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 places. In its hinterland there are natural sites 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 St. Andrew's Cathedral, the square, the Cloister and the Torre Dello Ziro. Afterwards, you can head to the Paper Museum, watch the sunset at the Mermaids' Beach and finish with a delicious dinner in the heart of the old town.

Visit the Piazza Duomo or Cathedral Square

The best way to start your tour is from the Cathedral Square, especially for its location. This place is located in the centre of Amalfi, making it easy to reach.

As you arrive, you will notice the façade of the Cathedral of St. Andrew, the patron saint of the city, which is located on one side of the square. In the centre 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, shops and cafés, where you can not only sit down to 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. You will learn how to prepare some local delicacies (cakes, lobster tail, Sfogliatella, panettone, cannoli, etc). If you want to include this plan in your itinerary, don't hesitate to book a cooking class in Amalfi to make sure 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'll come to Amalfi Cathedral. The first thing you will notice is that its architecture is unusual. This is because the structure has undergone several renovations and nowadays it 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. The crypt contains the remains of Saint 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 dating back to the 9th century is one of the must-see attractions on the best Amalfi tours.

• Price: Entrance to the basilica and crypt is free.
• Hours: from 9am to 6.45pm, March to June. From 9am to 7.45pm from July to September and from 10am to 1pm and from 2.30pm to 4.30pm from November to February.
• Location: Piazza Duomo, 1, 84011 Amalfi.

Discover the Cloister of Paradiso

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

As you get to know 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 pass through the small garden, surrounded by Moorish-style columns and 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 approximately €3 for adults and around €1 for children.
• Opening hours: from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Opening times 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 kilometre 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 15th century and was used to watch out for pirates.

To get there you can either walk or take a bus, but remember that the route is steep as the tower is at the top of the town. 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 to the tower for 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 exhibit everything related to paper and its production process.

Inside, you will see different ancient instruments used to process and produce paper, corresponding to the 13th century. You will also find restored printing presses, wooden mallets, as well as various manuscripts and old documents.

You can also visit the library, which houses various special editions. A visit to the museum is also recommended as an essential activity if you are travelling 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 around €3 for children under 12 and around €4.50 for adults.
• Opening hours: from 10 am to 6.30 pm, in general. Opening hours may vary according to the season.
• Location: Via delle Cartiere, 23, 84011 Amalfi.

Watch the sunset from Lido Delle Sirene Beach

When you leave the museum, you can walk for 15 minutes in the direction of Lido Delle Sirene Beach. Here, you can bid farewell to the sun, appreciate the sunset and welcome the night. You can even book a boat trip 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 range of products and services, it tends to be less crowded than other nearby beaches, which makes for a more pleasant stay.

On the other hand, at this beach you can take advantage of the time to take a dip in the sea, enjoy the view and relax. If you wish, you can enjoy some of the delicious dishes or snacks offered in the area. What's more, you won't have to rush to enjoy this space, as access is maintained until the early hours of the evening.

• Price: the average cost of admission to the beach is approximately €5 and the average cost of the boat trip is €137.
• Opening hours: The beach is open until 7pm.
• Location: Piazzale del Protontini, 4, 84011 Amalfi.

Relax in a couple's spa

An ideal experience to round off a very special day is to book a spa session in Amalfi, the best way to relax with whirlpool baths, Mediterranean baths, clay baths, foot baths with salts and a 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.
• Timetable: you can choose from a wide range of timetables every day of the week.

Take an evening stroll along the Ruga Nova Mercatorum

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

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

The walk is entirely on foot, which makes it quieter. You can also attend some concerts or street shows of various kinds on this main street. You can also buy handmade paper, herbs, spices and much more in the various souvenir shops.

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 villages such as Ravello, Positano and Capri.

Option 1: Discover dreamy landscapes in the Ferriere Valley

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

This hike is considered to be of medium-low difficulty and suitable for most, as it is a total of 6.4 kilometres 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 marvellous place.

• Price: the cost of the excursion is approximately €41.
• Timetable: it takes place first thing in the morning, at around 9.15am.
• Location: you will be told the starting point when you make your booking.

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

For your 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, the route of which 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 at the Marina Coppola harbour 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 the picturesque coastal villages.

You will also have the opportunity to get a close look at the marine life. You can take a dip at one of the stops along the way. You can also take a snorkelling 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 ride to the town of Capri

It's only about 1 hour and 40 minutes by ferry from Amalfi to 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 most recommended destinations among the best day trips from Amalfi.

Once the ferry ride begins, you will be amazed by the view of the coastline. Upon arrival in Capri, you'll be able to take a stroll around and see the island's natural landmarks such as the iconic Faraglioni rocks, the Corallo Grotto, the White Grotto and the statue of Scugnizzo.

You'll also have time to take a dip 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 rays. Likewise, you can take beautiful pictures from the viewpoints of the town, see the villas that are now 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 kilometres by bus or private car, you will reach the beautiful town of Ravello. This is a town full of exotic places, which will take you back in time to medieval times to discover its culture and history.

Ravello is located among the hills and from Ravello you can enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Amalfi Coast. This, together with the various natural spaces present in the area, will allow you to relax without any effort.

Whether you travel by public or private transport, during your excursion to Ravello you will be able to visit some of the most beautiful places. Such is the case of the 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 Arabic influence: such as the Turkish baths and the cloisters.
• Beautiful gardens, with exotic plants and flowers that come out of bud almost all year round, thanks to the region's climate.

Option 5: Visit Positano to see 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 colourful facades facing the sea, with many places to visit.

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

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

If you have any doubts about how to get around Amalfi, public transport is one of the most common and cheapest options. Each trip costs approximately €2.40, although you can buy tickets for several trips and return trips.

Public transport tickets can be purchased at authorised stops or points of sale. The timetables vary according to the season. These two details are provided by the Amalfi tourist office, so try to find out as soon as you arrive in Amalfi.

To get out of Amalfi by sea you have the option of the ferry. This is an affordable option at around €5. One of its biggest advantages is the variety of options you have, in terms of timetables, 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 for visiting 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. Moreover, the means of transport are accessible, so you will have a pleasant travel experience.