The Amalfi Coast in Italy is legendary! it's a colorful romantic gem. The views are exceptional! A gorgeous travel destination on the Mediterranean sea, a piece of Italy not to be missed!

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Your Mini Travel Guide To The Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is only 40 kilometers long making it relatively easy to get around. This bucket-list destination is world-famous attracting millions of tourists each year and for good reason.

Best Time To Visit The Amalfi Coast

The season starts officially at Easter which is normally between the end of March to mid-April, going all the way through to September. Keep in mind that April can be risky as far as the weather goes. It can get pretty wet and cold so I would recommend going during May and June, right before the temps get really high as do the prices.

How To Get To The Amalfi Coast

The easiest way to get there is to fly into Naples and start your road trip from there. You can also arrive in Rome and travel by car to the coast.

How Long Should You Stay On The Amalfi Coast?

To truly explore the Amalfi magic I recommend staying at least 5 days to a week.

Getting Around The Amalfi Coast

The best is by car. Make sure you hire a small car as the roads especially in the towns and villages are so narrow it's crazy! When in the immediate Amalfi area it's best to leave the car behind and take a Sita bus to the nearest towns. It's cheap, frequent, and easier as parking can also be an issue.

You can use DiscoverCars.com like me. This website has been named the world's leading car rental booking website in the 2020 edition of the World Travel Awards. On this website you can find, compare and rent a car globally.

You can book your ferry to Capri directly using Ferryscanner.com this online portal offers ferry tickets worldwide. This website features 65 ferry companies, serving more than 1,600 routes across 25 countries!

Where To Stay In Amalfi

We chose to stay in several hotels along the coast to get more of the feel and vibes of the different towns rather than just one hotel.

My Hotel Recommendations Along The Amalfi Coast

Hotel Club Due Torri Maiori ~ Directly on the coast, the rooms of this hotel are decorated in Italian style and are quite large with a private terrace with sea views. There is a traditional restaurant on-site, serving a mix of regional and Italian cuisine, and parking is available which was a big plus. Breakfast is served on the rooftop offering gorgeous panoramic views. A perfect way to start your day!

Hotel Eden Roc Suites ~ You will love picturesque Positano! This hotel though on the small side is beautiful! It features a pool, and spa. All rooms come with a sea-view terrace, in addition to a sun terrace. The restaurant serves local cuisine though you won't have a shortage of restaurants to explore outside of the hotel. The sun terrace is ideal for an aperitif to enjoy with the sunset or after-dinner cocktails.

Best part? Some rooms have a private hot tub on the balcony! It really doesn't get better than that!

Capri deserves at least one night in my view. It takes about an hour and a half by ferry and its beauty will blow you away! Capri is famous for its rugged landscape and HIGH-END hotels & shopping. The boutiques here are beautifully styled and very inviting indeed, the prices however not so much.

Hotel La Palma dates back to 1822 and is located in the center of Capri, a stone's throw from the famous La Piazzetta Square. It features a panoramic rooftop terrace, a restaurant serving classic Mediterranean cuisine with a selection of regional wines, definitely worth tasting.

Another option is Hotel Canasta ~ This hotel is located not too far from La Piazzetta Square and a few steps from the fashionable shopping district around Via Camerelle. Here you can enjoy private gardens, a large swimming pool and the beach of Faraglioni.

In Sorrento you have the option of either staying down by the water and city center or going up the mountain which is what we chose to do. The views were exceptional! It was also nice to have more space as down by the water it can be quite crowded and busy. This was also the reason why we decided not to stay in Amalfi Town but just outside.

Hotel La Vue d'Or ~ A 10-minute drive up the mountain from Sorrento offering rooftop panoramic views of the bay of Napoli, it features an outdoor pool and large balcony to enjoy meals and the surroundings. While some rooms have a balcony, others have views of the Mediterranean Sea.

A big plus! The hotel provides a free shuttle into the center. In the panoramic restaurant, you can enjoy homemade pasta and fresh seafood for dinner, while the bar makes cocktails. The food here definitely stood out from the other hotels.

Amalfi Coast Food Tip ~ Go for small family-owned restaurants away from the busy centers and don't fall for the tourist traps. The best meals we had wherein what we call mama's and papa's restaurants, still using old family recipes and it's all fresh and handmade.

Suggested Itinerary For The Amalfi Coast

We flew into Napoli and drove directly to our first port of call, Sorrento. We stayed here two nights while exploring Sorrento itself and nearby Positano. The Island of Capri was next, we then moved to Maiori and explored Amalfi Town and Ravello, I would recommend skipping Solerno by the way.

