I was very lucky that I was living with my husband and our dog in Naples for a year. That’s how I got to visit the beautiful towns on The Amalfi coast multiple times. If you ever dreamed about visiting this magnificent part of southern Italy I’m here to help you with some useful information. I’ll tell you about what to see and do in The Amalfi Coast.
Probably the first thing that comes to your mind when someone mentions Amalfi coast are the towns of Amalfi or Positano, two most popular places to visit there.
I have to tell you that Amalfi coast is so much more than that. Actually, I will tell you immediately which towns are there. Besides the two already mentioned there are Sorrento, Praiano, Atrani, Ravello, Maiori, Minori, Cetara, Vietri sul Mare and Salerno. That makes 11 beautiful towns in total and they’re all worth to visit and I will tell you how you can make most of the Amalfi coast in a week.
HOW TO GET TO AMALFI COAST
If you’re coming from Naples there are three options to get to Amalfi coast. The first one is to rent a car (which is what I would recommend if it fits your budget). The second is to take a bus from Naples. Finally, there is the third option and that is to take a train to the Amalfi coast.
Although all these towns are relatively close to each other, you’ll need more time to pass the short distance by car or bus because the Amalfi coast road is very windy and it’s not an easy ride but it is absolutely amazing! If you rent a car you can stop by the road multiple times to simply enjoy the view and to take some amazing photos.
The views are breathtaking (everything you ever saw in photos of Amalfi coast is real). The water has the most amazing shades of blue. You can also get a refreshment from one or two stalls by the road that offer freshly squeezed juices. The drive itself is an adventure and one of the best things you can do while in this area.
WHERE TO STAY IN AMALFI COAST
This depends on your travel budget. If you’re splurging for this holiday and you want something luxurious you’ll definitely want to stay in Positano. On the other hand, if you want something cheaper I would suggest staying in Sorrento.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO IN THE AMALFI COAST
This is why we’re here for – what to see and do in the Amalfi coast.
So, you have arrived to this little piece of heaven, you’re refreshed and ready to go out of your hotel or AirBNB and do some exploring. I will give you a small tour of The Amalfi coast towns so you can choose what will be your starting point (again, depending on where you’re staying).
Let’s start with the most popular town – POSITANO.
Whether you’re coming in winter or summer you’ll definitely want to see that famous beach called Spiaggia Grande.
If you’re there in summer make sure you’re at the beach early since it can get crowded during the day. The set of chairs and an umbrella is about 25 euro (it’s 12-13 euro per person), but if you want something more affordable there is a Fornillo beach close to Spiaggia Grande. It’s on the right from Spiaggia Grande (if you’re facing the sea) and a 10 minute walk will get you there, just ask someone to tell you the best way to get there. The beaches are made of pebbles and are both worth a visit.
If it’s winter time and you’re in Positano (yes, it’s beautiful even in January) you will not see any deckchairs or umbrellas and you will have the beach practically to yourself. You can walk by the sea and simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the place.
If you’re planning to eat lunch you can’t go wrong with choosing a restaurant.
Either by the beach or in town, food in Amalfi coast is delicious. Food is not cheap, neither too expensive and I think it’s definitely worth to eat lunch at one of the restaurants. If you’re on a budget there are grocery stores where you can find everything you need if you’re preparing a meal at you AirBNB.
I’m in love with italian cuisine so if you ask me you can’t go wrong if you order pizza (especially in this part of Italy) or seafood pasta.
Of course, you can always go with something you love and are sure you want to eat which is pasta carbonara or pasta bolognese. Don’t forget to try the delicious lemon sorbet which is served in a big lemon in many restaurants. A short espresso to shake you up a bit after lunch and you’re ready to continue your day.
A small reminder – Italians don’t drink cappuccino in the afternoon. Cappuccino is usually the coffee that goes with a croissant for breakfast. Even if you love coffee with milk, try not to order cappuccino if you just had seafood for lunch. Milk and seafood don’t go well together and you might end up with an upset stomach.
Streets in Positano center are not long and they’re so pretty that even just strolling will be relaxing and beautiful. You’ll find very nice shops and if you’re into souvenirs you can always buy something to remind you of Amalfi coast and those are handmade ceramic products or limoncello bottles. There are also shops with handmade clothing (like crochet dresses) which are gorgeous but pretty expensive. You’ll also find a few small art galleries which are worth a visit if you’re an art lover.
Positano is every photographer’s dream and if you’re a photography lover you can easily spend hours photographing this little town.
Every little street, hotel entrance, bougainvillea falling over some random door – you’ll want every detail in your photos (I know I did). Not to mention the amazing views of colourful, stacked houses overlooking the sea. Even in autumn or winter when the clouds get over Positano (they will usually be there for a short period of time) photos will look amazing. You might want to visit The Church of Santa Maria Assunta. You won’t miss it since its colourful tiled dome is on every postcard or photo from Positano.
Another town worth a visit is, of course, AMALFI.
Like Positano, it also has a beautiful beach outside of the old town. Here you can enjoy your first half of day. At lunchtime, simply cross the street and you’ll enter the old town through the gate and immediately find yourself in the Amalfi main square. From here you can stroll the streets and find a place to eat.
As soon as you enter the old town you’ll see the beautiful Amalfi Cathedral (Sant’Andrea Cathedral) and lots of stairs taking you to the entrance.
If you don’t want to see the interior you can just climb the stairs and look at the square from above, take some photos and go down and have a coffee and ice cream.
Amalfi also has pretty little shops with handmade things.
ATRANI is a town of ceramics. Every ceramics shop is so colourful with beautiful handmade things. They make the perfect souvenir or a gift to someone back home. Atrani also has a beautiful beach and is extremely close to Amalfi. You can simply walk from one town to another.
RAVELLO is a city with some of the most amazing views, especially from Villa Ruffolo. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
SORRENTO is one of the prettiest towns I’ve visited and you’ll not regret it if you decide to visit it too. If you’re staying in this town it’s a perfect place to enjoy your first day in the Amalfi Coast. Chiesa di San Francesco, the 14th Century Church is a place you should visit while in Sorrento.
SALERNO is a really special town especially if you’re visiting in winter.
At this time you can see some of the most beautiful light installations called Luci d’Artista.
You can walk the old town, grab some of the best pizza with mozzarella di buffalla. After that you go for a walk by the sea, have a coffee and simply enjoy the sunset.
MAIORI and MINORI are two quieter towns and if you have time you can visit them as well. They are also a good option if you don’t want to pay for a hotel too much. Minori was a fishing village as many of these towns. It has a casual atmosphere with its wooden fishing boats and umbrellas providing shade.
CETARA is a fishermen’s village surrounded by citrus groves. The architecture, the lovely Church of St. Peter and the secluded beach are some of the reasons to visit Cetara. Here you can have fresh tuna and anchovies.
If you want more of your trip to the Amalfi coast and you have extra time you can do these things:
- Rent a boat and see the Amalfi coast from the water. You can also take a dip in the clearest blue waters of the Thyrennian sea.
- Have a day trip to Capri (there are boats going from Positano to Capri every day in summer season).
- Take a train to Naples and spend your day in this amazing city. You will enjoy its beautiful architecture and museums. You can also try the best pizza in the world in Naples. You can read about how we spent our weekends in Naples for some inspiration.
- If you love history you will definitely want to visit Pompeii.
- Take a boat to the islands of Ischia and Procida. (You can read more about Procida here.)
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