Amalfi Coast
it presents itself as a dream landscape with romantic bays, picture-perfect towns, top hotels and impressive mountains.
The Amalfi Coast with its unique coastal landscape, framed by the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Lattari Mountains, is like something out of a picture book. Wildly jagged cliffs, rugged rock formations, fjord-like bays, terraces with wine and lemons and in between, strung like pearls on a necklace, small towns with a great past and incredible charm. From Positano, which lies around 60 kilometers south of Naples, the Costiera Amalfi-tana stretches over 40 kilometers to Salerno. With its overwhelming beauty, it has long been a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is specially protected as such. It was the construction of the Amalfitana - an engineering marvel and dream road between sea and sky - in 1857 that ended the isolation of the region, which had previously been almost exclusively accessible by sea. From then on, the Amalfi Coast was considered a place of longing for travelers - and one of the most glamorous backdrops for the dolce vita feeling of the 1950s to 80s. Painters, poets, writers and celebrities from the silver screen established the reputation and fame that the coast still enjoys today. Countless international films have made use of this irresistibly picturesque landscape. John Steinbeck, who visited Positano in 1953 and wrote an ode to the town for Harper's Bazaar, made Positano world-famous and a pilgrimage destination for artists and Hollywood stars.
Exhausted but exhilarated, we sip our delicious ice-cold limoncello served by Luigi on the spectacular terrace of the Hotel Villa Franca above Positano. In a charming mix of Italian, English and German, he asks if we have arrived by car. We nod. "Brutto strada, crazy conduttore, er, driver, er driver," he mumbles to himself. After all, he, the proud Neapolitan, sees how his fellow countrymen and tourists act behind the wheel every day. And we too have just arrived in Positano after a two-hour drive from Sorrento via the spectacular Amalfitana. We enjoyed the stunning views of the "Costiera divina", the divine coast, and the intense blue Tyrrhenian Sea. Provided, of course, that the conditions allowed it. Driving on this famous road, which clings to the rocky Lattari Mountains in crazy hairpin bends, demands nerves of steel and full attention from the driver, as the locals disregard all road rules and even cheekily overtake in blind hairpin bends where overtaking is forbidden, scraping past each other by millimetres. The countless dented cars prove that this doesn't always go well. "In the back seat, my wife and I clutched each other tightly, crying hysterically," is how John Steinbeck described his journey back then ...
Positano: pearl on the coast Positano, often called the "vertical town" due to its construction on the mountain, is considered the pearl of the Amalfi Coast. Pastel-colored houses and many narrow stairways with countless fashion boutiques as well as ceramics and souvenir stores nestle on the steep slope down to the Marina Grande. The once sophisticated and exclusive place still likes to bask in the glow of famous guests such as George Clooney, Frank Sinatra, Pablo Picasso and Bill Gates, who dropped anchor here with his mega yacht. They all helped to create the myth that inevitably attracts "mere mortals". Sensing this, Steinbeck wrote as early as 1953: "If I talk about this place, it will be overcrowded with tourists who will ruin it." Unfortunately, this applies to the entire Amalfi Coast, even though "ruining" is not really the word.
Sorrento is a good starting point for exploring the Costiera Amalfi-tana. The town literally floats on a tuff rock above the sea. From here you can see the entire Gulf of Naples all the way to Mount Vesuvius. Less glamorous than Positano, Sorrento has many charming alleyways with colorful stores where tourists enjoy browsing. Apart from kitschy lemon souvenirs, the handmade leather sandals from Corium in the Via degli Archi are an attractive purchase. The central meeting point is Piazza Tasso, named after the poet Torquato Tasso, who was born here in 1544. The cafés, restaurants and bars in the picturesque square are the perfect place to enjoy a little dolce far niente and the much-appreciated "see and be seen" after a tour of the historic old town, where you can still admire the remains of the city wall built by the Greeks and relics from Roman times. Other popular villages and towns along the Amalfi Coast are Praiano, Conca dei Marini, Ravello, Salerno and Vietri sul Mare, where you can still enjoy the authentic Italian way of life today.
Dolce far niente-- in bella Italia After Positano, Amalfi, which gives its name to the coast, is the most visited place by tourists. The picturesque Mediterranean architecture with the Cathedral of St. Andrea, built in 937, and the enchanting old town are well worth a visit. But even in the low season, as on our trip in mid-October, the small town is flooded with tourists, with many a beautiful sight being restricted by selfie sticks. So it's best to come first thing in the morning, because the early bird catches the worm here before 10 am. Incidentally, you should also take this to heart in Ravello, which is 350 meters above sea level and boasts one of the most fascinating views of the entire Amalfi Coast. Many famous artists and Hollywood celebrities have sought creative leisure here. Peace and seclusion can be found in the exclusive local hotels. These are often time-honored monasteries, manor houses and palazzi that have been converted into luxurious hideaways - such as the Monastero Santa Rosa or the Belmond Caruso. However, as soon as you leave your exclusive temporary hideaway and head to the tourist hotspots, you simply have to be able to tolerate and endure the contrast between the overwhelming landscape, idyllic location and crowds of people. A phenomenon that applies to many of the most beautiful places in the world.
