10 Best Things To Do In Amalfi Town, Italy

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Amalfi Coast vs Amalfi Town: What’s the Difference?

If this is your first visit to the Amalfi Coast, you may not know that the Amalfi Coast and Amalfi Town are actually different.

The Amalfi Coast is a stretch of coastline in southern Italy. This includes famous towns such as Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Maiori and Minori. Amalfi Town is one of the many beautiful towns located along the coast.

Because Amalfi Town is centrally located and shares its name with the region, it’s easy to assume that the Amalfi Coast refers only to Amalfi itself. In reality, the Amalfi Coast is made up of several towns and villages, each with its own character and attractions.

Amalfi Town is often considered the heart of the Amalfi Coast and can make an excellent base for exploring the wider region thanks to its ferry connections, restaurants and central location.

Is Amalfi Town Worth Visiting?

Yes, Amalfi Town is absolutely worth visiting and is one of the highlights of any trip to the Amalfi Coast.

While towns like Positano often get more attention on social media, Amalfi offers a wonderful mix of history, culture and beautiful scenery.

There are plenty of things to see and do in Amalfi Town. It also makes a fantastic base for exploring the rest of the Amalfi Coast thanks to its central location and excellent ferry connections.

Whether you’re visiting for a few hours or staying for several days, Amalfi Town is definitely worth including in your itinerary. Looking for an ideal Amalfi Coast itinerary? Read this guide next.

How Long Do You Need in Amalfi?

If you’re just looking to explore the main sights, a half-day is enough to experience the highlights of Amalfi Town.

However, I think a full day is ideal, especially if you want to combine Amalfi with nearby Atrani (which I will share more about below), enjoy a leisurely lunch and spend some time soaking up the atmosphere without rushing.

On our most recent trip, we chose Maiori for our Amalfi Coast base. This is a fantastic location for families, and I would recommend it. However, if you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast without kids, Amalfi would also make a great base.

Amalfi is a great central location for exploring the coast and offers great ferry connections, making it a convenient place to stay if you’re planning day trips to Positano, Capri, Ravello or other towns along the coastline.

The 10 Best Things To Do in Amalfi Town

Here we’ll share the best things to do in Amalfi Town and tips to enjoy them!

1. Visit Amalfi Cathedral

One of the most famous landmarks on the Coast is the Amalfi Cathedral. This stunning building is officially named Duomo di Sant’Andrea Apostolo, which translates to Cathedral of St Andrew Apostle. This really is the top thing to do in Amalfi Town; I would recommend visiting.

As you reach the top of the main steps to the Cathedral, turn to the left. Here, you’ll find the entrance and ticket sales point. This leads you into the Cloister of Paradise. A small but beautiful garden attached to the main Cathedral.

After wandering the Cloisters, you head inside to a small museum before going down to the Crypt. Finally, you walk through the main Duomo, which is a very impressive sight.

Our children enjoyed the gardens, but weren’t particularly interested in the rest of the experience. We spent around half an hour here. If you’re exploring at a more relaxed pace, you could probably spend an hour.

Tickets cost €4 and can be purchased at the entrance. Children under 5 can visit for free. The tickets include the Cloister of Paradise (gardens), the Crypt, the Diocesan Museum and the Duomo.

Note: Like in most Italian churches, you are required to cover your shoulders and knees as a sign of respect. You also can’t wear a hat.

2. Explore Piazza Duomo

Located just outside Amalfi Cathedral, at the heart of Amalfi Town, you’ll find Piazza Duomo. This is one of the busiest spots on the Amalfi Coast. Surrounded by cafés, restaurants and historic buildings, it’s a great place to sit and enjoy a coffee or gelato.

The square leads to the impressive staircase leading up to Amalfi Cathedral. This makes it one of the most photographed locations in town.

In the centre of the square, you’ll also find the Sant’Andrea Fountain, a large marble fountain dedicated to Saint Andrew, the patron saint of Amalfi. Combined with the cathedral backdrop, it helps make Piazza Duomo one of the most recognisable landmarks in the town.

3. Walk to Atrani

While Amalfi Town itself can be explored in half a day, you can turn it into a full-day experience by also visiting the neighbouring town of Atrani. This was one of our favourite things to do in Amalfi Town.

Atrani is a bit of a hidden gem on the Amalfi Coast. It is much less well known than Amalfi itself, making it quieter and more relaxed.

