Amalfi lays some
claim to being a beach resort, and narrow public
beaches flank the harbor. In addition, between
rocky sections of the coast, many of the first-class
and deluxe hotels have carved out small stretches
of sand reserved for their guests. However, better
and more expansive beaches are adjacent to the
nearby villages of Minori and Maiori, a short
drive along the coast. Those beaches are lined
with a handful of cafes, souvenir kiosks, and
restaurants that thrive mostly during the summer.
You can reach the villages by buses leaving from
Amalfi's Piazza Flavio Gioia at 30-minute intervals
during the day. Expect to pay 1.50€ each
way.
The Duomo, Piazza
del Duomo (tel. 089-871059), evokes Amalfi's rich
past. It is named in honor of St. Andrew (Sant'Andrea),
whose remains are said to be buried inside the
crypt. More
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You can also visit the Cloister
of Paradise (Chiostro del Paradiso),
to the left of the Duomo, originally a necropolis
for members of the Amalfitan "establishment."
More
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A minor attraction, good for that
rainy day, is the Civic Museum
(Museo Civico), Town Hall Piazza Municipio (tel.
089-8736200), which contains original manuscripts
of the Tavoliere Amalfitane. This was the maritime
code that governed the entire Mediterranean until
1570. Some exhibits relate to Flavio Gioia, Amalfi's
most famous merchant adventurer. Amalfitani claim
that he invented the compass in the 12th century.
" The museum is open Monday to Friday 8am
to 2pm (also Tues and Thurs 4-7pm).
For your most scenic walk in Amalfi,
start at Piazza del Duomo and head up Via Genova.
The classic stroll will take you to the Valley
of the Mills (Valle dei Mulini), so called
because of the paper mills along its rocky reaches
. You'll pass by fragrant gardens and scented
citrus groves. If it is of your interests you
can learn more details about the industry at the
Museum of Paper (Museo della
Carta), Via delle Cartiere 23 (tel. 089-8304561),
. It's open daily 10am to 7pm. Admission is 3.40€.
The Eerie Emerald Grotto--Five
kilometers (3 miles) west of Amalfi is the millennia-old
Emerald Grotto (Grotta di Smeraldo). The SITA
bus (traveling toward Amalfi) departs from Piazza
Flavio Gioia at 1-hour intervals throughout the
day. En route to Sorrento, it stops at the Emerald
Grotto. From the coastal road, you descend via
an elevator and then take a boat ride traversing
this eerie world for .95€. For more information
about SITA buses, call tel. 089-871009. However,
the best way to go is by boat all the way from
Amalfi's docks; it costs 10€ round-trip.More
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