishing system for catching tuna - was active until 1956), which fortunately continues to renew itself. There are several places worth a visit, including the beach of Marina di Conca, at the end of 300 steps, and above all the Emerald Grotto, a wonderful sea ravine discovered in the 1930s by a local fisherman.
  


5. Amalfi
Amalfi is one of the most important places on the Amalfi Coast, with a glorious history. Together with Pisa, Genoa and Venice it was one of the Maritime Republics that made the history of the Mediterranean sea, reaching 70,000 inhabitants compared to the current 5,000. Numerous traces remain of the greatness of Amalfi: from the Arsenale, the shipyard where the boats of the fleet were built, to the Regatta of the Maritime Republics which every 4 years takes place in the city waters with a remarkable organization, rewarded by the positive numbers of the turnout. Do not miss the visit of the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea, as well as the Paper Museum. The latter is housed inside one of the mills formerly used to process paper. The entire Sorrento peninsula, in fact, for centuries has boasted an excellent paper industry that exploited the wide availability of streams from the Lattari Mountains. In the riverbeds dug by these waterways, paper mills were built, whose activity definitively ceased around the mid-1950s (except for a limited handicraft production that continues).
 
If you are curious to discover this magnificent land during your vacation, take a look at our luxury villas for rent in the Amalfi Coast.