Italy
Amalfi Coast
Welcome to the Amalfi Coast, Italy! Along this stretch of southern Italian coastline, brightly painted towns cling to steep cliffs that plunge straight down into the sparkling Tyrrhenian Sea.
Why is it famous?
The Amalfi Coast is famous for its dramatic scenery — pastel-colored houses stacked up impossibly steep cliffs, overlooking a brilliant blue sea.
Towns like Positano and Amalfi are so picturesque that this 30-mile stretch of coastline is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
How did it form?
Millions of years of geological forces pushed up the limestone mountains of the Sorrentine Peninsula, and the sea later carved dramatic cliffs along its edge.
Over hundreds of years, people built terraced gardens and colorful towns right into these steep slopes, fitting houses onto almost impossibly narrow ledges.
Amazing facts
The whole Amalfi Coast has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 for its stunning natural beauty and historic towns.
The coastline stretches about 30 miles (50 km) between the towns of Salerno and Sorrento.
Quick facts
- The whole Amalfi Coast has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997 for its stunning natural beauty and historic towns.
- The coastline stretches about 30 miles (50 km) between the towns of Salerno and Sorrento.
- This region is famous for growing giant, fragrant lemons, some bigger than a grapefruit, used to make a bright yellow drink called limoncello.
- The winding coastal road connecting the towns has thousands of hairpin turns and jaw-dropping sea views the whole way.