Amalfi · By Sea Only
Santa Croce
A secret escape just minutes from the chaos of Amalfi.
The Perfect Escape from Amalfi
Santa Croce is the antidote to July and August in Amalfi. Reachable only by a few minutes' boat ride from the main pier, it offers water of extraordinary clarity over rocky seabeds. The white-pebble beach sits tucked between high cliffs that shelter it from the wind.
The two historic restaurants - Da Teresa and Il Pirata - run private lidos on the beach and offer free shuttles from Amalfi pier for their guests. It is the perfect choice for anyone wanting a "wild" day at the sea combined with the pleasure of an excellent fresh-fish lunch.
Local Tip
Book lunch at the restaurant in advance: they offer a free shuttle from the pier for their guests. It is the cheapest - and most scenic - way to reach Santa Croce.
History: The Republic's Secret Cove
The small inlet takes its name from the ancient church of Santa Croce, built by Amalfitan monks around the 10th century on the rocks overlooking the cove. Remains of medieval structures are still visible in the cliff walls: walled-up arches, limestone foundations and niches carved into the rock.
In the Middle Ages the cove was strategically important for the Republic of Amalfi (839–1137), one of Italy's four Maritime Republics and the beating heart of the entire Amalfi Coast. Sheltered from storms and hidden from pirates, it served as a secondary harbour and shipyard for merchant vessels. Its protected position, with a narrow opening onto the open sea, made it ideal for discreet operations and for wintering ships during the colder months.
The white pebbles that cover the beach are not sand but fragments of limestone that have broken away from the Monti Lattari over the centuries - the same rock that forms the vertical cliff walls - polished by centuries of wave action into an almost spherical shape.
X
century – original church
5'
by boat from Amalfi
839
Republic founded
2
historic restaurants
Snorkeling and Marine Life
The seabed at Santa Croce is among the richest on the Coast. The submerged rocky walls host dense meadows of Posidonia oceanica - the most important marine plant in the Mediterranean - which serve as a nursery for dozens of species. Along the walls move shoals of white seabream (wild gilthead), octopuses camouflaging themselves in crevices and vivid sea anemones.
Snorkeling is excellent along the cliff walls, where visibility reaches 15–20 metres on calm days. In recent years, certified sightings confirm the occasional presence of the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) in the area - one of the rarest animals in the Mediterranean, with fewer than 600 estimated individuals. Its presence indicates the exceptional water quality here, comparable only to the wild coves near Positano.
Bring your own snorkeling equipment: there is no hire on the beach. Fins are recommended for exploring the areas further from the shore.
The Historic Restaurants
Da Teresa (originally known as Da Gemma) has been operating on the beach since the 1950s. The family has passed down from generation to generation an authentic seafood cuisine based on the daily catch. The signature dish is scialatielli ai frutti di mare - fresh egg pasta with mussels, clams and prawns - a recipe that according to locals was born right here, in the kitchens looking out over the water.
Il Pirata is literally carved into the rock: its rooms cut from the cliff face offer a unique, almost cave-like atmosphere, with the smell of the sea drifting through windows open to the water. Both restaurants arrange the boat transfer for their guests - a service that makes the visit even more special.
Local Tips
- Book the restaurant at least 2–3 days ahead in summer: the free shuttle is worth far more than the taxi boat fare.
- Bring water shoes: the white pebbles are beautiful to look at but hard on bare feet.
- For snorkeling, explore the cliff walls to the right of the beach: that is the zone with the greatest concentration of marine life.
- Arrive by 10 am if you want a spot on the beach: the cove is small and the restaurant sun-loungers go quickly.
- The return to Amalfi at sunset, with golden light on the cliffs, is one of the most beautiful moments on the entire Coast.
How to Get There
Taxi Boat ⭐ Only access
From Amalfi pier
About 5 minutes crossing. Cost: €5–€8 per person (return).
Restaurant Shuttle
Free for diners
Book lunch and the boat ride is included in the service.
Kayak Tour
From Amalfi or Atrani
Some local guides offer kayak tours with a stop at Santa Croce.
Private Boat / RIB
Hire in Amalfi
With a boat licence, hiring a RIB lets you combine several coves in one day.