The Amalfi coast map shows you a serene, picturesque stretch of coastline found in Italy on the northern coast of the Salerno Gulf. The Amalfi coast stretches for approximately 43.5 square miles throughout the Province of Salerno, and it is known for its inviting beaches, the striking architecture of its cities, and beautiful landmarks.
“One of the great hoys of traveling through Italy is discovering firsthand that it is, indeed, a dream destination.” — Debra Levinson
The Amalfi coast was listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997, and thousands of tourists come to visit the Amalfi coast from around the world every year. What follows is a map of the Almafi coast along with some facts about its most famous cities and landmarks.
Notable Cities On The Almafi Coast
Sorrento
Sorrento is probably the easiest place on the Amalfi coast to reach for most travelers, and as result of this, it’s most people’s first stop on their tour of the Amalfi coast. Sorrento overlooks the Bay of Naples and is known for its production of citrus fruits wines, olives, and nuts. It makes the perfect jumping-off point for trips to both Pompeii and Naples. Both short cruises and full-day tours are offered by boat, including a full-day tour Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. There’s also a Herculaneum tour which swings by many UNESCO-sites including the gymnasium of Herculaneum and the public baths. The Piazza Tasso and the Pondazione Sorrento are notable sights in the city. The town can grow rather busy in the summer season when visitors from all the world flock to it, but it’s inviting atmosphere and strategic location make it an excellent place to visit for those touring the coast.
Nerano/Sant’Agata
Both Sant’Agata and Nerano are between Sorrento and the next major city of Positano. Sant’Agata is located in between two, the Bay of Salerno which sits upon the Li Galli Archipelago and the Bay of Naples. Capri can be seen from the town quite easily. One can visit the massive Greek necropolis nearby, as well as the Monastero del Deserto, a large monastery with sublime views of the surrounding landscape. There are some excellent restaurants, monasteries with intriguing architecture, and wineries to be found in Sant’Agata.
“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life.” — Anna Akhmatova
The town of Nerano is close to Sant’Agata, Known for its clear waters which are popular spots to go scuba diving and swimming. The town of Nerano and its beaches sit directly in the middle of the Punta Campanella Natural Marine Reserve, and sea life is abundant throughout this area. Kayaking and canoeing tours are offered here, and the city rents out boats to visitors. The town is known for excellent examples of regional specialty dishes like the Monti Lattari cheese and the Sant’Abba tomato dish.
Positano
Positano is known for its terraced buildings built into the cliffside overlooking the sea. Exploring the town can be somewhat strenuous thanks to its verticality, but there are many excellent seaside restaurants, bars and clubs to found in the town. Day cruises of the Capri Island are offered here and one can charter either public or private tours of the region. Positano has been featured in several films such as Under the Tuscan Sun.
Amalfi
Amalfi is the biggest town on the Amalfi coast, fittingly enough. It’s known for its excellent beaches, long history, and fascinating culture. The architecture of Amalfi’s is a genuine sight to behold, with buildings that prominently display their unique medieval architecture. A variety of seaside clubs, restaurants, and bars are found here, though typically cheaper than what you would find in Positano. There are also some notable museums you can visit. The town is located right in the middle of the Amalfi coast approximately 45 minutes from either Sorrento or Salerno, making it an excellent place for visitors to explore the entire coast. Nearby is the small town of Atrani, which has the distinction of being the smallest recognized town in all of southern Italy. The Duomo di Sant’Andra and the Valle delle Ferriere falls are notable nearby spots to visit.
Maiori/Minori
The towns of Maiori and Minori are located both located just to the east of Amalfi and within about 2 kilometers of one another. Maiori has the largest beach on the entire Amalfi coast, and it’s even home to a few secluded beaches that can only be accessed over water. The beachfront hotels and restaurants here are convenient and accessible, which makes it an excellent family-friendly destination. Maiori also has some spectacular Roman ruins to see including the Villa Marittima Romana and the nearby Castello di San Nicola de Thoro-Plano. The Sentiero dei Limoni hiking trail gives hikers excellent views of nature, wildlife, and the surrounding landscape.
Minori is situated on a specific part of the Amalfi coast that enjoys a pleasant freeze almost around the clock, which combined with its sunny beaches makes it a popular destination. Minori’s terraced buildings have their own lemon trees and vineyards, and along with pasta, they give the town a reputation for good food and wine. The pasta served by Minori’s restaurants is famous throughout Italy and shouldn’t be missed if food is one of your primary motivations for visiting the Amalfi coast.
“Italy is still very much the same place it was 2,000 years ago. Italians are still the same… there’s a sense of beauty and a sense of dignity and a sense of living life to the full that infects everyone.” — Bruno Heller
Cetara/Erchie
Cetara is a fishing village that still brings in a substantial amount of fish today. Tuna fishing is a substantial source of income here, and so its perhaps no surprise that the town has some of the best seafood you can get on the coast. The view from the Torre di Cetara observation deck and the architecture of the Chiesa San Pietro Apostolo cathedral should be checked out while you’re here. The Spiaggia Lannio beach is also a popular destination in this fishing village. Located very close to Cetara is the small village of Erchie which has a tall tower Norman tower in it.
Salerno
Salerno represents the tail end of the Amalfi coast. Its located at the very end of the 43-mile highway that runs along the coast and it’s where many people finish their tours. It’s fairly easy to get to Salerno via a train that connects to Rome if you’re coming from the east. The size of the city makes it one of the more active towns on the coast, but it’s filled with many great beaches, cathedrals with amazing architecture, bars, restaurants, and clubs. The Duomo di Salerno, the Museo Diocesano San Mattero di Salerno, the Museo Arcehologico Provinciale di Salerno, and the Lungomare di Salerno are all notable landmarks and places of interest in the city.