Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast: Walks, Boats & Cliffside Villages

The Amalfi Coast’s terrain determines what you can do here — most activities involve the sea, the cliffs, or the mountain paths that connect the villages above the coastal road.

The Path of the Gods

The Sentiero degli Dei is one of the best hikes in southern Italy: a cliff-path walk connecting Agerola (inland) to Nocelle above Positano, with the Tyrrhenian Sea and the offshore islands in view for much of the 7.5km route. The path itself is well-marked and maintained, but requires proper footwear and care in wet conditions. Start early to avoid the midday heat and the groups arriving on tours. The classic direction (Agerola to Nocelle) ends with a steep descent into Positano — reverse it if the descent is a concern.

Boat Trips

A boat trip along the coast is the most effective way to see the villages, the sea caves, and the cliffs from the water. Organised trips depart from Positano, Amalfi, and Salerno. Options include half-day group tours along the full coast, private boat hire by the hour, and day trips to the islands of Capri and Ischia. The Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo) near Conca dei Marini is accessible by boat or by sea stairs off the coastal road.

Positano

The most photographed village — stacked vertically up the cliff in layers of pastel houses, with a small beach at the bottom. The beach is reasonable but not exceptional; the village is best appreciated from the water or from the path above. Positano is expensive across the board. The Church of Santa Maria Assunta has a Byzantine icon worth seeing. Come early morning or late afternoon — midday in peak season is extremely crowded.

Ravello

Up in the mountains above Amalfi, Ravello is quieter and more refined than the coastal villages. The Villa Cimbrone gardens (open to the public) have a famous terrace — the Terrazza dell’Infinito — overlooking the coast. The Villa Rufolo hosts the Ravello Festival in July, an outdoor classical music series. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta has a 13th-century ambo decorated with mosaics. Ravello repays a full afternoon or an overnight stay.

Amalfi Town

The largest settlement on the coast has the Duomo di Sant’Andrea — a 9th-century cathedral with Arab-Norman architecture and an important crypt — and the 13th-century Arsenal (Arsenale della Repubblica), which tells the history of the Amalfi Republic when this was one of Italy’s great maritime powers. The Piazza del Duomo is busy but photogenic.

The Valle delle Ferriere

A nature walk from Amalfi into the valley behind the town — a gorge with waterfalls, lemon groves, and the ruins of a medieval paper mill. The Amalfi paper tradition (carta bambagina) is one of the coast’s less-known histories; the Paper Museum (Museo della Carta) in town explains it.

Praiano and the Smaller Villages

Praiano is the best base for avoiding crowds — smaller than Positano, with direct beach access and better-value accommodation. The Marina di Praia is a tiny cove with a good seafood restaurant. Atrani (adjacent to Amalfi) is technically a separate municipality but so small it barely registers — the most compact village on the coast, with almost no tourist infrastructure.

Getting On and Off the Coast

The coastal road (SS163) is scenic but notoriously congested. Ferries from Salerno, Sorrento, and Naples are often faster than road in summer. The Circumvesuviana train reaches Sorrento from Naples; from there ferries or buses continue to the coast.