Accessibility Guide of the beautiful Amalfi Coast, Herculaneum, and Pompeii

Read everything there is to know about the accessibility of the beautiful Amalfi Coast, Herculaneum, and Pompeii. Besides these sights and the various villages along the coastline, we give you information about the region of Campania, best times to travel, and what currency you should use.

This part of the Italian coast is not known as the most wheelchair friendly as the towns are mostly built against the cliffs. The streets are primarily cobbled, and there are a lot of stairs. We have created this blog so you know where to go, what to expect, and enjoy this amazing part of Italy to the fullest. 

Campania

The Campania region with the capital Naples is blessed with one of the most impressive coastlines in Europe. Mentioned no less than five times in the list of UNESCO World Heritage this region has been a tourist attraction for over 2000 years. The Bay of Naples, the island of Capri and the Amalfi Coast are engraved in our collective tourist memory as “must-see” places on earth. Add to this the remains of ancient antiquity such as Pompeii and Herculaneum, the pleasant climate, the excellent cuisine, and Campania becomes an irresistible destination.

Climate

The best time to visit the Campania region with the Amalfi Coast, Herculaneum, and Pompeii in Italy is from May to October, when you have warm temperatures and barely to little rainfall. The highest average temperature in Campania is 30°c in August, and the lowest is 12°c in January. Campania has a Mediterranean climate. This means that the summers are hot and dry, and in winter, you have a mild temperature.

Currency

If you go on holiday to Italy, you can simply pay with the euro. There are enough ATMs (bancomat) available, where you can withdraw money. When withdrawing money at an ATM, you have to take into account that there is a limit per day. Also, you can usually only withdraw money once or twice a day. Besides this, you have to keep in mind that it sometimes happens that an ATM is empty on weekends.

When paying your bill in a restaurant in the region of the Amalfi Coast, Herculaneum, and Pompeii, you have the option to add a sum to show your appreciation for the service given. In Italy and the rest of Europe, the expectations around tipping are different than in, for example, the US. Want to know more about the European way of handing out a tip? Check out this blog in which we tell you all about it.

The Amalfi Coast

This coast in Italy is synonymous with rocky cliffs, colorful villages, and a lovely authentic Italian atmosphere. It is a group of towns south of the Gulf of Naples, all of which have its own identity. You imagine yourself in a paradisical landscape as it is one of the most beautiful shores in Italy.

Stroll through the narrow alleys and enjoy the most delicious gelato. In all villages, you find terraces with the most beautiful views while you enjoy authentic Italian food. From the water, the villages form an oasis of colors that are a must-visit when in Italy, and why some find this coastline the most charming in Italy, and perhaps the world. Why not discover this for yourself?

UNESCO World Heritage

The coastline belongs to the province of Campania. Because of its rich cultural history and rugged nature, it is on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1996. The area runs from Positano in the west to Vietri Sul Mare in the east. There are several villages along the coast that are worth visiting. So take your time here and find out for yourself. 

Positano

The town of Positano has inspired many writers, directors, and artists for centuries. “Positano touches you deeply; it is a dreamy place that does not seem real when you are there and only becomes real when you have left,” written by John Steinbeck in his book Positano (1953). He described the town with its many stairs “sometimes as steep as ladders” and the “small bay with incredible blue and green water.”

Legend has it that Positano was founded by Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea, who wanted to show his love for the nymph Pasitea. Historically, it was the Greeks and Phoenicians who built the first small settlement there on their sea voyages to the west.

Wheelchair Accessibility of Positano

Positano is by locals rightfully called the ‘city of stairs’, as many sights of this little village are only reacheable by means of (many) stairs. The town is built against a steep wall that gives you beautiful views, however make it harder to access, both for abled people as wheelchair- or scooter users. The part of Positano that is the most accessible to people is on and around the market square, which is cobbled but flat. The square is relatively high up and treats you to the most beautiful views. Also the boulevard is flat and with few cobbles. In summer they have amphibious chairs available, as well as small ramps towards the sea. 

Amalfi town

The Amalfi Coast is named after the historic town of Amalfi: a cozy maze of narrow streets, arches, stairs, and courtyards with overhanging gardens. It is the cultural and historical heart of the region, and one of the most popular tourist sites on the Amalfi Coast. It is full of lemon and limoncello shops, restaurants, and small local cafes.

Besides wandering through the narrow streets, you can learn about the art of paper-making in one of the many paper boutiques and find out more. Another interesting fact about Amalfi is that this town used to be a lot bigger and once was even called a maritime superpower. Sadly, after an earthquake in the 14th century, more than half of the town literally plunged into the ocean.

