There’s this petite village – really a settlement, that lies just off the scenic road to Amalfi just above the coastline. It is called Furore, Italy. At one time, it was a fisherman’s village, full of tiny boat houses that clung to the side of the mountain along the gorge. Many people admired the cluster of houses and the view overlooking the village, but no one stopped. This is how Furore got its namesake known as “the village that doesn’t exist“.
Furore, Italy: The Hidden Gem on the Road to Rome
But the Mayor of the village decided to put this tiny town of Furore on the map – and that he did when he asked the locals to paint the town in colors! So now, every September, artists from around the world are invited to add murals to the local buildings. I knew none of this when I was leaving Positano on my way back to Rome. This is what I wrote when I saw Furore for the very first time:
Leaving Positano on Highway SS163
Leaving Positano is a sad thought, but knowing we must get back to Rome for our long journey home, my husband and I began our adventure on the road back in our rented Fiat. The overcast sky makes the hills of Positano almost dreamy-like. The winding roads took us to one of the world’s most beautiful places: Furore, Italy and Furore Beach. Well, actually, it isn’t even Furore, but it is on the highway SS163 winding along the coast looking towards Furore. You actually have to get out of your car at the bridge and look down to the sandy cove below to get a glimpse of Furore, Italy and Furore Beach.
The most beautiful place in the world
Furore, Italy and Furore Beach
Coming upon it, automatically my husband slowed the car down and pulled off to the side of the road. I will never forget that moment. The moment I stepped out of the car and leaned over the bridge to see the most beautiful place on earth. I stood there in awe, not knowing at that moment what I was seeing. It was stunning and I was mesmerized by Furore Beach. If only I could stand here forever and then take a walk down to where the little boy in the red jacket was playing with the seashells and rocks…
Oddly enough, another couple had pulled over their car too, at the same exact time and all four of us stood there in awe, almost speechless, admiring Furore Beach. For the life of me, I cannot remember their names or where they were from, only our conversation about being blessed in this very moment of getting to see one of God’s most beautiful creations, Furore, Italy.
I longingly asked myself if only I could have one more day here… I pleaded with my God. “Could he give me just one more day to experience this place?” Of course, the answer was “no” and after only 15 minutes or so, we were back in our little rented Fiat and on the road to Ravello. Stuck in time, the mention of Furore, Italy will always bring a smile to my face and remind me of the moment that I saw the most beautiful place on earth.
No wonder Travel + Leisure called it “one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Really.”
More About Furore, Italy and its beach
Furore is a small Italian village located along the coast of Amalfi. It is in the province of Salerno in the southwest region known as Campania. Since Furore was so hidden deep in the gorge or Fjord, many named Furore, “the village that doesn’t exist.” This gorge cuts straight into the rock, bringing a narrow strip of the sea to a tiny sandy beach. The town itself has no piazza or town square and so many pass it by.
But as I mentioned before, the mayor of the village decided it was high time to get the village noticed by the tourists, so he asked every homeowner to paint their house bright colors so that they couldn’t escape from the view of the travellers passing along the highway. This tradition is still maintained today. Now they invite artists from around the world to paint the local buildings with murals.
A small cluster of fisherman houses clings to the side of the cliff. The townspeople here are primarily are either fishermen or winery owners and many of them are both! From the town, it takes 944 steps to make it down to that sandy Furore beach, known as the Marina di Furore, which is Italy’s only Fjord! If you are adventurous, you can walk across the bridge that connects the two sides of the fjord, then dive about 100 feet from the bridge into the crystal clear water (NOT!). But this is where the Mediterranean Club High Dive Championship occurs every year in July!
Summertime in Furore, Italy
If you can imagine, this is the way it looks in the summertime, when everyone is out and enjoying the gorgeous weather that Furore, Italy has to offer!
After Furore, Italy
Leaving Furore, Italy, we continued travelling down the SS143, around the curves and winding roads and came upon Amalfi, the most famous town along the route. We quickly tucked the car into a convenient spot and got out to take a peek at the town square and the local church.
After Furore, Italy – Then Ravello
And then there is Ravello. A local recommended it to us one night as we were having dinner. We still had some time before we had to be in Rome and thought it would make a great pit stop (just a little out of the way). Wow! Were we surprised at what beauty was coming our way!
After Furore, Italy – Villa Ravello
Villa Rufolo: Pay the 5 Euros to get in and explore all the nooks and crannies of this magnificent villa and its grounds. Get your camera fully charged for an outstanding visit, as there are many places to take great photographs from here.
Don’t forget the bottom garden where you can take lovely pictures facing the sea. This wonderfully restored villa has lots of hidden pockets of enchanting things to see.
Around every corner is something more beautiful than what you saw around the last.
It’s definitely worth a visit. Go to Italy’s Amalfi Coast. You will not be disappointed.
As Mark Twain said: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did … So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
This is the last post in a series of posts:
Italy: from Rome to Positano, a drive down to the Amalfi Coast in the Campagna Region, Italy:
The Abbey of Montecasino and Herculaneum
Arrival into Positano Beach (Part 1)
What to do in Positano, Positano bites deep (Part 2)
And now: Furore, Italy: the most beautiful place on earth and then the drive back to Rome (this post)
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Eric Gamble
Tuesday 11th of October 2016
I love the trees growing up the sides of those buildings in Ravello! Those look amazing! Why couldn't you stay in Furore longer? It would have been awesome to have dinner there and converse with the locals over wine I bet. I had those experiences in Spain..these little hidden villages lost in time but with friendly locals willing to tell you stories of their towns! I am glad you found that even for a minute!
Cacinda Maloney
Tuesday 11th of October 2016
Eric, I know right? We were driving back from the Amalfi Coast to Rome to catch a flight, so I had to go... but will make it back there again some time and converse with locals over wine!
Lori Quakenbush
Wednesday 8th of June 2016
I love your blog and photos. We plan a trip to Furore next summer!
Cacinda Maloney
Thursday 9th of June 2016
Oh, you will love it there!
Laura Collazo
Thursday 15th of January 2015
There are so many places to visit in Italy and all of them are beautiful with some amazing history. Although I have never been there but have read a lot about it. Hopefully, I will be able to visit there in my next vacation.
Cacinda Maloney
Thursday 15th of January 2015
I love Italy, there are so many wonderful places in Italy.
PatMike
Sunday 11th of August 2013
We will be in Florence for 5 nights next month and I was hoping to take the train for a day trip to Cinque Terre. That will have to do this time around. Will follow your trip report !
Cacinda Maloney
Sunday 11th of August 2013
I have only taken quick trips to the Cinque Terre and my upcoming trip will be the same. But I can vouch for the beauty and wonderment of the Amalfi Coast! There is nothing quite like it!
Neil Friedman
Sunday 7th of October 2012
We didn't make it to Amalfi this time around but it is high on my list. I've been going to a restaurant in New York called Posa Posa since I was young. It's inspired by Positano. When I had braces, it was my reward meal for dealing going to the orthodontist. Now I'm hungry!
Cacinda Maloney
Sunday 7th of October 2012