Amalfi, a picturesque town on the on the coast of the Italian Sorrentine Peninsular in the region of Campania was founded in the 9th century.
At the peak of its power in the 11th century it was a supreme naval power, today it is one of Italy's most popular holiday destinations.
Located on Italy's Amalfi Coast overlooking the beautiful Bay of Salerno, this picturesque Italian hill town resort features winding streets, harbourside restaurants, shops and cafes.
You have to pay to go on most areas of the beach in Amalfi, businesses rent out sun loungers, umbrellas and supply changing rooms.
The sea is crystal clear and refreshing for swimming.
Besides its history and beauty, Amalfi is noted for its good hotels, restaurants lemons and handmade paper.
In the 1920s and 1930s Amalfi was an essential part of the aristocratic european "Grand Tour". Today it is just as popular with all types of tourist and caters for many types of travel and tourism
In addtion to the many excellent restaurants and shopping opportunities Amalfi has several interesting places to visit.
At the heart of the town in the main piazza is the Duomo Sant' Andrew Apostolo. Part of a complex of two ancient churches, a museum, a cloister and a crypt, this imposing church in the Arabic / Norman style of Sicily with a Baroque interior is located at the top of an impressive flight of steps.
This church originally dates from the 10th century and clearly demonstrated the power that Amalfi once held in this region of Italy.
This is a 'must see' attarction in Amalfi, but be preapared to climb a lot of stairs to visits it !
A charming and interesting paper museum, Museo della Carta is housed in a 13th century paper mill located at Via delle Cartiere 23, 84011 Amalfi, Italy .
There are many ceramic shops in Amalfi. In many of these you can see pots and tiles being made, painted and glazed.
Boats can be hired, or boat trips booked, during the summer to explore the dramatic coastline with its caves and grottos. Along the coast towards Positano is the Grottodello Smeraldo, also known The Emerald Grotto due to the colour in the cave, which has a ceramic crib.
Trips to the Isle of Capri can be taken from Amalfi via ferry or hydrofoil.
Hire a scooter during your stay to fully explore the stunning scenic coastal routes.
There are many very good hotels in Amalfi itself. Among the most popular are the Floridiana Hotel in Via Comite and Hotel L'Antico Convitto in Via Salita dei Curiali.
Amalfi has a perfect Mediterranean climate - never uncomfortably hot in the summer or too cold in the winters, so it is always pleasant to stay there. The peak tourist season for this resort in Italy is during the summer months - this is the best season to enjoy the beach and the crystal clear Mediterranean Sea. However if you are considering booking a walking holiday you might want to avoid the hottest months of July and August.
During the summer months there are local festivals and events to take part in which you won't get during the winter. Also during the winter months a lot of hotels and restaurants are closed for the off season. However this also means the towns are quieter then and you will have time to enjoy the sights of Italy without the crowds.
A travellers holiday guide to the Italian town of Amalfi on the coast of the Sorrentine Peninsular of Italy