Wheelchair Accessibility of Amalfi

Amalfi Town is one of the most accessible towns on the Amalfi Coast. It is located directly at sea-level and gives you reasonable access to the central part of the city. There are few to no stairs, few cobblestones, and a flat promenade that leads to the church square, with its many restaurants. The Cathedral is not accessible though as there are stairs, and steps to enter. Because Amalfi is one of the larger towns in the regions, it also feels less crowded in summer. 

Sorrento

Sorrento is a real cultural treasure of Italy. You find many places of interest in this town, as museums and theaters, historic buildings, and monuments. Capo di Sorrento is a small settlement, but it is considered one of the most beautiful areas. This town is a small fishing village located between orange and olive groves.

Not only nature lovers, but also foodies will enjoy Capo di Sorrento because the choice of delicious restaurants with authentic local dishes is simply striking. Of course, seafood is the main course here. Visitors are offered to try true masterpieces of culinary art.

The central part of the city is the Tasso square, which is decorated with various monuments. One is dedicated to the city’s patron saint, Saint Antonin, and another is dedicated to the famous Italian poet Torquato Tasso. The park ‘Villa Comunale’ is the best place for walks/rolls and is considered the most beautiful in the city. You find many particular shrubs and trees here, and the beauty of the flowers is unforgettable.

Wheelchair Accessibility of Sorrento

Besides the town of Amalfi, Sorrento is also very accessible for wheelchair or scooter users. The area you can visit in central Sorrento is called Tasso square. The pavement is mostly flat, easily rollable, and the square is surrounded by small streets. Even these smaller side streets are flat with no cobbles, so the majority of the center is fairly easy to explore. From the center, you can take an elevator down to the coast. Here you find the ferry that connects the several coastal towns, restaurants, and viewpoints. 

Ravello

To reach Ravello on the Amalfi coast, you have to make some effort. A steep winding road between the forests, hills dotted with olive trees, vineyards and citrus trees, leads to Ravello. Once at the top, you will immediately understand why so many others have been here before. Not only tourists but also many well-known artists, musicians, and authors. Ravello is therefore mentioned in the same breath when it comes to the most romantic places in Italy. The wealthiest families had influential villas and palaces built, many of which can still be seen today. Some are these days converted into luxury hotels.

Wheelchair Accessibility of Ravello

In Ravello, you have beautiful views over the Gulf of Naples. The main square slopes gently, has few cobbles and is easy to maneuver in a wheelchair or scooter. The smaller side streets around the square and towards the gardens of Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo are more complicated though, as these are filled with cobbles, stairs and can be quite steep.  

Pompeii

Pompeii is a sight that has been well preserved after the eruption of volcano Vesuvius on the 24th of Augustus in the year 79. On that day, a huge area surrounding the volcano got covered in a layer of ash as thick as 5 meters. Walking/Rolling through the town gives a good reference of a city from the seventh century BC. A time when eroticism was not something behind closed doors, fertility was a symbol of many different things, and slaves were trained to be gladiators.

When walking/rolling over the cobbled streets in Pompeii, you feel like you are drawn back in time. You see the well-preserved houses, and by means a unique technique, you learn how the people lived back in the day. Discover several conserved sights, such as a gladiator school, Roman bathhouses, the  theater, and more. 

Wheelchair Accessibility of Pompeii

The opinions about the wheelchair accessibility of Pompeii differ. A few years ago, they created a special path that allows wheelchair users to cross architectural barriers. From the entrance, there is a steep and flat road that leads up to a ramp. This ramp marks the beginning of the wheelchair-accessible route. Along this route, you see the main attractions of Pompeii, and when you look up, you are treated on a stunning view of Mount Vesuvius.

Would you like to read a more in-depth explanation of the accessibility in Pompeii? Click here and read our comprehensive guide. 

Herculaneum

When Vesuvius erupted, more was wiped off the map than just the well-known Pompeii. On the other side of the volcano, about 17 km from Pompeii, lies Herculaneum, a small town that probably had about 5,000 inhabitants. 

When disaster erupted on that warm August day in AD 79, the wind brought the first flurries of ash and pumice to Pompeii. That gave the residents of Herculaneum more time to flee the city. It was not until evening, when the inner walls of the volcano also collapsed, that a wave of boiling lava and mud was released, which swallowed the city under a layer of 20 meters.

Because Herculaneum was covered mostly in lava instead of ash, it is better preserved than its big brother Pompeii. When wandering through the streets, you see intact murals as well as original streets and double story houses. 

Wheelchair Accessibility of Herculaneum

The streets in Herculaneum are mostly flat. Some of the roads are connected through ramps. There is no specific designated path for wheelchair users, nor an adapted route. So prior to entering, make sure you check the best route to take, to avoid getting stuck or lost. Furthermore, you find adapted bathrooms at the entrance of Herculaneum. 

In our blog we tell you everything about the accessibility, how to get there, discounts, and more. Click here to read more.