Looking for things to do in the Amalfi Coast, Italy? Here’s where to stay, Amalfi Coast beaches, Positano restaurants, Capri, and more!
The Amalfi Coast, Italy has been etched in our memory since Alex and I visited on our honeymoon. The vibrant blue water, dizzying cliffs, and quaint lemon and olive groves make it impossible to forget. Once you’ve been to the Amalfi Coast, it’s in your blood. So as much as we love travelling to new places, Alex and I were absolutely dying to go back. So we said: you know what? Let’s do it! We returned to the Amalfi Coast, Italy seven years later, ready to see whether it was as good as we remembered. Here’s all the things to do there: including where to stay in the Amalfi Coast, Capri Italy, Amalfi Coast beaches, Positano restaurants, and more!
Positano Italy
Was the Amalfi Coast, Italy just as good seven years later as it was on our honeymoon? Absolutely. This gem is Positano. Positano is the most picturesque of the towns on the Amalfi Coast. If you’re wondering where to stay in the Amalfi Coast, Positano is a great option. On this trip, we stayed in a small village right above Positano called Montepertuso. It was a short walk from Positano, so we got to see this view every morning when we walked into town. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend our Airbnb, but Montepertuso is a great spot and much quieter than Positano.
If you’re looking outside of Positano at where to stay in the Amalfi Coast, might we recommend where we stayed for our honeymoon? The bed and breakfast is called Punta Civita and has the most incredible views of the coastline! It’s located between Ravello and a smaller village called Atrani so it’s slightly inconvenient to get to and you have to take the bus to many of the Amalfi Coast towns. However, the views are to die for.
Positano restaurants
One of the best meals we had on the Amalfi Coast Italy was at restaurant Da Vincenzo in Positano. The Linguine alla Napoli was to die for. The pasta cooked to perfect al dente and topped with a perfectly tangy tomato sauce studded with olives and capers. Da Vincenzo’s patio a beautiful view of Positano (above). We went there during the day because it worked out well with our other plans, and it was lovely to see Positano in all its splendor.
Because on this trip we stayed right above Positano in Montepertuso, this time we tried a few restaurants there as well. Since Montepertuso is so closeby, these can be considered Positano restaurants too!
- La Terra (Montepertuso) – This restaurant is up in the hills and has spectacular views! It’s totally romantic and worth it just for the ambience. The food was also quite good; classic Italian.
- Donna Rosa (Montepertuso) – This one was a little pricey, but family owned with good food!
Amalfi Coast beaches
To be honest, we have not been to all of the Amalfi Coast beaches! However, our opinion of the best beaches on the Amalfi Coast is finding places that are a bit off the beaten path. There are two main beaches in Positano: the one right at the center of town and one just west of town called Fornillo Beach. There’s also a wonderful, more secluded cove at the east end of Fornillo beach, just on the other side of the restaurant. There are way less people in this area, and you can leave your valuables on your towel without worrying about it here. We had remembered this beach from our honeymoon and were able to find it again. Here are a few snaps of our favorite beach in Positano. (For help on the location, notice the small cove at the bottom of the photo below.)
On Amalfi coast beaches…get gelato!
On our honeymoon, I remember eating a delicious peach gelato on the beach in Positano. I remember finding it right off the main beach, at a little counter that was attached to a restaurant. With nothing to go off of than our memories of 7 years earlier, we found the same place! And sure enough, there was that peach gelato. And it was just as I remembered: tangy and refreshing, with little chunks of frozen peaches throughout the fluffy golden gelato. It was such fun to relive one of the memories that inspired my love of food in the first place!
Amalfi Coast hiking
Our favorite part of the Amalfi Coast is the hiking. There are hundreds of trails, most of them the old “roads” before new highways were cut into the hillside. The vistas are amazing, and you can end up in someone’s olive or lemon groves if you aren’t careful. Each time we’ve come, we’ve brought a book that helps navigate the trails (though it’s still easy to get lost!). Here’s the Amalfi Coast Hiking guide book we used. On our honeymoon, we literally got lost in a lemon grove and were scrambling to figure out way out of it before it go too dark!
