The town of Amalfi is considered to be the “heart” of the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Surprisingly picturesque, Amalfi attracts tourists with its natural landscapes, magnificent architectural monuments, and, of course, crystal-clear sea. Situated on the slopes of steep cliffs, the town is partially built as terraces, where the roofs of the houses are also someone’s floor. I would say, there are different ways of how to get to Amalfi, so let’s check them out.
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When to travel to Amalfi
It is pleasant to travel to Amalfi town at any time of the year, because the local climate is quite mild. In the summer season, the number of tourists increases, since Amalfi can also be considered as a beach resort. You can find small-pebble beaches here equipped with everything you need. Local sea shore is warm and gentle and there are almost no waves.
During the off-season, from October to April, the resort is less crowded and travellers can enjoy strolling around and observing unique architecture as well as eating out and try local authentic gastronomy.
After some research, I decided to put together information I have previously found out and create a complete guide on how to organize a holiday in Amalfi town. I figured out how to get to Amalfi town, where to stay & what to see there. I really hope this detailed information will help you plan your trip to this magnificent sea resort located not far from Rome and Naples.
How to get to Amalfi
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Where do you fly into to get to Amalfi town? You can get to Amalfi town from Rome or Naples, because the closest international airports are located exactly there. Both direct and connecting flights land in Rome as well as in Naples. The current flight timetable can be checked via specialized online services such as Aviasales and others. I often use Aviasales when planning my trips, because it can compare a great variety of available flight options at the same time.
How to get to Amalfi from Rome
The distance between Rome and Amalfi is 275 km. Amalfi does not have its own railway station, the nearest is in the city of Salerno. It means tourists need to combine a train and a bus to reach their travel destination by public transport. As an option, you can also use private transport, e.g. take a taxi or rent a car.
How to get to Amalfi from Rome by public transport
As I found out, trains from Rome to Salerno run daily, approximately 2-3 times per hour. The travel time varies from 2 to 3 hours, depending on the type of train (regional or high-speed). You can check the train timetable at the Raileurope online service.
From Salerno, local buses of the Sita Sud company run in the direction of the Amalfi Coast. By bus you can get to any coastal town, including Amalfi town. The travel time is 1 hour more.
How to get to Amalfi from Rome by taxi
You can get from Rome to Amalfi directly by taxi. This is especially relevant for a night flight, when public transport does not operate. You can find a taxi upon arrival at Rome airport. You can also pre-order an individual transfer service. In this case, a car will already be waiting for you at the time of your arrival.
Transfer options from Rome airport to Amalfi can be viewed on the various online booking services such as Intui.Travel, Kiwitaxi and others. The travel time from the airport is usually about 2 hours 50 minutes. According to my research, both online services mentioned above have a lot of positive reviews so I can totally recommend it.
How to get to Amalfi from Rome by car
One of the most common ways of how to get to Amalfi from Rome is to rent a car. This option is extremely popular, as it allows you to explore the entire Amalfi Coast, where is much more convenient to travel by car than by public transport. Rome and Amalfi town are connected by the E45 highway (see on the map). The travel time is approximately 3 hours 20 minutes.
You can book car rental in advance via various online services, such as Discover Cars, Economybookings, etc. Based on my experience, both online services have a decent search. I would recommend comparing their results to find out the best available option. Keep in mind, during the peak-season, it is better to book a car in advance.
How to get to Amalfi from Naples
After some map researching, I discovered that the distance between Naples and Amalfi is about 70 km. Travellers can use both public transport and a car or a taxi to reach their desired destination.
How to get to Amalfi from Naples by bus
From Naples to Amalfi town, you can get by bus in about 2 hours. Buses leave from the Ferraris Stazione Vesuviana station. The same Sita Sud carrier operates the trips along this route. Buses go through another picturesque town of Amalfi Coast called Maiori.
How to get to Amalfi from Naples by taxi
You can get to Amalfi town directly from Naples Airport by taxi. The travel time is about 1 hour 30 minutes. You can find a taxi upon arrival at Rome airport. You can also pre-order an individual transfer service. Current transfer options from Naples to Amalfi can be found via such popular online services as Intui.Travel, Kiwitaxi and others. Anyway, a taxi remains one of the most convenient and fastest ways of how to get to Amalfi town from Naples.
How to get to Amalfi from Naples by car
Another popular way to get to Amalfi town from Naples is to rent a car. You can rent a car directly at Naples airport. This will allow you to travel at your own pace and rhythm, without looking back at the public transport timetable. You can find a suitable option in advance via car rental online booking services such as Discover Cars, Economybookings and others. I can recommend both online services as they have a decent search with a lot of useful options to find out the best available car rentals. Naples and Amalfi town are connected by #A3/E45 (see on the map).
Where to stay in Amalfi
After you have already figured out how to get to Amalfi, it is the time to discover accommodation opportunities. Tourists can stay in Amalfi town in hotels of various star ratings as well as in apartments, holiday homes and even guest houses. During the peak season the resort can be overcrowded, so I would recommend booking accommodation in advance.
