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One look at the Amalfi Coast and you may believe that you’ve found heaven on earth. That’s the kind of spellbinding effect this stretch of Italian coastline tends to have on the 5 million annual visitors who cross its mesmerizing paths. Located in the Campania region of Italy, this UNESCO World Heritage site covers 34 miles of majestic terrain; sky-high costal cliffs display vibrant vegetation and multicolored towns live side by side with the disarming turquoise waters of the Mediterranean, creating a scene that has the power to stop even the most seasoned of travelers dead in their tracks. 

The coast and the 13 seaside towns that call it home are all connected via the SS163 highway, considered one of the most scenic drives in the world. Each town comes equipped with signature Amalfi topography, as well as standout attributes of its own. The pastel-colored Positano draws in the rich and famous for its luxurious cliffside resorts and fine Italian dining, while the town of Amalfi is Italy’s oldest maritime republic, once serving as a big commercial and technical hub in the Mediterranean.

The alpine town of Ravello may not be for the faint of heart, but its ancient villas and stunning ocean views will be etched in your memory for years to come. Praiano’s secluded shorelines will appease beach lovers and Minori, home to one of the oldest pastas in the world, is a mecca for foodies. And if you plan on passing through Cetara, you can stop at an ancient Norman tower, which according to legend, was founded by Hercules himself. However you decide to explore the Amalfi Coast, its glory is guaranteed to leave you completely gaga long after you’ve gone.

Best Months to Visit the amalfi coast

The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast is in the spring and fall, specifically May and September. During these months, crowds are largely gone and temperatures are the most comfortable, with highs in the 70s and 80s. Though summer may sound like the ideal option, both domestic and international travelers flock to the tiny towns that line the Amalfi Coast, subsequently taking up tons of space. Winter travel is a great for scoring a deal, but it’s also when cafes and restaurants close up shop for the season. The autumn months following September are another recommended time to visit, as day temperatures are still relatively warm. 

• Beaches are different here. Due to the geography of the coast, beaches consist of pebbles instead of sand. Make sure to bring the proper footwear. 
• Summer is exceptionally crowded. Domestic and international travelers travel to the Amalfi Coast in droves during July and August, so expect traffic delays, clogged beaches and seriously crowded streets. 
• Prepare to hike. The towns in the Amalfi Coast are built into cliffs and feature streets unable to accommodate cars. Not only that, but many of the region’s beaches don’t offer parking and are only accessible by stairs or trails. 

Culture, Customs and Languages

Being one big UNESCO World Heritage site, the Amalfi Coast is brimming with culture. Each town offers its own special story. Amalfi is the country’s oldest maritime republic and the center of the coast’s once thriving paper business. Positano served as the choice destination for the rich and famous, including Picasso, Steinbeck and Elizabeth Taylor. Meanwhile, Minori is the birthplace of one of the oldest pastas in the world, Ndunderi. Residents here speak Italian, but depending where you are, there may be regional dialect differences. When greeting other Italians in a social situation, shake hands. Greeting with a kiss or two on the cheek is common between Italians, but only if they know one another.

Those not proficient in Italian needn’t worry about getting too lost in translation. The Amalfi Coast sees about 5 million total visitors per year. While that pales in comparison to other Italian hotspots (Florence sees 16 million per year, Venice sees 70,000 per day), that doesn’t mean English-speakers are few and far between. You can expect to encounter English-speaking Italians around popular attractions, restaurants in tourist areas, as well as hotels. Positano and Amalfi in particular have the most hotels and restaurants of any other town in the Amalfi Coast, so if you intend to go just there, you’re not likely to encounter many barriers.

However, the smaller towns that line the coast may pose issues. When in doubt, seek out younger Italians, as they are required to start learning English in school at age six. Key phrases to know are “si” (yes), “grazie” (thank you), “mi scusi” (pardon me), “Parla inglese?” (Do you speak English?) and “Dov’e la toilette?” (Where is the bathroom?).  In Amalfi, restaurants are normally open from 12:30 to 3 p.m. for lunch and 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. for dinner. Locals, however, tend to eat lunch later in the afternoon at 1:30 and dinner at 9 p.m. Keep in mind: Service moves a little slower here. If you find yourself in more traditional establishments, don’t expect servers to bring you the check unless specifically requested.

Tipping is not common in Italy; instead, restaurants usually add a service charge upward of 12 percent. However, if you really enjoyed your meal or service, an extra 10 percent will suffice. Being one big UNESCO World Heritage site, the Amalfi Coast is brimming with culture. Each town offers its own special story. Amalfi is the country’s oldest maritime republic and the centre of the coast’s once thriving paper business. Positano served as the choice destination for the rich and famous, including Picasso, Steinbeck and Elizabeth Taylor. Meanwhile, Minori is the birthplace of one of the oldest pastas in the world, Ndunderi. 

Restaurant Etiquettes

In Amalfi, restaurants are normally open from 12:30 to 3 p.m. for lunch and 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. for dinner. Locals, however, tend to eat lunch later in the afternoon at 1:30 and dinner at 9 p.m. Keep in mind: Service moves a little slower here. If you find yourself in more traditional establishments, don’t expect servers to bring you the check unless specifically requested. Tipping is not common in Italy; instead, restaurants usually add a service charge upward of 12 percent. However, if you really enjoyed your meal or service, an extra 10 percent will suffice. 

