Yacht Destination

Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter

The Amalfi Coast (Costiera Amalfitana), the stretch of coastline south of Naples in the Campania region of Italy that includes the picturesque towns of Positano, Praiano and Amalfi, is an exceptional luxury yacht charter destination with a mild climate, towns teetering on vertical cliffs, lemon and olive groves peppering the terraced hillsides and beautiful beaches reached only by private yacht.

Cruise ship in distance off Ravello, Italy
Sun setting behind cliff face in Salerno Italy
Fraglioni in Capri
Aerial view of blue parasols on white sandy Amalfi beach

Why Visit the Amalfi Coast on a Yacht Charter?

Iconic in Italy and a benchmark for a bucket list destination, Bespoke Yacht Charter will guide you to the best of the Amalfi Coast yacht charters where it’s possible to visit the popular coastal resorts and also enjoy traditional towns that preserve their authenticity, despite being one of Italy’s favourite tourist destinations.

Welcome to Bespoke Yacht Charter’s pick of the region’s highlights where exploring the Amalfi Coast on a luxury charter yacht is a pleasure and a slice of la dolce vita!

Here are 7 Reasons To Add The Amalfi Coast To Your Next Yacht Charter Itinerary

Incredible Sunsets

Contrary to popular belief, the sun on the Amalfi Coast drops behind the mountains rather than over the sea, however it remains one of the best places in the world to watch the sunset and enjoy the romantic atmosphere of the twinkling lights on the pastel-coloured buildings and changing hues of the aquamarine sea.

When ashore, if you dream of a postcard snapshot of the sunset in Positano we think the best viewpoints are found at Franco’s Bar at La Sirenuse, the stairway on Via Cristoforo Colombo near Hotel Marincanto, or follow the 1700-odd steps from Positano to the small village of Nocelle set 450 metres above sea level with a birds-eye view of the coastline all the way to Capri. Nocelle is well known for the Sentieri degli Dei (Path of the Gods) hiking trail, so its best saved for energetic hikers!

View along the Amalfi coast, Italy with blue seas and rocky cliffs
Yacht charter on the Amalfi Coast

Incredible Panoramas

Gavitella Beach, is the only beach on the Amalfi Coast that gets the sun all day until it sets.  Located on the Vettica side of Praiano, Gavitella is considered one of the magical locations to watch the sunset along the Amalfi Coast with an incredible panorama extending from Positano to the three islets of Li Galli to Punta Campanella and the island of Capri.

Other fabulous spots to catch the last rays of the sun on the Amalfi Coast include the Torre dello Ziro watchtower overlooking Amalfi and Atrani, the quirky Il Pirata restaurant at Marina di Praia and the Sunset Terrace at the historic Monastero Santa Rosa Hotel & Spa.

Gorgeous Views

From the sea, exploring the Amalfi Coast is a true journey in beauty with pretty views of vertically-stacked villages, citrus trees and ancient defensive watchtowers. The SS 163 Amalfitana is the coastal road from Sorrento to Salerno – the road of a thousand bends – with Vespas zipping past rental cars heading to the next Amalfi hotspot. The road is a thrilling drive and plummets down towards the sea by way of a series of hair-raising turns; even on land you’ll find spectacular vistas of crystalline sea and verdant mountains.

Aside from the incredible views from your charter yacht, hotels and restaurants possess the best panoramic views on the Amalfi Coast – the Calajanara Restaurant in Conca dei Marini has a wonderful sea view terrace open in summer months, or relax with a drink at Ristorante Franchino at the Hotel Onda Verde in Praiano.

Ravello, known as the ‘city of music’ is located inland high above Amalfi and worth visiting for unbeatable views of sky and sea – stop for a cool aperitivo on the terrace of the Palazzo Avino or admire the sea views amidst the wisteria-trailing formal gardens and statues at Villa Cimbrone. In summer time, a stage is set up at Villa Rufolo where Amalfi Coast yacht charter guests can soak up the panoramas listening to classical concerts and chamber music.

Agriturismo Villa Maria is a must-visit shore excursion when on yacht charter to the Amalfi Coast. Hospitable and knowledgeable, the owners make their own antipasti from scratch with wild fennel salami, olive oil and cheese. Take a bottle of their delectable fruit liqueur back on board after enjoying the views from the lemon groves above Minori.

Torre Normanna at Maiori is one of the most atmospheric places to soak up the views on the Amalfi Coast – a 13th century Norman tower perched on its own rocky promontory, it has a variety of romantic dining spaces with uninterrupted vistas of the coast and town.

Ristorante Il Refettorio at Monastero Santa Rosa is an exceptional dining experience with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Salerno and exquisite dishes that fuse Mediterranean flavours with sun-ripened ingredients. To end your meal, try the seashell-shaped sfogliatelle pastry which was invented by the nuns and still found in pasticcerias on the Amalfi Coast and beyond. This humble pastry even has an annual festival called the Sfogliatella Santa Rosa in August dedicated to it!

For a casual meal, when strolling quayside do what the locals do and buy some fritti misto di mare from a street stall that you eat out of a wrapped paper cone with a stick and pair it with a chilled tumbler of white wine garnished in peach slices.

