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Cities Information
AMALFI COAST
The
Amalfi Coast, Italy (la Costiera Amalfitana) is a
beautiful and much-praised stretch of mountainous
coastline south of Naples, in Campania. The southern end
of the Bay of Naples stretches out in a peninsula that
reaches towards the Isle of Capri. Sorrento, another major
tourist destination, looks back towards Naples from the
north coast of the peninsula. The southern side of the
peninsula is dotted with picturesque villages and towns
clinging giddily to cliffs; this is what is known as the
Amalfi Coast
For decades these fishing villages, stacked precariously
above the sea, have been one of Italy's major tourist
attractions. Nowadays the area's principal industry is
tourism, and a staggering number of hotels have been
squeezed into the restricted spaces of the small towns.
Well-accustomed to catering for affluent foreign tourists,
the area offers a generous selection of restaurants, bars,
boutiques, boat trips.. just about anything self-indulgent
that you can spend money on.
Although prices are generally high, there are affordable
options in the area. Some find the region over-developed
and over-crowded, especially in the height of summer, but
for many the little boutiques, ceramic shops and the
welcome laid on for tourists is part of the coastline's
charm. The views are undeniably breathtaking, and away
from the main road and the tourist hot-spots you can still
discover the peace that charmed earlier visitors.
Amalfi Coast Holiday Information
The main town of the coast is, of course, Amalfi, and this
makes a good base for exploring the area. Other popular
destinations are Ravello and Positano. Ravello is famous
for its beautiful gardens perched high in the mountains
above the sea, and for its classical music concerts.
Positano is on the coast to the west of Amalfi, and is a
traditionally 'posh' resort, where incredibly well-dressed
tourists wander past exclusive boutiques before dining at
even more exclusive restaurants.
Tourism is of prime importance in the area, and is the
major employer. Consequently, almost everyone you meet
will be friendly, obliging, speak very good English and
will do their best to help you.
 Amalfi
Coast Travel Information
The coastal road along the Amalfi Coast is famous for its
hairpin bends, fantastic views and general scariness. The
busy artery winds along the cliffs, affording glimpses of
blue sea directly below. The towns are all built at a very
steep angle, so streets zigzag backwards and forwards.
Many buildings - including hotels - are only accessible by
steep alleys and stairways.
The public transport along the coast is cheap and fairly
efficient. A company called SITA runs blue buses along the
coast, from Salerno to Amalfi, from Amalfi to Sorrento,
and from Amalfi to Ravello. Other small buses provide
transport within the towns.
Ferries connect the principal towns of the Amalfi Coast
area, and can be much quicker than buses. Travelmar (tel.
+39 089 872950) run connections between Salerno, Minori,
Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento. In Salerno there is a
tourist information office to your right as you leave the
station; they can give you a timetable for the boats.
Salerno to Amalfi takes 35 minutes, and costs ˆ4, with
eight departures daily in each direction.
The nearest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Naples
Capodichino.
If you're Traveling to the Amalfi Coast from Rome or
other parts of Italy, there are a number of options for
getting to the area: You can take a train to Naples or to
Salerno. From Salerno you can get the SITA bus to Amalfi,
and then a bus connection onwards if necessary (or take a
ferry all the way from Salerno). From Naples you can take
the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento (see Sorrento page),
then take a SITA bus to Amalfi via Positano.
An alternative option is to take a bus all the way from
Rome. This is a much better idea than it may sound at
first A bus company called Marozzi run a fast efficient
coach service from Rome to Amalfi (summer season only) or
to Sorrento (all year round). Obviously this method of
travel depends upon road congestion, but the buses are
usually fast and comfortable.
In 2002 Rome-Amalfi bus service operated from 1st June to
30th September, every day except Sundays. The daily bus
leaves Rome at 6am, and stops in Sorrento, Praiano and
Amalfi, arriving in Amalfi at 10:30am. The cost will be
around ˆ20 each way. Before planning your journey call to
confirm these details, as timetables can change. The
telephone number for information is (+39) 06 4424 9519).
Alternatively you can enquire and buy tickets at the
Marozzi kiosk by the bus station. (This is outside
Tiburtina station; cross the area where orange ATAC buses
are parked and you find a smarter covered area for
long-distance coaches.)
Bear in mind that the buses may not stop close to your
hotel, and roads can be steep or no more than staircases.
Ask your hotel for precise directions, and if necessary
carry the address in your hand, and ask the first locals
you see. Some hotels offer their own minibus service for
pick-ups, trips down to the beach etc.; find out about
this if your hotel is one of them.
Amalfi is also accessible by sea; an alternative option is
to take a water taxi or ferry (although many will not run
out of season).
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