Your Guide to Amalfi Beaches: From Popular to Little-Known

Popular beaches of the Amalfi Coast

Little-Known but Worthwhile Beaches 

The heart and namesake of the Amalfi Coast is the town of Amalfi, situated on the southern side of the Sorrento Peninsula, between Sorrento and Salerno. Amalfi is the quintessential coastal landscape often featured in promotional brochures and captured by artists. With a rich history and landscapes that make it so popular, its high cliffs adorned with a series of brightly colored houses descending to the sea, with its array of beaches, make this place even more alluring.

The total number of beaches on the Amalfi Coast varies around 100. Ranking the beaches nestled under the majestic cliffs and steep towns of the Amalfi Coast is nearly impossible. Everyone has their own preference. Some might favor luxurious shores with full beach infrastructure, where you can sometimes spot a celebrity. Others might prefer tiny coves accessible by a steep narrow path or by sea. Each beach on the coast is unique and worth visiting. 

We decided to draw a parallel between top-rated beaches and those that have never made such lists and show you that the differences between them are not so great. Let's compare!

Popular Beaches of the Amalfi Coast 

In the season, the vibrant colors of Amalfi beaches and the azure Tyrrhenian Sea attract crowds of tourists. The beaches are compactly located along the coastline, often you can simply walk from one to another.

Marina Grande, Positano 

The main and most popular Amalfi beach offers all conditions for comfortable enjoyment of the sun and sea. Three hundred meters of dark yellow sand with pebbles, clear water, stunning views of Positano, and the tiny Li Galli archipelago. The beach has all the infrastructure necessary for a maximally comfortable stay, as well as a small free swimming area. It is the starting point for excursions to Capri, Sorrento, and Ischia. 

Location: Located in the town of Positano near the main port "Marina Grande" at the foot of Mount Solaro on the northern Italian island of Capri, in the Gulf of Naples of the Tyrrhenian Sea, 32 km from Naples. 

Features: 

• The beach is municipal with free admission, but all infrastructure (sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, toilets) on the beach is paid; the coastline is sandy-pebbled; 

• The entrance to the water is initially shallow but becomes abruptly deep further in; currents can be strong, so it's not recommended to swim far out; 

• In the season it is very crowded and noisy as this is a port beach with boats and ferries arriving from various cities; 

• The beach has parking, but it is very small and paid; 

• You can reach it by bus/car or by ferry/boat to the port of Marina Grande.

Fornillo Beach, Positano 

For those looking for a quieter and more secluded place, accessible on foot along the cliffs from Positano's harbor. The views from this place are no less beautiful than from the main beach. The highlight of Fornillo is two medieval watchtowers marking the boundaries of the beach. The landscape with the towers is so picturesque that it has even been captured in paintings by artists Peter Root and Fortunato Depero.

Location: Located in the town of Positano, a 15-minute walk from the main port "Marina Grande." 

Features: 

• There is also a paid zone with sunbeds, showers, toilets, and umbrellas, and a free section with no infrastructure where you can bring everything with you; 

• Free entrance for everyone; 

• Pebble coastline, shallow entrance to the water, cliffs protect the beach from winds; 

• Crowded in the season; 

• Suitable for water sports, there is a diving center; 

• Paid parking in Positano; 

• You can reach it by bus/car from nearby towns or by ferry/boat to the port of Marina Grande and then walk along the scenic path.

Arienzo Beach, Positano 

A picturesque beach club with a restaurant and sunbeds in the eponymous village of Arienzo. It is tiny but, like its giant neighbors, offers a unique atmosphere and stunning views. Unlike the previous two beaches, it is only 75 meters long and about 30 meters wide. The road to the beach is 300 steps down a wide staircase in the mountains, along which luxurious celebrity villas are located. Arienzo is one of the few beaches in Positano where the sun shines longer during the day than on any other beach in the town. 

Location: Located in Positano in the village of Arienzo. 

Features: 

• Delicious traditional Positano food in the beach restaurant; 

• Half of the beach is occupied by the club zone, the other, free zone, lacks infrastructure. Sunbeds, showers, and toilets are only for club visitors; 

• The beach is fine-pebbled, surrounded by cliffs and trees that keep it cool and provide natural shade; 

• Ideal for water sports such as snorkeling and kayaking; 

• Paid parking in the village; 

• In the season it is very crowded, and the number of places on the beach can be limited, so it is recommended to book sunbeds in advance; 

• You can get there by sea or by public transport/car from Positano to Arienzo.

Vietri sul Mare, Salerno 

The beach is the pearl of the Amalfi Coast, large and spacious, 400 meters long, located in a beautiful place with impressive views. The town of Vietri is situated on a high hill directly above the coast. The old buildings and picturesque landscape have allowed it to be included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. People come here to take stunning photos, as the coast offers a view of the town with ancient towers and churches. 