Tantalising Food

Enjoying delicious food is a highlight of all yacht charters in Italy and having your own private yacht chef to create wonderful dishes from local ingredients is a sublime culinary experience.

For those occasions when you prefer to dine ashore, the Amalfi Coast is no exception to heavenly gastronomy when visiting Italy. Local dishes follow the changing of the seasons and are characteristic of Campanian life – fresh seafood and fish dishes, home-made pasta with regional tomatoes and dishes typical of the Lattari Mountains that form the backbone of the Amalfi Coast.

Look for menus featuring parapandalo shrimps, scialatielli pasta with clams or fresh octopus, paccheri stuffed with vegetables or spaghetti drowsed with Colatura di Alici, an amber liquid made from macerated anchovies from Cetara.

You’ll also likely see vibrant bunches of Pomodorino del Piennolo grape tomatoes hanging at markets; the tomatoes have protected status for strict cultivation in the areas around Mount Vesuvius, but their distinctive flavour is widely revered throughout Campania and best tasted in a hearty soup (zuppa), fettuccine with fresh basil or a crisp slice of Pizza Napoletana.

In Ravello, make sure you venture to the former family manor of the Roman noble, the Marquis de Cinque, where the Palumbo family run the four-star Villa Maria. The restaurant there uses organic ingredients from their herb and vegetable gardens – try their speciality of local fish cooked on lemon leaves and coated in garlic, lemon zest and crisp breadcrumbs.

The zingy lemon has celebrity status on the Amalfi Coast, look for the giant sfusato lemons – best sampled as a chilled digestif of limoncello or a refreshing lemon granita on a hot day.

Stunning Beaches

The diverse beaches along the Amalfi Coast vary from busy municipal beaches such as Marina Grande at Amalfi with sun loungers and restaurants to secluded stretches of sand with no facilities or crowds and ideal for swimming, snorkeling, diving or water sports.

Two best tips that Bespoke Yacht Charter can share about beaches on the Amalfi Coast is that many beaches only get the sun in the early to middle part of the day therefore you should time your visit accordingly depending on which beach you choose, and many beaches can only be accessed by boat making the coastline an ideal getaway for a luxury yacht charter.

At Marina di Praia in Praiano, you’ll find a pebble beach bedecked with local fishing boats and a few superb restaurants. Don’t miss wandering along the coastal pathway around the cliff beneath the Saracen watch tower (the Torre a Mare) or returning at night for a cocktail at the Africana nightclub.

Le Praie can only be accessed from the sea and is noted as the most beautiful beach in Praiano with a magnificent setting of rock cliffs crested with maritime pine trees. Exercise caution when standing under the cliffs as there is a danger of falling rocks, but it’s an ideal stop when looking for a lovely place to relax.

Spiaggia La Vite at Conca dei Marini is a pleasant beach to swim with a nice outlook of an ancient watchtower. Nearby you’ll find the Grotta dello Smeraldo, a karst sea cave, discovered in 1932 by a local fisherman and famous for the emerald colour of its interior and an underwater nativity scene.

The fishing town of Cetara is less touristic compared to the busy coastal resorts of Amalfi and Positano – head there for a more tranquil beach escape; Collata beach is reached only by sea.

Aerial view of blue parasols on white sandy Amalfi beach
Fraglioni in Capri

For quiet beach days, cruise to Cavallo Morto near Maiori, Santa Croce west of Amalfi or the Bay of Ieranto with a tiny beach set in a cove opposite Capri’s Faraglioni rocks.

For something a bit different, head to the fjord of Furore. Stacked fishing townhouses ‘monazzeni‘ sit nestled amongst the rock face; you should note that due to the orientation of the beach it doesn’t get full sun until 3pm in the afternoon. The picturesque fjord hosts an annual event where on a Sunday in July, the 30-metre high bridge which spans the cliffs becomes the stage for the MarMeeting, world high diving championship. Afterwards, drop in for a wine tasting at the Cantine Marisa Cuomo above Furore, a small winery set on terraced land overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea.

Spectacular Accommodation Ashore

A luxury yacht charter on the Amalfi Coast offers an unbeatable getaway for privacy and solitude at sea and many charter clients link their time at sea with luxury stays on land at boutique lodgings.

The Amalfi Coast has premium accommodation that alludes to honeymoons, weddings and special occasions in historical buildings and beautiful settings.

Combine your Amalfi Coast yacht charter with a stay at the five-star Grand Hotel Il Saraceno in Amalfi decorated in a Sultanate style with mosaics and antique furniture, enjoy the sumptuous surroundings of the Palazzo Avino or Belmond Hotel Caruso in Ravello, or luxuriate at the central location of Hotel Palazzo Murat in Positano with a charming botanic garden and period furnishings.

The Hotel Santa Caterina, Hotel Luna Convento, Villa Scarpariello Relais and Monastero Santa Rosa are four historical hotels with comfortable Suites and swimming pools with unforgettable coastal views.

