I’d read about the “flying farmers” of the Amalfi Coast, but nothing prepared me for the sight of a man in his eighties balancing across a wooden pole three storeys above the ground, carrying a crate of lemons that weighed more than I could lift. That morning, I stood on a terrace above Minori and watched Gigino Aceto move through his lemon grove the way his family has done since the 1800s — without a safety harness, without a complaint, and with the kind of calm that comes from doing the same hard work for decades.
About 2,000 metric tonnes of Amalfi lemons are harvested each year around the Amalfi Coast, and a single Sfusato lemon can weigh up to three kilograms.
– CNN.com
If you want an authentic, hands-on look at Amalfi Coast life that goes beyond the beach clubs and ferry rides, this morning tour with the Aceto family is absolutely worth the early wake-up. It’s real, it’s physical, and you’ll never look at a lemon the same way again.
Families (kids 6+)
Food lovers
Photographers
The farm sits on terraces carved into the cliffs high above Minori, a small town on the Amalfi Coast that most people drive straight through on the way to Amalfi or Positano.
The Farm
Where the Lemons Grow: The Aceto Family’s Terraces Above Minori
The road from Minori’s main square winds uphill through narrow lanes that eventually become dirt and then stone steps. I walked with Michael and the kids (Lily, 7, handled it fine; Ethan, 4, needed a piggyback for the last stretch). After about fifteen minutes the houses fall away and the terraces open up — rows of lemon trees held in place by dry-stone walls, the sea glittering far below.
Lemon terraces in Amalfi shrank from 72 hectares to 48 hectares between 1954 and 2015. Salvatore created the tours specifically to keep traditional cultivation alive and to raise awareness of the Sfusato lemon’s role in the local landscape.
The tour starts at sunrise — not as a gimmick, but because the farmers have been working since first light for generations.
A Morning with the Flying Farmers
He’ll show you how the trees are pruned by hand and how the wooden poles are used to move between levels. The crates they carry weigh over 25 kilograms — you can try lifting one, but don’t hurt yourself. Tip: wear closed-toe shoes with good grip; the steps can be slick with dew.
Each fruit is heavy in your hand — some as big as a small melon. You’ll cut it yourself and smell the oil on your skin. Lily was amazed that a single lemon could weigh more than her water bottle.
Freshly squeezed juice, a slice of bread with olive oil and lemon zest, and a shot of homemade Limoncello for the adults. The lemons are rich in vitamins C, B, E, potassium, and magnesium — but mostly they just taste incredible.
If Gigino is in the grove, he might demonstrate how he balances across the poles. Salvatore told me his father still refuses to use any modern safety gear. It’s both terrifying and beautiful.
Book by email or phone at least a few days ahead — especially in summer. There’s no official website that I found; locals know Salvatore by name, so ask your hotel or a pasticceria in Minori for his number. The tour is conducted in Italian and English on request.
The Sfusato lemon isn’t just a larger, sweeter cousin of the ordinary lemon — it’s the backbone of the region’s cuisine and its agricultural identity.
What Makes the Sfusato Lemon Special
The fruit has a thick, fragrant peel that’s used in pasta dishes, salads, grilled fish, and desserts — and, of course, for Limoncello. Its juice is less acidic than a standard lemon, so you can eat a slice raw without puckering. Historically, the lemons were also used for cleaning and natural medicine because of their high concentration of vitamins and minerals.
Giorgia De Pasquale, an architect and researcher at Roma Tre University, is working to get “Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System” status for the Amalfi lemon groves. The terraces themselves are a 15th-century example of man and nature working in harmony — they also help curb landslides caused by rain and wildfires.
Salvatore explained that the traditional system is resilient to climate change because the terraces hold moisture and the trees are planted for maximum airflow. Still, the decline of terrace farming is real — the area shrank by about a third between 1954 and 2015. Tours like this one are as much about preservation as they are about tourism.
