Deemed by UNESCO, the Amalfi Coast is a alluring combination of great beauty and fascinating drama: coastal mountains plunge into the sea in a stunning vertical scene of cliffs, picturesque towns and lush forests.

Together with ENIT-Italia and MyAustrian Holiday, I had the chance to explore Italy’s most picturesque Amalfi Coast and to discover the hidden treasures of the beautiful coast, taking boat trips from Salerno to Positano, Amalfi and Ravello.

This unforgettable experience started last Monday with a direct flight from Vienna to Naples, which took my friend Adelina and me in 1h 45min to arrive to the capital of Campania. From the Naples airport, we took a shuttle bus via Amalfi to Salerno. The quickest way to arrive to Amalfi Coast is by train or by bus, that takes about 40 min to arrive to Salerno region. We stayed in Salerno, which is located on the Gulf of Salerno on the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Salerno was an independent Lombard principality in the early Middle Ages. During this time, it became the city of the first medical school in the world. Today Salerno might be a cultural centre in Campania, but personally I wasn’t so impressed by this city, as much as I was impressed by Positano and Amalfi. However, it’s quiet affordable to stay in Salerno and than take boat trips along the coastline and also to Capri, which is 2h far from Salerno.

Legendary Positano and Amalfi sparkle the brightest, while mountaintop Ravello has the breathtaking few over the sea, with beautiful villas and Wagnerian connection. Aside from its sheer beauty, the region is home to some superb restaurants and hotels. It is also one of Italy’s top spots for hiking, with well-marked trails providing a great means of getting away from the coastal glamour.

In three days, I have visited Amalfi, Positano, Ravello and here are the reasons why you should visit these three famous cities in Amalfi Coast:

AMALFI

Amalfi, the UNESCO World Heritage Sites – is a town and comune in the province of Salerno, in the region of Campania, Italy, on the Gulf of Salerno. In the 1920s and 1930s, Amalfi was a popular holiday destination for the British upper class and aristocracy. Now it’s a little more modest, with a small population, but can be very crowded with tourists in peak season. The short seafront promenade is a good place to relax and soak up the sun, before you explore the narrow streets of Amalfi. Make sure you visit the Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea – a beautiful 9th century cathedral perched at the top of a wide set of stairs, and overlooking the Piazza del Duomo. Also check out the Museo Arsenale Amalfi, before an obligatory gelato break.

RAVELLO

Take a double-decker bus from Amalfi to Ravello, and enjoy the spectacular view while driving high in the hills above the Amalfi coast. Ravello is as glamorous as it is cultured, with a long history of entertaining the rich and famous. Granted UNESCO World Heritage status, it is home to the impressive Villa Rufolo – said to inspired Wagner, and now home to an annual chamber music concert – where visitors can gaze out over the coastline from the well tended gardens. Wander the streets, stopping at the little boutiques to buy handmade ceramics and locally produced limoncello, or find a table at one of the many family-run trattorias for dinner with a side order of a spectacular vista.

POSITANO

There are many beautiful towns and villages along the Amalfi coast but Positano is the arguably the most photogenic village in the whole region. This former fishing village turned to chic resort, is the place to be seen and attracts a good looking, exclusive crowd. Gorgeous pastel villas clinging to the mountainside, exclusive boutiques, cosmopolitan restaurants and a mostly crowded but very cute beach.

© DisiCouture