Maiori

Saracen Towers, ancient churches and breathtaking beaches

One of the most famous and popular villages on the Amalfi Coast is Maiori, home to the largest beach around. Accessible by land or sea, one of the first characteristic sights you will be struck by are the Saracen Towers, former defensive lookout posts. The most famous are Torre Normanna and La Cerniola in the hamlet of Erchie, with beaches and coves accessible by sea.

Near the town, past the Torre Normanna watchtower, you will find Salicerchie Beach, which you can reach by walking down 160 steps. Spiaggia del Cavallo Morto (Dead Horse Beach) is also worth a visit: you can’t access it directly for safety reasons due to the risk of landslides, but you can admire and photograph it from above.

Maiori is also known for its churches that preserve works and votive offerings that evidence local rituals and traditions. Don’t miss the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare (the best known), the Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie and the picturesque Abbey of Santa Maria dell’Olearia, close to a rock face. In the Gardens of Palazzo Mezzacapo, which hosts shows and events, you can relax amid elegant, scenic fountains.

From the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria a Mare to Piazza Milo in Maiori, the Sentiero dei Limoni (Lemon Path) winds its way through lemon groves and wild vegetation for about nine kilometres, passing through Minori, Torre and Ravello.