Location: 

In the town of Vietri, 3 km from Salerno. 

Features: 

• Sandy-pebbled coastline, the entrance to the water is initially shallow but quickly becomes deep; 

• Free admission, but sunbeds, toilets, showers are paid separately. There are sections only for club visitors; 

• All types of water entertainment are developed on the beach; 

• Paid parking nearby; 

• Very crowded in the season; 

• You can get there by any type of public transport or car to the town of Vietri. If you are going to Vietri sul Mare from Naples, take the direct train line that goes along the coast and passes through Pompeii, taking about an hour.

Marina di Vietri, Salerno 

This is a family beach with sunbeds, water sports, and many places to eat and have a great time. Its 100-meter wide strip was artificially formed in 1954 when debris from buildings and sand descended from the top of the town down during a flood and storm. The beach is surrounded by a stunning panorama of mountains and the town. And in the town of Vietri itself, there is a tradition of making intricate ceramics, so buy a hand-painted cup, vase, or serving dish as a memory of your vacation on the Amalfi Coast. 

Location: In the town of Vietri, 3 km from Salerno. 

Features: 

• Crystal clear water, very shallow entrance to the sea, ideal for family holidays; 

• Most of the beach is a club, so access is limited; 

• Free access; 

• You can get there from Salerno by car or bus. If you stay in Vietri, you can walk to the beach; 

• All types of water entertainment are developed on the beach; 

• Paid parking nearby; 

• In the season it can be crowded.

Favorite tourist spots on the Amalfi Coast are also the most crowded in the season. The alternative is wild beaches. They are extremely picturesque but hard to reach. However, there you can find solitude away from the tourist crowds. In terms of beauty, wild beaches often surpass the "popular" ones.

Little-Known but Worthwhile Beaches 

Amalfi's wild beaches are cherished by lovers of quiet, secluded rest. Here you can settle as you like, without being bothered by noise and crowding. We found these treasures of the Amalfi Coast thanks to our smart filter on the website.

Spiaggia Cavallo Morto, Salerno 

A picturesque narrow strip of beach (about 150 meters long) literally squeezed between high cliffs. The natural bay is calm, without winds and waves. Here, yachts often anchor. For diving enthusiasts, the seabed is beautiful, full of fish and other sea creatures. 

Location: A small wild beach in the cliffs, located east of Maiori and 9 km from the town of Salerno. 

Features: 

• Free to visit; 

• Pebble beach, the depth starts right away; 

• The beach is wild, so it is not equipped; 

• No parking, so you can't get there by car; 

• Vacationers use boats, yachts, and kayaks to visit the beach; 

• Not crowded in the season; 

• The municipality warns that there are sometimes rockfalls here.

Riva del Fuenti, Salerno 

Around the beach, there are sheer cliffs. The staircase to the coast goes around the remnants of a picturesque ancient fortress. Now, after renovation, it houses a chic beach club offering a unique combination of luxury, relaxation, and natural beauty. 

Location: The beach is located 4 km from the town of Salerno and 1 km from the village of Albori. 

Features: 

• You can visit it for free, but all infrastructure is only for guests of the complex. The main area is used by members of the beach complex Giardini del Fuenti; 

• Pebble coastline, there is covered parking only for guests of the complex; 

• You can dock at the beach from the sea, there is a small pier; 

• You can get there by sea or go down through the club complex by stairs.

Wild beach, Salerno

The beach is surrounded by giant cliffs. At their top, you can see the Grand Hotel Tritone. There is a flat rock in the sea near the shoreline, convenient for sunbathing. You can go down by the staircase from the hotel, but it is very steep and long.

Location: A natural beach 21 km from Salerno, near the village of Praiano.

Features:

• Part of the beach is wild and unequipped. The other part is occupied by the hotel zone.

• The small sea bay has crystal-clear water, with a shore of gray pebbles and stones.

• The entrance to the water is initially shallow but quickly becomes deep.

• During the season, it is not crowded, and the hotel complex is often closed.

• Access is by sea or through the hotel via a steep staircase.

Spiaggia del Cauco, Salerno

Natural rock indentations form several small "beaches" along the coast. Local residents and tourists love to fish here. Houses of local residents and the remnants of a medieval fortress are situated right around the beach on the cliffs. The beach is protected from the wind by Punta Erchie cape, making it an ideal spot for snorkeling enthusiasts.

Location: In the village of Erchie, between the town of Maiori and the village of Cetara.

Features:

• High cliffs surround the shoreline, with clean, azure water and a gently sloping bottom.

• There is no infrastructure.

• It is not crowded in any season.

• There is no parking, as the beach can only be reached by sea.

Explore and discover the Amalfi Coast from different perspectives, not just the ones imposed by the internet in its numerous rankings. Remember, comfort is not where it is written but where you feel good!