When I woke up this morning and checked email, the new Rick Steves Travel News for November was waiting for me. I enjoyed reading about the upcoming release of the Rick Steves Naples & the Amalfi Coast guidebook - with expanded coverage to now include Maiori. Hopefully, he will also expand his coverage of Atrani as well. It's connected to Amalfi town by a tunnel but feels a world away. While Amalfi town is heavily touristed, Atrani is beautiful, quiet and local. RS does give Atrani a mention in the Amalfi Coast section of his current guidebook but a more detailed description would be welcome. Also, a description on how to get to the AC from Salerno would be helpful. About a month ago we took the train from Rome to Salerno - and then the bus over to Atrani - where we stayed for 3 nights right above the beach before taking the ferry to Capri for 2. Atrani was great! We also visited Ravello as well as Positano and obviously Amalfi town. In addition, we did drive through Maiori on the bus and it looked very inviting. A few days before we arrived some friends did a day trip to Maiori and said it was wonderful. Unfortunately, we just didn't have time to get back over to it but experienced great views of it from both Ravello and Atrani. Lastly, while the weather was beautiful, Amalfi town, Positano and Capri and the busses were all very crowded during our visit the last week of September. The locals told me their busy season now extends to October so if you want fewer crowds come in early-mid October. Have fun visiting the Amalfi Coast using the new RS guidebook!
Posted by
1267 posts
Atrani is not sexy and that’s what I loved about it. No one really stops there. No one wants to walk there along the road from Amalfi. In the evening, the tiny town square was mostly locals. I think the local school is there, so there’s plenty of families around. In late shoulder season, the beach was empty. So long as you can get over walking on the road, its proximity to Amalfi and its transportation is where Atrani really wins out. It’s all the convenience of a big town with small town vibes. You could easily forget your a 15 walk from the most crowded town on earth. Great restaurants too.
Posted by
6291 posts
There is a route between Amalfi and Atrani that avoids the main road, and it's not considerably longer than the straight shot.
Posted by
North Italy
596 posts
Interesting! Thanks for sharing
Posted by
new york
846 posts
We've walked to Atrani a few times to have dinner at A PARANZA. Through that tunnel. It's a family-run restaurant with good seafood and welcoming owners.
Posted by
Coral Gables, Florida
419 posts
I walked back and forth the Amalfi to Atrani road a few times, the views are spectacular. I guess thousands of people do the walk daily. It’s worth it. You just need to be careful and be aware of the cars.