1. The town of Amalfi, as seen from the ferry. Monti Lattari (the Milky Mountains) rise behind the town. Most towns on the Amalfi Coast rest on the beaches at the foot of the mountains, while a few (like Ravello) are nestled on the mountaintops.
2. The main beach of Amalfi is east of the ferry port with numerous restaurants, beach clubs, and cafes facing the water. Accommodations are in the city center or built on the surrounding hillsides.
3. The heart of the town is the Duomo di Amalfi, a medieval cathedral dating from the 9th century with an elaborate bell tower and striking 18th-century façade. Its ornate crypt houses the relics of St. Andrew. The Duomo is open daily for visitors.
4. The elegant Santa Caterina is the best hotel in Amalfi. Facilities include a private beach, a heated saltwater pool, and stunning views of the rugged coastline.
5. Duck into the cozy wine bar/restaurant Il Protontino for a tasting flight of local wines paired with farm-to-table Southern Italian bites. Menu offerings change seasonally; pictured here are the homemade polpette (Italian meatballs).
6. Tiny Atrani is a town about 500 meters east of Amalfi. At 0.12 sq km, it is the smallest town in all of Italy. For a restful sleep plus easy access to Amalfi’s ferry port, bus station, and a plethora of restaurants, stay in nearby Atrani. You can walk from Atrani’s beach to Amalfi’s beach in about 10 minutes.
7. The boutique hotel Palazzo Ferraioli is the best in Atrani with views of the town and its landmark Church of St. Mary Magdalene right above the beach. A couple of great restaurants and the bus stop are just downhill from the hotel.
8. Every town on the coast has a beach, but they get crowded in the peak summer season. There are smaller less-crowded beaches that can be harder to access, like this nameless beach north of Hotel Cetus.
9. Fiordo di Furore (Furore Fjord) is not really a fjord, but it is an increasingly popular beach set in a small hamlet. The picturesque bridge (behind the photographer and out of sight in this photo) is the site of a popular high dive competition every July.
10. Maiori is one of the larger towns on the coast and home to the longest stretch of beach in the area. This view of its port is from the Path of the Lemons hiking trail that connects Maori and the neighboring town of Minori.
11. The Path of the Lemons takes you up close to the mailoica-tiled dome of the town’s landmark 13th-century Church of Santa Maria a Mare.
12. Overlooking Maiori with the beach in view and terraced lemon groves cascading down the mountainside.
13. Botanico San Lazzaro is the best hotel in Maiori. Some suites have private outdoor jacuzzis or pools. All have sea views.
14. The view of Minori as you enter from the Path of the Lemons. Minori is the oldest inhabited town on the Amalfi coast. Though more compact than Maiori, it still has some attractions, like the Basilica di Santa Trofimena (the saint’s relics are here in the crypt) and the Villa Romana archaeological site, from the 1st century BC.
15. Of course, Minori is also home to a gorgeous beach backed by restaurants, shops, hotels, and residences.
16. Often called the Jewel of the Amalfi Coast, Positano is the most visually stunning of the seaside towns. Its iconic domed church, Santa Maria Assunta, sits behind the main beach, with the town rising up the hills.
17. Many of the Amalfi Coast’s best luxury hotels are in Positano. Le Agavi, shown here, has its own private beach club, heated pool, and indoor/outdoor spa. This is the terrace of a Junior Suite.
18. Eden Roc Hotel has two of Positano’s best restaurants on site, along with a pool, a small spa, and impressive views.
19. Hotel Marincanto enjoys a central, walkable location, along with a private beach and jetted pool.
20. Upscale, boutique hotel, Palazzo Murat, is set in a 19th-century palace directly behind the church and has a sunny pool, spa with a hammam, and popular courtyard bar and restaurant. All rooms have private balconies and full or partial sea views.
21. Il San Pietro di Positano is our favorite hotel on the Amalfi Coast. This gorgeous luxury hotel has its own private beach and marina with two yachts for guest charters. There’s a heated pool, two amazing restaurants, and a sophisticated selection of free activities, including yoga, mixology classes, and boat tours.
22. Flashy Hotel Villa Franca boasts a rooftop pool with spectacular views, holistic wellness center, three lauded restaurants, and a wine cellar of over 100 labels.
