Fun Things to Do on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most popular parts of Italy and fun things to do on include finding quiet beaches, trying some unique local food and drink, buying local crafts, and hiking the Path of the Gods. Here are some of our suggestions for a few of those fun things to do.

Find your Way to the Path of the Gods

The tiny hamlet of Nocelle is twenty minutes and a world away from the busy resort of Positano. Set in the hills above the coast, it has only 60 residents, two eating places, and one shop. It’s also set on the Path of the Gods hiking trail (Il Sentiero degli Dei, in Italian), so if you’re not able to make the full hike from Agerola to Positano, you can at least get a taster by taking the bus up to Nocelle and walking back down to Positano. Take your own water and food in case you can’t get what you want in Nocelle. The whole Path of the Gods is only 7 km (4.3 miles), and can be done in under two hours, depending how much you stop to enjoy the wonderful views and take photos.

Indulge in a Pastry Created by Nuns

The sfogliatella is a pastry unique to the Campania region of Italy and said to have been created in the 17th century by nuns in the convent of Santa Rosa in Conca dei Marini. Buy it from the Pasticceria La Dolce Arte in Sant’Agnello and eat it out in the square with views of the coast. Fillings vary, as the recipe spread around the world, but expect a sweet soft cheesy mix, with citrus, and perhaps almonds. The pastry should be paper-thin, and done in layers. But whatever, it’s Italian, it’s delicious.

Hike a Cliff Path to a Quieter Beach

When visitors descend on Positano in their thousands in July and August, locals take the cliff path to the relatively quieter beach at Fornillo. It’s only a 10-minute walk but makes a lot of difference to the crowds and gives you spectacular views on the way. It’s a great walk down there, though reserve some energy for walking back up again.

Learn How Amalfi’s Favourite Drink is Made

If you want some authentic limoncello, and not the kind that’s made for tourists in a gimmicky bottle, go to the Antichi Sapori d’Amalfi. This drinks shop makes its own limoncello, you can tour the factory to see how it’s made, and know you’re buying something of quality. There are lots of independent makers of limoncello, each with their own methods and recipe, so tastes do vary. It’s a good excuse to sample different ones in the interests of research.

Discover the Remains of Scotland’s Patron Saint

The alleged remains of St Andrew, one of the original apostles and patron saint of Scotland and many other countries are in the crypt of Amalfi’s Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea. The remains were reputedly brought to Amalfi in 1206 during the Fourth Crusade. There’s been a church on this site since the 9th century, and incredibly that building still stands, today housing the Diocesan Museum of Amalfi. The present cathedral was started in the 10th century.

Visit One of Amalfi’s Historic Paper Mills

For centuries Amalfi has been a centre for paper-making, a skill learned from Arab traders. Today there are only two working mills left, but you can visit one of them as it houses the fascinating Museo della Carta.

Find a Cave that was once Part of a Monastery

Only a 3-minute drive from the bustle of Amalfi is Atrani, the second-smallest municipality in Italy with a population of under 900. It has lots to offer, though, including a black sand beach and the Grotto of the Saints. The cave is all that remains of a monastery that was built into and around it, and its walls are covered in paintings including the four Evangelists.

Try a Regional Specialty in the Place Where It’s Made

Once, most places along the Amalfi coast were fishing villages, and they would all have made their own colatura di alici, or anchovy sauce, a food dressing that goes back to Roman times. Today only one genuine fishing village remains, Cetara, and the fishermen here do still go fishing for anchovies to make into this sauce. One restaurant which makes its own is the Ristorante Acquapazza, so it’s worth seeking out.

Buy an Ancient Craft Direct from the Craftsmen

All along the coast you can find the distinctive local polychrome ceramics, especially in the town of Vietri sul Mare where most of them are made. Don’t simply go into any old shop, though. Head for the Ceramica Artistica Solimene, a family-run factory and shop which has been producing these ceramics for over a century.

Find the Smallest Beach on the Coast

The tiny beach in the delightful little town of Furore is crowded when there’s only a few dozen people on it. Fortunately this means it doesn’t attract the crowds, only local people, and outside of the summer season only a handful of people ever use it.

See a Villa with Views that Stretch Forever

The Villa Cimbrone in Ravello is on everyone’s list of sights to see on the Amalfi Coast, but allow time to visit the Terrace of Infinity, which is not only a graceful terrace lined with statues it also provides the views along the coast in both directions which give it its name.