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Visit Amalfi Coast By Boat

Sailing along the most beautiful trait of the Tyrrhenian coast

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You are about to visit one of the most fascinating Italian regions in terms of history, monuments, and natural beauties: Campania. With its breathtaking landscapes, historical monuments and natural heritage is definitely the perfect place for the most demanding travelers, a place where you can satisfy every taste and request. Today we set sail to the renowned Amalfi Coast, one of the most frequented destinations for tourists all over the world.

The Amalfi Coast, located in the southwest part of Italy, stretches along the Tyrrhenian coast that goes from Punta Campanella to Vietri Sul Mare, and it's been declared World Heritage by UNESCO. High rocky cliffs rising up from the sea, interrupted by small inlets and bays where towns were built, represent the perfect balance between man and nature that characterizes the Amalfi Coast. There are so many places to visit in this area and you are more than welcome to check them all if you have the time, but in this article, we'll make sure to cover those who are not to be missed. 

Its amazing reputation makes the Amalfi Coast a crowded location practically all year round, with high peaks registered during the summer season. For this reason, the best and most strategic way of visiting it is by renting a boat: in this way, not only will you be able to avoid crowds for parking spots and lidos, but you will also enjoy some of the most amazing views and unique experiences. 

To be fair, the whole of Campania is rich in beauty all over the territory. If you're a lover of hiking and historical beauties, you won't miss the list of things to do in Campania suggested at the end of this article. An exclusive itinerary between history and nature that will literally take your breath away!   

If you wish to follow this itinerary, we suggest checking Sailogy's boats' availability in Salerno.  


1. The Amalfi Coast Itinerary: best places to visit by boat

      1.1 Vietri Sul Mare 

      1.2 Cetara 

      1.3 Amalfi 

      1.4 Praiano 

      1.5 Furore

      1.6 Positano

      1.7 Sorrento

2. What to see in Campania: experiences around the Amalfi Coast 

      2.1 Path of the Gods 

      2.2 Pompeii Ruins

      2.3 The Vesuvius National Park 

      2.5 Villa Romana Marittima of Minori

      2.4 Archeological Park of Paestum


Vietri Sul Mare 

Our itinerary starts in the southern part of the Coast, in a town also known as "the first pearl of the Amalfi Coast": we're talking about the stunning Vietri Sul Mare. The town is renowned for the production of colorful ceramics, which are exposed everywhere and brighten up the streets. Vietri sits on a beautiful panoramic hill with the Marina at its feet: there, you can visit La Baia, the main beach of fine sand, or the smaller and hidden beaches of Crestarella and Marina di Albori, pebbly but with crystal clear waters. 

Un tipico negozio di ceramiche nel centro storico di Vietri sul Mare

A typical ceramics shop in the town of Vietri Sul Mare 

Cetara 

Sailing up north, we reach the beautiful Cetara. Coming from the sea, the first thing you will notice is the Vicereale Tower of Angevin origins, which has now been converted into a museum and a luxury event location. This fishermen's town is famous for its colatura di alici, a salty sauce made from fermented salted anchovies: this sauce is the main ingredient of many local dishes that attract foodies from all over the world. If you stop in Cetara, you also can't forget to try the famous Cuoppo, a street-food style paper cone filled with quality fried fish.

The Marina is divided into Marina beach and Port beach, which stretch along the inlet, and the touristic port, in which you can land to visit the town. Two little gems are hidden in this area: the beach of Collata, pebbly and with clear waters, and Spiaggia degli Innamorati (the Lovers Beach), both reachable only by boat or by swimming. Don't miss them! 

Vista di Cetara e della Torre

View of Cetara and the Vicereale Tower 

Amalfi 

Amalfi is definitely one of the most famous destinations on the Coast. During the 9th century, the city was one of the Italian Maritime Republics, a strategic political and commercial point, and it's now been declared World Heritage by UNESCO. Coming from the sea, the city appears to extend from its gulf to the surrounding hills with a slight slope. Get lost in the narrow streets full of colors and smells and reach the beautiful square in front of the Cathedral. The exotic touches of the Duomo's architecture, the Constantinopolitan bronze door, and the intertwined arches in the cloister of Paradise of Amalfi remind us of the cosmopolitan nature of the city. In the square, you can sit at a table to enjoy a fresh Limoncello Spritz and admire the grandeur of the cathedral.

