TASTE OF
AMALFI COAST BEACHES

SCENIC SWIMMING SPOTS
ON THE AMALFI  ​AND SORRENTO COASTS

Finding places to go into the sea on the rocky shores of Amalfi and Sorrento is not that easy. Luxury hotels in these areas have elevators that descend to their private beaches. If you are not staying at such a place, you need to know where you can access the seaside. In the following text, you will discover the precise places to go into the sea and valuable tips to enhance your exploration in Costiera.

SORRENTO COAST

CAPITAN COOK BEACH IN SORRENTO COAST

GAVITELLA BEACH, PRAIANO

Discovering the Best Swimming Spots and Insider Secrets along the Rocky Shores

Things to Know:

• ​Don't expect sandy and wide beaches on the Amalfi and Sorrento Coasts. The beaches are generally narrow and small, either located on cliffs or rocky. Although you may find sandy and wide beaches, they are usually further away from the areas where tourists stay.
• You should wear water shoes for rocky or pebbly beaches. If you forget to bring them, don't worry, you can find plastic water shoes almost everywhere.
• I'm not referring to paid beaches or beach clubs. The concept of beach clubs is not common in these areas.
• If you prefer not to go to paid beaches, you can go to protected beaches that you can reach through scenic roads or trails by trekking.
• The price for a sunbed and an umbrella in paid beaches can reach 20 EUR per person. If you have a car, don't forget to consider the parking fee as well.
• Most of these beaches allow outside food and drinks. Local markets or delis make sandwiches called panini or colazione to take to the beach.
• Don't expect to be given a front row sunbed because you arrived first. Every beach has its regular or privileged customers, and they reserve the front row for them.
• During August, when all Italians go on vacation, the prices of private beaches increase by at least 5-10 EUR along with the parking fees.

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​​Sorrento

• BAGNI di REGINA GIOVANNA: Free, rocky. You can reach the entrance by walking about half an hour on a scenic road from the center of Sorrento to a paid parking area. To reach it from the parking lot or the bus stop, you will need to walk approximately 20 minutes downhill and 40 minutes uphill on the way back. It offers a view overlooking Mount Vesuvius and Naples from the ruins of the summer villa of Polli Felice, a noble poet and historian who built a library in ancient Rome. This area, where the ruthless Queen Giovanna, who reigned between 1371 and 1435, used to swim naked in the sea, is a natural pool cut off from the sea by rocky cliffs, right behind the ruins of this villa. It is said that after enjoying time with her lovers, she would throw them into the sea from these rocks and kill them.

Sorrento, Bagni di Regina Giovanna

• Marina di Puolo and Spiaggia della Pignatella are paid sandy beaches. They have their own parking lot. The Sorrento-Sant'Agata buses stop in front of the Pignatella Beach. The Pignatella Beach itself is free, but you can also rent sun loungers if you'd like.
• Baia di Ieranto, also known as Ieranto Bay, can be reached by bus or private vehicle from the village of Nerano. The hiking trail starts in Nerano and takes at least 45 minutes to descend and 1 hour to ascend. It involves downhill and uphill paths through mountains and stone stairs. Ieranto Bay is suitable for adventurous and dynamic individuals. Wearing sports shoes is a must. Once you reach the bay, you can either enter the sea from its stony beach (which can be quite crowded) or from a high platform built by an old factory over the sea. According to many, this is the most beautiful beach along the coast, offering both a view of Capri and clear waters. You can encounter various fish species while snorkeling. If you're a strong swimmer, you can also reach an unnamed bay behind Ieranto Bay by swimming. Motorized boats are prohibited from entering this area as it is under protection. But lately a limited number of boats can access to this bay, where you can get your tickets online from this site:  www.sorrentotouristoffice.com/category/14/sea-excursions.html

Baia di Ieranto, Yeranto Koyu

• Marina di Cantone -The beach belongs to Nerano Village and is a favorite among locals. It is primarily a stony beach, but still comfortable with parking facilities, restaurants, and bars located just behind the beach. Various establishments provide sun loungers, with Perla being one of the most exclusive options. Maria Grazia is a renowned restaurant in Costiera that has gained fame for inventing the famous dish spaghetti alla Nerano. This delightful pasta dish primarily consists of cheese and fried zucchini. In addition to Maria Grazia, there are also two Michelin-starred restaurants in Nerano. Quattro Passi  and Taverna del Capitano are highly esteemed dining establishments known for their exceptional cuisine. Lo Scoglio is another notable restaurant in Nerano that caters mainly to VIPs and boat enthusiasts. 
• Cala di Mitigliano -  reachable from Termini, recently closed to public but still you can reach by boat

