Positano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

One of the gems of southern Italy’s Campania region, the alluring beauty of the Amalfi Coast attracts countless visitors every year. It is no surprise that its picturesque villages, rocky beaches and impossibly narrow roads are packed during these warm summer months. For travelers in search of the authentic sights, sounds and flavors of the Amalfi Coast, the summer crowds can be a turn off at first sight. In truth, the undiscovered charms of the Amalfi Coast are waiting around every twist and turn of this rocky coastline, and with a few tips you can experience it at its very best.

The beautiful towns of Amalfi, Positano and Ravello – the top tourist destinations on the Amalfi Coast – will most likely be a part of your itinerary. But if the crowds in the piazza seem too much at times, look for a quiet street and head in that direction. The best way to see any Italian city is by walking, and along the Amalfi Coast this is an especially rewarding experience. It gives you the time to see the authentic way of life, feel the ancient cobblestones underfoot, and smell the tantalizing aromas wafting out of open windows. Of course, exploring the paesi built along the steep cliffs on the Amalfi Coast always involves steps - sometimes a lot of them. Bring comfortable shoes for the days you plan to spend walking, and your feet will thank you by the end of the day. Yet you will be well rewarded during your walks with unexpected courtyards, garden terraces, laundry-filled balconies, and a glimpse of daily life as it is lived on the Amalfi Coast.

Long before a road was built, the towns along the Amalfi Coast were connected only by a series of footpaths. Today a hike along these well-maintained pathways offers breathtaking viste and a chance to see the peaceful and rural face of the Costiera Amalfitana. Heading up or down one of these pathways, you will soon be surrounded by terraces carved out of the mountainsides, carefully planted with lemon groves, grape vines, and olive and fig trees. Once outside of the larger towns, the quiet grandeur of the mountain landscape reaching to the sea is breathtaking. The pathways lead in and out of little frazioni, or hamlets, where you can rest and experience a quiet piece of everyday life on the Amalfi Coast.

While many of the beaches are crowded this time of year, you don’t have to go far to find some of the secluded charms of the Amalfi Coast. Renting a small boat for the day (services are available in Amalfi, Positano and most other cities along the coast) allows you to explore the rugged cliffs and intensely blue sea. Along the way you can discover little bays and hidden beaches only reachable by boat, not to mention the little islands which speckle the entire coast. The tip of the Amalfi Coast stretching west of Positano is relatively untouched by human hands and tourism. The charming seaside village of Nerano, located near the tip of the Amalfi Coast, makes an excellent stop for lunch.

Once you have explored the winding city streets and admired the breathtaking views from the mountains and the sea, you have experienced firsthand the true beauty of the Amalfi Coast – a beauty that that lures visitors back again and again. Whether you are traveling to the Amalfi Coast or another of Italy’s beautiful destinations, remember that heading off the beaten path often leads to unexpected discoveries, memories of a lifetime, and the chance to experience the authentic and untouched beauty Italy offers.