Technically speaking, the Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline along southern Italy overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Gulf of Salerno. But to many, the area is one of the most beautiful in Italy, and its landscape is the true embodiment of la dolce vita. Known for its small villages nestled into imposing mountains, winding streets, pebbled beaches, turquoise waters, and pastel-colored houses that seem to have been carved out of the craggy hillsides, the Amalfi Coast is a marvel to behold. It’s no wonder it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stunning coastline is peppered with 13 towns, and every week America Domani has released a brief list highlighting their history and unique characteristics. This week’s list, which will be America Domani’s last, features:
Praiano
Only located a 15-minute drive away from Positano, this quaint fishing village is decorated with painted majolica tiles and tributes to San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples. Praiano, a low-key seaside resort and a hotspot for art, is also a prime location for a quick loop on The Path of the Gods, the Amalfi Coast’s hiking path.
Scala
Located a short walk from Ravello, the town of Scala sits on a rocky hill roughly 400 meters above sea level. According to legend, it was founded in the 4th century AD by a group of shipwrecked Romans trying to find their way to Constantinople. The area surrounding Scala is known for its lemon and tomato terraces, and chestnut tree forests.
Tramonti
Tramonti consists of a smattering of 13 villages scattered across 13 small valleys. Its bucolic landscape is freckled with vineyards, chestnut woods, grazing sheep, lemon groves, and olive trees. The word Tramonti comes from “tra i monti,” meaning “among the mountains.”
Vietri sul Mare
The fishing village of Vietri sul Mare is the ceramics capital of Campania, and its pottery production dates back to the Romans. The town also used to produce pottery for the royal court of Naples. The town’s winding streets are full of artisanal storefronts selling ceramics in all shapes, sizes, and colors.
Asia London Palomba
Asia London Palomba is a trilingual freelance journalist from Rome, Italy. In the past, her work on culture, travel, and history has been published in The Boston Globe, Atlas Obscura, The Christian Science Monitor, and Grub Street, New York Magazine's food section. In her free time, Asia enjoys traveling home to Italy to spend time with family and friends, drinking Hugo Spritzes, and making her nonna's homemade cavatelli.