The Amalfi Coast is less a single sight than a string of towns stacked on cliffs, joined by a winding road, by boats and by old footpaths. This page starts with the landscape, then looks at Amalfi, Positano and Ravello, and ends with the day tours that cover the coast from Naples, from Sorrento or from the towns themselves.
The coast lies on the southern side of the peninsula formed by the Lattari Mountains, in the province of Salerno, and it was added to the World Heritage List in 1997. Bare rock, woods and maquis alternate with lemon groves and vineyards. On the lower slopes people cut terraces for vines and fruit, while sheep grazed the higher ground.
Several of the coast's old towns flourished when Amalfi was a powerful maritime republic, and some of their buildings still blend eastern and western elements. This mix is known as the Arab-Norman style.
From the town, a route climbs through the lemon terraces and then crosses the strictly protected reserve of the Valle delle Ferriere, past streams, waterfalls and old mills. In 2025 the FAO recognised Amalfi's lemon groves and terraced farming system as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS), the first site in Italy to receive it.
Positano has a long history: Palaeolithic and Mesolithic remains found here show that the area has been lived in since prehistoric times. Ravello is one of the coast's characteristic villages, together with Scala and Tramonti, and several of the day tours below stop there.
Many visitors see the coast in a single day by road. From Naples, choose a full-day guided tour with Positano, a guided tour with panoramic stops, a full day with a guide or a route through Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Ravello; for a private day there is a trip to Ravello or a day that combines Pompeii, Sorrento and Amalfi.
From Sorrento, a guided tour with lunch or a private full-day tour follows the same road. Other options include a guided tour of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, a guided day out with Ravello and lunch, a private tour that adds Pompeii and a private tour to Vietri, Cetara and quieter corners.
Every trip that starts or stops here is also listed on the destination page.
Yes, it has been on the World Heritage List since 1997.
On foot from Amalfi: the route goes up past the lemon groves and into the reserve.
Since prehistoric times: Palaeolithic and Mesolithic remains were found at Positano.
They received GIAHS status from the FAO in 2025, a first for Italy.
Scala, Tramonti and Ravello.
