Amalfi in 2 Days: everything you need to know

The Amalfi Coast hides a range of treasures and the town of Amalfi is one of its must-see corners. In its hinterland there are natural places of unique beauty, a coastline with refreshing beaches and infinite shades of blue, as well as buildings of great architectural and cultural importance. If you want to get to know this beautiful city but you only have two days, don't worry! You will have time to do all the essentials: visit the Paper Museum, the Cathedral and the Main Square and even escape to the coast or visit nearby towns, such as Capri, Ravello or Positano.

The proposal for day 1 is to get to know some of the essential historical sites within the city. Such is the case of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, the square, the Cloister and the Torre Dello Ziro. Afterwards, you can head to the Paper Museum, watch the sunset at the Mermaid Beach and finish with a delicious dinner in the heart of the old town.

Visit the Cathedral Square or Piazza Duomo

The best way to start your tour is from the Cathedral Square, especially for its location. This place is located in the center of Amalfi, so it is easily accessible.

Upon arrival, you will notice the facade of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, the patron saint of the city, which is located on one of the sides. In the center of the square, you will see the Fountain of St. Andrew, which is made of marble and accompanied by four angels.

You will also find terraces with restaurants, stores and cafes, where you can not only sit down for breakfast and enjoy a delicious Italian coffee. In some of them, you will also have the opportunity to join one of the best cooking classes in Amalf, offered by the chefs of these places. Thus, you will learn how to prepare some local delicacies (cakes, lobster tail, Sfogliatella, panettones, cannoli, etc). If you want to include this plan in your itinerary, don't hesitate to book a cooking class in Amalfi so you don't miss out.

Tour the basilica and crypt of the Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle

If you walk for a minute from the square, you will arrive at the Cathedral of Amalfi. The first thing you will notice is that its architecture is not common. This is because the structure has undergone several renovations and currently mixes elements from the Romanesque-Arabic, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance periods.

After climbing more than 60 steps to enter the enclosure, you will see the internal structure composed of the basilica, the cloister and the crypt. In the latter are preserved the remains of St. Andrew, which were brought to the site in 1208 from Constantinople.

You will also notice the strong presence of the Arabic style, reflected in the various internal towers and the Syrian bronze doors. This important religious space corresponding to the ninth century is one of the must-see attractions in the best Amalfi tours.

• Price: entrance to the basilica and crypt are free.
• Hours: from 9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., from March to June. From 9 am to 7:45 pm from July to September and from 10 am to 1 pm and from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm from November to February.
• Location: Piazza Duomo, 1, 84011 Amalfi.

Visit the Cloister of Paradiso

Very close to the main structure of the Cathedral, 120 meters away, you will find the Cloister of Paradiso. It is a 13th century Moorish-style building that functions as a sort of museum. It exhibits various religious articles and the tombs of different nobles of the city.

As you visit the Chiostro del Paradiso, you will see different artistic works such as the frescoes that adorn the chapels, the sarcophagi and the range of objects and relics. You will also see a vault containing precious stones and alphabets and the reliquary heads.

Don't forget to stop by the small garden, surrounded by the Arabic-style columns and the interlaced arches. All this, together with the sculptures inside and the palm trees, make the place worthy of being called a paradise for eternal rest.

• Price: the entrance fee is about 3 € for adults and about 1 € for children.
• Hours: from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm. Hours may vary according to the season.
• Location: Via Salita Episcopio, 5, 84011 Amalfi.

Enjoy the view from the Torre dello Ziro

If you walk one kilometer starting from the cloister, you will reach the Torre dello Ziro. Here you will find beauty and history both inside and out. The building is a stone fortress dating back to the fifteenth century and was used to watch out for pirates.

To get there, you can go on foot or by bus, but remember that the route is steep, as the tower is located in the upper part of the city. In either case, the Torre dello Ziro will offer you breathtaking panoramic views of the rooftops of Amalfi and the Gulf of Salerno. You will even catch a glimpse of other nearby towns such as Salerno.

