It’s hard to beat the dramatic, classical charm of the Amalfi Coast.
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Whether or not you’ve visited all 13 towns running down the 25-mile stretch of rugged coastline, it’s not hard to see why Amalfi remains a top choice for Americans. There’s history, there are cliffside resorts, there are hiking trails, and there are Aperol spritzes galore.
There’s just one catch: Amalfi can be a bona fide nightmare to navigate. (Also, the beaches are hard to find.)
The towns are small, they’re often crammed with visitors, and, despite how close together the towns are, the region’s geography makes it difficult to go from Positano to Vietri sul Mare.
While there’s no true substitute for Amalfi, there are absolutely comparable spots where you’ll enjoy similarly breathtaking views. Plus, you won’t find the same dense crowds and tourist fatigue. If you’re looking for Amalfi Coast alternative in Italy, here’s where to go. I’ve included three of my favorite spots, along with an easy-to-reach pick.
Top Amalfi Coast alternatives in Italy: at a glance
- Marina di Camerota (Cilento Coast): Best beaches
- Palinuro (Cilento Coast): Best natural wonders (dramatic cliffs & caves)
- Tropea (Calabria): Best place to skip the crowds
- Capri (Napoletano): Easiest to reach
Top Amalfi Coast alternatives in Italy
Marina di Camerota (Cilento Coast): Best beaches
Let me reiterate: The Amalfi Coast is absolutely gorgeous, but the cliffs are so vertical and rugged that they’re hard to navigate. In other words, you’ll be observing many sites from afar rather than getting up close and personal. That’s not the case with Marina di Camerota.
You can go back and forth between large beaches like Spiaggia del Pozzallo and Cala Bianca, then head out on the water to explore unique coastal features like grottos and sea caves—many of which are listed by UNESCO. If you’re into history, you can also find Greek and Roman sites dotting the countryside around Marina di Camerota.
Find a place to stay in Marina di Camerota. I recommend Hotel America.
Palinuro (Cilento Coast): Best natural wonders (dramatic cliffs & caves)
Palinuro is located close to Marina di Camerota (above) on the Cilento Coast, meaning you can easily visit both regions. (You’ll need a car to get between these coastal towns easily.) Palinuro also has a long list of enviable beaches and marine landmarks.
There’s Spiaggia delle Saline and Spiaggia del Buon Dormire, the latter of which is only accessible by boat. There are also natural wonders like Capo Palinuro, the Natural Arch, and the Blue Grotto. It’s also got sea caves where the water is so clear that they’ve become hotspots for scuba divers in search of something new.
Find a place to stay in Palinuro. I recommend Grand Hotel San Pietro.
Tropea (Calabria): Best place to skip the crowds
Tropea is located on the coast of Calabria—a stretch that’s known as the Coast of the Gods. I think that paints a pretty strong picture of what to expect. The beaches are home to dizzyingly lovely cliffs and crystal-clear water. Because it’s a domestic tourist hotspot, you won’t see those large tourist crowds, especially during the shoulder seasons.
Outside Tropea, you can find ancient historical sites (older than the Romans and the Greeks), along with restaurants that serve up local delicacies that you haven’t seen on Italian menus before. It’s also one of the best places in Italy to soak up the slow pace of life that most other tourists miss out on.
Find a place to stay in Tropea. I recommend Il Borghetto Resort & Spa.
Capri (off the Sorrento Peninsula): Easiest to reach
Capri is the most hands-off of the three Amalfi Coast alternatives I listed above. It’s also the easiest to reach. Capri, one of Europe’s most underrated islands, is located off the edge of the Sorrento Peninsula, which is where the Amalfi Coast is. You can even reach Capri by taking a ferry from Amalfi.
The ambiance and environment are similar—including the crowds. But you also have the same rugged limestone cliffs, crystal-clear water, and even hiking trails. The island has a reputation for being a natural hotspot thanks to its lovely scenery. It’s also got a thing for lux hospitality, as the island used to host celebs like Jackie Kennedy and Audrey Hepburn.
Find a place to stay in Capri. I recommend Luxury Villa Excelsior Parco.
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