Summer's End at Amalfi Coast, Italy

From Vietri sul Mare to Positano and Capri, September 2021

By Francisco Morais

October 18^th, 2021

Costiera Amalfitana

The Amalfi Coast stretches along the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the Gulf of Salerno, southern Italy. The journey covered Vietri sul Mare, Maiori, Amalfi, Positano and Capri — each with its own character, set between cliffs, historic towns and clear waters. Maiori is known for its connection to Italian cinema: it was the set for several Roberto Rossellini films and now hosts a festival in his name. Amalfi, once a maritime republic, played a key role in Mediterranean trade during the 9th to 11th centuries. Positano retains the charm described by Steinbeck in 1953 — a place where space is limited and authenticity preserved. Capri, a haven for artists and writers since the 19th century, continues to attract with its landscape and cultural legacy.

Maiori

Maiori blends the calm of a coastal village with an unexpected link to Italian cinema. It was the set for several Roberto Rossellini films between 1946 and 1953, and today hosts a festival in his name. Its narrow streets, local market and seaside cafés follow their own rhythm — far from mass tourism. In summer, cultural and culinary events fill the historic neighborhoods with music, theatre and religious celebrations.

Amalfi

Amalfi was an independent maritime republic between the 9th and 11th centuries, with strong influence in Mediterranean trade. The city retains traces of that era: medieval façades, steep staircases and squares tucked between alleys. The Cathedral of Sant'Andrea dominates the historic center, with a monumental staircase and Arab-Norman details. Today, Amalfi balances tourism with local identity, keeping markets, bakeries and craft workshops active.

Positano

Positano rises in layers along the hillside, with colorful houses fitted between stairways and terraces. Space is limited, and locals hold a strong bond with the place — they refuse to sell, preserving traditions. The main beach is reached through narrow paths, and the horizon is shaped by boats and cliffs. Despite its fame, Positano retains a human scale and an aesthetic that resists tourist homogenization.

Capri

Capri became a haven for European artists and writers in the 19th century, and the setting for several literary works. Claude Debussy dedicated a piece to it, Somerset Maugham wrote about a visitor who never wanted to leave. The island blends elegance with introspection: narrow streets, dense vegetation and wide sea views. Historically, it was also a space of freedom for marginalized communities, far from urban centers.