History · Amalfi Coast · Italy
6 historic sites to see in Amalfi Coast
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Amalfi Cathedral and Cloister of Paradise, Villa Rufolo and Museo della Carta (Paper Museum). Together the 6 picks below take roughly 5–6 hours across 4 areas; 1 is free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 6
- Free entry
- 1
- Time to see them all
- 5–6 hours
- Areas
- Amalfi, Ravello and Atrani
Historic sites in Amalfi Coast
Religious site · Amalfi
1.Amalfi Cathedral and Cloister of Paradise
The visit includes the Cloister of Paradise, a 13th-century burial cloister with interlaced Arab-style arches, a museum and the crypt said to hold relics of the apostle Andrew.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Art
- Rainy day
Garden · Ravello
2.Villa Rufolo
Richard Wagner visited in 1880 and is said to have found inspiration here for Klingsor's magic garden in Parsifal; the Ravello Festival's concerts are held on a stage built out over the drop.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Couples
- History
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Museum · Amalfi
3.Museo della Carta (Paper Museum)
Guided visits demonstrate the process from pulp to finished sheet.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · Atrani
4.Atrani village
Its small beach and harbour feel far from the crowds, and the church of San Salvatore de' Birecto, where Amalfi's doges were once invested, stands just above the square.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- History
- Photo spot
Historic site · Minori and Maiori
5.Villa Romana di Minori
It shows that wealthy Romans were already holidaying on this coast two thousand years ago.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
Museum · Amalfi
6.Arsenals of the Amalfi Republic
Today they hold a museum of the maritime republic, with displays on the Tavole Amalfitane maritime code, navigation instruments and costumes from the historic regatta.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Amalfi | Amalfi Cathedral and Cloister of Paradise, Museo della Carta (Paper Museum) and Arsenals of the Amalfi Republic | 1 hour + 45 minutes + 30–45 minutes |
| Ravello | Villa Rufolo | 1 hour |
| Atrani | Atrani village | 1–2 hours |
| Minori and Maiori | Villa Romana di Minori | 45 minutes |
Booking and timing
Of these 6, 1 free, 5 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Atrani village; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Amalfi and Ravello): Amalfi Cathedral and Cloister of Paradise → Museo della Carta (Paper Museum) → Arsenals of the Amalfi Republic → Villa Rufolo, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Atrani and Minori and Maiori): Atrani village → Villa Romana di Minori, at least 2 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- February: highs of 14°C (57°F), about 8 rainy days, very quiet crowds. The quietest month, with seasonal businesses still shut; Carnival brings floats to Maiori.
- January: highs of 13°C (55°F), about 9 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Quiet and mild but often rainy; many hotels, restaurants and ferry routes are closed, though Amalfi keeps some everyday life.
- November: highs of 18°C (64°F), about 10 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Wet and quiet, with many hotels and restaurants closed until spring; Amalfi celebrates its patron saint again.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Amalfi — Historic maritime republic and transport hub around a cathedral square
- Ravello — Quiet hilltop town of villas, gardens and summer concerts above Amalfi
- Atrani — Tiny fishing village a five-minute walk from Amalfi
- Minori and Maiori — Neighbouring family-friendly towns with the coast's longest beach
More of Amalfi Coast
All things to do in Amalfi Coast · Where to stay · When to go.
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Amalfi Coast?
Amalfi Cathedral and Cloister of Paradise. A broad flight of steps leads up to the Duomo di Sant'Andrea, whose striped facade and bronze doors cast in Constantinople in the 11th century dominate Amalfi's main square.
+Which of these are free in Amalfi Coast?
Atrani village.