Souvenir shopping tips: Buying ceramics on the Amalfi Coast

Along with dramatic cliffside views and giant, fragrant lemons, the small hamlets of the Amalfi Coast are known for their ceramics. You can find the colorful pieces overflowing from tiny shops in each of the towns along the coast. The hub of the Amalfi Coast’s ceramic craft is the small, often-overlooked town of Vietri sul Mare. In fact, almost all of the pieces sold in Amalfi and Positano are made in Vietri sul Mare.

Traditional designs: While the ceramics in this region can be found in almost every color palette, the most well-known designs features a blue-and-yellow or a blue-and-red color scheme. Favorite designs include patterns with lemons, leaf-inspired geometrics and rustic tomatoes.

Know before you buy: Look for the word “Vietri” either within the design or at the bottom of the ceramic pieces to ensure it was created in the historic town of Vietri sul Mare. Also be aware that some tourist shops sell machine-made replicas, often at much lower prices. To ensure that you’re purchasing hand-painted pottery, look at the bottom of the piece for the phrase “dipinto a mano” or simply “dip a mano.”

Best spot to buy: You can purchase authentic, hand-painted pottery in any of the towns along the Amalfi Coast. However, Vietri sul Mare is a great choice to go find your perfect piece and a visit will likely give added perspective on this time-honored craft.

Don’t have your eye on ceramics? Other popular souvenirs from the Amalfi Coast include heavy-stock artisan paper, bottles of sweet limoncello and handmade leather sandals.

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