On this visit to the Amalfi Coast, one of our favorite hikes was up to a huge, round hole in the mountain that towers above Positano. Up at the top, there were no other people in sight. Alex and I sat looking down on Positano, listening to the traffic and boat horns echo up from the beach below.
Capri Italy
Capri Italy is an easy 30-minute boat ride to the island of Capri. This was one of our favorite spots on our honeymoon, so we couldn’t wait to go back. The day was a bit cloudy at first and looked like it was going to pour, but luckily the sun surfaced for the majority of the day. Capri Italy is a pretty swanky location, and the main part of the island is filled with all sorts of swanky shops and restaurants. But don’t worry: it is possible to do Capri on a budget! When we went on our honeymoon, we brought a picnic and literally spent NO money except for the boat ticket to get there! What we’ve loved to do when we go to Capri is to go hiking. Since many people go for the shopping and eating, many times the hiking is not very crowded. The photo below is of the Arco Naturale, a natural arch that’s part of one of the hikes.
Of course when in Capri, get the Capri salad! Ordering Insalata caprese (or, Capri Salad) was something I’d been looking forward to the entire trip. It tasted absolutely divine after a day of hiking. And on this trip to Capri, we made sure to spring for some tangy lemon and orange granitas. They’re essentially flavored Italian ice and so, so refreshing on a hot day.
Our favorite part: the best known sight in Capri Italy is Il Faraglione, a formation of three iconic rocks. This is the view that everyone knows and loves! We were looking forward to photographing this incredible spot, but were worried the cloudy weather wouldn’t cooperate. Luckily, by the end of the day we were able to get a bit of blue sky to snap these shots.
Here we are leaving Capri to head back to Positano. Just at the end of the day, some sprinkles started to fall! The weather had cooperated perfectly for us, giving us sun just when we needed it. In all our time on the Amalfi Coast, this has been our one bout with rain. It’s typically very sunny in the summer!
Ravello Italy
On our final day, we took a day trip to Ravello. Ravello is an Amalfi Coast town that’s high up in the cliffs. It’s famous for its beautiful villas, built for the rich and famous, and utterly killer views. Alex and I came on our honeymoon, and I felt like a visit to the Amalfi Coast wouldn’t be complete without seeing Ravello again.
Our favorite part is Villa Cimbrone, a villa in Ravello built in the 1900’s with gorgeous gardens open to the public. We came back to see one special place: the Terrace of Infinity. It’s one of the more beautiful views in the world, we think. Scroll down to see…
This! The Terrace of Infinity. It’s an extraordinary place, up on this balcony with the blue sea stretching for miles, surrounded by angelic looking statues. It makes you feel both insignificant and special, all at once.
And one more iconic Amalfi Coast shot in Ravello! Here’s the photograph you see on the cover of all Amalfi Coast guidebooks (if you’ve never seen one, you’ll recognize it now). It’s in a different villa called Villa Rufolo, which sits just around the corner from Villa Cimbrone. Since we had come that far, I insisted on going into that villa as well to snap that lovely shot.
More Amalfi Coast hiking
After visiting these villas, we hiked down from Ravello to catch a ferry back. Though we had taken the bus there, we decided to walk back down to get our exercise. Steps like these are everywhere on the Amalfi Coast: they connect all the towns to each other! And they’re much better going down than up. Walking on these steps and paths is one of my favorite memories of the Amalfi Coast. You’ll pass by quaint little doors set into the rock walls, and even baskets of lemons being sold on the honor system. Also, there’s typically not many people on the steps even in high season, so it feels secluded and secret.
The evening of our last day in the Amalfi Coast, we decided to hike all the way from the beach at Positano to our favorite “hole” towering above the town near Montepulciano. After squeezing through tiny paths and steep inclines, we made it to the top and gazed over Positano one last time.
The Amalfi Coast is absolutely stunning, and we are so grateful to have been able to take another trip there. It was so special for us to revisit a culture and place that meant so much to us early in our marriage. We left feeling rested and relaxed, though we’d been on our feet constantly! Thank you so much for letting us share these memories with you.
Have you ever been to the Amalfi Coast, or thinking of taking a trip there? Let us know your thoughts or questions!
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Beautiful pics!
Cheers!
