Amalfi rewards walkers, history buffs, and food lovers with a compact town center and spectacular coastal scenery. The 9th-century Duomo dominates Piazza del Duomo, the Paper Museum tells the town’s industrial story, and the Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods) delivers some of the most dramatic coastal views in Europe. Most attractions are within a 10-minute walk of each other, so you can cover the town in a day if you’re efficient, or linger for three days with side trips to Ravello and Atrani.. For more details, see our Amalfi weather by month. Read our best time to visit Amalfi for detailed information.
Things to Do in Amalfi: Historic Landmarks
Duomo di Amalfi (Cattedrale di Sant’Andrea)
The Arab-Norman cathedral dominates Amalfi’s main square with its 62-step staircase, striped facade, and bronze doors cast in Constantinople in 1066. Entry to the cathedral itself is free. The Cloister of Paradise (Chiostro del Paradiso, €3) contains 13th-century Moorish-influenced arches and sarcophagi from the Roman period. The crypt below holds the relics of Saint Andrew, brought from Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. The cathedral museum (€3) displays medieval manuscripts, bishops’ vestments, and the 12th-century Angevin mitre. Open daily 9 AM to 6 PM (closes 7 PM in summer). Mass is held Sunday at 10:30 AM if you want to experience the interior during a service. Arrive before 9:30 AM in July and August to avoid the worst crowds. Read our Amalfi events and festivals for detailed information.
Museo della Carta (Paper Museum)
Housed in a 13th-century paper mill in the Valle dei Mulini, this museum demonstrates how Amalfi became one of Europe’s leading paper producers from the 12th century onward. The 30-minute guided tour (€4.50, English and Italian available) walks you through the original rag-paper production process using water-powered hammers. You can make your own sheet of handmade paper at the end. The museum shop sells high-quality notebooks, watercolor paper, and calligraphy sets made on the premises. Open daily 10 AM to 6:30 PM (March-October), reduced hours in winter. Located a 5-minute walk uphill from Piazza del Duomo. Read our best neighborhoods in Amalfi for detailed information.
Arsenale della Repubblica
The medieval shipyard where Amalfi’s maritime republic built its war galleys now hosts rotating art exhibitions and the Amalfi Musical in summer. The stone-vaulted halls with their pointed arches date from the 11th century and survived the 1343 tsunami that destroyed much of the lower town. Entry is typically €4-5 depending on the exhibition. Check the current show at the tourist office in Piazza del Duomo. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 7 PM. Read our where to stay in Amalfi for detailed information.
Things to Do in Amalfi: Outdoor Activities and Nature
Sentiero degli Dei (Path of the Gods)
This 7.8 km hiking trail runs from Bomerano (a frazione of Agerola) to Nocelle above Positano, delivering 600-meter-high views of the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri. The hike takes 2.5-3.5 hours one way and is rated moderate (some steep sections but no technical climbing). Start at Bomerano, reachable by SITA bus 5080 from Amalfi (40 minutes, €2.20). Bring water and snacks: there are no vendors on the trail itself. From Nocelle, take 1,700 steps down to Positano or catch the local bus. The trail is passable from mid-March through late October. In peak summer, start by 7:30 AM to finish before the midday heat. Read our Amalfi travel tips for detailed information.
Valle delle Ferriere Nature Reserve
This protected valley behind Amalfi follows the Canneto River through a microclimate where tropical ferns, waterfalls, and the rare Woodwardia radicans giant fern thrive. The lower trail starts from Pontone (a hamlet above Amalfi, reachable by a 30-minute walk up from the town) and follows the river for about 3 km before reaching the Riserva entrance. The full loop is roughly 5 km and takes 2-3 hours. You’ll need sturdy shoes: the path is rocky and can be slippery after rain. Entry to the reserve is free. The best months are April-June when water flow is highest and temperatures are comfortable. The valley’s own microclimate means it’s 3-5°C cooler than the coast, making it a good escape on hot July days.
Boat Tour to Grotta dello Smeraldo
The Emerald Grotto is a sea cave near Conca dei Marini, 4 km west of Amalfi. Sunlight filtering through an underwater opening turns the water an intense emerald green. Boat tours from Amalfi’s harbor cost about €15-20 per person for the 30-minute ride plus cave entry (€7, includes a small rowboat inside the grotto). Tours run April through October, roughly every 30-60 minutes from 9 AM to 4 PM. You can also reach it via SITA bus 5070 from Amalfi to the Grotta dello Smeraldo stop (10 minutes, €1.30). The nativity scene submerged 4 meters underwater near the cave floor was placed there in 1956 and is visible when water clarity is good.
Things to Do in Amalfi: Beaches
Marina Grande Beach
Amalfi’s main beach is a 200-meter stretch of dark volcanic sand and pebbles right in front of the town. The western half is a free public beach; the eastern side is operated by lidos renting sun loungers and umbrellas (€20-30/day in summer). Water quality is good (Blue Flag certified), and the shallow entry makes it suitable for children. The beach gets packed by 11 AM in August, so arrive early to claim a spot. Showers and bathrooms are available at the lido sections. Restaurants and bars line the promenade directly behind the beach.
Spiaggia del Duoglio
A quieter alternative 1.5 km west of town, reached by descending roughly 400 steps from the Amalfi-Positano coastal road. This pebble beach is narrower but far less crowded than Marina Grande. One lido operates here (Lido degli Artisti, €15-20/day for a lounger), and the clear water attracts snorkelers. There’s a small bar for drinks and light food. No sand, so bring water shoes. The steps back up are the price of the relative solitude, but the views of the coastline from the stairway are worth it.
Things to Do in Amalfi: Day Trips
Ravello
Perched 365 meters above the coast, Ravello is a 25-minute SITA bus ride from Amalfi (€1.30). The town’s two famous villas justify the trip: Villa Rufolo (€8, open daily 9 AM to 8 PM in summer) with its Moorish cloister and clifftop gardens that inspired Wagner’s Parsifal, and Villa Cimbrone (€10, same hours) whose Terrace of Infinity delivers a 180-degree coastal panorama. The Ravello Festival runs classical concerts in Villa Rufolo from June through September. Buses run roughly every 30 minutes but fill up fast in summer afternoons; catch an early bus up and return before 4 PM to avoid the crush.
Atrani
Italy’s smallest comune (0.12 km²) is a 10-minute walk from Amalfi through a pedestrian tunnel carved into the cliffside. Atrani’s whitewashed houses climb the valley walls above a small piazza and a modest beach. The Church of San Salvatore de’ Birecto (10th century) has a bronze door similar to the Duomo’s, and the square fills with locals at aperitivo hour. Atrani has several good trattorias at lower prices than Amalfi, making it a good dinner destination. The beach here is free (no lidos) and gets morning sun but shade by early afternoon due to the narrow valley. Atrani celebrates its own Festa di Santa Maria Maddalena on July 22 with a fireworks display over the water.
