Beaches of Amalfi: where to go and how to choose the right one
When we talk about beaches of Amalfi, we must forget for a moment the image of the classic large sandy beach.
The coast around the city is characterized mainly by pebbles, cliffs, small coves and beach platforms, often nestled between the rocky walls of the Amalfi Coast.
The most comfortable beach is Marina Grandedirectly in the centre of Amalfi. For those looking for more transparent water and a more natural environment there are Duoglio and Santa Croce, while some of the most picturesque coves are only accessible by sea.
What are the beaches of Amalfi?
The main beaches and seaside resorts to know are:
- Marina Grande, the main and more central beach;
- Beach of Duoglio, also accessible through a long staircase;
- Beach of Santa Croce, accessible only by sea;
- Beach of Vite, a small cove between Amalfi and Conca dei Marini, also reachable only from the sea.
To these are added small platforms, cliffs and coves that make the stretch of coast around Amalfi particularly interesting to explore by boat.
Marina Grande: the most comfortable beach in Amalfi
Marina Grande is the main beach of Amalfi and the easiest to reach.
It is located right in front of the historic center, a few minutes from the Cathedral, restaurants, bars and shops. It is an equipped and particularly lively beach during the summer.
It is therefore the best choice if you want:
- do not depart from the center;
- alternating sea and visit of the city;
- have restaurants and services nearby;
- avoid particularly challenging stairs and paths.
The reverse of the medal is is not the quietest beach in Amalfi: during the high season can be very crowded.
Who do I recommend Marina Grande?
I would choose it especially for those who visit Amalfi for only one day and want to insert a few hours of sea without having to arrange special trips.
It is also the easiest solution for those traveling with children, elderly people or people with motor difficulties.
In 2026 the Municipality also provided a free seasonal service for accessibility, with walkways to the sea and dedicated equipment, active from 6 June to 30 September in certain days and times.
Beach of Duoglio: sea and nature near Amalfi
The beach of Duoglio is located in the town of Lone, about 1.5 km from the center of Amalfi.
It is very different from Marina Grande: here the landscape is more natural, with pebbles, cliffs and crystalline water at the foot of the mountain.
How to reach the beach of Duoglio
The beach can be reached on foot through a path with about 400 steps.
It is an important feature to consider before choosing it: getting to the beach is much more challenging than Marina Grande, and it is necessary to remember that the same steps should be routed even on the return.
For those who do not want to face the staircase, the sea is a much more interesting alternative.
From Duoglio, boat trips to other bays can be reached only by sea.
Do you want to discover the coves of Amalfi from the sea?
Choose a boat tour or hike along the Coast to reach bays and beaches that are not accessible from the road.
Santa Croce beach: a cove only accessible by sea
The Beach of Santa Croce is located in the hamlet of Vettica Minore, about 2.87 km from Amalfi.
It is one of the most particular beaches in the area because is not accessible by land.
The cove takes its name from the remains of the ancient church of Santa Croce and has one of the most beautiful natural elements of the coast: the so-called Arch of the Innamorati.
How to get to Santa Croce
There is no doubt here: you arrive by sea.
This makes Santa Croce particularly interesting for those who want to combine a day at the sea with a boat trip along the coast.
The natural arch and rocky walls surrounding the beach also make this area particularly photogenic.
Vite beach: a small cove between Amalfi and Conca dei Marini
The Beach of Vite is one of the most secluded locations on the coast.
It is located between Amalfi and Conca dei Marini and is accessible only by sea.
It is characterized by pebbles, rocks and crystal clear water and is one of the most interesting experiences for those who want to get away from the most popular beaches.
Here I would not insist with a long description: the value of the Vite is precisely in the fact that is not a beach to be reached casually during a walk to Amalfi.
It is a destination to be included in a boat trip.
The beaches of Amalfi reach only by sea
The conformation of the Coast makes some of the most spectacular coves practically impossible to reach from the ground.
For this, if you really want to explore the sea of Amalfi, a boat trip can be much more interesting than the simple day on the beach.
Do you want to see the most hidden beaches in the Coast?
A kayak tour allows you to explore coves, marine caves and stretches of coast difficult to reach on foot.
What is the best beach in Amalfi?
It depends on what you're looking for.
