Atrani

Atrani was founded by the ancient Roman aristocracy, and later became the residence of the upper crust of society in the Republic of Amalfi. Unfortunately, the town lost importance as a result of invasions by the Normans and Pisans . Atrani is a small fishing town today. The town is located between the Civita Hill and Aureo Hill. Atrani is along the valley of the river Dragone, named for a legend saying there once was a terrible dragon that would breathe fire and would hide himself there. Though it is part of the Amalfi Coast, it is the only town along the coast to preserve intact its antique, traditional characteristics. The initial houses face the beach directly. They are grouped around the square and move around the church of San Salvatore and the marble fountain before going up towards the valley and climbing along the rocky mountain and crossing the gardens and the lemon fields. Atrani is isolated from automobile traffic because it is protected by its antique houses with flowered balconies. The central square of Atrani leads directly to the beach and the sea by crossing an antique passageway created to save boats from sea storms.

Atrani has no railway station or car access from outside its own tiny road network; it is reached on foot from neighboring Amalfi (a short walk along the coastal road) or by the SITA buses and ferries that serve the Amalfi Coast, disembarking at Amalfi. The nearest railway station is in Salerno.

The town is small and entirely walkable, closed to most car traffic; its lanes and stairways connect the beachfront square to the upper town along the Dragone valley.

The Chiesa di San Salvatore de' Bireto, first built around the year 1000 and later remodeled, overlooks the main square (Piazza Umberto I); it was where the Doges of the Amalfi maritime republic were invested, and its bronze door dates to 1087. The Collegiata di Santa Maria Maddalena is the town's other notable church. The small beach, divided by the mouth of the Dragone river, sits directly below the old town.

Swimming at the town beach, wandering the car-free lanes, and using Atrani as a quiet, less touristed base for walks toward Amalfi and Ravello are the main activities.

Amalfi is a short walk away, and Ravello is reachable by road or path up into the hills above. The rest of the Amalfi Coast, including Positano and Praiano, is accessible by the coastal SITA bus or seasonal ferries from Amalfi.