Amalfi coast: 10 things to do like a local

Visit the Amalfi Coast like a local in 10 insider moves. 

The internet is full of tourist guides and tips about how to get around the seaside villages of Campania's marvellous coastline. 

We want to give you a few tips to get out of the mould of the usual mass tourism and fully enjoy the immense historical and cultural heritage of the Costiera Amalfitana.

If you want to immerse yourself in the unique atmospheres of the Amalfi Coast even while travelling, don't miss the second episode of Italy Like a Local, the Visit Italy podcast that takes you on a discovery of the most authentic Italy.

Christie Peruse will guide you through the secrets, stories and curiosities of this magical land.

Amalfi lemons. There is no more iconic image to describe the Amalfi Coast. Large, juicy, elongated, smooth-skinned. And very, very yellow. The sfusato amalfitano is so photogenic that seeing it will make you want to take snapshots.

As a protagonist of the local cuisine, it's not unusual to find dishes prepared with lemon on the menu of any Amalfi Coast restaurant.  

Let's start with dessert. Have you ever tasted a Delizia al Limone pie? If not, the time has come for you to make up. 

Invented in 1978 by local pasticciere Carmine Marzuillo and made famous by bakery star Sal De Riso, this dolce made with limoncello-soaked sponge cake, custard and lemon cream will look at you winking from the counter of Amalfi's pastry shops, whispering, "eat me". You should definitely listen to a talking cake.

Usually, it's served in single portions resembling a lemon's shape. Try it at the end of a meal and eat it again as a snack in the afternoon, after dinner, for breakfast...

Looking for relaxation and tranquillity? Then you'll love this small village known as "la leonessa di Amalfi" (Amalfi's lioness). Scala is the oldest town on the Amalfi Coast and is surrounded by the deep vegetation of the Valle delle Ferriere Nature Reserve (if you want to learn more, here's a link to our article about the excursions to do in Campania). 

Founded by a handful of Roman families who landed here after a shipwreck, the town boasted in its heyday luxurious residences, churches and monasteries of great value, two castles and mighty walls of which only a few ruins remain today. 

Scala is not part of the classic tourist itineraries: one more reason to go there and experience the Amalfi Coast like a true local. Like many villages, it is all uphill, so be prepared for strenuous but wonderful trekking.

You will see the remains of an ancient Arab bathhouse, the imposing Basilica of Sant'Eustachio, the Cathedral of San Lorenzo, and extraordinary panoramas. 

Atrani is a pastel-coloured tiny town plunging into the azure blue Tyrrhenian Sea. Those who wish to visit the Amalfi Coast like a local cannot avoid popping in.

Head to the piazzetta, so small and gathered under the clock of the Chiesa di San Salvatore de' Birecto, where Amalfi dukes used to be crowned. Sit at a bar table and enjoy a granita or limoncello overlooking the coast. Better at sunset. 

From the square, get directions to Masaniello's cave. 750 steps that will lead to an extraordinary rocky cavity where legend has it that the famous Neapolitan revolutionary found refuge. 

The route is spine-tingling, and if you decide to set out at dawn, you will see the sun rising in a spectacle of light and colour that will make you forget the effort it took to get there.

We don't know whether the (700) inhabitants of Furore are expert divers. What is certain is that one of the most exciting events in the area is a spectacular diving competition. 

The background is offered by the enchanting long narrow inlet of water and rock that has made the fame of this non-town. 

Despite being one of Italy's most beautiful villages, Furore is a cluster of houses scattered here and there amidst the Amalfi Coast's lush vegetation. Terraced vineyards, colourful flowers, and lemon and olive groves have made it one of the most lovely corners of the coast. 

You can reach the beach—which is very small and one of the most romantic hidden spots of the Costa d'Amalfi—by climbing an endless series of steep steps from the bridge over the fjord. 

This is the background of the annual Marmeeting, a vertiginous world diving championship. The best international athletes are involved in exceptional 28-meter high jumps, making Furore the Acapulco of Europe. 

 The best way to watch the competition? From a boat. 

Conca dei Marini is famous for the Marina di Conca beach, the marvellous Emerald Grotto, and la sfogliatella di Santa Rosa, a delicacy of the Amalfi Coast that you can't fail to taste for a complete Sorrento experience.

What else? Well, witches. The local version goes by the name janare. Holidaying on the Amalfi Coast like a local will bring you face to face with myths and legends. Start getting to know them now.

Le janare are usually described as beautiful women who wandered around Conca dei Marini, moving in the darkness in skimpy clothes. They aimed to attract the attention of sailors near the coast with sweet songs, words of love, and magic potions. Once trapped and seduced, the unfortunate men would be offered in sacrifice. 

Apparently, the charming witches used to hang around the church of San Pancrazio in the 16th century. It's a place of extraordinary beauty surrounded by palm and olive trees that you should definitely visit. If you hear melodious voices in the air, you already know who they belong to.

Do you like creepy legends? Find out which haunted places to visit in Italy.

Ravello's gardens are as beautiful as they are said to be. But to realise just how stunning they actually are, you have to go there because the pictures on Google only give a partial idea of what you will find.

The locals are very proud of the feather in their cap, and with good reason. The gardeners of Ravello have created authentic jewels. In the 19th-century, UK lords fell in love with this place during the grand tour journeys and designed ravishing outdoor spaces for their new mansions. 

Il Giardino dell'Anima (garden of the soul) of Villa Rufolo belonged to Sir Francis Nevile Reid and amazed Richard Wagner. He had the impression of finding the actual Klingsor's magic garden from his Parsifal. 

Don't miss Villa Cimbrone either. The building that once belonged to Ernest William Beckett is now a luxury hotel. Still, the exteriors are accessible to visitors, and we highly recommend going there because it truly is one of the most enchanting places on the Amalfi Coast. 

Several private structures in Ravello boast dreamy gardens. Who knows, you might even find one in the hotel you have booked. 

Find more about the most authentic things to do in Ravello in our article.