Getting from Amalfi to Atrani is just a short walk, approximately 15 minutes. There is a tunnel connecting the two towns. Although it isn’t a very picturesque tunnel, it is pedestrianised, so you’re safe from traffic. Once you’re out of the tunnel, carefully cross the road and walk through the cafe shown in the photo below. You can then go down the steps to Atrani.

There isn’t too much to do in Atrani itself, but it is a nice place for a wander. The beach (Spiaggia di Atrani) was also much less crowded than Amalfi’s.

4. Relax on Amalfi Beach

We spent some time on Atrani beach, but we also visited Amalfi’s beach. During our visit in April, only a small section of the beach was occupied by sunbeds and umbrellas, leaving plenty of free space to sit.

However, if you’re visiting during the peak summer months, expect a much larger portion of the beach to be taken up by organised beach clubs, with the remaining public areas becoming considerably busier.

If you’re looking for a more spacious beach, try Maiori. Our full Maiori guide is linked here.

5. Try Paddleboarding

The main reason we also went to Amalfi Beach was to try paddleboarding! There is a small shop called Tonino o’Beach (I’ve linked their website) where you can rent kayaks or paddleboards. This is a great thing to do in Amalfi Town, especially if you’re sporty or visiting with older kids.

I also noticed on the website that you can message them to reserve a sunbed and umbrella, but it doesn’t say prices.

We paid €20 for an hour paddleboard rental; however, I expect the price will increase during peak season. The rental included a life jacket for my 6-year-old, and he absolutely loved his first paddleboarding experience.

Amalfi Beach is stones rather than sand. My 3-year-old enjoyed filling a shoe with pebbles while we watched them paddle (so easily pleased)!

6. Eat Lemon Gelato

The Amalfi Coast is famous for its lemon products, as lemons are commonly grown along the coast. There’s actually a fun walk called Path of the Lemons, where you can see them growing!

One of the top things to do in Amalfi Town is to try a lemon sorbet gelato served in a real lemon. There are even special bins (trash cans to my American readers) for the leftover lemon skins!

This is not a budget-friendly activity at €10 a lemon. As they’re a decent-sized serving, we ordered one for our kids to share.

Tip: In Maiori, which is just a 10-minute ferry from Amalfi Town, these lemon gelatos cost half the price at €5 each. Or have it in a regular tub for only €2.50! Read more about things to do in Maiori here.

7. Gaze at the Fountain

While Amalfi Town may be known for the impressive Sant’Andrea Fountain located in the main Piazza, there is another fountain that is well worth seeing.

The Fontana Cap è Ciuccio fountain is smaller, but very interesting as it is decorated with mini nativity-style figures. My children were fascinated by this impressive scene. I was surprised by how long they spent looking at it all!

This fountain is said to be a tribute to Amalfi’s history. Years ago, donkeys were commonly used to transport goods through the steep streets and mountain paths of the Amalfi Coast. They would stop to drink here. Today, it makes a popular photo stop and is a quirky reminder of the region’s past.

8. Shop Local Lemon Products

As I mentioned, the Amalfi Coast is famous for its lemons. You’ll find lemon-themed products everywhere you go in Amalfi Town. If lemon gelato isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other ways to bring a taste of the Amalfi Coast home with you.

Many of the small shops along Via Lorenzo D’Amalfi sell everything from handmade soaps and candles to pasta, sweets and locally produced limoncello. You’ll also find beautifully packaged lemon biscuits, chocolates and kitchen products that make lovely souvenirs or gifts.

There are also plenty of handmade ceramic items that would make a lovely souvenir from your trip to the Amalfi Coast.

Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s worth spending some time browsing the shops. The displays are colourful, and it’s a fun way to experience one of the region’s most famous traditions.

9. Have Lunch with a View

We stopped for lunch at Gran Caffè Amalfi, which is quite close to the entrance of the tunnel leading to Atrani. We were lucky to get a table in a prime spot overlooking the sea.

The food here was good and surprisingly affordably priced (as the Amalfi Coast is known for being expensive).

10. Take a Boat Trip

If you’re using Amalfi Town as a base to explore the wider Amalfi Coast, taking a ferry or boat trip is the nicest way to explore. There are plenty of organised boat tour options, depending on the town you wish to visit, with Positano being the most popular choice.

You also have the option to use the public ferries, which is what we did. I found the FerryHopper website really useful for comparing routes and prices, as multiple operators run along the coast.

