6 MUST-SEE DESTINATIONS IN CONCA DEI MARINI!

On a promontory between Praiano and Amalfi lies one of the smallest towns on the Amalfi Coast, Conca dei Marini. You probably know it because you have heard about the Emerald Grotto, one of its most famous tourist attractions. But actually Conca is much more than that: read the article for all the must-see stops during your visit to this wonderful village!

by Roberta Cascone

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Conca dei Marini seen from the sea

1. The Emerald Grotto

As I mentioned, Conca's most popular tourist attraction is definitely the Emerald Grotto, and deservedly so! The Grotto is, in fact, a breathtaking natural beauty: it is a natural karst inlet, inside of which magnificent stalactites and stalagmites have formed over the centuries; you may also notice that, as they joined together, they created spectacular limestone columns. The name, however, comes from the color of the water inside the Grotto, which, thanks to the reflections of light filtering in from outside, is a deep emerald green.

2. Church of St. John the Baptist and St. Anthony of Padua

The Church of St. John the Baptist stands in a position of enviable beauty, dominating the entire bay of Conca dei Marini from the top of a cliff. Consisting of three naves separated by round arches, it preserves a painting depicting the Madonna between St. John and St. Andrew, and the bell tower ends with a cusped vault covered with Vietri majolica.

3. Church of St. Pancras Martyr

Another noteworthy church is that of St. Pancras, among the most popular with married couples. The architecture of this church is really special: the salient façade is decorated with red and white parallel stripes, and the central part ends with alternating open and closed spaces. It’s really unique!

4. Santa Rosa Monastery

The Santa Rosa Monastery was founded in 1681 on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea at Conca. Today it is one of the most beautiful 5-star hotels on the entire Coast: it also houses a starred restaurant and a luxurious spa, which I told you about here. It is a truly magical place!

5. Marina di Conca

Marina di Conca beach is one of the most characteristic on the Coast: set between vertical cliffs, it is a pebble beach surrounded by small white houses. The sea is crystal clear and is ideal for snorkelers.

6. The Saracen Tower at Capo di Conca

Also called Torre Bianca (White Tower), the Saracen Tower soars on a promontory overlooking the sea at Capo di Conca. It can be reached via a path full of steps, along which you can admire natural inlets and the blue sea of the Coast.

One of the popular legends of Conca dei Marini concerns the figure of the “Janare,” mythological witches who lured fishermen returning from night fishing. For this and other legends of the Amalfi Coast, read the article dedicated to them.
Inside the Emerald Grotto is an underwater nativity scene, made of Vietri ceramics, which is 4 meters deep.