AMALFI COAST, ITALY

Catalina Diedrichs
Mar 30, 2023
7 min read

Updated: May 17

One of the most chosen vacation destinations; with steep cliffs, different coastlines and beaches that are the constant sight of its surrounding fishing villages.

There is a lot to see and explore, we recommend dedicating a week if possible! If you are in Rome or some other destination within Italy, it is best to rent a car to get here, it takes a little less than 4 hours and then you have the car to move around the Coast.

Other option is move around in motorcycle and not worry about parking.

Let's take a tour through some of the main towns:

POSITANO

Lodging

Without a doubt, we recommend staying here and in a Bed and Breakfast called Casa Gilda. You'll be received by Gilda herself, her husband Giuseppe and her nieces. They are the ones who take care of the whole place, they are the ones who make the rooms, the ones who clean, the ones who cook, the ones who fix the gardens... And everything is impeccable.

Upon entering you feel the smell of the flowers that they care with love and you are dazzled by the unmissable view of the sea and the town of Positano.

The rooms are like apartments with an integrated kitchen and water view.

Other lodging options:

-Le Sirenuse: More in the center of Positano. It also has a very nice view, in height, with a pool on the terrace that overlooks the sea. The terrace is full of red flowers and a few small gardens. It has a nice restaurant with a view to the city center and it's one of the top chosen places for sunset drinks.

-Hotel L'Ancora: It is a little cheaper and next door. No pool and not the category of the previous one, but it is very good and it has a very nice view as well.

-Hotel Poseidon: Another cheaper option, and a very nice view!

-Villa Fiorentino: One of the coolest places. They are like apartments with a kitchen and you have a store right across the street to buy what you need to cook. The pool is impressive, and the view even more. The location is not as good as the others and you have to climb a lot of stairs. Price-wise, it is the most expensive of these detailed options.

-Villa Pietra Santa: 4 stars hotel, with amazing water views from its terraces, decks and gardens.

Then there are other more luxurious alternatives with even higher prices like Villa Treville or Il San Pietro!

Beaches

Spiaggia Grande is the cutest. There is a sector where you can stay the day for free and another to pay for the lounge chair.

It closes at 6pm. If you go at that time there is no one to charge you and you can stay there to watch the sunset.

Shopping

Right there in the center of Positano is full of stores that gather independent artists and artisans.

They have cute and very "beachy" clothes at Bottega Di Brunella.

Where to eat / Chosen #GuestBites:

For lunch in the center of Positano we recommend: C'era una Volta.

For dinner: Il Fornillo.

Chez Black: Its located in the center a little above the beach. Please order the pizza! They have one in the shape of a heart. In general, they usually tell you that there is a delay, but if you tell them that you can wait, in general, you end up sitting faster than they say.

Cele Restaurant: For a romantic meal with a great view.

La Sponda: It is the hotel of Le Sirenuse. You have to make a reservation to heat here and the prices are quite expensive; but if you want a special night, this is the place. Then you can have a drink at their bar: Oyster & Champagne.

Casa e Bottega: A more accessible and healthy option. They have açaí bowls, smoothies, etc. And other options to eat, like: salad, pasta...

Hotel Poseidon: They also offer you healthy options, and the best vegan and vegetarian food!

Another vegan option: Da Gabrisa Restaurant & Wine Bar. You have to climb a lot of stairs so war comfortable shoes.

Ristorante Bruno: Amazing views in Positano center. We recommend trying the catch of the day with potatoes and candied tomatoes.

Le Petit Murat: Inside Palazzo Murat, more luxurious.

La Cambusa: Nice views.

Rammese: Very nice terrace.

Paradise by Buca di Baco: Street food & gourmet cuisine + drinks with a view.

La Taverna del Leone: Fancy restaurante with excellent food and service.

Don Giovani: Water view terrace.

La Pergola: In Positano beach.

L’Incanto: In Positano beach.

For sunset drinks: Franco's Bar

Or a night option: Blu Bar.

To enjoy some ice cream: Dolce e Salato.

What else to see in Positano:

There are endless treasures to visit such as the Saracen Towers, the Church of Santa Maria Teresa, walk through the towns of Montepertuso and Nocelle, and get lost in its streets.

Based in Positano you can go every day to visit the other towns on the Coast:

PRAIANO

You can start the day in Praiano, which is very close to Positano.

You pass the little town and you park on the beach. You then walk along the bay and on the other side you arrive at Il Pirata.