Highlights To Explore In These Towns

Sorrento ~ Start in the old town, stop at the cathedral built in the 11th century while making your way to Piazza Tasso, great for coffee, snacks, and people watching. Sorrento doesn't have an accessible beach per se as it's a cliff town. Having said that, the waterfront hotels do grant for-price access to their piers. From here walk to Marina Grande, a fishing village in the western part of Sorrento, and walk around the colorful narrow streets soaking in the atmosphere.

Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast — Sorrento water front

Sample Limoncello. The local's pride and joy. Beware, it holds 32% alcohol. Also, sample the local meringue which is super big and comes in crazy flavors you won't find anywhere else.

In Capri ~ It takes about an hour and a half by ferry and less than an hour with a hydrofoil to get to Capri. If you suffer from sea or motion sickness like me, make sure you have pills with you as the ferry ride can be a challenge when the sea is high.

Visit Piazzetta di Capri, Marina Grande, and Marina Piccola for swimming, food, drinks, and sunsets. Take a boat ride to visit the Blue Cave, where the sea glows electric blue as a result of sunlight passing through an underwater cave.

Capri, Italy — Views of Capri from above

PRO TIP ~ When you’re preparing for your trip, purchasing your tickets for the different activities planned in advance is important. More often than not, you will find great deals and discounts.

GetYourGuide is my go-to operator because they are trustworthy, they have a wide variety of activities on offer, and they always have deals happening.

Take a look!

Scenic views on the Amalfi Coast — Scenic views of Capri

Visit Villa San Michele, a museum and home to more than 1,600 pieces from as far back as 1250 B.C. Overlooking the Bay of Naples you'll find the lovely Gardens of Augustus. Talk about flower power! The views from here or to die for!

The Cove of Marina Piccola and the Faraglioni sea stacks are the most striking. From Piazza della Vittoria you can take a hairy/breathtaking chairlift to the top of Mount Solaro, the highest point on Capri.

Enjoying a swim on the beach of Capri, Italy — Enjoying the beach on Capri

Pro Tip ~ Don't miss it! When you get off the ferry you'll find unique convertible limousines offering to drive you around for the day. It was awesome! The driver knows where the best lookout points are, how best to get around as traffic and parking here can be a bit of a nightmare depending on the season. It was just so cool and relaxing.

Positano ~ This small yet vibrant, colorful, and oh so picturastic town is wonderful! You can take a front-row sit on the beach or in one of the many little restaurants and bars. You can sunbathe, have a meal, drink, while waiting for the sunset, and just admire your surroundings. You'll find super chic boutiques in the small yet buzzing center while artists do their thing around the beachfront.

The beachfront of Positano, the Amalfi Coast — Positano

Ravello ~ This town is located on the top of the mountains. From Villa Rufolo you’ll have spectacular panoramic views from above. Have dinner in the many outdoor terraces in and around Piazza Centrale.

Amalfi Town ~ This town is rich with history, has gorgeous bay views alongside multi-colored small houses typical for the area. The Cathedral is the major attraction right at the heart of town, it is simply magnificent! Hang out in Piazza del Duomo, try the Spaghetti ice cream! Wander around the narrow alleys and have beautiful food.

The Cathedral of Amalfi Town — The Cathedral of Amalfi

Spaghetti ice cream ~ A must try! — Spaghetti ice cream!

Take a walk along the beachfront and the marine, the views of the town from here are great!

Maiori ~ The beaches here are wider, more spacious, and very relaxing.

Food Tip ~ Have dinner at Torre Normanna, which is in the Michelin Guide since 2007. It is located inside an ancient tower in Maiori. You can enjoy specialties based on fresh fish and a close-up and extensive view over the sea.

Views from the Torre Normanna restaurant in Maiori — Views from the Torre Normanna restaurant

Recommended day excursions you can do

From Sorrento, you drive to Pompeii & Herculaneum ~ These two towns were buried under 4 to 6 m of volcanic ash in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79. This place will blow you away!

You can actually see how the town looked before disaster struck. You can see the art, structure, and in general, you will feel as if you are walking the streets of these famous towns back in the day. It was a wonderful experience.

Bonus Tips!

While you are in the area it is a great opportunity for you to visit a local Buffalo Farm ~ You can see how their beautiful mozzarella cheese is made.