4 Top Sights to Visit While Staying in Amalfi Coast Villas

The Amalfi Coast in southern Italy is considered one of the most beautiful and cultural areas of the country, as recognised by its UNESCO World Heritage Site status as a cultural landscape. Staying in one of the many wonderful Amalfi Coast villas puts visitors in the perfect position to enjoy this region and experience all it has to offer. The independence this kind of accommodation affords is an invitation to explore, whether to the towns that hug the coastline, or the famous ruins of Pompeii overlooked by the volcano Vesuvius.

Amalfi

This is the main town along the Amalfi Coast. Villas anywhere along the coast are within day-trip distance of the town. It is exceptionally beautiful, situated at the mouth of a deep ravine, surrounded by picturesque steep hills and the sea. From 839 to 1200 AD, it was the capital of the Duchy of Amalfi, a maritime republic with significant trading power in the Mediterranean. Today it is a scenic town, with major sights including the stunning Duomo in the Piazza del Duomo, the burial grounds of Chiostro del Paradiso, the Arsenal of the Maritime Republic and the Museum of Handmade Paper, as well as a fine selection of restaurants. The architecture of the town’s major sights shows its trading history with the influence of Byzantine aesthetics on the Duomo and the Arab-style white columns and pointed arches in the Chiostro del Paradiso.

Ravello

Ravello is another coastal town that is easily reached from any of the Amalfi Coast villas. Its history is entwined with the region, since when it was a member of the maritime republic and a significant producer and dyer of wool from the surrounding hills. For many centuries it was the seat of a diocese. It is now visited for its cathedral, its fine residences — including Cimbrone, which is famous for the panoramic views from its "Terrace of the Infinite" — and the gardens at Cimbrone and Rufolo.

Positano

The village of Positano is built on hills leading down to the sea: an undeniably scenic location that ought to lure many people from their Amalfi Coast villas to pay it a visit. Exploring its streets is highly rewarding, as is stepping into the church of Santa Maria Assunta, which has a dome of majolica tiles and a 13th century icon of a black Madonna from Byzantium.

Pompeii

A rather different excursion presents itself with Pompeii. The famous ruins of the Roman city destroyed by an eruption of Mt Vesuvius in 79 AD are an unforgettable sight. The ash that buried the city preserved a great deal: streets, public buildings, low levels of houses, complete with mosaics and frescoes, and the casts of people who could not flee the city in time.

Jonathan Magoni is Senior Manager of Cottages to Castles, a family owned company specialising in high quality holiday villas, apartments and cottages in Italy. For spectacular Amalfi Coast villas or accommodation in the Italian lakes, ski resorts or city centres, we offer only the very best. Discover Italy at your own pace and without time restrictions in our hand picked villas and cottages.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.