For an idyllic sailing holiday getaway, there are few locales more indulgent and luxurious than Italy. Looking to try something new outside of visiting the quintessential Rome, Florence, and Milan? Try an Amalfi Coast boat rental, where you can breezily sail from town to town for a sampling of pristine waters, cinema-worthy sights, and imitable romanticism.
Not sure how to plan your Amalfi Coast itinerary? We’re rounding up the 5 coastal towns you don’t want to miss on your Amalfi Coast boat rental.
Let's dive right in!
First, why the Amalfi Coast? The Costiera Amalfitana is a delectable stretch of coastline running along the northern coast of the Salerno Gulf on the Tyrrhenian Sea. For sailing holidays in Italy, the Amalfi Coast has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations, attracting thousands of visitors to its towns every year.
Located in the Province of Salerno of southern Italy, the Amalfi Coast has a traditional Mediterranean climate of warm summers and mild winters. With temperatures averaging 25-30 °C and winds typically coming from the South at 5-20 knots, the Amalfi Coast’s ideal climate is a big draw for sailing enthusiasts—it’s also the perfect fit for beginner sailors.
And for those keen on soaking in Italy’s magnificent views, there’s no better way to do it than sailing from town to town on the glimmering, sun-touched water since most Amalfi Coast towns are built right on the sides of cliffs.
Here are the best towns in Amalfi Coast:
Considered the official starting point of the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento is many sailors’ first stop when planning a yacht charter in Italy. Sorrento is situated on a clifftop that overlooks the Bay of Naples and is served by two mainports: Mergellina and Molo Beverello.
Imagine waking up in the morning aboard your catamaran to the Italian sunrise breaking over the azure horizon. You could easily venture into town to luxuriate at a seaside cafe over a classic Italian espresso. Or, if you’re ready for some adventure-seeking first thing, head straight for the beaches!
In fact, some of Sorrento’s most magical beaches are only accessible by boat—when you chart your course towards these secluded inlets, not only will you discover breathtaking sights, but you’ll skip out on most of the tourist crowds (bonus!).
What sailing trip along the Amalfi Coast could forego the coast’s namesake?
Located at the foot of Monte Cerreto, Amalfi is the oldest Maritime Republic in Italy and was once a mecca for trade in the early 13 century. Now, Amalfi is a World Heritage Site UNESCO, revered for its rich history, art, and culture, and a fan favorite for sailing holidays.
Particularly, with its rocky terrain and picturesque multi-colored houses, it’s no surprise that Amalfi’s idyllic landscape is a top pick for couples sailing Italy for a romantic Amalfi Coast honeymoon.
During the day, you can sip Italy’s world-famous limoncello while taking in the Mediterranean’s one-of-a-kind views from the comfort of your own private yacht.
Looking for a truly spellbinding experience? Head to Santa Croce, a secluded beach just west of Amalfi where you can kiss your sweetheart under the famous ‘Arc of Lovers.’
Perhaps the most famous town on the Amalfi Coast, Positano has a long reputation as the landscape of fantasy, from being the namesake of John Steinbeck’s illustrious novel and the film scene of Humphrey Bogart’s Old Hollywood to the holiday destination of choice for celebrities from Jackie Kennedy to Gwyneth Paltrow.
For Amalfi Coast sailing holidays, Positano is best seen by boat, where you can explore wonders of the town not as easily available to the average tourist.
Take Positano’s Amalfi Coast beaches, for example. The Marina di Tordigliano Beach spans 350m of gorgeous seafront space (the largest beach on the Amalfi Coast!).
Largely left untouched, the Marina di Tordigliano has a natural beauty of rough sand and rocks that can’t be found just anywhere. While land-goers need to descend (and then climb again!) a 170m trail in order to access this beach’s gentle waters, sailors can easily get their fill of the Marina di Tordigliano’s beauty without the strenuous journey.
“...still his heart’s in the Isle of Capri…”
There aren’t many holiday getaways about which Sinatra has sung—ut, then again, Capri isn’t just any other tourist destination!
Spanning 6km of coastline along the Gulf of Naples, Capri is a hot spot for yacht charters seeking to explore the waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea. With its nearly unbeatable sight-seeing, Capri is a world-famous sailing holiday retreat and easily considered one of the best places in the Amalfi Coast. But to truly get the most out of a sailing holiday to ‘the isle of Capri,’ in-the-know travelers always book a yacht charter to explore the town’s countless caves and sea stacks with ease.
A main draw, for example, is the Blue Grotto, a sea cave on the northwest of the island. This magical cave gets its name from the fantastic blue glow the water takes on when sunlight enters the underwater cavity.
The Faraglioni Rocks are another signature sight of Capri that’s best seen from the sea. Derived from the Greek word ‘pharos’ (meaning, lighthouse), the Faraglioni Rocks are three immense rocks rising up from the waters near Capri’s coastline. Standing 80-150m high, these forces of nature are a true majesty of the Amalfi Coast and can be best appreciated when you get up and close with a personal yacht charter.
A volcanic island in the Tyrrhenian Sea, Ischia is another spot you don’t want to miss on your Amalfi Coast itinerary.
For many, the first stop is Ischia Porto, the biggest and busiest town on the island. Nearby, there’s a veritable treasure trove of beaches for you to choose from—from San Pietro Beach with its clear water and sunny, golden sands, to Pagoda Beach, Lido Beach, Inglesi Beach, and more.
While Ischia can be accessed from the mainland via ferries or hydrofoils, many affirm that the best way to sail to the island is via a private yacht charter. On your own catamaran, you can wake up with the sunrise (or sleep in!) and enjoy crystal blue water views from just within reach. During the day, you can visit the vibrant city for a delicious seafood dinner and nightcap and then say goodbye to the crowded shores for a relaxing night in the privacy of your own yacht.
The Amalfi Coast is a veritable gem of the Mediterranean, and with so many spectacular sights to see, it would be a shame to limit yourself to the land. Dreaming of your own Amalfi Coast boat rental? Contact us today to learn more and get a free quote!