The lemons of Amalfi are renowned worldwide. Similar to cedar, they present a tasty thick skin that is completely edible. This variety of lemons is what makes the Limoncello of Amalfi so unique. You will be impressed by the size of the lemons exposed in the streets of Amalfi! 

Marina Grande beach stretches along the inlet in front of the city, and it's full of lidos and often very crowded. We suggest escaping the bustle and visiting the near Duoglio Beach, easily reachable by boat or through a stiff staircase. Here, you will enjoy absolute peace surrounded by turquoise waters and the colors of the Mediterranean bush. 

Il Duomo di Amalfi visto dalla piazza

The cathedral of Amalfi from the square.

Praiano

Praiano is one of the most impressive locations on the whole Amalfi Coast. The town is located inside a narrow inlet, precisely on the base of Mount Tre Pizzi emerged from the sea, and it's nestled between rocky cliffs that stretch to the Marina. For this reason, Praiano is known to be full of staircases, essential for reaching different parts of the town. 

Marina di Praiano beach is one of the most beautiful on the Amalfi Coast, and it's kissed by the sun only during the main hours of the day. If you need more sunlight, visit the near Gavitella Cove, reachable by boat or through one of the many staircases. Only by boat, you can visit the Africana and Suppraiano Grottos and enjoy the amazing light effects in the blue waters.  

Praiano incastonata tra le ripide rocce della Costiera

The rocky cliffs surrounding Praiano. 

Furore

Our itinerary continues to one of the locations that most captures the essence of the Coast. We're talking about Furore, also known as "neverland town", as it's mostly made of little houses scattered around the area down to the Marina rather than a proper town, all surrounding the famous Fjord of Furore. The fjord was generated from a river with little water, which is now dried up. Around the fjord, a little piece of heaven came to life in a perfect combination of man and nature. 

The small Furore beach is only reachable through a staircase (you don't say!), and it's one of the most scenic beaches on the Coast, but the best way to admire the beauties of this scenario is definitely on a boat. Take a dip in the blue water while enjoying the view! 

Il ponte che attraversa il suggestivo Fiordo di Furore
The bridge crossing the Fjord of Furore. 

Positano

Nestled in the mountain and surrounded by the vigorous Mediterranean bush, Positano is such a picturesque town that it almost looks like a natural stage setting. From the sea, it seems like a big manger, a cascade of colorful houses flowing into the sea. The narrow streets are full of boutiques scattered along the staircases to reach the Marina Grande. Positano is a city to be savored! Here you can relax and enjoy the slow rhythm of Mediterranean life. 

From Positano, you can easily reach the legendary Li Galli Islands by boat, also known as the Isles of the Sirens. According to some interpretations, here is where Ulysses and his companions encountered the sirens and managed to escape their deadly call thanks to the suggestions of the sorceress Circe. The sirens who lived in these places were not exactly as we picture them in our minds, they were actually described as some sort of raptors by local fishermen who affirmed to have seen them. Please note that, even though it is possible to circumnavigate and swim around them, the islands are private property and therefore cannot be visited. 

La bellissima Positano incastonata nella montagna

The beautiful Positano with Li Galli islands in the background.

Sorrento

We conclude our journey in the magic Gulf of Sorrento. Located on a promontory overlooking the sea, the city vants a stunning view of the Gulf of Naples and the majestic Vesuvius: this view, along with the crystal clear waters, the fragrant gardens, and the historical monuments of Sorrento enchant everyone who visits this city. The historical center is full of craft shops and historical buildings such as the Cathedral of Sorrento, the Church of San Francesco and the sedil dominova, the only ancient noble seats that can still be admired in Campania. In the center of the city is Piazza Tasso, dedicated to the famous Italian writer who was born here. 

At the foot of the city, you can visit the beautiful fishermen's villages of Marina Grande and Marina Piccola, well known for being the location of the famous movie "Pane, Amore, e..." (Scandal in Sorrento) with Vittorio De Sica and Sofia Loren. Here it's a must to taste one of the best dishes of Sorrento's culinary tradition: gnocchi alla sorrentina! We can already smell the fresh basil...    

Apart from Marina Piccola beach, this trait of coast offers various amazing locations to explore by boat. Some of the most beautiful beaches are Pignatella beach, Mitigliano Cove and the renowned Baths of Queen Giovanna

Il magnifico Golfo di Sorrento visto dall'alto

Arial view of the Gulf of Sorrento. 


