Amalfi
Amalfi to Pogerola
- Distance
- 3 km
- Elevation Gain
- 350 m
- Duration
- 1-1.5 hours
This steep stairway hike climbs from the heart of Amalfi — steps away from the cathedral — up through the old quarter and into the hillside hamlet of Pogerola, which sits 350 meters above the coast. The route follows centuries-old stone staircases that once served as the only connection between the farming communities above and the maritime town below. You pass through narrow passages between ancient houses, under archways draped with jasmine, and past tiny vegetable gardens clinging to impossible terraces. As you climb, the noise of Amalfi fades and is replaced by birdsong and the sound of water in irrigation channels. The views back over Amalfi’s harbor and the coast open up dramatically with every turn. Pogerola itself is a working village largely untouched by tourism, with a small piazza, a church, and a couple of trattorie where locals eat. This walk gives you the authentic Amalfi that the crowds below never see.
What you see
- Climbing through Amalfi’s medieval old quarter
- Stone staircases used for a thousand years
- Expanding panorama over Amalfi harbor with every turn
- Authentic village life in Pogerola, untouched by tourism
Where to take pictures
- Old quarter archway
- Jasmine-covered stone arch framing the sea below — quintessential Amalfi
- Midway staircase panorama
- Amalfi’s harbor, cathedral, and coastline spread below — best at golden hour
- Pogerola piazza
- The tiny village square with its ancient church — quiet, authentic, timeless
Seasonal Notes
Year-round. Best in early morning or late afternoon — the stairs are in shade for much of the day due to buildings. Hot in summer midday. Spring wildflowers on the upper terraces.
Getting There
Start: Amalfi center (Piazza Duomo), served by all SITA buses and ferries. End: Pogerola, connected to Amalfi by local bus (15 min, runs regularly). Can walk back down the same way.
The tip
Have lunch at a Pogerola trattoria — the food is home-cooked, the prices are half of Amalfi below, and nobody speaks English. Try the scialatielli ai frutti di mare.