While doing this activity, you will probably hear the legend of the Duchess Joan of Aragona, who was confined in the tower for having committed an infidelity.

Explore the Museo della Carta

Leaving the tower and, if you walk for about 28 minutes along Salita S. Lorenzo del Piano and Via delle Cartiere, you will arrive at the Museo della Carta, another essential place on your itinerary. It is a museum oriented to expose everything related to paper and its production process.

Inside, you will see different ancient instruments used to process and produce paper, corresponding to the thirteenth century. In addition, you will find restored printing presses, wooden mallets, as well as different manuscripts and old documents.

You can also visit the library, which houses various special editions. A visit to the museum is also recommended as a must if you are traveling with children, as they will have fun and learn at the same time. You can even opt for a guided tour with hands-on experience to make handmade paper.

• Price: the entrance fee is about 3 € for children under 12 years and about 4.50 € for adults.
• Hours: from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., in general. Hours may vary according to the season.
• Location: Via delle Cartiere, 23, 84011 Amalfi.

Watch the sunset from the Lido Delle Sirene Beach

When you leave the museum, you can walk for 15 minutes in the direction of Lido Delle Sirene Beach. There, you can say goodbye to the sun, appreciate the sunset and welcome the night. You can even book a boat ride along the Amalfi coast while enjoying the wonderful views that only this part of the ocean can offer

. This small natural area is one of the best beaches in Amalfi for several reasons. Initially, although it has a good offer of products and services, it is usually less crowded than other nearby beaches, which makes the stay more pleasant.

On the other hand, on this beach you can take advantage of the time to take a dip in the sea, appreciate the view and relax. If you wish, you can enjoy some of the delicious dishes or snacks offered in the area. In addition, you will not be in a hurry to enjoy this space, as access is maintained until the early evening hours.

• Price: the average cost of the entrance to the beach is approximately 5 € and the boat ride from 137 €.
• Hours: the beach is open until 7 pm.
• Location: Piazzale del Protontini, 4, 84011 Amalfi.

Relax in a spa as a couple

And an ideal experience to put the finishing touch to a very special day is to book a spa session in Amalfi, the best way to relax with whirlpool baths, Mediterranean bath, clay baths, foot baths with salts and relaxation area.

It lasts two hours and, throughout the tour, you will not share treatment with any other person. It also includes a 30-minute couple's massage.

• Price: the average cost is approximately 127 €.
• Schedule: you can choose from a variety of schedules every day of the week.

Take an evening stroll along the Ruga Nova Mercatorum

To end your first day, I suggest you take a night walk along the Ruga Nova Mercatorum, one of the main thoroughfares of Amalfi. This visit is one of the favorite things to do in Amalfi at night for tourists, because they can do several activities at the same time.

Initially, you can take the opportunity to take a small gastronomic tour, or simply taste some of the most popular dishes of the region. In addition, it is possible to walk around the area, which is full of buildings of high historical value.

The walk is completely on foot, so it is quieter. Also, in this main street you can attend some concerts or street shows of various kinds. You can also buy handmade paper, herbs, spices and much more in the various souvenir stores.

As you can see, Amalfi is a town with plenty to see and do. On your second day of your trip, you can take a trip to the sea to visit the Amalfi Coast and take a dip in the crystal clear waters. It is also possible to venture to some of the surrounding towns, such as Ravello, Positano and Capri.

Option 1: Discover dreamlike landscapes in Valle delle Ferriere

If you want to be transported to a magical world with dreamlike landscapes, book a trekking excursion to the Valle delle Ferriere, an area known for its popular beauty.

This excursion is considered of medium-low difficulty and suitable for most, as it is a total of 6.4 kilometers long, 3.2 km each way. It lasts approximately four hours and you will be accompanied at all times by an expert guide who will explain in detail the history and nature of this wonderful place.

• Price: the cost of the excursion is approximately 41 €.
• Schedule: it takes place early in the morning, around 9:15 am.
• Location: at the time of booking you will be told the starting point.