Highlights
Connoisseur Circle special tip
Cooking with Mamma Agata. Learning to cook original Italian cuisine with Mamma Agata is certainly one of the most authentic experiences on the Amalfi Coast. As a young girl, she was in the service of a wealthy American woman who was a frequent visitor to Hollywood society. Humphrey Bogart, Liz Taylor, Anita Ekberg and Fred Astaire all praised her spaghetti alla puttanesca and pasta e fagioli. Today, she gives private cooking classes at her home and runs a small restaurant with just four tables (advance booking required). Pure Italian feeling!
Piazza S. Cosma 9, 84010 Ravello (Salerno), Italy
Phone/fax: +39 89 857845
E-mail: info@mammaagata.com
www.mammaagata.com
DIPLOMATISCHE VERTRETUNGEN
in Germany
Italian Embassy in Berlin
Hiroshimastr. 1, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Tel +49 30 254400
Fax +49 30 25440116
E-mail: segreteria.berlino@esteri.it
www.ambberlino.esteri.it
in Austria
Italian Embassy in Vienna
Rennweg 27, 1030 Vienna, Austria
Phone: +43 1 7125121
Fax: +43 1 7139719
E-mail: ambasciata.vienna@esteri.it
www.ambvienna.esteri.it
in Switzerland
Italian Embassy Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Elfenstrasse 14, 3006 Bern, Switzerland
Phone: +41 31 3500777
Fax: +41 31 3500711
E-mail: ambasciata.berna@esteri.it
www.botschaft-bern.com/italienische.html
Lage
zwischen Neapel und Salerno
Fläche
Italien
Sprache
Italienisch
Anreise
Nonstop nach Neapel von verschiedenen deutschen Flughäfen z.B. mit Lufthansa, Easyjet oder Eurowings. Von dort aus weiter mit Zug, Mietwagen, Taxi oder dem Hotel-Shuttle. Die Amalfitana, Kurvenstar und 40 km lange Küstenstraße zwischen Positano und Vietri sul Mare, gehört zu den schönsten und aufregendsten Panoramastraßen der Welt. Sie bietet spektakuläre Ausblicke und ist streckenweise so eng, dass nicht mal mehr ein Blatt Papier zwischen all die Autos, Laster und Busse passt.
Größte Stadt
Amalfi
Religion
Catholic
Weather
Am Golf von Neapel herrscht ein mediterranes Klima. Pro Jahr scheint an ca. 250 Tagen die Sonne! Auch wenn die Sommermonate heiß und trocken sein können, weht in der Hafenstadt immer eine angenehme Brise.
Die Durchschnittstemperaturen liegen im Sommer zwischen 25 und 31 Grad. Die Winter sind etwas feucht und es regnet manchmal, doch die Temperaturen liegen zwischen 4 und 11 Grad.
Auch auf den Inseln ist die Sommerhitze durch eine leichte Meeresbrise weniger spürbar und das Wasser angenehm warm. Die durchschnittlichen Wassertemperaturen liegen im Mai bei 18 C, 21 C im Juni, 24 C im Juli, 26 C im August, 23 C im September und 22 C im Oktober.
Beste Reisezeit
Mai bis Oktober. Am Entspanntesten im Mai/Juni und September, da dann die zahlreichen Besucher noch nicht da oder bereits weg sind.
Klima
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. Temperaturen | 11 | 12 | 15 | 18 | 22 | 27 | 29 | 31 | 26 | 21 | 17 | 13 |
| Min. Temperaturen | 6 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 11 | 7 |
| Sonnenstunden | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
| Regentage | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 12 |
| Wassertemperatur | 14 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 24 | 26 | 23 | 22 | 16 | 15 |
Zeitverschiebung
MEZ
Währung
Euro
Visa
Einreise- und Aufenthaltsbedingungen
Bürger aller EU-Mitgliedsstaaten benötigen für die Einreise und den Aufenthalt kein Visum. Die Einreise kann auch mit einem Personalausweis erfolgen.
Vaccinations
No vaccinations are required to enter Italy. There is a medium risk of infection for hepatitis A and hepatitis B in some regions of southern Italy. For more information, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Information without guarantee.
Positano
The world is upright - at least in Positano, John Steinbeck once said. In the picturesque coastal town with its high glamor factor and candy-coloured houses, one classy boutique follows another in the narrow alleyways and stairways. The selection is casual and elegant, but not cheap.
