Amalfi
The core town that gives the coast its name. Once the capital of a medieval maritime republic, it is known for its Arab-Norman cathedral and its handmade paper museum.
Amalfi is the center and transport hub of the coast. From the 9th to the 12th centuries it was one of four great maritime republics, alongside Venice, Genoa and Pisa, and its population once reached 70,000. Today it has about 5,000 residents. The Cathedral of Sant'Andrea (Duomo di Sant'Andrea) on the central square was built between the 9th and 13th centuries. A flight of 62 steps leads up to its Arab-Norman striped façade and bronze doors, cast in Constantinople in 1060. Admission of about €4 covers the Chiostro del Paradiso (Cloister of Paradise, with Moorish pointed arches and palm trees), the crypt that holds the relics of St. Andrew, and the church itself. The main street, Via Lorenzo d'Amalfi, runs from the square down into the valley, lined with shops selling lemon candy, limoncello and handmade paper. At its far end, in the Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills), is the Museo della Carta (Paper Museum, €4.50). Amalfi has been famous for papermaking since the 13th century. The seafront harbor is the hub for coastal ferries to Positano, Capri, Sorrento and Salerno. Small boats also run to the nearby Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Grotto, €10). From the harbor, the SITA bus takes 25 minutes to reach Ravello in the hills. The village of Atrani, a 10-minute walk away, is the smallest and quietest village on the coast. Getting there: from April to October, ferries from Salerno, Sorrento and Positano are the most convenient option. The ferry from Salerno takes 35 minutes, and Salerno's high-speed rail station makes it a good route for avoiding Sorrento's crowds. SITA buses from Sorrento take about 1 hour 40 minutes. The town is small, and you can see it in 2–3 hours, making it a good transfer point for a day trip along the coast.
Opening hours
All day (cathedral 09:00–19:00; shorter in winter)