Sorrento and Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi and Sorrento Coast form the famous Sorrento and Amalfi peninsula, hosting some of the most remarkable gems of Southern Italy. The southern end of the Bay of Naples stretches out in a steep and rocky peninsula that reaches towards the Isle of Capri. Sorrento, another major tourist destination, looks back towards Naples from the north coast of the peninsula. The southern side of the peninsula is dotted with picturesque villages and towns clinging giddily to cliffs; this is what is known as the Amalfi Coast. For decades these fishing villages, stacked precariously above the sea, have been one of Italy's major tourist attractions. Nowadays the area's principal industry is tourism, and a staggering number of hotels have been squeezed into the restricted spaces of the small towns. Well-accustomed to catering for affluent foreign tourists, the area offers a generous selection of restaurants, bars, boutiques, boat trips, just about anything self-indulgent that you can spend money on. Although prices are generally high, there are affordable options in the area. Some visitors find the region over-developed and over-crowded, especially in the height of summer, but for many the little boutiques, ceramics shops and the welcome laid on for tourists is part of the coastline's charm. The views are undeniably breath taking, and away from the main road and the tourist hot-spots you can still discover the peace that charmed earlier visitors.