• Marina Piccola Beach - In Sorrento, you'll find a variety of paid beaches, but Marina Piccola Beach is the one you see from the famous Sorrento terrace. It's conveniently located just behind Villa Comunale. Simply take the elevator down, and you'll easily reach this beach.
• Marina Grande Beach - This is the beach where fishing boats dock, and you'll find fish restaurants nearby. Although it's free to access, swimming right in front of the restaurants and behind the boats may not be the most exciting option. However, there is a charming restaurant situated on a deck at this beach where you can pay and enjoy a wonderful swim. It's called Bagni Sant'Anna.
• Capitan Cook - A paid beach, one of the best kept secrets within the locals. There is a romantic restaurant and a little bar inside the establishment. The beach itself is rocky and not easy to get into the sea, so avoid if you have children. There are free rocks for adventurous ones on the left side of this establishment. You need a car or to get down in Marciano stop of SITA bus and walk around 15 min.
• Marina della Lobra - You can enter the open sea for free through the rocks in front of the long promenade in the village of Massa Lubrense. There are also places where you can rent sun loungers and umbrellas at affordable prices. Marina della Lobra may not be the most popular choice, as it is primarily frequented by local tourists who own properties in the area. Nevertheless, the breathtaking view of Capri from this beach is truly remarkable.

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AROUND POSITANO

In the center of Positano:
Along the Positano Beach, you can find both paid and free beaches near the harbor.

• Fornillo Beach: You can reach this beach by following the narrow road behind the harbor. It is a pebble beach where you can access the sea for a fee or for free.
• Arienzo Beach: As you leave Positano and head towards the town of Praiano, a long set of stairs leads you down to this pebble beach, which is less crowded and free to access. 

AROUND POSITANO:

• TORDIGLANO BEACH: This secluded beach can only be accessed by trekking or boat. Interestingly, it is part of the community of Vico Equense, the town before Sorrento. The best way to reach the beach is by car or scooter, with scooters being preferable due to more parking options along the winding Amalfi Coast road. There are no bars or amenities available on the beach, so it's recommended to bring your own towels and umbrellas or find a non-existent shade to avoid getting sunburned. When you descend the road, you will arrive at a small beach with a picturesque fishing house. However, this is not the actual Tordigliano beach. Some adventurous individuals may choose to navigate a risky path over the rocks to reach the small beach on the left side (when facing the sea), while on the right-hand side, there is a hidden, expansive beach. To access this large beach, you must pass through the small patio of the fishing house and ascend the unstable stairs, carefully hopping on and off rocks along the way.

• LAURITO BEACH :  This beach is home to two restaurants, one of which is the renowned Da Adolfo. They offer complimentary boat rides from Positano or nearby areas. You can relish a delicious lunch and soak up the sun. If you prefer to make your own way, you can hike from the Laurito SITA Bus Stop, descending the stairs, passing through the houses, and then traversing a small jungle for approximately 40 minutes. This charming beach is where you can also enjoy your time at no cost. However, please note that while descending is relatively easy, climbing back up can be quite challenging!

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PRAIANO 

Praiano is a charming town, more popular among locals than tourists, and offers a fantastic view overlooking Positano. The best view can be enjoyed from the town square, where an impressive yellow church stands. For a breathtaking view and dinner experience, Trattoria San Gennaro, a family restaurant which overlooks the town square, is highly recommended.
From the town center, accessible via a relatively long staircase (better than Arienzo Beach), you can reach La Gavitella Beach. Here, you'll find two different beach clubs as well as rocky areas where you can sunbathe for free. The beach itself has a rocky terrain and is often crowded with local children. On the stairs leading to La Gavitella, there is an amazing bar where you can stop for a drink on your way back and enjoy the colorful sunset. This beach is also popular among the guests of luxury hotels in Praiano. Additionally, there is a boat service available, and you can even rent kayaks for a delightful experience.
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