The rugged Amalfi coastline is indented with a mix of public, private and often deserted pebble beaches that front tiny picture-perfect coves. Many hotels also have small private beaches.
One of the best ways to discover your own beach getaway is to charter a boat for the day and explore the nooks and crannies of this beautiful coastline.
Beaches on the Amalfi Coast consist mainly of fine, dark sand and/or small, round pebbles.
The best beaches include…
This dark sand beach is very popular during the summer months and consequently often crowded. Facilities include umbrellas, sun beds and sun chairs.
A number of smart hotels have their own sections of private beach where you can brush up your tan on a sun lounger and cool off with a refreshing swim in the clear turquoise waters.
This small sandy beach is a good alternative to bustling Amalfi, which is just a short walk away around a headland.
The free public beach of Atrani sits in front of the almost entirely enclosed Piazza Umberto.
Located at the base of a tree-clad cliff, Duoglio Beach offers a beautiful 170-metre long beach that is perfect for sunbathing and swimming in the crystal clear seawater.
Facilities include umbrellas, sun beds and sun chairs as well as rental kayaks, windsurfing and scuba-diving equipment. The beachside Lido Degli Artisti restaurant is well-known for freshly caught seafood.
Located just 1km from the centre of Amalfi, Duoglio is easily reached by boat every half-hour from Pennello Pier in Amalfi. The journey takes 5 minutes and costs €2 each per trip. Alternatively, you may walk, take a bus or taxi to the beach entrance; from there a 400-step staircase leads to the beach.
This small beach is found just west of Amalfi in a small, scenic cove close to Atrani.
Easily accessible by boat or by descending a steep twisting staircase, the rocky beach offers beach chairs, umbrellas and a beachfront restaurant serving excellent fresh seafood.
Cool off with a swim in the clear water and explore natural grottos including Arco Naturale, a natural arch over the sea; local legend has it that those who kiss while swimming underneath are assured everlasting love!
Choose from the two pebble beaches that lie beneath the exclusive resort town of Positano and its pastel-coloured villas that cling to the mountainside.
Check out Spiaggia Grande (photo), a large, free beach in the heart of the ferry port that is bordered by an esplanade and some of Positano's best restaurants.
Or try Spiaggia del Fornillo (photo), a smaller and more secluded beach accessible either by a set of steps from the grotto above or via a path from Spiaggia Grande.
Spiaggia del Fornillo offers a laid-back atmosphere with four beach bars and no ferry traffic. Facilities include umbrellas, sun beds and sun chairs.
Located at the end of a small fjord in an awe-inspiring setting, Furore de Fiordo Beach is arguably one of Italy’s most picturesque beaches.
Easily visible from the bridge which spans the width of the fiord, the 25 metre long stone and shingle beach sits beneath the former fishing village, which has been transformed into a museum.
Furore Beach only catches the sun in the early hours of the morning and, as a consequence, never gets too hot, even in high summer.
Furore is located between Positano and Amalfi and is easily reached by bus. From the Furore Bridge a flight of stairs lead down to the beach.
Choose from two small pebble beaches – La Gavitella and Marina di Praia – that shelve into clear turquoise water in front of the charming low-key coastal town of Praiano.
Sitting beneath an ancient Saracen watch tower (Torre a Mare), Marina di Praia Beach (photo) is framed by dramatic soaring cliffs and boasts the Alfonso a Mare Hotel, which offers a range of creature comforts.
Facilities include umbrellas, sun beds and food and drinks from the beachside hotel.
Pick your own spot to sunbathe on Maiori Beach, a 1.5km-long pebble and sand beach lined with orderly rows of umbrellas and sun beds.
Nearby Minori Beach (photo) is a smaller and more secluded beach with good access to the rest of the coastline. After a swim and tanning session, hike up the hill to the medieval hill town of Ravello, with its famous hanging gardens.
A few kilometres south of Sorrento sits a rocky promontory known as the Punta del Capo, or the Capo di Sorrento.
The site features the ruins of three 1st century AD Roman villas, one of which is believed to have once belonged to Pollio Felice. Beneath the ruins lies a beautiful cove, known as the Bagni della Regina Giovanna. Here, you may sunbathe on the rocky lido and swim or snorkel the calm turquoise waters.
Although not a sandy beach and without any facilities, the Bagni della Regina Giovanna is a popular swimming and snorkeling spot during summer. It can only be reached via a long staircase, following a 15-minute walk from the parking area at Capo di Sorrento.
Latest update: Best Amalfi Coast Beaches: 8 May, 2022
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