A ferry ride is an experience in itself. We went from Maiori to Amalfi, which is only a 10-minute journey, but during that time, we saw some incredible views of the coastline that you just wouldn’t get from the road!

11. Bonus Thing to do in Amalfi Town: Paper Museum

While we didn’t do this personally, I have read that a visit to the Amalfi Paper Museum is a fun thing to do in Amalfi Town, especially for families. So I thought I would include it as an additional option here!

Here you can discover the history and process of handmade paper, which sounds like a unique activity!

Tickets cost €4.50 for adults, €3 for kids and children under 4 can visit for free.

Map of Visiting the Amalfi Coast

Below is our interactive map of the Amalfi Coast. It is an interactive map. Simply click the top right-hand corner to open it in Google Maps. Things to do in Amalfi Town and Atrani are pinned in yellow.

We also have detailed guides on Ravello, pinned in purple and Maiori, pinned in red. Make sure to read those next!

Tips for Visiting Amalfi Town With Kids

While Amalfi Town isn’t a destination where you’ll find a lot of kids-focused activities, we still really enjoyed visiting with our children. In fact, this is my favourite type of destination to visit.

The cathedral, harbour and bustling piazza gave them plenty to look at, and there were lots of opportunities to stop for snacks and gelato along the way. I’ve included some additional tips if you’re visiting Amalfi Town with kids below. Or read our full Amalfi Coast with kids guide here for additional tips!

Arrive Early

Amalfi can get extremely busy, especially during the summer months when ferries and tour groups arrive throughout the day. Visiting early in the morning will give you a chance to enjoy the town before the biggest crowds appear. This feels much more relaxed as kids can run about more freely, without fear of them getting lost in the crowd.

Avoid Bringing a Stroller if Possible

Like much of the Amalfi Coast, Amalfi has plenty of steps, uneven streets and narrow walkways. While a stroller is manageable in some areas, a baby carrier is often much easier if you’re travelling with younger children.

Our 3-year-old is an excellent walker, and he managed a day walking Amalfi and Atrani with just a couple of carries.

Take Plenty of Gelato Breaks

One of the easiest ways to keep children happy is to build in regular snack stops, even better if these are a sweet treat! Fortunately, Amalfi has no shortage of gelato shops, cafés and places to sit and take a break.

Use the Beach as a Sightseeing Break

If your children are starting to tire of exploring churches and narrow streets, the beach provides a great opportunity to slow down and let them burn off some energy before continuing your day.

As I mentioned, we stopped on both Amalfi and Atrani’s beaches, and it was a highlight of the day for our children.

Pair Amalfi With Atrani

I debated visiting Amalfi Town in the Morning before going on to Positano in the afternoon. On reflection, I’m glad we didn’t do this. Trying to do both would have meant a lot of travel time and probably feeling quite rushed.

Rather than trying to squeeze multiple towns into one day, I’d recommend combining Amalfi with nearby Atrani. The short walk between the two is easy to manage and gives you a chance to experience two very different sides of the Amalfi Coast without spending lots of time on ferries or buses.

Don’t Expect Traditional Family Attractions

Unlike some destinations, Amalfi isn’t packed with playgrounds, museums designed for children or family attractions. The appeal is more about soaking up the atmosphere, exploring the streets and enjoying the scenery. If you’re looking for a more family-focused base on the Amalfi Coast, I’d personally choose Maiori. Read our full Maiori guide here.

FAQs on Visiting Amalfi Town

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Amalfi Town

Amalfi Town is one of the most famous destinations on the Amalfi Coast. With its impressive cathedral, lively piazza, charming streets and beautiful coastal setting, it’s easy to see why so many visitors choose to include it in their itinerary.

Whether you’re stopping by for a few hours, spending a full day exploring or using it as a base for discovering the wider Amalfi Coast, Amalfi offers a wonderful mix of history, culture and scenery. We particularly enjoyed wandering through the town, browsing the local shops and paddleboarding at the beach.

While it can get busy during peak season, arriving early and allowing yourself plenty of time to explore will help you make the most of your visit. And if you have the chance, be sure to combine Amalfi with nearby Atrani for an even more memorable day on the Amalfi Coast.

For first-time visitors, Amalfi Town is one of those places that simply shouldn’t be missed.

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Thank you so much for reading our guide on the best things to do in Amalfi Town, Italy. We hope you have a wonderful stay on the Amalfi Coast.

Happy Exploring,