Eudoteca Cuomo
Small, family-run gourmet store with fantastic local products. Here you can buy excellent wines, olives, cheese, salami and the best sun-drenched
sun-dried tomatoes.
Via dei Mulini 3, Positano
Franco's Bar
Trendy aperitivo hotspot with a dream view of the sunset. Belongs to the legendary Hotel Le Sirenuse. Via Cristoforo Colombo 30, Positano,
www.francosbar.com
Praiano
Lesser-known, small fishing village that nestles picturesquely against the rocky hills.
Africana Famous Club
Famous nightclub with a spectacular ambience in a rocky grotto right by the sea. Even Paris Hilton liked it, who danced here last summer.
www.africanafamousclub.com
Amalfi:
Giving its name to the entire coast, Amalfi was once one of the most powerful and richest maritime republics along with Genoa, Pisa and Venice. The contact with the Arabs is not only reflected in the architecture, but also brought the art of paper making to Amalfi - a wonderful souvenir that is easy to transport.
Amalfia Antiqua & Antiche Stampe di Amalfi
Here you will find the finest stationery, writing paper, notebooks, albums made of Amatruda paper and old vedute of Amalfi.
Via Frá Gerardo Sasso, resp.
Piazza Duomo 11, Amalfi
Museo della Carta
The small museum provides an interesting insight into the art of paper production Small store with pretty souvenirs.
Via delle Cartiere 24, Amalfi,
www.museodellacarta.it
Pasticceria Andrea Pansa
Oldest confectionery in Amalfi directly on the cathedral square. Since 1830, you simply can't go past the sweet temptations here: almond cookies, mocha truffles, profiteroles al limone, plus
excellent espresso.
www.pasticceriapansa.it
Duomo Di Sant' Andrea
The heart of the coastal town beats in the cathedral square with its many small stores and cafés. The cathedral itself, with its magnificent mosaic-decorated façade and mystical cloister, can be reached via a wide, steep stone staircase. The relics of St. Andrew the Apostle are kept in the crypt.
In the lime heaven
Salvatore Aceto guides guests through the lime groves above Amalfi, which his family now runs for six generations, every day from 10.30 am. Afterwards, they can visit the in-house museum, attend a cooking course or visit the well-stocked store, where everything from liqueurs to pastries is available. The meeting point is in front of the cathedral, from where the tour continues by e-cart.
www.amalfilemon.it
Sorrento
Sorrento is extremely popular as a starting point for tours along the Amalfi Coast due to its location. The small town with its winding old town streets and spectacular cliffs has been attracting visitors from all over the world for more than 200 years.
San Francesco
Built in 600 and founded as a monastery by Franciscan monks in the 14th century and constantly expanded, a successful mix of styles has been created over the centuries. The romantic monastery garden with its cloister is an oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling town. Free open-air concerts are held here during the summer months.
P. Francesco Saverio Gargiulo 8
Marina Grande
The small fishing harbor at the foot of the cliffs with many good trattorias can be reached on foot through winding streets.
alleyways. The view of Naples and Mount Vesuvius is spectacular. If you want, you can also watch the fishermen at work.
Confetti e Agrumetti
This small store not only sells the best handmade chocolates and almond cookies, but you can also watch the extremely charming owner making lemoncello. Via San Cesareo 51,
www.confettieagrumetti.it
Food in Italy - Campanian cuisine
For a long time, Campanian cuisine and that of Naples were divided into two parts: On the one hand, there was the simple cuisine, which was intended for the poor peasants and consisted mainly of crops and cereals and where meat and fish were only served on special occasions. On the other hand, there was the sumptuous and spectacular cuisine for the nobility and the Neapolitan royal family, which was influenced by Spanish and French court cuisine. Today, the two cuisines have largely converged, but over time many of the sumptuous dishes of the
However, many of the sumptuous dishes of the aristocracy have disappeared over time and the economic situation of the rest of the population has improved to such an extent that they hardly have to do without meat, fish and all the other ingredients of Campania cuisine.
have to do without.
Amalfi Coast trip - The most exquisite nightlife
Positano in particular is known for its vibrant nightlife. During the sweet summer nights, the bars in Positano are full of locals and visitors people-watching. There are also numerous bars with plenty of luxury or less formal entertainment. On the beach at Spiaggia Grande there are a number of tavernas that invite you to linger. On the other hand, discotheques in Positano offer the perfect meeting place for VIPs;
Ravello
"Closer to the sky than the sea" - this is how André Gide, winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, described the postcard-perfect village of Ravello high up on a hill. To this day, it has retained its very special magic and is considered an absolute favorite place for many Amalfitana travelers. The prudent town council closed the center to cars years ago.