2. What to see in Campania: experiences around the Amalfi Coast  

The region of Campania not only does attract tourists to the Amalfi Coast but also to the hidden beauties of the hinterland. From the Coast, you can easily reach other interesting locations full of history and natural landscapes. Nature and culture are, in fact, the main ingredient of the below list of experiences that we strongly recommend not to miss. 

Path of the Gods

La vista mozzafiato dal Sentiero degli Dei The stunning views you can enjoy on a boat are unique, and that's for sure. But what if you could see the Amalfi Coast from a new, breathtaking perspective? We drive up to Mount Pertuso to reach a village called Agerola: this is the starting point of the Path of the Gods, which connects the village to the one of Nocelle. It's an 8 kilometers long panoramic trekking route that extends along a trait of the Amalfi Coast at a height of 630 meters above sea level, declared one of the most beautiful paths in the world. 

On this trekking route, which lasts about 4 hours, you can enjoy some of the most amazing views of the Amalfi Coast, surrounded by the colors and smells of the Mediterranean bush, and the imposing rock faces of the mountain. An experience that is impossible to describe in words! This is a path with a low to medium difficulty and it's suitable for everyone, but we do not recommend it if you are afraid of heights.    

Once you reach the small town of Nocelle, you can rest in the square adjacent to the Church of Santa Croce and admire the amazing view of Positano from its terrace while eating a fresh lemon granita. From here, the more adventurous ones can choose to reach Positano down a very long staircase, or you can either take one of the buses that connect the two towns. 

Pompeii Ruins

Le vie della città di Pompei

 The ruins of the city of Pompeii, located at the foot of the Vesuvius, represent an important archeological site that has been declared World Heritage by UNESCO. 

At the site, you can see the well-preserved buildings and corpses of people trapped under lava after the volcano explosion in 79 b.C., and walk through the streets of a city that almost seems alive. Many years of archeological excavations uncovered unique treasures that helped to reconstruct life during the Roman empire. A visit to the Pompeii Ruins can last a whole day, but the Building of Eumachia, the Villa of Diomede and the Thermopolium of Asellina are a must-see! 

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The Vesuvius National Park

Vista del cratere del Vesuvio

The imposing volcano that overlooks the Gulf of Naples is at the center of the Vesuvius National Park. Since 1995, the hundreds of acres surrounding the volcano became a reserve protected by UNESCO for its geological, naturalistic, and archaeological relevance. The park organizes many initiatives aimed at acquainting people with the preservation of this territory, focusing in a particular way on kids and teaching them to respect such a precious land.  

In the park, you can book hikings and explore the amazing biodiversity that characterizes the territory, and it is also possibile to reach the crater with a local guide. Moreover, in the area surrounding the park you can have access to museums, archeological sites and historical buildings. If you are a hiking lover, this place is for you! 

Villa Romana Marittima of Minori 

Le terme nella villa marittima di Minori

In Minori, a town in the Amalfi Coast located between Vietri Sul Mare and Amalfi, there are the remains of a Roman Villa Marittima. This specific trait of coast was particularely loved by the Roman aristocracy, and we know this because of the many ruins found in other nearby towns. The Villa was built between 30 and 60 a.C. and at that time it overlooked the sea: the phenomenon of bradyseism caused by the volcanic action of the territory, led to the emergence of parts of the coast and because of this, the Villa is now located in the hinterland, quite far from the sea. 

The massive Roman Villa is spread over two floors, with the lower ground presenting a triclinium (dining room) for banquets at its center. It also includes a viridarium with gardens and pools, thermal baths (see picture on the left) and some magnificent porches. The Villa is currently located in the center of the town of Minori and can be visited every day: an amazing experience for those who wish to immerse in the Roman empire history of the Amalfi Coast.  

Archeological Park of Paestum 

I templi del sito archeologico di Paestum Finally, moving south of the Amalfi Coast, in a sea town called Paestum, we can experience history in all of its glory: here, you can visit the amazing Archeological Park of Paestum, a complex comprising museums and archeological sites of immense importance dedicated to the Roman and Greek history of these territories. The area extends for over 60 acres and includes magnificent monuments, such as temples (see picture), agorà, tombs, theaters, public buildings and much more. Visiting the park is an absolute amazing experience and will blow the minds of guests of all ages! 

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If you wish to enjoy the amazing vibes of the Amalfi Coast, check our boats availability in the area and book your next Italian holiday! 

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