Option 2: Sail along the Amalfi Coast and live a unique experience

For the last day in the city you can sail along the Amalfi Coast and live a unique experience, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. And, if you wish, sign up for one of the boat tours from Amalfi, whose route you can take at your own pace.

You can book a boat trip along the Amalfi Coast or even opt for a kayak tour of Amalfi. Once in the port of Marina Coppola and aboard a boat, you will start sailing along the bay of Salerno. You will discover corners of the coastline that can only be reached by sea. You will be amazed by the beautiful natural landscapes and picturesque coastal villages.

You will also have the opportunity to get a close look at the marine life. This through the stops along the way, where you can take a dip. You can also take a snorkeling experience or go for a deeper dive to see the species that live at the bottom of the ocean that surrounds this region.

Option 3: Take a ferry trip and visit Capri

Just 1 hour and 40 minutes by ferry, departing from Amalfi, you will reach the town of Capri. In my opinion, booking an excursion to Capri is a must. This is a wonderful island with beautiful streets and unforgettable views of the sea, the villages and many other attractions. Without a doubt, it is one of the destinations that are always recommended among the best day trips from Amalfi.

Once the ferry ride begins, you will be amazed by the view of the coastline. Once you arrive in Capri, you will be able to take a stroll around and observe the natural emblems of the island such as the Faraglioni, which are iconic rocks, the Corallo Grotto, the White Grotto and the statue of Scugnizzo.

You will also have time to take a swim in the sea. And, if you want to explore Capri in depth, then head to the Blue Grotto. There, you will get a breathtaking view of the water mingled with the sun's rays. Likewise, you can take beautiful pictures from the viewpoints of the town, see the villas that have now become museums and take the cable car up Mount Solaro to see the scenery from the top.

Option 4: Travel to Ravello from Amalfi and travel back to medieval times for a few hours

Starting from Amalfi, if you travel about 7 kilometers by bus or private car, you will reach the beautiful town of Ravello. This is a town full of exotic places that will make you travel back in time to medieval times, to discover its culture and history.

Being located among the hills, from Ravello you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast. This, in addition to the various natural areas present in the area, will allow you to relax without any effort.

Whether you go by public or private transport, during your excursion to Ravello you will visit dreamlike places. Such is the case of Villa Rufolo, which dates back to the 13th century and was the residence of the composer Richard Wagner. In this mansion you will see:

• Architectural samples with Arab influence: such as the Turkish baths and cloisters.
• Beautiful gardens, with exotic plants and flowers that come out of bud almost all year round, thanks to the climate of the region.

Option 5: Visit Positano to admire its historical and natural treasures

A 60-minute drive from Amalfi will take you to the beautiful town of Positano. This is another of the small towns that make up the great Amalfi Coast, full of colorful facades facing the sea, with many places to visit.

Upon arrival, you can enter the historic center of the city and see some emblematic buildings, such as the Church of Santa Maria Assunta. Another option is to visit the stores in the narrow streets of the area to buy handicrafts and other souvenirs.

Also, in Positano you can go to the beach, either through a local excursion or on your own. Two of the most popular beaches are: Spiaggia Grande and Fornillo beach. At either of them, you can sign up for water activities such as snorkeling, swimming at your leisure or just sunbathing.

In case you have any doubts about how to move around Amalfi, you should know that public transportation is one of the most common and cheapest options. Each trip has an approximate value of 2,40€, although you can buy tickets for several trips and round trip.

Public transport tickets can be purchased at the authorized stops or points. On the other hand, the schedules of circulation vary according to the season of the year. These two data are provided by the tourist office of Amalfi, so try to find out as soon as you arrive in town.

To move out of Amalfi by sea you have the option of the ferry. It is an affordable option that costs around 5€. One of its biggest advantages is the variety of options you have, this in relation to schedules, routes, companies and tickets.

For example, some local public transport companies such as NLG and Travelmar, offer tickets with a route that covers several towns. This is convenient to visit more destinations in less time.

If you want to go to Amalfi, having little time will not be an impediment. There are options and itineraries that will allow you to see the best of the city. In addition, the means of transportation are accessible, so you will have a pleasant travel experience.