Visiting the Baia di Leranto
The Amalfi Coast is as famous as it is crowded. While you might be tempted to hunt for the perfect beach among the usual tourist hotspots, skip the lines and head to Baia di Leranto. This is a rugged, wild jewel set within a 156-acre nature reserve, with 116 acres currently protected. Located at the very tip of the Sorrento Peninsula near Naples, this sanctuary is accessible only by foot. You will need to take a trail that climbs from Nerano, a tiny fishing village that is part of the municipality of Massa Lubrense. The walk takes you through olive groves and citrus orchards, offering classic Campania vistas before you finally reach the shoreline.
Raw beauty
Before you can enjoy the shimmering waters of the bay, you have to complete the coastal hike. It is not overly difficult, though there is one set of stairs that will get your heart rate up. This immersion in nature is striking. The views are expansive, with craggy landscapes and Mediterranean scrub framing glimpses of an intense, piercing blue sea. Baia di Leranto looks like a painting. Along the path, you can spot the Villa Rosa refuge and the Torre di Montalto (Montalto Tower), while a nearby vineyard adds to the quintessential charm of Italy. Local lore claims this is the exact spot where the sirens tried to lure Ulysses, a legend that feels right in this dramatic setting. At the end of the trail, you find a small beach tucked into the cove. It is a beautiful spot, though it is seeing more visitors each year. The rocks offer space to set up away from the crowd, and swimming here is excellent. In the distance, Capri and Punta Campanella round out the view. With its protected marine life and local flora, this is one of the most authentic sites in Campania.
Opening hours
*Information subject to change
Beautiful little cove, but small. If you are used to walking along the water, it will be complicated here. The beach is lined with rocks.
That said, I spent a very good half day relaxing.