Visit Amalfi: what to do and to see

Visit Amalfi, that thanks to its impenetrable position, during the 9th century became the first Maritime Republic and issued the Maritime Code of Amalfi (the Maritime Tablet Code of Amalfi).

Amalfi, a town with Roman origins, was the house of Normans, Saracens and Lombards, which let it shine and flourish.

Today, Amalfi is one of the most visited destinations in the world thanks to its beauty offered by the fascinating Lattari Mountains and the beautiful crystal clear sea.

From both Naples and Salerno, the best option to reach Amalfi is by the Sita Sud buses. From April to September/October it is possible to reach Amalfi by the Travelmar ferry-boats that leave from Salerno.

The first thing that will catch your eye as soon as you get to Amalfi is the Cathedral in honor of the patron of Amalfi Saint Andrew, and the Fountain of Saint Andrew that is right in the middle of the square which dispenses drinkable water, a real blessing in the hot summer days!

Next to the complex of the Amalfi Cathedral there is the tiny and evocative Cloister (known as “Chiostro del Paradiso”), dominated in the center by the Arabian garden with very tall palm trees and frescoes, once a cemetery for the rich people of Amalfi.

It is cheap to visit the Cloister and to visit the Cathedral, the crypt, the museum and the church (named Chiesa del Crocifisso) is cheap as well.

Going down to Piazza Flavio Gioia, next to the seafront, you will find the Antico Arsenale della Repubblica di Amalfi (Ancient Arsenal of the Amalfi Republic) inside a late medieval building.

Safeguarding the legacy of Amalfi, the Arsenal keeps the Maritime Tablet Code of Amalfi compiled in the 9th century, which regulated the maritime transports across the Mediterranean Sea up to the 16th century.

Walking through the old town of Amalfi, along the main street, you’ll find the tiny yet picturesque Fontana Cap’ ‘e ciuccio  (the fountain named after the donkeys that used to drink there) that nowadays holds a permanent nativity scene, and where tourists toss a coin making a wish.

Proceeding northward you’ll get to the Museo della Carta (the Paper Museum), set up inside an ancient paper mill, that shows the different working techniques of the refined paper of Amalfi,  with machineries and equipment for the handmade production of paper that still work.

The ticket price of the Museo della Carta (the Paper Museum) is €4,50, it is also possible to add the handmade experience for an extra €7,00 that includes the opportunity to directly experience the making  of a sheet of paper.

Once you leave the Museo della Carta (the Paper Museum), you can take a walk along the path to the upper part of Amalfi, that enters the Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills), so called because in the past it used to house the watermills employed for the paper making.

A memorable itinerary through nature and history where you can find a “limoncello” liqueur factory that you visit and…”try”!

Certainly the first thing one should do is have a swim in the crystal clear sea of Amalfi at the Marina Grande Beach, offering all the comforts, but be sure to get there early in the morning or you may not find any space.

If you are into wild nature, Amalfi has plenty of excursions, in the mountains or out on the sea, that can suit you. Such as the trip to the Grotta dello Smeraldo (Emerald Green Grotto), that you can reach either by sea or by land from Conca dei Marini, or maybe go trekking through  the Valle delle Ferriere (the Valley of the Ironworks) and visit Valle dei Mulini (Valley of the Mills).

For those less daring, instead, we suggest going shopping in Amalfi; you can buy some “limoncello” or local wines, delicious desserts and buy souvenirs in tiny handcraft shops along the alleys.