Getting to the farm takes some effort, but the reward is a view you won’t get from any ferry.
Logistics: How to Make the Morning Tour Work
Getting there: Minori is easily reached by ferry from Amalfi or Salerno, or by SITA bus from Amalfi (about 5 minutes). From the ferry dock, walk along the main street toward the church, then follow the signs for “Lemon Grove” — or ask anyone in a bar for directions to the Aceto farm. The walk is roughly 20 minutes uphill, mostly steps. A stroller is impossible; wear Ethan in a carrier if you have a small child.
The path is uneven and can be slippery after rain. There are no guardrails on the upper terraces. If you’re prone to vertigo or have mobility issues, this tour may not be right for you. The farm itself is not paved — it’s a working agricultural site.
When to go: Tours run year-round but lemon harvest peaks between March and June. I went in May, and the trees were heavy with fruit. Summer mornings are hot, so the early start is actually a blessing. In winter, the farm is quieter but the views are just as dramatic.
What to bring: Water, sunscreen, a hat, and a small backpack to carry your lemons home. If you’re into photography, a zoom lens is useful for capturing the flying farmers from a safe distance. For my part, I brought a compact travel camera that fit in my pocket — I didn’t want to juggle a big DSLR on the stairs.
Cost: Tour prices aren’t fixed online — I paid around €30 per adult and €15 for Lily (Ethan was free). The fee includes the walk, the tasting, and a small bag of lemons to take home. It felt fair for the intimacy and the effort Salvatore put into explaining every tree.
Planning Your Visit to the Aceto Family’s Lemon Farm
Is the tour suitable for very young children?
The path is steep and has exposed drops on some sections. Kids who can walk steadily (around age 6+) will be fine with supervision. For toddlers, a sturdy carrier is a must.
What should I wear and bring?
Closed-toe hiking sandals or trainers, long trousers to protect against branches, and a hat. Bring a water bottle — there’s no shop on the farm.
Can I buy lemons or Limoncello to take home?
Yes — Salvatore sells bags of fresh Sfusato lemons and bottles of his mother’s Limoncello. Cash only. Prices are very reasonable (I paid €5 for a bottle of Limoncello).
Is the tour genuinely worth it, or just a gimmick?
It’s the real deal. You’re standing on a farm that has been worked by the same family for over a century, watching traditions that are disappearing. The honesty of the experience outweighs any lack of polish.
What’s the biggest downside?
The physical challenge. If you’re not comfortable with steep stairs and narrow terraces, you’ll spend more time worrying about your footing than enjoying the view. Also, the early start (around 7 a.m.) isn’t for everyone.
Why This Farm Stayed With Me
I’ve seen a lot of beautiful places in Italy, but the moments that stick are the ones that feel earned — and the walk up that hill to the Aceto farm felt earned in every sense. Seeing Gigino balance on a wooden pole with a crate of lemons on his shoulder was not a photo op. It was the daily reality of a man who chooses to keep working his land even as the world below turns into a tourist strip. The farm reminded me that the Amalfi Coast’s beauty isn’t just geology — it’s the result of centuries of human labor, and that labor is worth paying attention to. For more ideas on what to do on the coast beyond the beaches, read our guide to the towns of the Amalfi Coast.
Sources and further reading
CNN Travel. “Climate change is reshaping lemon farming on the Amalfi Coast.” 2025. 🔗
Salvatore Aceto, Lemon Tours Minori – personal tour information (no official website). Contact via local accommodations.
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Marina di Praia’s Rock Pools Are the Coast’s Best Free Attraction — A practical guide to swimming in natural rock pools without the crowds, perfect for pairing with a morning tour.
Cinque Terre vs Amalfi Coast: Which Italian Hike Is Better? — A comparison of the two famous coastal trail systems, with honest advice for families and hikers.
Amalfi Coast’s License Plate Rule Changes Travel — Important info on driving restrictions that affect how you get around the region.