If you want convenience: Marina Grande
It is the easiest choice because it is located directly in the center.
If you want water and nature: Duo
It is more isolated and immersed in a natural context, but you have to face the long staircase if you arrive from the ground.
If you want a particular beach: Santa Croce
It is one of the most suggestive choices, but it can only be reached by the sea.
If you want a secluded cove: Beach of Vite
It is ideal for those who want to explore the coast by boat and get away from the most popular areas.
Beaches of Amalfi: free or equipped?
The conditions change from beach to beach.
Marina Grande is the main equipped beach and has services and bathing establishments.
The other locations have different characteristics and should not be considered equivalent to a normal urban beach.
For this reason, before choosing a cove accessible by sea, it is important to check which services are actually available.
In particular, it is not necessary to assume that a small beach has:
- bar;
- restaurant;
- toilets;
- showers;
- rental of beds;
- assistance.
When to go to the sea in Amalfi?
The best time to experience the beaches of Amalfi is of course the summer, but the months June and September can offer an interesting compromise between climate, water temperature and crowding.
July and August are the most intense months.
If you want to spend a quiet day, the most important advice is Arrive soon, especially in Marina Grande.
For boat trips, however, it is best to book in advance during periods of higher demand.
Do you prefer an organized excursion?
You can choose a group tour of the Coast starting from Amalfi or from other locations and spend part of the day exploring the sea and beaches.
Are the beaches of Amalfi suitable for children?
Depends on the beach.
Marina Grande is generally the easiest solution for a family because it is close to the center and services.
Duo requires attention: about 400 steps can be challenging especially when returning.
Santa Croce e Spiaggia della Vite, being reached by sea, they require instead of organizing a boat trip.
So if you travel with small children, I would not automatically choose the most "wild" beach: comfort can make a big difference.
Is it possible to snorkel in Amalfi?
Yes, and just the rocky areas and coves accessible by sea can be interesting for those who want to swim and snorkel.
The experiences organized by kayak and boat along the Coast allow you to combine navigation, bath stops and snorkeling at different points of the coast.
Do you want to turn a day to the sea into an experience?
Discover snorkeling along the Amalfi Coast and reach the coves that you hardly see from the road.
How to get to the beaches of Amalfi
The answer depends on the beach.
Marina Grande: on foot from the centre of Amalfi.
Duoglio: walk through the staircase or by sea.
Santa Croce: exclusively by sea.
Beach of Vite: exclusively by sea
If you arrive in Amalfi by car read our guide:
If you want to get there without a car read our guide:
🔗 How to get to Amalfi ➡️
Where to park to go to the sea in Amalfi?
If you want to spend the day in Marina Grande, the easiest thing is to park in the areas available near the center and continue on foot.
For Duoglio, instead, it is necessary to consider that leaving the car does not mean arriving directly on the beach: the walk includes the long staircase.
For this reason, if the main objective is a sea day, it can be much more convenient to get to Amalfi by public transport or by sea.
What is the closest beach in the centre of Amalfi?
The nearest beach in the centre is Marina Grande, located directly in front of the city.
What is the most beautiful beach in Amalfi?
There is no one answer. Marina Grande is the most comfortable, Duoglio is interesting for the natural environment, while Santa Croce and the Spiaggia della Vite are particularly suggestive for those who explore the coast from the sea.
How do you get to the beach of Duoglio?
It is possible to reach it on foot through about 400 steps or by sea.
Is Santa Croce reachable on foot?
No. Santa Croce Beach is only accessible by sea
Which beaches in Amalfi are reachable by boat?
Among the main are Santa Croce and the Spiaggia della Vite; also the Duoglio can be reached by sea.
What is the best beach for families?
Marina Grande is generally the most practical choice thanks to its proximity to the centre and services.
Are there free beaches in Amalfi?
Yes, but free spaces are limited to equipped areas and vary according to the beach and season.
What to see after the beaches of Amalfi?
After a day at the sea you can return to the centre and continue your visit to Amalfi.
If you want to continue exploring the coast from the sea
Discover the experiences and tours of the Amalfi Coast
The best way to discover the sea of Amalfi? See him from the sea.
Explore hidden coves, caves and coves of the Coast with a boat tour, kayaking or snorkeling.