23. Between Positano and Amalfi, Praiano offers a low key alternative with a pair of beaches, two landmark churches, and a few luxury beach clubs. La Praia, seen here, is the main beach of the town with gorgeous clear water and a couple excellent restaurants.
24. The seaside footpath, Via Terramare, connects central Praiano to La Praia, passing by a medieval tower, beach club, and some luxury hotels along the way.
25. Casa Angelina is the best hotel in Praiano. There’s an outdoor pool, wellness center with an indoor pool, and two restaurants. Luxe perks include free shuttle service to Positano and a dedicated VIP section at nearby La Gavitella beach club.
26. Villa Corallium is the best hotel near La Praia Beach. Most rooms, like this Deluxe Room, have private balconies. The hotel also has a pool and a Southern Italian restaurant with sea views.
27. After Positano, the romantic mountain town of Ravello has the most luxury hotels. It lacks a beach but is filled with historic gardens, villas, and churches, and has a cosmopolitan restaurant scene. It’s elevation gives it the most expansive coastal views.
28. The lovely Caruso hotel boasts a heated infinity pool with breathtaking views over Minori and Maiori. Fine and casual dining, a spa with outdoor massage, elegant rooms and suites, and a host of exclusive activities complete the experience.
29. Palazzo Avino is our favorite hotel in Ravello. Its lush grounds feature a heated pool, rooftop jacuzzi, a full-service spa, and refined dining. The hotel also has its own private beach club nearby with sun decks, a seafront pool, and restaurant; round trip transportation is provided.
30. Salerno sits immediately east of Vietri sul Mare, just outside the Amalfi Coast. This bustling port city is less glamorous and more authentic with a charming historic center, a little shopping and sightseeing, and restaurants catering to local tastes.
31. The richly frescoed palazzo Casa Santangelo is the best hotel in Salerno. Its four suites come with private balconies, a welcome carafe of grappa, and complimentary breakfast.
32. About 10 km from Positano (but a 40-minute drive on winding mountain roads), Sorrento makes a great base for Amalfi Coast day trips.
33. Marina Grande, a little fishing enclave on the west side of Sorrento, has a wide, sandy beach, and a string of amazing seafood restaurants along the water. This neighborhood is walking distance to central Sorrento but quieter at night than the city center.
34. The historic Grand Hotel La Cocumella, set in a former Jesuit monastery, is perched on the cliff above Marinella Beach. The hotel boasts a private beach club, pool, spa, and impeccable dining. Mary Shelley finished writing Frankenstein here, and this green cocktail in a flat-top glass was named in honor of that feat.
35. Closer to central Sorrento, Hotel Lorelei Londres is home to a beach club, two jacuzzis set in the garden, and one Michelin-starred restaurant. This is the view from the restaurant’s terrace.
36. Parco dei Principi is another historic Sorrento hotel, this one acting as a time capsule from La Dolce Vita - preserved just as it was when it opened in 1962. Each room features a unique tile floor with coordinating wall art and mid-century furniture.
37. Vietri sul Mare (usually shortened to Vietri) is the most easterly town of the Amalfi Coast with some of the largest and least crowded beaches of the region. In addition to its ferry port, this is the only town on the Amalfi Coast with a train station.
38. Though not as immediately attractive or glamorous as Positano or Ravello, Vietri is the ceramics capital of the Coast and the source of all the stunning, hand-painted, maiolica tiles adorning the cathedral domes and hotel floors to the west. Here, Elvira Peduto leads a ceramics class in her workshop, Pulcinella Ceramics.
39. Hotels in Vietri are more affordable than those in the trendier towns. Palazzo Suriano is above the main beach (about a five-minute walk to the sand) with frescoed ceilings, idyllic gardens, and sea-view balconies in all rooms.
40. Set in the hamlet Raito, west and above Vietri, the luxury Hotel Raito has an outdoor pool and a spa with an indoor pool.
41. For longer stays, La Valle della Najadi offers nine comfortable one to four-bedroom apartments with full kitchens, separate living rooms, and free dedicated parking. A private path leads to the beach in less than five minutes. This view is from the hotel’s shared terrace.