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Thank you so much for this blog, my husband and I are going to Rome and Amalfi coast in September. We now have some great recommendations thanks to you!!! If you have any recommendations for Rome we would sooooo love to hear them! Thanks for all the beautiful work! Deanna.
You guys will have a wonderful trip! We actually posted on our visit to Rome on this page: https://www.acouplecooks.com/2014/07/rome-naples-italy/
So jealous right now! Looks absolutely stunning!
Gorgeous! My husband lived on the Amalfi coast for six months during college and we have pictures that he took on the trip. We plan on going there as a family of four when the kids get older :)
Wow, what a wonderful experience for your husband to live on the Amalfi Coast! It will be an amazing trip to return with your children – something they’ll never forget! Thanks for sharing :)
Hi Sonja
My husband and I are headed to the Mediterranean on a cruise in sept. The cruise ends in Rome. We plan on staying for a week after to explore. We do we start to plan our trip
Thanks Gail
Hi Gail! I’m excited to hear about your trip, and Rome will be fantastic! Our Rome post has more details on that city: https://www.acouplecooks.com/rome-naples-italy/ Let us know if you have questions!
Positano is a magical place. I was there 2 years ago and loved it – strolling down the winding streets and ending up on that gorgeous beach at the bottom. Our drive along the Amalfi Coast to get there was a bit hair-raising with our tour bus driver going a bit too fast, driving one-handed while talking on his cell phone! Your beautiful pics bring all the memories back!
Haha, your bus ride sounds about right! We rode the buses when we went on our honeymoon, but this time we opted for hiring a car to take us there — that bus ride is quite an experience! :)
The Amalfi Coast is magical, isn’t it? Some of our best memories in Italy were from that area. Lovely photos and the eats looked nothing less than spectacular, especially the Linguini alla Napoli.
Yes, so magical…sigh! Where else did you travel in the area?
Wow. Such beautiful photos. Sounds like you had an amazing time.
Thanks so much, Heather!
Beautiful photos! My boyfriend and I are headed to the Amalfi coast next month! Will definitely check out some of these hikes and the restaurants you recommended.
Oh wonderful – you will just love it! Let us know if you need any more recommendations or suggestions!
Trust me, I know how weird this sounds…but I have tears in my eyes because these photos are so gorgeous! My husband and I are hoping to take a big European vacation for our 10 year anniversary in 2 years, and this has been on my “must see” list since I first saw ‘Under the Tuscan Sun.’ So gorgeous!
Oh, so sweet (and not weird at all)! I also get emotional about beautiful places :) You must go — you will be blown away by the beauty. Where else do you plan to go?!
The first holiday I went on with my boyfriend was to the Amalfi Coast so it has a very special place in my heart (not least because I figured if we could spend five days together without arguing, it probably meant we were good for life). I loved seeing your pictures and being reminded of our time there again xo
Aww, what a sweet memory! We loved your recent photos of Sardinia too – that’s now on our list!
Well, now you made me regret our decision to not go to the Amalfi Coast last summer. Jerks.
;)
I tried to tell you, but you just wouldn’t listen!
I would love to know what camera gear you guys took! I’m going to be traveling to Italy around the New Year and I have no idea what to take with me, and would like to make it minimal if possible. Also, I was planning to travel to Florence and Rome, but I just may have changed my mind! Holy gorgeous!
Hi! We aren’t the people to talk to for minimal gear :) We took our Canon 5D SLR and used a 24-70mm lens for most of the shots. We also took a 35mm lens. Good luck deciding where to go!
Oh it looks like you had an absolutely dreamy time in Positano.
Gorgeous pictures. We are heading there 8/19 for a my 60th birthday celebration! So excited can barely concentrate on anything but the Amalfi Coast. Da Vincenzo is on our list!
So, I’ve hesitated looking through this post for a few days because I knew the second I did, I’d want to start planning a trip (which is true). Between these photos and the Greece photos- I can’t believe you came back :)
Wow, your pictures are amazing. I am getting excited as my family & our friends family are going to the Amalfi coast in September. We are staying in Nocelle, high up on the cliffs. I know the view will be spectacular but I am a little concerned that it may difficult getting around. Can we take steps down to Positano easily or would you recommend the bus? If so, how long do you think it will take us to walk down? I think we had better bring good walking shoes. I am looking forward to seeing Capri. There are 8 of us travelling together. Are there cabs large enough to accommodate all of us? Thank you for your lovely blog. All the best, Leanne & family.
