Naples, Sorrento & Amalfi Coast
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About Napoli, Sorrento, and the Amalfi Coast
Campania is perhaps most famous for the stunning Amalfi coastline stretching between Sorrento and Salerno. Villages cascade down the cliffsides and plunge dramatically into the sea.
Naples may be the major city within the region, but the areas of Caserta, Benevento, Salerno and Avelino and the enchanting islands of Capri, Sichia and Pocida should not be overlooked. The whole area is extraordinarily rich in culture with the classical remains at Herculaneum, Pompeii and Paestum. From more recent periods the baroque Royal Palace in Caserta should definitely not be missed. The spectacular natural scenery includes the mountainous parks around Mount Vesuvius and along the Cilento coast. A drive or boat trip along the famous Amalfi coast is a must although the drive is not for the faint-hearted!
The main towns of the Amalfi coast are all connected well by public transport (boats and buses) and there are numerous ferry crossings over to the islands from Sorrento as well as Naples. Sorrento is also the terminus of the local rural train service – the Circumvesuviana which, as the name indicates, travels from Naples around Vesuvius. Sorrento is a bustling and cosmopolitan city with a wide choice of pavement cafes, bars, restaurants and shops. The narrow streets of the centre are filled with charming souvenir stalls and boutique shops. A short walk down the hill (or a quick bus ride) is the port that is the departure point for the boat trips and ferries. Beaches in the area are few and far between owing to the rocky nature of the coastline. By adapting, there are now a number of man-made bathing platforms giving access to the sea.
Another town not to be missed is Positano where the traffic-free centre is a myriad of winding alleyways, steps and cosy alcoves that can often provide welcome shade from the heat of the sun. Despite the amount of walking required due to the lack of vehicles in the centre, the exclusivity and glamour combined with the still traditional feel is always apparent. The fine shingle beach here is one of the few along this coast and there are numerous boat trips that also depart from Positano.
Amalfi itself has a main square that is the perfect location for a relaxing aperitif against the spectacular background of the beautifully tiled Duomo. Limoncello is the order of the day here – it is produced locally in the numerous terraced orchards that dominate the cliff faces in the area. There is also a small and often crowded public beach at Amalfi and there are numerous quieter coves and rocky inlets along the coast.
In the lush green hills above Amalfi is the stunning Ravello with its breathtaking views, the stunning Villa Rufolo and during the summer the famous music festival in honour of Wagner.