The sun-drenched town of Amalfi has been a seaside retreat for centuries, and as a former maritime heavyweight, it's clear that the ocean influences all aspects of local life.

Every day, you'll be greeted by a glittering azure sea, visible from your hillside perch. The buildings of Amalfi are iconic in themselves, the colourful blocks cheerfully dotting the cliffs and overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. The town's numerous beachside restaurants, tangles of narrow alleyways, piazzi and scattering of historical monuments – which include the St Andrew Cathedral and the ancient monastery of San Benedetto – make Amalfi worth an excursion from anywhere in Italy's south.

Staying here, however, is the best way to really get to know Amalfi below its iconic surface. Visitors can stay at the 5-star Grand Hotel Santa Caterina, a converted villa set in lemon and orange orchards with spectacular views of the bay. As with many places on the Amalfi Coast, travellers will encounter a seemingly never-ending supply of limoncello made with locally-grown lemons – it's a true taste of Amalfi, liquid sunshine in a bottle.