The Amalfi Coast brings to mind airy dreams of picturesque cliffside villages and blue and white umbrellas littering the coastline of the Tyrrhenian Sea. Quintessential Amalfi is the lemons, and days spent soaking up the sun and “la dolce vita” in the art of doing nothing. When I’ve dreamed of visiting this picturesque coastline, I always imagined villages untouched by tourism. The kind where there’s no traffic or tacky tourist shops. Just the smell of the sea breeze and the perfect beach day spritzed with pure relaxation and awe-inspiring beauty. A kind of place that’s reminiscent of the 1950s Amalfi Coast, when people had just begun to learn about these seaside villages’ charms and breathtaking cliffside views. No noise, no crowds, no traffic (save a Vespa or two) on the road.
Overall, the secret is out on the Amalfi Coast. Over 5 million tourists flock to this famous vacation spot in southern Italy for summer holiday each year. Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento are all jam-packed, and vacationers consistently outnumber locals.
But one place on the Amalfi Coast has managed to remain a secret despite its proximity to Amalfi. Picture a town with only 1,000 residents and soaring pink and white buildings. A true beach lover’s paradise dotted with aqua umbrellas. All with the absence of the Amalfi Coast price tag. Does it sound too good to be true?
Atrani, Italy — Quintessential Amalfi Coast
Welcome to Atrani, Italy. This enchanting beachside town is a little slice of heaven on the Amalfi Coast. Atrani is the perfect place to spend a blissful afternoon with a good beach read soaking up the sun. It’s only a twenty-minute walk or five-minute drive from Amalfi town, with convenient access to the SITA buses and ferry. Lodging prices are far more affordable in Atrani. Plus, accommodations are a lot quieter than in its neighbor, bustling Amalfi.
The whole village looks like something out of a 1950s dolce vita film, with a marching band playing in the square and cute little cafes serving freshly-tossed pizza. This delightful seaside town is one of the only villages left on the Amalfi Coast that is practically untouched by tourism. The architecture and identity of the town encapsulate its authentic charm and heritage. Atrani lies in the Dragone River Valley, named for the legend of a firebreathing dragon who took up residence here. The village is home to several picturesque churches of varying artistic styles, from Baroque to Rococo.
Atrani is deserving of at the very least a beach day or relaxing seaside lunch on your Amalfi Coast vacation. If this hasn’t convinced you to add Atrani to your bucket list, hopefully the golden hour photos below will be the extra push you need to book that Italy dream trip đŸ˜‰ Have you ever stumbled across an undiscovered gem during your travels? Tell me all about it in the comments below!
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For more Italy travel tips, visit my European Summer blog posts here:
Rome Destination Guide | Venice Destination Guide | What To Wear in Italy