As a rule, most Amalfi hotels are located on the coast and have a terrace view of the sea. Some hotels have direct access to the beach, but these are a minority, and the cost of staying in such hotels is usually higher. In general, even if you choose a hotel not so close to the beaches, this will not spoil the impressions of the holiday, because Amalfi town is a relatively small resort, where everything is located within walking distance.
Amalfi hotels
Vista d` Amalfi 3* is located in a quiet area with stunning sea views. There is a terrace available at every room. The distance to the center of Amalfi is 3.5 km. Guests are provided with a fully equipped sun terrace, free Wi-Fi, paid public parking. It is important to have a parking place in case you choose a car as a way of how to get to Amalfi town. The hotel offers rooms of different capacities. Each room is equipped with a coffee pot or a kettle.
Hotel La Pergola 3* is located at some distance from the center of Amalfi town and is surrounded by a lemon grove. The nearest beach is a 5-minute walk away. The hotel has a terrace with sea views, a bar, a restaurant, free Wi-Fi, and paid private parking, which is available upon prior reservation. It also has rooms of various capacities.
Locanda Costa D’Amalfi bed and breakfast hotel can boast its location. A 5-minute walk leads you directly to the coast and beaches. It features an outdoor terrace with panoramic views, a free shuttle to the historic center of Amalfi town, and a bus stop with links to other towns along the Amalfi Coast. Free Wi-Fi and free parking are also provided.
Amalfi Apartments
Renting apartments in Amalfi is becoming increasingly popular among tourists year after year. There are several reasons. For example, staying in apartments allows you to feel more free and not depend on hotel rules. Today, there are already twice as many offers for renting apartments as there are hotel offers.
Amalfi Hills complex of apartments in Amalfi town offers accommodation in various configurations. It offers an outdoor pool, a restaurant, bike rental, free Wi-Fi and paid private parking (reservation required).
Villa Mare Amalfi two-bedroom holiday home is located in the Amalfi area, a 15-minute drive from the town center. Wi-Fi is free. There is paid private parking nearby, but reservation is required. As online booking services provide tourists reviews, I found out that the house has everything you need, including a balcony, satellite TV, air conditioning, iron, washing machine and a hairdryer.
What to see in Amalfi
People go to Amalfi town primarily for its natural scenery. The town is located on a rocky cliff, and its slender houses are nestled on terraced ledges. At the very foot of the cliff, in secluded Gulfs, there are several pebble and sand beaches. This is how the Amalfi Coast differs from the Ligurian coast, where the rocky shores go straight into the sea.
Historical attractions
Several historical monuments have been preserved in the town itself, the largest of which is the Cathedral of St. Andrew. In addition, Amalfi is surrounded by lemon groves, where it is pleasant to take walks.
Walking around Amalfi, it is impossible to ignore the views on the Cathedral of St. Andrew. It is located on the central square of the resort called Piazza Duomo. The exterior of the cathedral is quite unusual for Italy and made in Byzantine style. Another decoration of the cathedral is the tower, which proudly rises above all the buildings of Amalfi town. In my point of view, it is a must-see in Amalfi town.
Boat trips
After wandering around the old streets of the town, where panoramic views of the sea open up from different sides, go on a boat trip. You can do this from the local pier, where excursion trips on motorboats are offered to guests. The most interesting option for such a trip would be a visit to the famous Emerald Grotto – a cave in one of the coastal rocks, hidden from people’s eyes.
This grotto is lined with salt, which is why the color of the water here is almost emerald. You can go down to the grotto on a specially equipped elevator. You can book a boat trip on the spot or in advance via Tiqets and other online services.
Other towns to explore
If you want to visit other towns of the Amalfi Coast, you can do it by public transport. There is a bus service between the towns. You can leave from the nearest bus stop. Thus, the distance from Amalfi to Positano is 18.5 km, to Ravello is 7 km, to Maiori is 6 km. You can travel by car as well.
Amalfi beaches
In my opinion, it is difficult to imagine a holiday in Amalfi without a beach and a sea. Although the local beaches cannot be called the best in Italy, they are still very popular with holidaymakers in Amalfi. As I found out, most of the beaches here are paid. Having paid for entry, you will be able to use sun loungers and umbrellas on the beach. Another feature of the local beaches is their size.
The Amalfi beaches are quite small, and can be quite crowded in the summer. Keep in mind, the local beaches are covered with pebbles or sand. The entrance to the sea is gentle, and there are almost no waves. The Amalfi beaches are suitable for families with children, if you can tolerate pebbles.
Overall, I can say that Amalfi town is a bright and picturesque place to travel to due to its unique architectural features and exclusive services. There are different ways of how to get to Amalfi town, but the starting points are usually Rome or Naples. Both have internation airports. Be it public transport or a car, tourists can always choose the best suitable option for them.
Take a note! When going on a trip to Italy, do not forget to take out travel insurance, which is useful for receiving a tourist visa and for solving emerging medical problems when travelling in another country. You can purchase insurance via online services, for example, via EKTA and others. You can choose from different modes, including quiet, active or extreme rest.
Photo above the article: Xiquinho Silva
Julia is an experienced traveller, BA in International Relations and Languages and true lover of planning trips in advance. Learn more about the author…
