Amalfi Coast Travelers Recommend

The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's most popular destinations, largely thanks to its perfect relaxation conditions, but the area also offers plenty of outdoor adventures that can be tailored to just about any activity level. Here are some of our favorite ways to spend time outside on the Amalfi Coast. Water Activities Swimming is, of course, an easy way to beat the heat. Plant yourself on the beach so you can take a dip, or see more of the area on a boat tour around the coast's nearby islands, including Capri, where you can climb into a smaller boat to explore eery sea caves. Learn to catch the fish that locals have been fishing for generations, and even keep some of your catch for dinner. Travelers can also go sailing, snorkeling or diving in the waters off the Amalfi Coast, or opt for a truly romantic experience with a sunset cruise.

Perched on a tuff cliff above a sun-drenched bay, the town of Sorrento might lack fine-sand beaches, but it makes up for that fact with an abundance of other outdoor offerings, both on and off the water. The Italian city is also a great base for heading out on adventures along the coast. Here are some of the best ways to get outside while in Sorrento. Hiking By day, strolling a traditional lemon farm to taste local products is a popular outing, while late afternoon hikes to scenic points in the region offer stellar sunset views. Travelers can also take a casual trek through the orchard-dotted volcanic hills around Sorrento, or embark on one of Italy's most beautiful hikes, the Path of the Gods, which connects many Amalfi Coast villages. Another longer hike winds through the Lattari Mountains to the peak of Faito Mountain, where hikers are rewarded with a panorama of the coast extending from Cilento to Vesuvio.

Summer on the Amalfi Coast is technically June-August, although the high season with its corresponding hot weather, big crowds, and high prices usually runs from May through September. The hot weather is ideal for the top tourist pursuit on the coast - lounging on the beach - so soaring temperatures aren’t a deterrent for visitors. In fact, the weather is part of what attracts people by the thousands each summer. The crowds on the Amalfi Coast in the summer are responsible for hotel rooms being booked up months in advance, as well as for beaches being crowded nearly all day long. Even the many private beaches and beach clubs that require an admission fee are packed during the summer. To get a spot on the sand or an already-set-up beach chair and umbrella, you’ll need to stake your claim early in the day or head to one of the more remote beaches rather than the ones right in the town centers.

The bus trip from Sorrento to Salerno is one of the world’s most breathtaking – and not for the nervous. A winding cliff road gives you spectacular views of the cliffs and the Bay of Naples. Along the way you’ll pass through lemon groves clinging to mountainsides, and gorgeous little towns such as Positano, Ravello and Amalfi. If you prefer to get closer to nature, there are lovely walks to take. From Positano you can walk to Praiano along the famous Path of the Gods – it’s steep, rocky and a little wild and takes about six hours. Or walk from Amalfi to Positano, or take the gentle Ravello to Amalfi path which is downhill all the way. Within Sorrento, you can zigzag down the stone steps to Marina Grande, a lovely fishing village. There are paths crisscrossing all over the Sorrento Peninsula and Amalfi Coast and maps readily available.