About this property
With sensational views across to the beach at nearby Vietri Sul Mare, the six-bedroomed Torre Costa is an exquisite base for up to twelve guests visiting the Amalfi Coast. Originally built by the Saracens as a watchtower in the fifteenth century, this stunning four-storey villa is ideal for those seeking a getaway at the quieter end of the Costa d’Amalfi.
Superbly upholstered Italian sofas and chairs sit beneath an iron chandelier, sharing the lounge with an ornate fireplace, beautiful wall art and expertly carved wooden furniture. The kitchen is bright and airy, with high-end appliances. There is also a large fridge-freezer, so don’t hold back when you collect your groceries – be sure to check out the local street markets for some additional treats!
The décor here is sublime – classy and understated, emphasising elegance and comfort. The winter garden is a prime example of this, a grand relaxation space with huge glass doors to the terrace, flooding large comfortable sofas, beautifully restored stone walls and a superb pool table. It is a beautiful space to enjoy throughout the year, particularly with the addition of a cinema – a fabulous place to end the day with your fellow guests.
The panoramic terraces at Torre Costa are all exceptionally well-appointed, with plenty of spaces to gather and enjoy each other’s company. Across the different levels, you will also find two dining areas, a pizza oven and a barbecue with plenty of seating, a swimming pool, and stunning views as far as Salerno from the poolside terrace.
The heated pool and comfortable sun loungers are an excellent addition to Torre Costa. The villa also boasts private access to a small beach inlet called Marina di Albori. This public beach is accessible by heading down a flight of steps at the side of the tower. It is a beautiful place to enjoy kayaking, windsurfing, or simply sunbathing at the edge of the crystalline waters.
In keeping with the rest of this villa’s sophisticated décor, you will enjoy a choice of six beautifully furnished bedrooms, all with equally stylish en-suite bathrooms.
You will find all the essentials needed for your stay in the nearby towns of Vietri Sul Mare and Salerno, along with plenty of excellent cafés and restaurants. This side of the Amalfi Coast is ordinarily less busy than the towns to the west, even during high season, making it a great location if you’re looking to explore using public transport. The ferry network is excellent, with plenty of boats throughout the day – with no risk of traffic congestion! Anyone looking for day trips a little further away – Capri and Pompeii are popular destinations – should have few problems finding tour operators in any of the local towns.
Vietri Sul Mare is a hidden gem of the Amalfi Coast, away from the usual touristy bustle of the larger towns in the region. This delightful harbour town is renowned for its ceramics, and you will find the first of several artisanal pottery shops nearby. There is much more to Amalfi cuisine than just lemons (delicious and versatile though they are), and the outstanding seafood restaurants here are not to be passed by. You will be just seven kilometres from Salerno - twenty minutes away by road or just five minutes by hydrofoil from Vietri Sul Mare harbour.
Salerno is a feast for the eyes, particularly around the harbour and the town’s historical centre, with market day on Tuesday mornings. Much like Vietri Sul Mare, this end of the Amalfi Coast is generally less busy than larger towns to the west. In addition to the region’s famed leather, lemon and ceramic products, you will discover craft shops, department stores and superb boutiques. Don’t miss the chance to call in at a delicatessen, sample a fresh panini, and stop at the gelateria in Portanova Square for a ‘brioche con gelato’ – a divine combination of sweet bread and exquisite ice cream!
Amalfi is another charming port town, just under an hour from Torre Costa by ferry or car. Compared with some of the steeper hillside towns nearby, Amalfi is less vertiginous when taking a leisurely stroll around. The promenade is a feast for the eyes, with a bustling harbour full of colourful boats and bright, whitewashed buildings rising gently up the hillside. You will discover a terrific range of independent shops and delightful cafés and restaurants – the phenomenal seafood, in particular, is not to be missed.
A scenic fifty-minute drive inland will bring you to the gorgeous clifftop town of Ravello, known as the ‘Balcony of the Amalfi Coast’. A long-standing refuge of artists, musicians and authors over the last two centuries, Ravello hosts a range of cultural events throughout the year, including the Ravello Festival. This open-air event takes place at Villa Rufolo throughout July and August, with atmospheric musical performances set against the spectacular backdrop of the Gulf of Salerno. Michelin-starred restaurants share piazzas with trattorias and pizzerias, offering visitors many enticing dining options.
Great shopping is one of the hallmarks of the towns and villages along this thirty-four-mile stretch of coast. Pastel-coloured buildings adorn the narrow streets, housing beautifully designed stores packed with everything from fine Italian leather bags and stylish clothing to ceramic art and one of the region’s most famous exports – Limoncello.
There is no shortage of options for terrific local restaurants and trattorias, not to mention cookery classes and tasting tours – getting you right to the heart of this region’s passion for food and wine. There are vibrant weekly markets in the towns close by, with Ravello and Sorrento hosting theirs on a Tuesday. These street markets all have picturesque backdrops, with crowds gathering at Amalfi’s port on Thursdays treated to an incredible view from the oceanfront path. Those arriving later in the week can gather fantastic ingredients for weekend dinners at Maiori on Friday and have the chance to wander along the promenade and enjoy this pretty harbour town.
Accommodation
Villa interior
Ground floor
- Entrance hall
- Open-plan lounge/dining room with fireplace, sofas
- Kitchen with induction hob, oven, fridge-freezer, dishwasher
- Guest WC
First floor
- Lounge with sofas, bar area, opens to terrace
- 2 x bedrooms with double beds and en-suite bathrooms with showers
Second floor
- 2 x bedrooms with double beds and en-suite bathrooms with showers
Lower ground floor
- 2 x bedrooms with double beds and en-suite bathrooms with showers
Outside grounds
- Heated swimming pool (10m x 4m)
- Beach access
- Outdoor dining area
- Barbecue
- Sunbeds
- Pizza oven
- Parking for four cars
- Garden
- Farmhouse
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Cinema
- Pool table
- Safe
- DVD player
- Smart/Satellite television
- Stereo
- Air conditioning
- Heating
- Hairdryers
- Fireplace
- Pool table
- Washing machine and dryer