7 of the Best Beaches on the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of Italy’s top tourist destinations. Dubbed a World UNESCO Heritage Site, this portion of Italy sees thousands of tourists each year and is known for its rugged cliffs, stunning views, and scenic fishing villages. 

Whilst glamorous boutiques, exclusive restaurants, and idyllic holiday villas are big attractions to travellers in this part of Italy, the Amalfi Coast also has a charming collection of beaches that are well worth a visit. Beaches on the Amalfi Coast tend to be small, pebbly and sheltered by the surrounding cliffs, which means they aren’t always the sunniest, but they certainly offer spectacular views and a lovely place to spend a relaxing day lounging next to the sea.

Visiting these beaches is one of the best things to do as you explore the coast, but there are so many to visit that it can be hard to choose. From hidden coves to private beach clubs, the Amalfi Coast certainly delivers with the variety of beaches on offer. 

If you want to make sure you see the best of the Amalfi Coast beaches, here are seven that should definitely make your travel itinerary.

Gavitella Beach

We’re kicking off our list with one of the best hidden beaches in the Amalfi Coast. Gavitella Beach is located in Praiano and has one of the best locations on the coast, receiving sunshine all day long, right down until sunset.

The sun-soaked location is one reason why this is one of the Amalfi Coast’s best beaches, but Gavitella Beach is also known for the incredible views. You can see popular Positano from your spot on the sand as well as the island of Capri, so you’ll want to make sure you arrive here early to bag a good space.

Once you make your way down a steep stone set of stairs, guests will find a restaurant and sun loungers at a beach club waiting for them when they arrive on Gavitella in the summer. If you want to cool off after sunbathing, you can take a dip in the nearby natural swimming pool, which is surrounded by a rock grotto.

Furore Beach

This beach is definitely one to add and then cross off your bucket list of the best things to do in the Amalfi Coast. Furore is a hidden beach inside a beautiful Fjord, making this an incredibly unique location beside a natural occurrence that is rarely found in Italy.

Furore is often referred to as a “town that doesn’t exist” because it’s such a small fishing village that there isn’t a central square, just a collection of houses, churches and a small museum. The beach itself is quite small and thin, leading down to the incredibly clear blue water, which flows out under a picturesque bridge.

The water at Furore Beach is so blue that it looks fake, and the nearby mountains offer plenty of shade from the sun. Even if you don’t like to swim, this Amalfi Coast beach is a must-visit, just for the photo opportunities alone!

Laurito Beach

Located in Positano, this small beach can be reached by a flight of stairs opposite Hotel San Pietro. It’s one of the best beaches along the Amalfi Coast because of its location, which offers views of the coastline, the Li Galli islands and, if you squint, the Faraglioni rock formations off of Capri.

Laurito Beach is divided between a free public beach and a private beach dedicated to the nearby hotel. Guests can enjoy the two onsite restaurants and beautiful laurels, which is where the beach got its name.

If you want to enjoy this Amalfi Coast beach, it’s another spot that we recommend you arrive at early in the day, as it’s quite a small space that will quickly fill up. You can either walk down from Positano via the cliffs, or there’s a small boat that sails over from the main harbour if you’d rather have a more relaxing arrival.

Tordigliano Beach

This beach is one of the largest on the coast, making it one of the Amalfi Coast’s best beaches because of how many visitors it has space for. It’s a bit of a hidden spot near Positano that isn’t particularly well signposted and doesn’t have any amenities, but if you’re looking for a hidden gem surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty, this is the spot you’ve been looking for. 

There are a lot of hidden crevices and rocks that break Tordigliano beach up into smaller sections, as well as lovely views of the Li Galli archipelago. Tordigliano has been left undeveloped, which makes it more beautiful and less crowded than the other options on the coast, so it’s perfect for summer.

Whilst this is definitely one of the best hidden beaches on the Amalfi Coast, reaching the beach can be a bit of a challenge as visitors must take a long, steep trail to the shoreline. However, it is certainly worth it, and if you are able to get there, then you’ll be glad you did!

Marina di Praia Beach

One of the most popular beaches near Praino is Marina di Praia, set between two cliffs that cast it in shade for most of the day and make it a great choice for the middle of summer. This tiny beach is surrounded by mountains and is a great place to visit if you love seaside views. 

Marina di Praia is one of the best beaches on the Amalfi Coast if you want to rent a boat for the day or join a ferry trip and head out to explore the nearby coves and coastline. If you prefer to stay on land, the colors and designs on the moored-up boats really decorate the scene. Photographers usually love Praiano Beach just for the boats alone!

It’s quite a pebbly spot, like many of the beaches in the Amalfi Coast, and isn’t great for sunbathing. But there are a small number of bars and restaurants nearby, the views are brilliant, and it’s quite an undiscovered spot, so it won’t feel as busy as other beaches nearby!

Cetara Beach

Visitors say that Cetara beach looks just like the back of a postcard, which is one reason why it’s one of the most popular beaches of the Amalfi Coast. It’s located in a tiny fishing village that is made up of traditional cottages, providing a gateway to the past that is mainly frequented by locals instead of travellers.

The beach in Cetara is split into paid and free sections, and does tend to get quite busy, which is why it’s also worth walking further to nearby Port Beach, which is smaller but also free and feels less developed. After a day spent lounging on the beach, most visitors will head to one of the nearby restaurants to try the best tuna fish on the Amalfi Coast, which Cetara is famous for.
Cetara is also known for its famous anchovy syrup or “anchovy drippings”, which was developed right back in Roman times. Make sure to grab a bottle to bring back as a souvenir!

Erchie Beach

Our final recommendation for the best Amalfi Coast beaches is Erchie Beach, which belongs to the tiny village of the same name. It’s another brilliant hidden gem in the area and is almost entirely frequented by locals, especially as it’s not visited by any tours, allowing you to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and lovely views of the valley.

Legend says that Hercules himself founded Erchie, so there’s an air of mystery and magic here as well as lovely scenery. The beach is divided into two by an ancient tower, making two mini areas for sunbathers, which include paid sections where you can buy access to loungers and umbrellas.

Like many of the beaches on the Amalfi Coast, this one is surrounded by a small fishing village. Visitors tend to spend a good deal of time in the local restaurants, as the fish dishes are known to be delicious.

Summary

Any visit to the Amalfi Coast should include a day or two at the beach. As you can see from this article, you’ll have a ton to choose from, particularly when it comes to small hidden spots that mean you can avoid the crowds that flock here over the summer.

If you’re inspired to book a holiday to discover all of these beaches and more, you can find out more about our small group tours of the Amalfi Coast, or please do get in touch; we’d love to help you plan your vacation.

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