Top 10 Things to do and see Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi coast is the most spectacular coast-road in Europe. It belongs to the Unesco list. The road connecting Positano to Vietri sul mare is pretty curvy (about 700 curves) and 55 km long. There are 13 small villages with their own traditions, history and legends. Discover with us the musts of The Amalfi Coast.
Positano
Positano is the most famous instagram picture of the Amalfi coast but Positano means also shopping, fashion, sun, picturesque narrow streets, lemons, good restaurants, amazing views, nightlife, beach and a lot more. The houses are basically leaning on the water, it is also called the vertical village. The name Positano probably derives from Poseidon, the greek God of Sea, in latin Neptune. The founding of the city is connected with a legend: some mariners were bringing a holy image of Mary (still visible in the church to her dedicated) and during a storm they heard a voice from the coast saying "Posa, Posa" that means to lay here, so they stopped there and founded Positano. Positano had an historical rivality with Amalfi, the most important city of the Amalfi Coast.
Amalfi
One of the 4 marine Republics of Italy together with Pisa, Venice and Genova. Amalfi holds every 4 years an historical boat race with processions and folkloristic events. Very beautiful is the Cathedral of St Andrew, St Peter's brother. According to the catholic tradition the relics of St Andrew are preserved here. The style of the cathedral is Arab-Sicilian. The name probably is coming from Latin, in fact the village was founded by a Roman colony from Melphi. A typical product you have to try is of course the lemon.
Ravello
Ravello is situated on a more elevated position than the other pearls of the Amalfi Coast. The writer Andrè Gide said about Ravello: It is nearer to the sky than it is to the shore. Many important music composers came here for inspiration as did Richard Wagner when he wrote Parsafal. He took inspiration from Villa Rufolo, one of the most expensive villas on the Amalfi coast. Another famous Villa in Ravello is Villa Cimbrione, whose terrace got the name: terrace of infinity.
Boat Tour
An incredible experience is to admire the coast from the sea. You can take a boat to go to Positano, Amalfi, Sorrento or Capri. Either with a big ferry or with a private Yacht, you will have big emotions and nice pictures.
Praiano and Furore
It is the only village of the coast where you can see the sunset. The symbol of Praiano is the dome of the church decorated in majolica arab-style and dedicated to San Gennaro. Many religious images and ediculae are hanging on the walls and cliffs of the village. Just after Praiano there is the little fiord of Furore: a corner of Norway cut in the Mediterranean rock. At Furore Greta Garbo stayed during her romantic elopment towards Ravello.
The Path of the Gods
It is a path with wonderful views as also the name reminds. It is going from Agerola to Nocelle and it takes about 3 hours. Not recommended if you have vertigo. Before you begin the path don't forget to have in Agerola a focaccia with Fiordilatte Mozzarella, the local speciality.
Try local food and lemon delicacies
The lemons from the Amalfi coast are called Sfusati and have a tapered shape whereas the lemons from Sorrento have a pointed shape. Not to confuse with the Cedro, which can be very big. The lemons are a must when you are visiting the Amalfi coast: you can try them in a lemonade, a limoncello, a delizia al limone (a cake with lemon flavour), gelato and granita. Olive oil, mozzarella, pasta with seafood, anchovies, frittura are also recommended.
Cetara
The name Cetara is coming from the Cetari, the fishermen of big fishes. In fact the most important activity is still nowadays fishing. It is curious that today the local product of Cetara are the anchovies, small fishes, and the Colatura di alici (pouring of anchovies). Tourism is also a big business today but the masses of tourists are more concentrated in Amalfi and Positano.
Atrani
Atrani is the smallest village in Italy. With only 800 people living there, it has the highest density of population in the province of Salerno. When Amalfi was the marine republic Atrani was the residential quarter of the Aristocracy and nobility. At Christmas Eve the people from Atrani exchange traditional cakes (Zeppole, Roccocò and Mostaccioli)
Conca dei Marini
Conca dei Marini is probably the birthplace of the sfogliatella, the most famous Napolitan pastry. The legend says the sfogliatella was made in a nun monastery dedicated to Santa Rosa. Conca dei Marini organizes every year the Sfogliatella festival. Conca dei Marini is also known for the Emerald Cave. The water inside the cave get this amazing turquoise, emerald tonalities because the light penetrates from below through an underwater chimney.