What to Eat

The Amalfi Coast yields much of the same delectable fare you’ll find in other Italian cities. Allow yourself to indulge in as much pasta, pizza and cappuccinos as your heart desires, but make sure to save some room for regional flavors and dishes, some of which you’d be hard-pressed to find outside of the Campania region of Italy. As you may have guessed, seafood is a staple in the Amalfi Coast, and should be consumed at any given chance simply for its freshness. Of all the seafood dishes to try, you cannot leave without sampling scialatielli ai frutti di mare. This pasta dish is packed with all kinds of fish, including shrimp, redfish, blue fish, sea urchins, octopus, mussels, bream, mollusks and pezzogna. The best fish in the Amalfi Coast is said to be found in the town of Cetara, which touts itself as the world tuna capital. In fact, the tuna here is so revered, it’s regularly exported to Japan for sushi. 

If you plan to hop between towns during your trip, make sure to stop in Minori and Cetara. Cetara is famous for producing Colatura di Alici, a fish sauce made from anchovies, while Minori is known as the birthplace of Ndunderi. This ricotta gnocchi has been declared one of the oldest pastas in the world by UNESCO and can be found at any traditional trattoria in the town. But of all the flavors you should seek out in Amalfi it should be lemons. You will probably soon notice that lemon trees are abundant in the Amalfi Coast. Seek out as many lemon-flavored dishes and products you can find, including Amalfi cookies, which are spread with lemon icing, and a roadside granita di limone, or lemon slushy. And, of course, you can’t leave Italy without enjoying some limoncello, a lemon liqueur. 

As far as the dining scene goes, Amalfi can be pretty upscale. Michelin-rated restaurants dot the region and most are concentrated in Amalfi and Positano. Amalfi is home to one of only two-starred restaurants in the region. Don Alfonso 1890 serves traditional Italian fare with a modern twist and boasts a 25,000-bottle wine cellar. The second is Torre Del Saracino, located about a 30-minute drive north of Sorrento. 

Getting Around the Amalfi Coast

The best way to get around the towns within the Amalfi Coast is on foot, though the best way to get around the region is by car. The Amalfi Coast region stretches 34 miles down the west coast of central Italy and there are multiple towns for travelers to explore. What all of the towns do share is the SS163 highway, otherwise known as the Amalfi Drive. Much like Highway 1 in Big Sur, California, this is the only road that can take travelers directly to the various towns that call the Amalfi Coast home. It is often referred to as one of the most scenic drives in the world, so much so that travelers consider it a can’t-miss attraction within its own right. 

The closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples International Airport (NAP). To get from Naples to the Amalfi Coast, the Positano Tourism Board highly recommends arranging a private car transfer, especially if you’re taking a long flight to get to the coast. There is no direct public transportation between Naples and Positano. Renting a car and driving down the scenic coastal highway is also an option, but driving for long distances along sky-high, cliffside roads, especially in the heat, may prove uncomfortable for some drivers. Travelers can also reach the Amalfi Coast by train. From Naples, you take can the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, Salerno or Vietri sul Mare, and then take a Sita bus to the nearest Amalfi town. If you ask me getting around by car or by foot is the best way to explore the Amalfi Coast.

Getting around by Car: Although an unforgettable ride, the Amalfi Drive is also quite challenging. The road snakes along the coast’s colossal, 500-foot-tall cliffs, and it’s outfitted with hairpin turns left and right. Not only that, but the road has only one lane in each direction. It’s also worth noting that the highway gets very crowded, even outside of peak summer months. From May to October traffic is at its worst, so it’s highly likely you’ll experience bumper to bumper traffic for miles, if not a complete halt at times. Should you decide to brave the Amalfi Drive, you can find car rental companies stationed at the Naples airport and train stations. 

If you’d rather let someone else do the driving, consider hiring a private car. Because of the Amalfi Drive’s long, windy road and often sweltering weather conditions, the Positano Tourism Board highly recommends booking a private car to get to the coast and between the towns. Having a local who knows the roads and travels them often will shave off a lot of potential stress, but know this option will cost you. Private cars average a few hundred dollars, but many travelers said it’s completely worth it. You can book private transfers directly on the Positano Toursim Board website.

Getting around by Bus: You can also reach the Amalfi coast without a car. Sita buses go to all the towns of Amalfi via two routes: Sorrento – Positano – Amalfi and Amalfi – Salerno. There is no route that goes along the entire coast, so if you want to travel further you will have to change buses. Amalfi coast bus timetables vary greatly by day of week, time of day and destination. Arrival and departure times aren’t always set in stone due to road traffic, so plan accordingly (one thing is for sure: all buses stop running at 10 p.m.)

It’s worth noting that just because you have a bus ticket doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed a seat. During peak travel months, it’s not uncommon to find people standing the entire route, so if you plan on taking the bus during the summer, arrive as early as you can. Prices for bus tickets depend on the amount of time traveled, with 45-minute journeys costing 2.20 euros (about $2.50) and 24-hour journeys costing 6.80 (about $7.70). It’s best to talk to attendants at the transport stations about which ticket is best suited for your travel itinerary. The Positano Tourism Board also lists bus timetables on its website.

Getting around by Ferry: If you’re taking the train from Salerno or Sorrento, you can also grab a high-speed ferry to Positano, Amalfi or Sorrento and even to the nearby islands of Capri or Ischia if you’re traveling between the months of April and October. Ferry timetables vary, and are often adjusted or completely canceled due to water conditions. You can expect to pay 12 euros (about $13.50) for a one-way journey. Check with the Positano Tourism Board for more information on timetables.

Getting around by foot: Once you’re in the towns, it’s best just to walk. Most of Amalfi’s towns are built on cliffs, so there aren’t many parking facilities available, not to mention many roads wide enough to drive on. The best option is to park your car at your hotel or pay to park, which you can expect to be about 5 euros (or about $5.70) per hour. If you tire from hiking the steep hills of the coast, some towns do have public buses. Taxis are also available but can be very expensive. Recent travelers said they encountered drivers asking between 30 to 80 euros (about $33 to $90) for a trip from Amalfi to Ravello, which is less than 5 miles away.

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