Hi! We actually took the bus up to Nocelle one day and then walked down from there to our hotel. I’d definitely recommend walking down to Positano from Nocelle if you have time — the views are spectacular and the paths are very well-built. I’m not sure if there are any cabs that fit 8, but the I’d definitely recommend the bus… it might be a little crowded at the beginning, but it’ll loosen up as you get closer to Nocelle. Also, we had friends stay in Nocelle this summer and they highly recommend the hole-in-the-wall pizza place :) Have a great trip!
Splendid photos. The Amalfi Coast is a photographer’s paradise as there’s a photo opportunity at every turn.
Hi Sonja! I came across your blog while looking for hiking info in Positano on Pinterest. Your post is exactly what I was looking for! You took such beautiful, awe-inspiring photos, and it made me even more excited for my husband and I’s upcoming trip there in early June. We both love hiking and discovering new places on foot, and I was just wondering how you came upon some of these smaller, less-traveled trails? I checked the link you provided for the hiking book. Did you just use that book to find these trails, or did you maybe talk to locals for advice on where to go? We will only be in Positano for 3 days before heading to Rome and then San Gimignano, and we would like to see as much of Positano and Capri on foot as we can those days. I was just wondering if you had any advice you could share. Thanks!
Heather – thank you for such a sweet comment! You will have a blast on the Amalfi Coast. Great questions — Alex will actually follow up with you via email to answer your questions in more detail. Have an amazing time! :)
I have this same question! My husband and I are going next month. Can’t wait. We’d love to find your favorite “hole” in your pictures. Did you take any cooking classes while on either trip?
We found the path to the “hole” from the little town of Montepertuso in this book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1856914291/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=1856914291&linkCode=as2&tag=acoco-20&linkId=WNOFYTPBFM5OU7MP
We didn’t get a chance take any cooking classes. Have so much fun!
Helloo,
All the pictures are amazing,I am planning to go this year also to Positano by plane and I would want to ask you if you know the price/pers for the trip to Capri Island ,the price for the bus I think is SITA bus the local transportation,and the taxi from the Napoli airport up to positano in case you came by plane.
Thank you! I don’t recall the cost for the ferry from Positano to Capri — maybe around 30 euro round trip. We had a private taxi from the Naples airport to Positano and I think it was around 100 euro for a one-way trip. Hope that helps!
Thank you both so much for this helpful and suggestive post. I am making my first trip to Italy with my boyfriend next month and will at the Amalfi coast for 4-5 of our 14 day trip! I really wanted to hike and take in breathtaking views during our time there so I’m very happy to run across your blog!! We are booking a few air BnB’s during our trip, but for the most part he wants to just kind of “wing it” and see where we end up on which day, which makes me nervous bc I’m a planner. How has your experience been reserving rooms there? Have you done last minute reservations or always had a plan of where you were staying? Any tips and advice you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Beautiful pictures!!!
Hi! The towns along the Amalfi Coast are small, so I’d recommend booking ahead. Tripadvisor and AirBNB have been great for helping to find places.
Hi,
Thank you for sharing great photos and information! We are planning to visit Amalfi in july and would love to do some hiking. Many webpages warn it is too hot for hiking. Did you visit amalfi in june or july? Best regards, Annette
Hi! We visited Amalfi a few years back in July and it was hot but not terrible. I think as long as you have plenty of water you should be fine!
How did you get to Ravello when you went on the day trip? Also, you wrote that you hiked down from Ravello to “catch the ferry back”. Where did you hike down to? Where did you catch the ferry from and did it take you back to Positano? Thanks for your help! Love your Blog!
Nora —
Thanks! We took a Ferry from Positano to Amalfi (and back), then caught a taxi up to Ravello. The ferry schedules are posted all over the place, or you can ask your hotel. You could take the bus as well, but we wanted to maximize times. We then followed a staircase hike (described in hiking book linked above) down from Ravello back to Amalfi. It’s a bit tricky but has the most amazing views!