Villa Cimbrone
In 1904, Lord Grimthorp had the 12th century palazzo redesigned and created an enchanting garden where you can stroll among hydrangeas, wisteria and camellias or in the shade of ancient dragon trees. An avenue of cypresses leads to the "Belvedere del Infinito", a panoramic terrace with a breathtaking view, which on clear days extends as far as the temples of Paestum and Capri. The garden is one of the most beautiful on the entire Amalfi Coast.
and is therefore very popular. The historic villa has been converted into a small luxury hotel with 19 rooms and suites. Greta Garbo also stayed here with her lover, the conductor Leopold Stokowski. Open: daily from 9.00 a.m. until sunset.
www.hotelvillacimbrone.com
Villa Rufolo
An enchanting 13th century complex with magnificent views and an impressive Moorish-style cloister. Richard Wagner was so enthusiastic in 1880 that he proclaimed "Klingsor's magic garden has been found" and set a monument to Villa Rufolo in the second act of Parsifal. Open: daily from 9.00 a.m. until sunset.
www.villarufolo.com
Ravello Festival
Since 1953, a renowned music festival has been held every year between June and September in honor of Richard Wagner.
www.ravelloarts.org
Camo and Museo del Corallo
Family-run store for cameo and coral jewelry with a tiny museum attached. The entertaining guided tour by the owner and cameo artist Giorgio Filocamo himself is a real treat. His handmade cameo creations have made it all over the world. Even Hillary Clinton and Susan Sarandon wear them.
Piazza Duomo 9, Ravello,
www.museodelcorallo.com
Ricordi di Ravello
Cuddly soft scarves, capes, sweaters, blouses in cool colors, designed according to own design from the finest materials such as cashmere and linen can be found at Ricordi directly at Piazza Duomo in Ravello.
Vietri sul Mare
The picturesque little town is best known for its handmade, colorful ceramics. Many houses and churches are decorated with the traditional tiles, often with religious motifs. A stroll through the narrow streets conveys the colorful, original Italian way of life.
San Giovanni Battista
The Renaissance church with its ceramic-decorated tower and tiled dome is the landmark of Vietri sul Mare.
Villa Guariglia
The old villa with park is now home to an interesting ceramics museum, where both sacred and everyday objects can be admired.
Via Nuova Raito
Conca dei Marini
Tiny fishing village with jet-set flair and the famous Grotta dello Smeraldo, which can be visited by rowing boat.
Extratour
Loneliness on the Amalfi Coast? There is that too - for example when you are on the Sentiero degli Dei, the "Path of the Gods" above Positano. According to legend, the path bears its name because the gods once walked along it. The views along the eight-kilometre route are also truly divine.
www.amalfi-wanderweg.de Wellness in Italy - The Amalfi Coast as a wellness oasis
The
Amalfi Coast is a prime example of beauty, relaxation,
uniqueness and, in some respects, luxury. Anyone who has
Amalfi Coast once, will always
will always want to return to this beautiful corner of the world. Many of the smaller villages and towns along the coast
along the coast offer special wellness trips that not only provide
luxury, but above all for relaxation and a pleasant atmosphere.
ambience. You have the option of staying in an exquisite villa
or in a luxurious hotel to experience a wonderful wellness trip.
wellness trip. Take advantage of the numerous leisure activities on the
Amalfi Coast, such as swimming, snorkeling, diving and boating or
hiking through the surrounding area and, above all, enjoy the delicious
dishes, which are all freshly prepared and made with exquisite ingredients.
and prepared with exquisite ingredients. A fantastic view of the Tyrrhenian Sea,
also ensures relaxation, peace and quiet.
Sights of the Amalfi Coast - historical and noble
The spectacular Amalfi Coast, with the charming seaside resorts of Positano, Amalfi and Ravello, where the narrow road fights its way like a shoelace to the abyss of gravity, has one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. You often feel transported back to the sunny, carefree days of the sixties, because the beauty and romance of the time has not changed here.
The people of the Amalfi Coast have a strong affinity with their beloved coastline and they have perfected the art of living: They are a part of the elements around them. Life here still revolves around the sun and the sea and the joy of living. Drive along the coast, past the green terraces of vines, past lemon and olive groves and let yourself be pampered by a panorama of breathtaking beauty.
Vacation Amalfi Coast - Chic boutiques and leather footwear
For shopping fans, the Amalfi Coast really has nothing exciting to offer. Only
Positano has a few chic boutiques, the rest is rather forgettable in terms of fashion.
fashion-wise rather forgettable. Leather shoes can be ordered made to measure
otherwise the typical ceramics and paintings are worth a look.
local artists are worth a look.
Hotels