A restaurant with a terrace overlooking the sea and below, on a stone, some lounge chairs that you rent for the whole day. This place is really unique.

SUPER RECOMMENDED! The view, the food, the attention. It is run by Casimiro and Pascualina. An old couple who work 7 months a year in that impressive place. That's something you see a lot on the Amalfi Coast. Almost all the places are familiar hosted by those who started the place years ago.

We also recommend going back here for a magical dinner and to have some drinks.

Another place for a good dinner in Praiano is: Trattoria San Gennaro. They have the best swordfish. And a very good view as well.

And the best quality/price option: La Strada. Great service, excellent food, and you can call ahead to see if they have place in their garage for parking. The best thing to do is eat on the terrace. We recommend the cacio e pepe e gamberi noodles, the baked fish with lemon potatoes, and the homemade almond semifreddo (Torrontone) for dessert.

Other dining options:

-Casa e Bottega: great for brunch or breakfast

-Pizza Capricci: you can take them to the beach

-Il Pino.

-Che Bonta.

-Cialí Bistrot.

-Saghir. Ristorante + Wine Bar.

-Tramonto d’Oro.

-Bar del Sole.

-Franchino.

-Gardini Caffe Calce.

For some drinks:

-Miragalli Wine & Cocktail.

-Saghir.

And for ice cream: Gelateria Battone.

Lodging

Although the price is higher in this town, if you decide to stay here we recommend:

Hotel Pellegrino.
Hotel Open Gate.
Grand Hotel Tritone.
La Conchiglia.
Villa Tiara.

AMALFI

This little town is one of the most popular and the nerve center of the coast. Amalfi Coast name it'is because of this town. It is 7km approx past Praiano,

Almost the entire town revolves around a square in front of the iconic Amalfi Duomo. Although its beach and ports are small, Amalfi has always been an important marine center and the capital of the ancient Amalfi Marina Republic.

Legend has it that Hercules himself founded the city as a gift to a princess whom he had as a princess lover, who owned eyes as blue as the sea.

If you spent the morning in Praiano, after lunch you can come here and end the afternoon in Amalfi, getting lost in its little streets and enjoying its craft shops.

Where to eat

-Restaurant Lo Esmeraldino: for breakfast or brunch

-Pasticceria Pansa Amalfi: it is one of the most famous pastry shops on the Coast.

-Trattoria Da Maria

-Marina Grande: It has a large terrace

-Savoia Bar Caffeteria.

For ice cream: Pasticceria Pansa.

And a luxury option to stay: Santa Caterina.

SORRENTO

It is small and you can get to visit it quickly. You can start another day here, have lunch, and then go to Ravello to see the sunset from above.

If, on the other hand, you decide to stay to watch the sunset in Sorrento, you must do so from Piazza San Francesco Saveiro.

Lodging

There is a very nice Bed & Breakfast called La Casa Nel Giardino.

Where to eat

-L'Antica Trattoria: for typical Italian food.

-Misaki: one of the best for Japanese food, they have several places along the coast.

There are more options in the Marina Grande area.

RAVELLO

It is a town at the top of the Amalfi Coast. It was considered by many artists as the House of the Muses since it is where they have found great inspiration for their art. That is why you can still feel the artistic air and you will find numerous ateliers lost among its narrow streets.

Access is easier by having a car or motorcycle.

It has several squares and gardens that face the sea, and you can see the entire coast from above. Highly recommended.

Some luxury hotels either to stay or go for food and/or drinks with amazing views: Hotel Belmond Caruso, Villa Rufolo, Hotel Villa Fraulo, Villa Cimbrone.

And other more accesible options: Giardini Calce o Palazzo della Marra.

CAPRI

It is an island that has so much to do that it deserves a specific guide that you find it HERE!

The best thing is to dedicate a whole day to explore the island well, go up to Anacapri and if the tide allows it, go by boat to the Grotta Azzurra.

But read the guide for more info!

FIORDO DI FIORE

Here you can swim and sunbathe in a narrow cove with transparent and spectacular water with steep cliffs on both sides and an arched bridge.

To enjoy it with fewer people, it is best to go very early in the morning.

To get there you have to go down a large staircase.

And other towns to visit:

VIETRI SUL MARE: It is known for its ceramic tradition, especially its artisanal pottery. The city has become an important center for the production of both artistic and utilitarian ceramics.

MAIORI

MINORI

CETARA

SCALA

Extra Tip - Ceramic Stores: