Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacular drives in Italy. Traditional seaside villages cling to cliffsides overlooking azure seas. Each bend of the highway opens up new vistas of sea, sky, and cityscapes. Behind the villages lie dozens of hiking trails from which even more spectacular perspectives can be seen. For those looking to relax, the beaches in summertime are a popular destination. Fresh local seafood can be found at a selection of restaurants ranging from the super expensive to some cheaper local options. Ravello, Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento are the well known towns on the Amalfi Coast, each with characteristic winding ...

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacular drives in Italy. Traditional seaside villages cling to cliffsides overlooking azure seas. Each bend of the highway opens up new vistas of sea, sky, and cityscapes. Behind the villages lie dozens of hiking trails from which even more spectacular perspectives can be seen. For those looking to relax, the beaches in summertime are a popular destination. Fresh local seafood can be found at a selection of restaurants ranging from the super expensive to some cheaper local options. Ravello, Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento are the well known towns on the Amalfi Coast, each with characteristic winding streets, cafes, and art shops catering to tourists. Small fishing fleets still fill the harbors, enabling the area to retain an old world charm. For real old world, check out the Greek ruins at Paestum on the southern coast. Dating from 600 BC, the ruins are among the best preserved in the world, and worth a trip for anyone visiting the region.

About the Expert

Bill Fink is coauthor of Pauline Frommer's Italy, contributing the introduction, sections on Tuscany and Umbria, and chapters on Italian food, arts, and history.