10 things to see in Amalfi, the pearl of the Amalfi Coast

Cathedral of Sant’Andrea

Built in 987, the Cathedral of Sant’Andrea is one of the symbolic places of Amalfi. Its Byzantine-style facade decorated with polychrome marble is the iconic face of the city and, towering at the top of an imposing staircase overlooking Piazza del Duomo, is the Amalfi monument that is the first to be seen on the horizon.

Lovers of sacred art will appreciate the Baroque soul of this splendid religious building, which features frescoes and marble decorations. Adjacent to the cathedral is the twelfth-century bell tower, while at the foot of the staircase stands the eighteenth-century fountain dedicated to Saint Andrew. A walk in the charming Cloister of Paradise, splendid in its Byzantine style, and a visit to the crypt where the remains of Saint Andrew are kept are a must.

Rione Vagliendola: the heart of the historic center

Although every corner of Amalfi envelops visitors with its authenticity, the Rione Vagliendola is at the top of the list of things to see in Amalfi; it is no coincidence that it is considered the most characteristic district, full of suggestive places that offer a real dip into the past. Between sumptuous noble residences and turreted houses, the district winds up to the former Convent of San Pietro della Canonica and houses the suggestive Monastery of SS. Trinity and the Church of Sant’Antonio. Those who take a quiet walk in this part of the city will be captivated by the unmistakable atmosphere of everyday life, among shops, pastry shops, and tiny shops that overlook the very narrow streets.

“Cap’ e ciuccio” fountain

The historic center, an inexhaustible source of suggestive views and curiosities, also houses great little treasures, such as the “Cap ‘e ciuccio” fountain. This one, located in Piazzetta Spirito Santo, intrigues tourists with its unique composition: a finely detailed nativity scene is positioned between the two marble heads that serve as sources.

The beaches

Amalfi is above all a seaside resort, to be experienced on the beach: to enjoy a quiet day at the beach, you can stop at the Marina Grande beach, easily reachable from the town and starting point for numerous boat excursions. Alternatively, one kilometer from the town is Duoglio Beach, known for its 400-step staircase. For those who want to combine a few hours of relaxation by the sea with an excursion, there is the nearby Atrani: the small village, in fact, enjoys a particular beach divided in half by the Dragon River and is fully included among the things to see in Amalfi.

Emerald Grotto

As the name suggests, the Emerald Grotto owes its fame to the typical green color that the water takes on, reflecting the sun’s rays that filter through the rocks. Discovered in 1932 by the fisherman Luigi Buonocore, this cave features amazing internal formations such as stalactites and stalagmites,s and is home to rare marine species. To visit it, you can book a boat tour.
If you would like to visit the evocative Emerald Grotto (Grotta dello Smeraldo), it is advisable to take a bus from Amalfi. The grotto is about 5 kilometers from the town center, and parking nearby is difficult, even for scooters.

Valle delle ferriere

For those who love trekking, this spectacular nature reserve is in the top ten of things to see in Amalfi. Following the path that winds from the Lattari Mountains to Amalfi, you are immersed in unspoiled nature, encountering the ruins of the medieval ironworks and water mills that have allowed the Amalfi paper industry to flourish.

By following the trail that starts in Amalfi, you can reach the impressive Valle delle Ferriere in about one hour, with its natural waterfalls, medieval ruins, and lush, unspoiled vegetation.

Torre dello Ziro

The Torre dello Ziro, an ancient lookout tower built to defend against attacks by the Saracens by sea, was later converted into a prison complete with ramparts and walkways. Together with the remains of the walls, it is one of the things to see in Amalfi. In this symbolic place of the Grand Duchy of Amalfi, Giovanna d’Aragona, known as “The madwoman”, spent her imprisonment.

If you wish to explore it, we recommend reaching Pontone or Scala by scooter, then following the signs. The walking route is relatively short and not too demanding.

Arsenale della Repubblica

Those who love history and want to take a dip back in time to relive the Maritime Republic of Amalfi will find an interesting visit to the Arsenale della Repubblica, which is just a 10-minute walk from Piazza del Duomo. The building, a superb example of medieval architecture, was occupied by the Amalfi shipyards; today it has the ancient structure intact and houses the Compass Museum and the Marine Art Museum. Here, it is possible to retrace the maritime history of Amalfi through essential museum collections.

Valle dei Mulini

In addition to the glorious past of seafaring power, Amalfi is also known worldwide for its paper production, which developed in the ancient Campania municipality between the 12th and 13th centuries. Introduced by the Arabs, who had learned it from the Chinese, the paper-making technique in Amalfi soon became the basis for a thriving business that continued to grow until the end of the 1700s. At this time, the city counted as many as 16 paper mills and a real production area known as the Valle dei Mulini, which exploited the hydraulic energy of the Canneto River. This green area at the gates of the city is still crossed by a mule track that follows the Vernotico stream and allows you to admire the ancient mills: visiting it means treating yourself to a dip between nature and history.

The Paper Museum

If you choose to take a dip in the history of Amalfi paper production and cross the Valle dei Mulini, the Paper Museum is worth a visit. This ancient restored paper mill allows you to closely observe the machinery used to produce the ancient Charta Bambagina, the famous Amalfi paper still used today for essential documents and valuable publications.