To date, the Amalfi Coast is my favourite place that I have visited. This incredible Italian coastline has mountains, charming towns, beaches, clear, turquoise water and amazing food. We took a train from Rome to Naples and rented a car at the Naples train station. If you are visiting southern Italy, exploring the Amalfi Coast is a most. I hope you enjoy my complete guide to the Amalfi Coast!
WHAT TO DO
Since the Amalfi Coast spans 50 kilometre’s of coastline with several towns, there is lots to do and see. Here are my favourite towns to visit and things to do on the Amalfi Coast!
Praiano
We stayed in the town of Praiano and absolutely loved it. In between touristy Positano and Amalfi, it’s smaller and much less crowded. Walk or drive along the main highway and admire the scenery of the coastline. Head to Marina di Praia, the town’s beautiful marina and beach nestled below the cliffs.
For a unique beach/swimming experience, walk to Fiordo di Furore. If you are driving, you should be able to park at Ristorante Eurocana for a fee in between main dining hours. This beach has an incredible view of an arch bridge and the water is so warm, perfect for swimming. Highly recommend!
For another unique experience, visit the Grotta dello Smeraldo, which is just past Praiano. We loved visiting this grotto and it’s a must-see if you aren’t visiting the grottos on the island of Capri (which we were unable to). From photos I’ve seen of the grottos on Capri, the Grotta dello Smeraldo is more impressive as it’s a large cave with tons of stalagmite and stalactite.
Positano
Positano is the most well known town along the Amalfi Coast and therefore one of the busiest. Despite all of the tourists, this beautiful town is a must see. If you aren’t staying here, I recommend taking a bus as there is very limited parking.
For one of the best views of the town, make sure to stop at these GPS coordinates 40°37’40.8″N 14°29’22.5″E. Then, head down through the town centre towards the main beach, exploring the small pedestrian streets with beautiful shops. We had the best time spending our day at the Positano Beach Club but it’s definitely pricey – 30 euros per lounger and 5 euros per towel. However, there is also a free, public section of the beach.
Ravello
The town of Ravello is a must-see when visiting the Amalfi Coast. Set high upon the mountains, this town has unforgettable views. If you are driving, park at Parcheggio Piazza Duomo. Make your way to the Piazza Duomo, Ravello’s beautiful main square. Next to the Duomo you will see the entrance to Villa Rufolo, a stunning villa with gardens and views of the sea. Although I do love this villa, Villa Cimbrone has more to see and even better views.
Capri
Visiting the island of Capri is a popular thing to do when exploring the Amalfi Coast. You can either take a ferry or boat excursion. We did both and my favourite part of visiting Capri was the boat excursion, being on the water and swimming off the boat!
To read my blog post, “A Day Trip to Capri,” click here.
Amalfi
The town of Amalfi was my least favourite town that we visited along the Amalfi Coast. It is VERY busy due to several bus tours beginning and ending here. The beach is nice but not as nice as Positano Beach. The main square has a beautiful church. I recommend stopping here for just a quick visit if you have time but in my opinion, it shouldn’t be a high priority.
WHERE TO STAY
We stayed at Hotel Open Gate in Praiano and absolutely loved it. This charming, family-run restaurant is conveniently located right on the main highway but still quiet. As I mentioned, Praiano is the perfect spot to base yourself when exploring the Amalfi Coast and it is more affordable than most of the other towns! Our room was modern, clean, and had a great balcony with a view of the sea. Breakfast was included and it was always fresh. They also have a restaurant that serves dinner with outdoor seating! I can’t recommend this hotel enough.
WHERE TO EAT
We did not have one bad meal on the Amalfi Coast. In Praiano, I highly recommend Ristorante Il Pino, which has an amazing view of the sunset and Il Pirata, which is right on the water and looks out at the anchored boats. La Bonta del Capo and Hotel Margherita are also great options with incredible food.
If you are spending the day at the beach in Positano, we had a good lunch at Bucca di Bacco.
When visiting Ravello, I highly recommend the Garden Ravello Restaurant for a fabulous view and food – try the tuna tartare and white fish with lemon cream sauce!
In Capri, Ristorante Panorama Capri is a great option and Da Luigi Ai Faraglioni is right on the water with an amazing view and delicious food.
I hope you enjoyed my guide to the Amalfi Coast!
To read my blog post, “A Complete Guide to Rome,” click here.
To read my blog post, “10 Instagrammable Spots in Rome,” click here.
