7 Top Beaches to Visit on Italy's Amalfi Coast

From Secluded Coves to Lively Beach Clubs

Aug 08, 2023 · 5 min read

summary

Spiaggia Grande
Arienzo Beach
Fornillo Beach
Santa Croce Beach
Marina di Praia
Spiaggia di Maiori
Erchie Bay and Spiaggia di Cauco (Erchie)

The Amalfi Coast is a stunning stretch of coastline located in southern Italy, famous for its picturesque towns, dramatic cliffs, and crystal-clear waters. This UNESCO World Heritage Site attracts visitors from around the world who come to enjoy its charming villages, delicious cuisine, and idyllic beaches.

One of the highlights of any trip to the Amalfi Coast is to soak up the sun on its beautiful beaches. From secluded coves to lively beach clubs, it can be overwhelming to decide which one to visit. We have rounded up some of the best beaches that you can visit:

💡Before you carry on, some pro tips about visiting beaches in the Amalfi Coast:

Spiaggia Grande

Positano (Very popular | Easy to access | Near shops and restaurants)

Conveniently located in the heart of Positano, the Spiaggia Grande is one of the most popular beaches in the Amalfi Coast. It is the main beach of Positano and very easily accessible by foot. It is also one of the best equipped beaches, and with its close proximity to numerous shops, bars, and restaurants, it is a great option if you want to be part of all the action that is ongoing in the area. You can rent beach chairs and umbrellas, take a boat tour along the coast to see Positano from open waters, or try some of the local seafood at one of the nearby restaurants. If you are going on a boat tour, be sure to also take the chance to take a dip in the clear, turquoise waters!

Arienzo Beach

Positano (More secluded | One of the best beach clubs | Longer sunshine)

Arienzo Beach Club.webp — Source: Arienzo Beach Club

This secluded beach is located just outside the main town of Positano and is known for its clear waters and peaceful atmosphere. It is also one of the few beaches that have a longer period of sunshine in the afternoon, suitable for those who are looking to sunbathe. You can drive to get there, but be prepared to go down a long 300-steps flight of staircase. (And you’ll have to climb back up to get to your car). Alternatively, you can get there by boat. But if you are heading to Arienzo Beach, you should check out the Arienzo Beach Club, which provides a free shuttle boat service from Positano main pier. The beach club is considered to be one of the best beach clubs in Positano. In particular, the Arienzo Beach Club Positano Restaurant is said to be one of the best restaurants in Positano.

Fornillo Beach

Positano (Less crowded | Accessible by foot | Slightly cheaper)

The Fornillo Beach is the smaller of two beaches in Positano that you can reach by walking (the other being the Spiaggia Grande) . It is located just a short 10 minute walk from the main beach, but is notably less crowded than the main beach. Be warned though, that even though there are multiple routes you could take to the beach, the walk is likely to involve a lot of stairs. But since there will be a lot less people here, you should have a much better chance of finding a spot on the beach. There are a few routes that you can take to the Fornillo Beach, each offering a unique and picturesque view of the beach. If you are looking for somewhere accessible but want to be away from the crowds, Fornillo Beach is a great alternative to the main beach.

Santa Croce Beach

Amalfi (Secluded | Clear Waters | Only accessible by boat)

This beautiful beach is located just outside of Amalfi and is known for its crystal-clear waters and dramatic cliffs. The only way you can get to the Santa Croce Beach is via boat — there are two restaurants (Ristorante da Teresa and Ristorante Santa Croce) on the Santa Croce Beach which provides shuttle services to the beach. The beach is really small at 100 metres long, meaning the free area is really small. So if you wanted to have a comfortable and relaxed day at the beach, we would recommend that you rented a sun lounger and have lunch at one of the restaurants. If you are looking for a short escape away from the large crowds, Santa Croce Beach is a great choice. The beach also has one of the clearest waters on the Amalfi Coast, making it perfect for snorkelling.

Marina di Praia

Praiano (Shorter periods of sunshine | Unique Views | Small beach)

Marina di Praia is a small, pebbly beach is located in the lower part of the charming fishing village of Praiano. The beach is located between two rock ridges, resulting in shorter periods of sunshine. If you are planning to sunbathe at the beach, you should head there in the morning. Take note that the beach is very small, so it could get rather crowded. At this small beach, you will get rather unique views that you might not get at other beaches. Not just would the view be complemented by the rock ridges, you will also be able to see many boats and fishing nets along beach. On the right side of the beach there is a beautiful pathway lined with bars and restaurants leading to Torre a Mare, a Saracen tower from the Middle Ages.

Spiaggia di Maiori

Maiori (Sandy beach | Longest beach | Good for families)

If your idea of a beach is that it has to be sandy and sunny, then look no further than the Maiori beach. The Maiori beach is completely different from the typical landscape of beaches along the Amalfi Coast. For one, the beach is one of the few beaches in the Amalfi Coast that can actually be considered sandy rather than rocky. Close to 1km in length, it is characterised by dark volcanic sand. It also has a flat seafront, so you will get to enjoy much longer unobstructed afternoon sun, perfect for those who just want to lounge in the sun. The sandy beach and ease of access to beachfront hotels and restaurants make this a very family-friendly beach. But at the same time, as it is further away from the popular areas of the Amalfi Coast, the crowds are much more manageable.

Erchie Bay and Spiaggia di Cauco (Erchie)

Off-the-beaten-path | Picturesque views | Secluded

Erchie is a small village located between Maiori and Cetara. The village is not exactly easy to get to, and is often overlooked by tourists. Driving would be the best way to get to Erchie. Alternatively, you could take a bus but be prepared that you might have to walk a distance to get to the village. The highlight of the village is its small, secluded beach of about 200-meter in length. While small, it is one of the most beautiful beaches along the coast. It is mostly frequented by locals who are looking to enjoy a day out at the beach. And since it is at a lesser known part of the Amalfi Coast, and coupled with the fact that the beach is not exactly easy to get to, so you wouldn’t have to worry too much about the place being too crowded — though it could get filled up during peak travel season. To the east of the main beach, there is another beach hidden behind the Erchie Tower — the Spiaggia di Cacuo. The Spiaggia di Cacuo is only accessible by sea, so you could attempt swimming from the main Erchie beach, or to rent a kayak or paddleboat.