Whether you're looking for a remote beach, far from the crowds, or an easy-to-reach and super accessorized bathing resort, Amalfi, and the surrounding area, is the perfect place to find it.
Amalfi's Spiaggia Grande is, without shadow of doubt, the most lively on the whole of the Amalfi Coast. Atrani beach is a popular choice amongst families with small children. Whilst you'll need to be fit to make the trek down to the beautiful Duoglio beach, in order to visit the tiny coves which can only be accessed from the sea, all you need to do is hop onto one of the boats which regularly depart from Amalfi harbor.
The Cooperativa Sant'Andrea, based in Amalfi, operates a boat service to all those beaches on the Amalfi Coast which can only be reached by sea or via steep flights of steps. The service is available throughout the summer season, from 09.00hrs to 17.00hrs. Boats depart every 30 minutes.
For information: +39 089 873190
Castiglione beach
Very few people know that Ravello, the spectacularly panoramic cliff top town, famous for its magnificent villas and classical music concerts, has a beach. Ravello's seaside district is called 'Castiglione' and it is here, enclosed on three sides by soaring rocks, that the town's enchanting 100X25m sandy beach is located. The beach has a central bathing establishment and a free area on each side. Being surrounded by high cliffs, the beach only enjoys the sun until the early afternoon.
How to get to Ravello's Castiglione beach
To get to the beach, visitors will need to walk down the 186 steps located close to the SS163 road, just before the junction for Ravello.
By car: parking close to the steps which lead down to the beach is impossible. You can either leave your car in nearby Atrani and then walk the kilometer to the steps, or park in one of the car parks in Ravello and, from here, take the little pathway to Castiglione.
By public transport: Salerno - Amalfi bus line, there is a bus stop directly opposite the steps.
Atrani beach
A day on the beach belonging to the smallest town in the whole of Italy is also an excellent opportunity to visit the historic center of Atrani, which is one of the most fascinating on the whole of the Amalfi Coast.
The beach is located directly opposite the town and is divided into two parts by the estuary of the Dragone River (often completely dry in the summer). Only part of the sandy coastline is free and the majority is occupied by bathing establishments which charge for the use of sun beds and beach umbrellas.
How to get to Atrani beach
Just before Amalfi (from Vietri) on the main SS163, there is a small side road leading to Atrani. During summer weekends vehicular access to the town is granted to residents only (a lowered bar signals that access is closed).
By car: the public car park close to the beach has a capacity for about 30 vehicles and is invariably full. The only alternative option is to leave your car in nearby Amalfi, linked to Atrani by way of a pleasant coastal path.
By public transport': Sita bus Salerno - Amalfi line
Marina Grande
Only very rarely will a tourist leave the Amalfi Coast without having first paid a visit to Amalfi, the ancient Maritime Republic to which this legendary stretch of the Italian coastline owes its name. Amalfi's largest beach, situated directly opposite the town's picturesque historic center, is also its most popular. Marina Grande has a number of glamorous bathing establishments as well as a small section of 'free' beach. Despite the size of the beach (big by Amalfi Coast standards), during summer weekends you'll want to arrive early to ensure you find a place here.
How to get to Amalfi beach
By car: Amalfi is situated exactly halfway between Positano and Vietri sul Mare. By far the easiest way to get here is to take the A3 motorway and exit at Vietri sul Mare. From here, Amalfi is a mere 20kms away. You can leave your vehicle in the public car park next to Piazza Flavio Gioia. Bear in mind that parking will cost circa 5 euro per hour.
By public transport : Sita buses from Salerno and Positano. In the summer, sea crossings to Amalfi operate from Salerno, Capri, Sorrento and Positano.
Duoglio
For those traveling from Vietri, Duoglio beach is situated just 1km after Amalfi and can be reached via a long flight of steps (there are 400 of them!) which begins on the side of the state road. The effort involved in the climb is compensated for by the beauty of this little beach, lapped by some of the cleanest waters you'll ever experience. On the beach there are two bathing establishments and a free area. One of the establishments, the Lido degli Artisti, rents equipment for wind surfing, scuba diving and canoeing. The sun leaves the beach in the early afternoon, so it's worth getting here first thing in the morning.
How to get to Duoglio beach
Bathers access the beach via a flight of steps, situated at km 28 on the state road. The gate is open from 07.00hrs until 19.00hrs. The gate is locked throughout the winter months.
By car: just beyond the district of Lone di Amalfi, you'll find a stretch of road where parking is allowed in the designated places.
By public transport: by bus - Sita coach company Positano - Amalfi line or by sea from Amalfi with one of the boats run by the Cooperativa San Andrea.
