Are The Amalfi Coast's Iconic And One-Of-A-Kind Sandal Souvenirs Actually Worth It?

Purchasing the perfect souvenir can be a wonderful way to commemorate your vacation. Certain destinations are known for quality craftsmanship, making them excellent spots to score a spontaneous souvenir. Some travelers even plan entire trips around shopping for unique one-of-a-kind treasures and many of them head straight to Italy. 

Italy is most well known for its rich culture, historic architecture, and delicious gastronomy but fashion enthusiasts know it's also one of the best places in the world to find gorgeous clothing, shoes, and accessories. Italian leather is considered to be some of the best in the world, and it's used by some of the top fashion designers to create high-quality shoes and purses. Major Italian cities like Milan are some of the most famous shopping destinations in the world, but small towns are equally wonderful places to shop. 

Italy's Amalfi Coast is a total paradise and has become one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, with more than 5 million tourists visiting each year. Many people who visit return home with handcrafted leather sandals, which have gone viral on social media in recent years. If you're traveling with limited space in your luggage, you may be wondering if they're really worth the splurge. According to rave reviews from travel bloggers and social media influencers, the answer is most definitely yes. Travelers hoping to treat themselves to a beautiful, unique, and high-quality souvenir during their Italian vacation should certainly consider a pair of personalized Amalfi Coast sandals. 

In this day and age, handmade goods often seem like a thing of the past. It's easier and cheaper to purchase mass-produced fast-fashion online than it is to hunt down exactly what you're looking for in-store, but where is the fun in that? When you choose to purchase a unique hand-crafted item, you'll be supporting local artisans, ensuring that your style is one-of-a-kind, and the quality is often superior to mass-produced clothing.

Leather goods, including leather shoes, are excellent souvenirs that can last a lifetime if you care for them properly. The leather-making traditions in Italy date back to the Middle Ages and the skills have been passed down for generations. The tanning process involves using tannins extracted from plants that give Italian leather its signature softness and patina. The shoemakers who craft famous Amalfi Coast sandals craft them by hand from high-quality Italian leather and allow you to customize your perfect pair with various styles and colors. "The entire process of getting hand-crafted sandals couldn't have been more delightful," wrote Michelle Tucker on her blog, Staying Blonde.

After spending some time browsing, you'll select your preferred style of sandal. The artisan cobblers will measure your feet for a custom fit. The entire process takes under an hour from start to finish.

Handmade sandals from the Amalfi Coast will cost you somewhere around $50-$100, and according to travelers, they're well worth the price tag as they are custom-made, good quality, and last a long time. They're also very comfortable, especially when the leather breaks in. "Let me tell you, I've never had shoes fit this well," Travel With Dash said in a TikTok video. "I've had mine for over a year and they look brand new and I get so many compliments on them."

According to travelers, the most difficult part of acquiring your very own pair of handmade leather sandals is deciding which shop to choose. There are lots of options available. In a caption on her Tiktok video, Anna Kloots wrote, "If you are visiting the Amalfi Coast and can take the ferry to Capri and visit Salvatore he makes the very best!" Another TikTok user called Mags recommended a shop near the beach in Positano called The Safari Club. Some travelers think that visiting Positano might not be worth it because of the crowds and high prices, but it's one of the best places to find shops selling handmade sandals. 

Nanà Positana is a shop with excellent reviews on Tripadvisor. More than 400 happy customers have left five-star ratings. Travelers who visited loved the personalized experience offered by the family-run business and were very happy with the quality of the shoes they purchased.