Once a maritime powerhouse, today the main town on the Amalfi Coast is a relaxed coastal town with architectural beauty that dates back to the Middle Ages.
The small coastal town of Amalfi lies between the Lattari Mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Named after the Amalfi Coast, the town is home to churches, white houses and age-old monuments.
Amalfi is one of the most popular resort villages on the Amalfi Coast, yet a thousand years ago the area was an important maritime port. With commerce links across the Mediterranean Sea, the town had its own trading fleet and made its own coins. Disaster struck in 1343 when a tsunami devastated the village. The once bustling port quickly declined into a quiet coastal town.
Amalfi’s history can be enjoyed with a leisurely stroll through the whitewashed alleyways and quiet courtyards. Meander along the waterfront promenade, admire the boats docked on the water, browse through the shipyard where seafaring vessels were once built and pick up a souvenir from the shop.
Walk through the Piazza del Duomo, the town square, and enjoy some coffee and people watching, or join the locals who sit and chat on the stairs at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. This cathedral is where you can see the remnants of Amalfi’s wealthy past. Notice the blend of Moorish, byzantine, gothic and baroque architectural styles that come together on the exterior and interior designs in the building. See the crypt where Saint Andrew, one of the original apostles, is said to lie. Spend a moment in the Cloister of Paradise and view the stone sarcophagi where local nobles were once buried.
Amalfi is also known as one of the first places in Europe to produce paper. Learn about the history of paper production at the Paper Mill Museum, once a 13-century paper mill.
Amalfi is 71 kilometres (44 miles) from Naples. There are regular SITA bus services from Naples, Positano, Salerno and Sorrento. If you plan on renting a car, check Amalfi’s tourist office website before planning your trip as the use of private cars on the coastal road is limited in the peak summer months.
