A Saturday in Amalfi

Now that the weather is sunny and warm, daily life in Amalfi is starting to take on its summer feel. The harbor is busy with boats, buses are lined up three rows deep and there are people everywhere enjoying the town. A couple of weeks ago I was in Amalfi on a beautiful Saturday, and I took some photos to try to capture the feel of a beautiful spring day in Amalfi. The main pier where the boats to Positano, Sorrento and Capri arrive and depart was lined with boats to the Grotta dello Smeraldo, the Emerald Grotto, and a ferry that had just arrived from Sorrento.

And nearby the bright orange tenders from the Oceania cruise ship Marina were busily running back and forth carrying passengers to the ship out in the harbor.

Compared to the coming and going of the boats, the view of Amalfi in the other direction toward the Hotel Luna and watchtower was wonderfully calm.

At the end of the pier, I caught this seagull taking in the same view I was of the busy harbor and the huge Oceania Marina cruise ship.

Heading back toward the Piazza Duomo in the historic center of Amalfi, I squeezed through the rows of buses lined up in the parking area.

The Piazza Duomo was packed with people taking photos of the Cathedral of Sant’ Andrea, locals out doing their Saturday shopping before the food shops closed for lunch and tourists enjoying the view and sun at one of the outdoor cafès.

It’s not a spring or summer Saturday in Amalfi without at least one wedding. As I was leaving the Piazza to head down toward the beach again, I crossed paths with this little procession.

Along the walkway overlooking the Marina Grande beach, there was a nice view of the Marina cruise ship … which is, well, grande. (Apparently, I make unintential puns when I take photos, too.)

I can’t resist a classic red Vespa, and this one was sitting in the sun along the road in Amalfi. (Don’t tell my Liberty … she might get jealous!)

And, of course, there’s the beautiful Marina Grande beach. Ah … now that screams summer in Amalfi! Just look at the color of that clear water.

Are you visiting Amalfi this summer? I hope you’ll take the time to enjoy some of these busy and lively moments in town, but also take the time to explore the quiet side streets and little piazzas. That’s where you’ll find the laundry lines crisscrossing the medieval streets, the scent of lunch filling the narrow passageways and meet the locals sneaking around town while avoiding the busy main streets. Amalfi has two sides—the bright and busy and the quiet and hidden—to discover. But one of the things I love about Amalfi is that the two sides really do go hand in hand. The locals sit at the same cafés, dine at the same restaurants (usually at night) and soak up the sun at the same beaches. The best thing to do in Amalfi is to just get out and take a stroll, watch the locals and the tourists and enjoy every moment!