Loved this post! I went to Rome-Florence-Venice and Milan beginning of this year and loved it. We really wanted to go to the Amalfi Coast also but because of the weather, decided against it. Your pictures are so vivid and gorgeous! That peach gelato just made me drool! Yum!
Thanks for such great info and lovely photos. Keeping this on file for future reference.
Grazie
What beautiful photos! That peach gelato looks amazing. Wish I hadn’t missed it but I did get a wonderful melon popsicle in Positano that was absolutely to die for. I would go all the way back just for that! Your day trip to Capri looked fantastic as well. Thanks for posting and hope you can visit the Amalfi Coast again soon. http://www.jadescapades.com/1-day-in-capri/
Your trip looks fantastic! My fiancé and I are planning a honeymoon to Italy and want to end with 4 or so days on the amalfi. Basically after two weeks of travel want to relax, lay by the pool, eat, stroll around town, and just enjoy! Which town do you recommend rhe best for romantic, and fun? Thanks you!
Hi! We’ve stayed in well-reviewed B&B’s within walking distance of both Amalfi and Positano and had a great experience at each. We know people that have loved Praiano and Ravello too; I don’t think you can make a wrong choice. I’d just read reviews of the hotels on tripadvisor and try to find a place that fits you :)
Hi! Amazing photos! What type of camera did you use?!
Thank you! We shooting with a Canon 5D.
Hi There! My soon to be husband and I are traveling to Positano in a few weeks for our honeymoon. I am really interested in the hiking trail that you found that big open rock formation (hole) that you said is above Positano. Is it on the way from Positano to Nocelle? or is it near Montepertuso? Would love to try and find it ourselves (is it labeled in a hiking book with a certain name?)! Also, which look out point do you recommend when on Capri to get a good view of the Il Faraglione? Thank you so much!!
Hi!
The hike to the hole in the rock was from the center of Montepertuso and was very off of the grid, but only about 20 minutes or so up if I recall. We found the instructions in this book: http://amzn.to/22LIuSW
In Capri, we found the best views from the hiking loop to the Arco Naturale for one side, and from the Giardini di Augusto on the other. We highly recommend all of the walks on Capri outside of the towns. Have a wonderful trip!
Gorgeous photos! My husband and I are traveling to Positano this year. We will be there for 6 nights. Do you have any recommendations on hotels? We have Hotel Miramare booked…but are looking more at Hotel Buca di Bacco right now. :)
Hi!
We don’t have any strong recommendations for you, sorry! Both of these hotels look wonderful so I don’t think you can go wrong :)
My husband and I are looking at Amalfi Coast and Rome in early October. You mentioned a day trip to Capri, is Capri just a day trip? or longer? We dont want to be moving a lot, but heard Capri is very nice. Appreciate any thoughts.
Hi!
Capri can certainly be done in a day (though it would be lovely to stay there as well!). In the summer, there are daily ferries from both Positano and Amalfi, just ask your hotel to help you get tickets. It’s hard to find the schedules online.
If you do go for a day, I’d take a guide book that includes Capri. We chose to wander around the paths and beaches rather than do a boat tour, but I don’t think you can go wrong! Have a great trip!
Starting our Italy vacation this October with Capri and Amalfi. Your post will be a useful reference point. Thanks :)
My husband and I will be there in April for our 30th wedding anniversary. Your blog was wonderful to read and your photos amazing. Can’t wait.
Thank you for your wonderful photos … definitely on the bucket list now!
Ciao! Your blog on this trip to Italy is brilliant! Thank you for sharing. I’ve been charged with booking rooms for my husband and I as well as another couple we are traveling with. Not surprising, the whole of Amalfi is about 75% booked and there is minimal availability. However, the place you recommend in your post, Punta Civita, still has two rooms. Would you be able to share more information about your stay there? How were the accommodations and were the beds comfortable? I cannot find any reviews for this B&B. Thank you so much! Cannot wait to see some of the sights you’ve already enjoyed.
Hi Christina! I would absolutely recommend Punta Civita! I’m not sure where it’s at since our honeymoon 10 years ago, but if it’s anything like it was then, it’s perfect! The only hard part is that it’s a little out of the way from everything, so transportation is a little harder to arrange and takes longer. But it’s worth it for the views!