Il San Pietro di Positano, a Relais & Châteaux property, is one of the finest five-star hotels in Italy – cut into the cliffside, the hotel’s rooms have private balconies overlooking the sea and are decorated with vibrant tiles, quirky ceramics and plush soft furnishings. You’ll find it hard to tear yourself away back to your yacht once you settle on the ocean view benches for a Aperol spritz or dine in their Michelin-starred restaurant.

During your time ashore, make sure to spend some time wandering the stairways, alleys and streets of the Amalfi Coast towns where boutiques sell handmade leather sandals, linen resort wear, lace, embroidery or bright ceramics in cobalt blue, tomato red or zesty yellow.

Italian Architecture

Italian architecture spans the millenia and the Amalfi Coast has some unique and photogenic architecture originating from Greek, Roman, Norman, Saracen and Arabian influence.

Exploring the region by private yacht highlights the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, but you’ll be surprised at the cultural beauty too from medieval churches to town piazzas and converted monasteries.

Ravello, a town that has attracted musicians, filmmakers, writers and painters, is home to classic and contemporary architecture. Stunningly gorgeous, don’t miss Villa Rufolo’s gardens and cloisters and the classical gardens and ‘Terrace of Infinity’ belvedere dotted with marble busts at the Villa Cimbrone. Modern architecture is seen at Oscar Niemeyer’s Auditorium which offers a dedicated venue for concerts and temporary artists.

Praiano has beautiful architectural sights such as the majolica tiled votive shrines seen throughout the town and magnificent churches including the Church of San Luca Evangelista, famous for its historic majolica floor and artworks, the Church of San Gennaro and the Church of Santa Maria a Castro with restored Dominican frescoes.

Minori has architectural treasures of great value such as the Basilica of Santa Trofimena, the bell tower of Annunziata in Arab-Norman style and a first century AD Roman villa.

Other architectural places of interest on the Amalfi Coast are the Duomo in Amalfi, the Solimene ceramic factory in Vietri sul Mare, Hotel Casa Angelina, Zaha Hadid Architect’s modern ferry terminal in Salerno and the town of Atrani with many examples of historic architecture.

Fascinating History

From the art museums of Naples to the impressive ruins at nearby Pompeii and Herculaneum, an Amalfi Coast yacht charter will delve into the passage of time over centuries.

Settled by humans since the early Middle Ages, this stretch of Campanian coastline is UNESCO-listed and an exceptional region of natural and cultural importance.

Religious history influences local customs and festivals today. The convent of Santa Maria a Castro high above Praiano hosts ‘Luminaria di San Domenico’ which is one of the Amalfi Coast’s most spectacular festivals. Each year in summer during the festival, the Piazza San Gennaro is illuminated nightly by thousands of candles and performances from fire artists. On July 22, the town of Atrani celebrates the Feast of Santa Maria Maddalena where a procession winds through the town followed by fireworks over the sea.

After declaring itself independent of Naples, Amalfi was the first of the Four Maritime Republics of Italy and became the main trading port of southern Italy and a dominant naval power throughout the Mediterranean. Amalfi’s sea trading significance is evident in Arab-Sicilian architecture, as well as the Arsenal of the Maritime Republic (an important maritime museum) and yearly festivals on both June 27 and November 30, which celebrate Sant’Andrea, the town’s patron saint and protector of fishermen.

Beyond The Amalfi Coast

If the gorgeous vistas of the Amalfi Coast leave you with a sense of wanderlust, we have other great Southern Italian yacht charter destinations that will awaken your lust for Italian landscapes and lifestyle.

Naples, the largest regional city in Campania is bracing and gritty but worth a visit for the collections at the Naples National Archaeological Museum and the Museo di Capodimonte. If visiting Naples, ensure you take a shore excursion to nearby Ercolano or Caserta. At Ercolano, you can visit Mount Vesuvius, view the Herculaneum ruins or travel to nearby Pompeii for its famous excavations. At Caserta, you will find the off-the-beaten path Royal Palace of Caserta, known as the ‘Versailles of Naples’ it was built for the Bourbon King of Naples and one of the largest palaces built in the 18th century in Europe.

Best enjoyed out of peak season, cruise to the islands of Capri, Ischia or Procida for beach resorts, thermal springs, hiking and sunbathing. On the other side of the Sorrentine peninsula from the Amalfi Coast towns, charming Sorrento is a popular gateway town to the Amalfi Coast and within easy reach to one of Bespoke Yacht Charter’s recommended restaurants, Don Alfonso 1890.

Heading south-east from the Amalfi resorts, anchor in the Gulf of Salerno and head ashore to explore the ruins at the UNESCO-protected temples at Paestum. The Doric order temples dedicated to Hera and Athena are among the best preserved Greek ruins left on mainland Italy and one of the most significant archaeological sites in the world.

Yachts to Charter in the West Mediterranean

Related Posts

Book a Amalfi Coast Yacht Charter

The ideal time to visit the Amalfi Coast on a yacht charter is in spring and early in summer (May/June) or autumn (September/October). The peak summer months can be crowded and the weather very hot. The shoulder seasons have great temperatures, beautiful flowers in bloom and less crowds.

To check availability and book a charter, please get in touch with Bespoke Yacht Charter today.