When most tourists visit the Amalfi Coast, they tend to stick to the region’s most popular destinations like Positano and Amalfi. While these popular towns offer plenty to do and see, the Amalfi Coast is filled with tons of hidden gems. These include beautiful nature, unique beaches, picturesque villages, and so much more that most people skip during their Amalfi Coast holiday.

If you’re anything like me, you like to explore a destination’s off-the-beaten-path hidden gems just as much as its most iconic locations. The good news is that the Amalfi Coast is filled with so many of these hidden gems that are just waiting to be explored! 

Here are the best hidden gems to visit in the Amalfi Coast:

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Valle delle Ferriere

In my opinion, Valle delle Ferriere is the best hidden gem in the Amalfi Coast and I can’t believe it is not more popular! Located just 35 minutes on foot from Amalfi Town, Valle delle Ferriere is a rainforest-like nature reserve with a microclimate that feels completely different from everywhere else on the Amalfi Coast. It’s surrounded by lush, dense forests, cascading waterfalls, rushing streams, and pools with crystal-clear water you can take a *chilly* dip in, and ruins from paper mills and ironwork factories dating back to the medieval period. The name “Valle delle Ferriere” actually translates to “Valley of the Ironworks”, paying homage to its history.

Valle delle Ferriere is also home to some extremely rare plants that thrive in its environment, such as “Woodwardia Radicans”, which is also known as the “Millions of Years Fern”, and is considered to be a living fossil. One of the most unique spots in the valley is its fossilized moss wall, where continuous water dripping from the moss has created a calcium buildup, petrifying the moss. These are so cool to see and sitting under the hundreds of tiny streams of water is nothing like anything I’ve ever experienced before!

There are several easy-moderate hiking trails you can take through the valley, which takes you through the lush forest, past waterfalls, and panoramic viewpoints overlooking the Amalfi Coast. One of the most popular routes is the hike from Amalfi town up to the valley, which takes about 2-3 hours round trip. We personally left from Scala and it was around the same length as the route from Amalfi (though this hike is a lot more flat or downhill than the Amalfi one, which starts off with a bunch of steps and inclines). 

Entry for Valle delle Ferriere costs 5 Euros per person and tickets can be purchased at the entrance. Make sure to have cash on hand as they don’t accept credit cards and hiking all that way without getting to experience this unique spot would be such a shame!

Alternatively, you can book a guided hike to Valle delle Ferriere with an experienced guide. Both small-group guided hikes and private guided hikes are available to book.

Fiordo di Furore

One of the most unique places in the Amalfi Coast, Fiordo di Furore is a small, yet dramatic cove featuring a picturesque beach with stunning views of an overhanging 19th-century arched bridge. Tucked between 2 cliffs, Fiordo di Furore was carved by the Schiato stream that passed from its overhanging cliffs to the sea beyond, leaving behind a beautiful and cozy little nook that’s become the perfect base for a day of swimming and sunbathing!

The beach itself is quite small, but there is still plenty of space to lay out a towel and relax, even during peak season. Because it’s a “fjord”, the pebbly beach area extends pretty far back, allowing for plenty of space to hang out and enjoy your time at the beach. The water at Fiordo di Furore is clear, with beautiful turquoise-blue water and small waves, making it the perfect spot to swim and snorkel. Fiordo di Furore is also a popular spot for cliff jumping – you might even see some brave divers jumping from the stairs leading down to the beach while you are there. There is even a high diving competition from the bridge every year but no one was jumping from that high up during our visit. We spent a long time just swimming and relaxing on the beach, listening to the sounds of the waves and watching adventurous spirits jump into the water from the towering height of the stairs above. After a few hours, we left to go explore more of the Amalfi coast, but this truly felt like a spot where we could have happily spent the full day!

To access the beach area, you have to walk down 200 steps next to the overhanging bridge, so be prepared for that and make sure you have appropriate footwear. If the stairs will pose a problem for you, we did see several people enter via boat, so there are alternative ways to enter Fiordo di Furore if you still want to visit!

Zipline Italia Ziplining Experience

Did you know you can zipline down the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast?! I didn’t either until I stumbled upon Zipline Italia, which is the only place in the Amalfi Coast where you can take in the cliffside views from a zipline. I’ve done many ziplines during my travels and this experience was one of my favorites! Not only do you have breathtaking views of the coast and Fiordo di Furore (another amazing hidden gem in the Amalfi Coast), but because it is downhill you go pretty fast, and it’s definitely a thrilling experience!

Zipline Italia is located in the town of Furore and takes you to the lovely town of Conca dei Marini. I suggest spending time after ziplining exploring Conca dei Marini, which is a beautiful town and home to the Fiordo di Furore beach I described above!

We struggled to find Zipline Italia at first, as Google Maps led us through seemingly abandoned properties, labyrinthine stairs, and dead-end roads when we tried to walk there. I’m not sure if it made it more difficult because we were walking from Bomerano (the high-up village at the start of the Path of the Gods hike), or if the area was just confusing in general. To be safe, I would leave a little early in case you take any wrong ways or take a taxi that will drop you off right where you need to go.

Tickets for Zipline Italia cost 40 euros per person and can be purchased here on their website.

Path of the Gods Hike

While the Paths of the Gods hike might be familiar amongst hiking enthusiasts, most tourists who visit the Amalfi Coast skip this hike, opting for the beaches and resorts instead. But, if you have the time and can dedicate a day to this hike I HIGHLY recommend doing so – it is such a unique and rewarding experience and definitely one of the best hidden gems in the Amalfi Coast.

