5 Must-See Amalfi Coast Gems: Castles, Hiking Trails, Villas, & More

Amalfi Town and its Duomo, just one top sight on the Amalfi Coast.

Visiting the Amalfi coast of Italy? It’s quite a long and spectacular stretch of Mediterranean coastline, so figuring out where to go and what to see can be a little overwhelming. Luckily, we’ve rounded up five must-see Amalfi Coast gems.

Everyone has favorite towns along the Amalfi coast (whether Amalfi or Positano, Ravello or Salerno). Where you choose to stay and spend your time depends on what you’re looking for. But as far as specific sights and attractions go, here are five of our favorites!

Villa Cimbrone, Ravello

Ravello’s Villa Cimbrone, a top sight on the Amalfi coast.

We consider the tiny town of Ravello, perched more than a kilometer above the Mediterranean, an Amalfi coast must-see. The views are spectacular, and a summer concert series makes the town unmissable for any music lover.

But within Ravello, one of our favorite attractions is the Villa Cimbrone. Dating back to the 11th century, the villa, now a hotel, has gorgeous gardens that are open to the public. We promise, you haven’t seen views like this before.

Duomo, Amalfi Town

One of the most popular sites in Amalfi.

Most visitors to Amalfi Town pay a visit to the town’s towering Duomo—and with reason. The cathedral purportedly has the remains of St. Andrew the Apostle, which were brought to Amalfi from Constantinople during the Crusades. Regardless of whether you believe in the relics’ origins, the cathedral is a must-see. Don’t miss its elaborate bronze doors, cast in Constantinople in the 11th century, or the 9th-century Basilica of the Crucifix next door.

Spiaggia di Laurito, Positano

Forget what you’ve heard about the Amalfi coast’s beautiful beaches. Because the coastline here is steep and rocky, the town beaches tend to be tiny, packed, and not that nice. Enter Spiaggia di Laurito, a hidden gem located 2 miles from the center of Positano. Yes, the beach is still tiny, and rocky. But it’s a cove, so well-protected, and much less crowded than the central town beaches. Plus, it’s beautiful. And Da Adolfo, the restaurant here, is excellent.

You can get to the beach by boat or by bus. The shuttle boat leaves from Positano‘s main port. Be warned that by bus, it’s a steep hike down, and therefore also back up, from the stop to the beach.

Castello di Arechi, Salerno

The Arechi Castle holds court over the beautiful city of Salerno.

We’ve sung the praises of Salerno before. But one of our favorite sights in the city, located at the opposite end of the SITA bus line from Sorrento (or an easy train ride from Rome or Naples), is Arechi Castle. Perched up on a hill, this 8th-century fortification boasts gorgeous views of Salerno and the Mediterranean. There’s also a museum inside with finds from the castle, like medieval coins and ceramics. And the summer sometimes sees concerts hosted here. (Here’s more information on Salerno’s Castello di Arechi).

Sentiero degli Dei, Amalfi Coast

Sentiero degli Dei, or “God’s Trail,” on the Amalfi coast. The name says it all.

Up for some hiking? Then the Sentiero degli Dei, or “Trail of the Gods,” is a must-see. This path starts in Bomerano, a village in the mountains between Sorrento and Amalfi. Over the 4.5 or so hours of hiking, you’ll see vineyards, caves, a gorge, and breathtaking views. It’s also a great way to get away from the tourist crowds in the towns (although, of course, the path does get crowded in high season).

For more on hiking, check out our post on the best Amalfi Coast hikes!

At Walks of Italy we run walking tours all over this beautiful country. If you’re interested in the Amalfi Coast, check out our Pompeii and Amalfi tours!