Best Beaches on the Amalfi Coast — Where to Actually Swim on a Coast Built for Looking, Not Swimming

The Amalfi Coast was not designed for swimming. It was designed for LOOKING at the sea from a terrace while eating fish. The beaches are tiny, rocky, crowded, and expensive (30-50 for a sunbed). But they exist. Here are the ones worth the effort.

Fornillo, Positano

The SECOND beach (west of the main Spiaggia Grande). Smaller, less crowded, better. Walk through the tunnel from Spiaggia Grande. Da Adolfo restaurant above.

Atrani

The real beach. The tiny village next to Amalfi has a small sandy beach in a cove. Locals. No daytrippers. Walk from Amalfi in 5 min.

Fiordo di Furore

A narrow fjord with a tiny beach at the bottom. 200 steps down. The bridge above was the Red Bull Cliff Diving site. Spectacular and small.

Baia di Ieranto

WWF reserve. 30 min hike from Nerano. Faces the Faraglioni of Capri. Free. Wild. The best swim on the Amalfi Coast — and it's not technically ON the Amalfi Coast.

Marina di Praia

A pebble cove between two cliffs. A handful of boats, a restaurant, deep water immediately. Feels like a secret.

Duoglio, Amalfi

West of Amalfi. Walk or take the elevator (1) from the coastal road. Less crowded than the main beach. Sun all day.

The reality

Amalfi Coast beaches are SMALL. In July-August, arrive by 9am or book a stabilimento. The free sections fill by 10am. Consider BOAT RENTAL (120-200/day for a small gozzo) — the best "beach" on the Amalfi Coast is the boat itself, anchored in a cove.

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