The Path of the Gods, known locally as “Sentiero Degli Dei”, is a 4.8-mile hike starting from the village of Bomerano, and ending in Nocelle. While you are able to start the hike in Nocelle and end in Bomerano, it’s highly recommended to not go this route, as it is much more difficult with lots of uphill stretches. The hike takes about 2-3 hours to complete, depending on your pace and how often you stop to take in the views. It’s mostly downhill or flat when you leave from Bomerano, so you don’t have to be a super experienced hiker to do this trail.

I highly suggest starting as early as possible to avoid the intensity of the sun and heat of the day, especially if you are in the Amalfi Coast anytime near the summer. We started around 7:30 AM when we did the hike in October (which was right around sunrise this time of year) and it got noticeably hotter as we continued the hike, even at this much cooler time of the year. Make sure to bring plenty of water no matter what time of year you plan to do the hike.

The Amalfi Coast sun is intense! If you are visiting during the summertime, start the hike right at sunrise. Otherwise, you will likely be hiking in dangerously hot conditions. Definitely make sure to bring sunscreen and a hat for sun protection, too. While there are some patches of trees and shade on the hike, a large portion of the hike will have you out in the open exposed to the sun’s rays. 

On this hike, you will find some of the best views that you can find along the Amalfi Coast. From local cliffside farms, coastal views, and an amazing view of Positano once you reach Nocelle, the Path of the Gods Hike will be one of your most memorable experiences in the Amalfi Coast.

Another hidden gem you will encounter along the Path of the Gods Hike is Ulisse’s house, which is a small cliffside cafe run by a local farmer, offering refreshing drinks and tasty snacks around the halfway point of the hike. It’s the perfect place to stop along your hike for a relaxing break and some freshly made lemonade or lemon granita, a deliciously sweet and tart treat made from sugar, ice, and lemons. 

Ulisse’s house is definitely a unique experience – you’ll share the space with the owners’ pet birds and adorable truffle-hunting pigs (who are safely kept in their crates so they don’t wander off but will still oink and beg every passerby for food or attention) as you enjoy your drink overlooking beautiful coastal views. If it’s not too busy, you can even sit on an old boat that juts out of the cliff, offering incredible panoramic views of the steep cliffs sinking into the sparkling blue sea beyond. 

Grotta dello Smeraldo

Grotta dello Smeraldo is a cave located in Conca dei Marini, known for the incredible glowing emerald green water that fills its interior (similar to the famous Blue Grotto in Capri)! This phenomenon is caused by sunlight filtering through an underwater opening in the cave, reflecting off the water and casting an ethereal green light that emanates throughout the interior.

You can either pay 10 Euros per person for a short boat tour of the Grotto or explore the Grotto as part of a 7-hour catamaran tour of the Amalfi Coast. If you can afford it, I would recommend the catamaran tour, as it makes multiple stops along some of the most beautiful spots on the Amalfi Coast, including the grotto. Plus you won’t have to worry about getting transportation to the grotto since your catamaran will drop you off right there!

There is also an option to enter via land, with both stairs and an elevator leading into the grotto from the town above. Parking is limited, so if you are driving yourself I would suggest getting there as early as possible to nab a spot! Visiting the Grotto via land only costs 7 Euros per person, so you can save a bit coming in from this way (although if you need transportation to the entrance because of the limited parking then you might end up spending more). 

Atrani

Located next to Amalfi town, Atrani is a tiny fishing village, known as the smallest village in the Amalfi Coast, and is one of the best hidden gems to visit if you love exploring quaint and colorful villages. Dotted with colorful houses and a winding bridge that overlooks a beautiful, serene beach with crystal-clear water, the first time you see Atrani makes you feel like you’ve entered a scene straight from a postcard. Although Amalfi is one of the most popular towns in the Amalfi Coast, most tourists skip Atrani, making it much more quaint and peaceful. It’s really easy to find a quiet corner in Atrani and just soak in the peaceful village ambiance.

When we visited Atrani, part of the village was closed off because they were filming a scene for Equalizer 3 with Denzel Washington (crazy, right?!) so unfortunately we were unable to explore a good chunk of the village. We definitely want to go back and see the parts of the village that we missed!

The part of the village that we couldn’t explore looked beautiful, so I suggest taking some time to walk around the village, relax at the beach, and take photos at the viewpoint near the Le Arcate restaurant.

Vietri sul Mare

Famous for its production of ceramics, Vietri sul Mare is a colorful town at the end of the Amalfi Coast, close to Salerno. Because it’s situated at the end of the Coast and is quite far from the more popular towns, most tourists skip Vietri sul Mare and it is more popular amongst locals. Vietri sul Mare is well worth the visit, however, as it’s a really beautiful place with so many exciting things to see and an amazing tradition as The Ceramic Capital on the Coast. With a ceramics tradition dating back to the Medieval period, you can learn so much about the traditional craft, including a tour of the ceramics museum, and browse some truly incredible works of art.

If you make it to the end of the coast to Vietri sul Mare, take some time to explore the town, go window shopping (or souvenir shopping) at the local ceramic shops, visit a nearby beach, and enjoy relaxing at a sit-down cafe or restaurant in the town center. Be aware that it can get pretty crowded with locals (especially on the weekends) and finding a nearby parking spot was very difficult when we visited, so if you are driving yourself be aware of this and try to get there as early as possible to grab a parking spot.

Conclusion

There are so many incredible things to do in the Amalfi Coast outside of Positano and Amalfi, yet most tourists skip these hidden gems and stick to the most popular areas along the coast. You might be surprised at how diverse the Amalfi Coast is, offering amazing hiking opportunities, a mini fjord, a cave with glowing emerald water, and a rainforest-like nature reserve. The Amalfi Coast is filled with so many amazing hidden gems that I highly suggest visiting on your next trip to the region, whether you do everything on this list or even just a few!

Planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast? Check out my Ultimate Budget Guide to the Amalfi Coast to get all of the best info for saving money while exploring the coast.

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