Positano and the Amalfi Coast
After a memorable day touring through the ruins of Pompeii and climbing to the crater of Mount Vesuvius, we have arrived in Positano! This is definitely a little slice of heaven!
There are so many wonderful things to do in this area, and it’s impossible to do it all in one visit. I definitely try to squeeze as many of these into the itinerary as possible, and I have a ton of content to share with you!
I’ve said it before - Italy is quickly becoming one of my favorite countries and this just strengthens that opinion! The people are so incredibly kind, and I love their love for their region! In this article, I’ll break down a ton of things to do in various places in the area, including a couple day trips!
Related Posts
The Island of Capri ⋆ Staying at Casa Buonocore in Positano ⋆ A Visit to Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, and Naples ⋆ The Naples Pizza Battle ⋆ The Path of the Gods ⋆ Gastronomic Trekking on the Amalfi Coast ⋆ Exploring the Cinque Terre with a Local ⋆ Portofino ⋆ The Italian Riviera ⋆ Parma ⋆ Modena ⋆ Bologna
Positano
Some of the most Instagrammable images of the Amalfi Coast can be found here! This village, nestled on the side of the mountain, is absolutely breathtaking. I had seen pictures for years, but seeing it first-hand is, and I had no clue about the number of stairs and alleys. It’s such a special place and incredibly beautiful.
Where To Stay
Casa Buonocore
This beautiful boutique hotel stole our hearts upon arrival. We stayed in the Superior Room which had a very relaxed Bohemian feel. Chanel quickly informed me that not only did I make the perfect choice of lodging, but that she wants our next home to look “just like this.” It featured a large comfortable bed, plenty of space, a stocked minibar, and the most perfect terrace!
The owners and staff are incredibly accommodating, and which of course, made it that much more perfect! A beautiful spread is available for breakfast featuring fresh pastries, meats, eggs, regional cakes, and more! It is continuously changing, so you’re guaranteed to be able to try new things!
How to Get Here
Positano is most easily reached by ferry if you are going directly. We wanted to maximize our time, so we hired Tours of Pompeii Tours Lello & Co for private transport and tour through the Pompeii ruins, to the climb of Mt. Vesuvius, and to Positano. Our driver, Enzo, was terrific and made our day absolutely perfect!
What To Do
Hit the Beach
There is a large beach at the base of Positano, and several restaurants and bars line the shores. It’s such a fun environment, and it was perfect for us to have a quick bite and a bottle of Rose!
Hike the Path of the Gods
The photos look a little daunting, but you reach the trailhead by bus, and it’s a stunning trek along the coastline. We reserved an Airbnb experience with Lady Bug and it was an absolutely incredible day. If you are in good healthy shape, it’s easily accomplished!
Gastronomic Trekking
This was such a fun way to spend the first half of our day! Giacomo and Antonella are absolutely delightful! Not only do you learn about various plants and vegetation along the walk, but you also pick them, prepare them, and they teach you about the culinary side of the Amalfi coast. We joined in with new friends from Sweden and the US. The meal that our group prepared was a delicious meal that I’ll touch on in a future article!
Valenti Lemoncello
This fantastic company is full of delicious Lemoncello, and all of the tasty snacks, candies, and jams all circling around lemons! You can reserve a tour and taste here.
Gelato
Anytime you are in Italy is the perfect time for gelato!
La Botteguccia Da Giovani
No visit to Positano is complete without swinging by for a pair (or in many cases, a few pair) of hand-made sandals. Sorry, guys… only ladies stuff!
More shopping!
I hope you saved room in your luggage!
Where To Eat
LaSponda - Via Cristoforo Colombo, 30, 84017 Positano
The dreams you have of fantastic food, wines, and ambiance can all be found within the walls of LaSponda! The entire restaurant is lit with what appears to be thousands of small candles. None of that electric or battery stuff - beautiful and authentic candlelight, all flickering lighting up the yellow lemons throughout. The menu is incredible, and since it was a ‘special occasion’ we indulged for the small chef's menu and wine pairing. Happy Birthday to me! This was so fun and is a must visit if you want to spend a little more and it is crazy romantic and beautiful. The live music added that classy Italian vibe that we were craving! 1 Michelin Star Recipient - Pricey
Ristorante Max - Piazza dei Mulini, 22, 84017 Positano
The one place we loved so much that we had two bookings. In all fairness, it was also the closest after taking thousands of steps up and down per day. They have excellent service as well as food! The fish are always amazingly fresh, the wine list is expansive, and they offer wonderful recommendations. Michelin Guide Recipient - Moderately Priced
Next2 - Via Pasitea, 242, Positano
This was a bit of a hike down and then back up from our hotel but was more than worth it. It has a very relaxed modern yet warm vibe. The wine, octopus, pasta, and fish were all incredible. The dessert was light and fresh, and everything I had hoped it would be. I have fallen in love with lemon related desserts! Michelin Guide Recipient - Moderately Priced
Da Vincenzo - Via Pasitea, 242, Positano
I’m glad I spaced out the restaurants that were a longer walk! Da Vincenzo is also down and back up to the other side of Positano. Leave early, take your time, and take a few pictures while pretending you aren’t winded! We made new friends on a day trip to Amalfi and turned this reservation into a 4 top. It was so much fun, and the food was delicious! After the Amalfi day, I had a slight obsession with lemons, so I had fresh pasta with shrimp and a lemon wine sauce. It hit the spot! The setting is relaxed, and the interior decor is beautiful and features the stone from the mountainside. Michelin Guide Recipient - Very Reasonably Priced
Capri
Get More Specifics Here: The Island of Capri
This beautiful island can’t be missed when in this area! In a perfect scenario I would allow for 3 days so you can explore both Capri and Anacapri while also unwinding and relaxing on the island and also taking a boat tour!
How to Get Here
We ventured to Capri from Positano so it was a quick and easy 30-minute ride via Positano Jet, a comfortable boat service that was just 20 euro per person.
What To Do
Boat Tour
Hiring a boat is an absolute must on your first visit to Capri. It’s also a likely activity for future visits because it’s so fun and relaxing. We absolutely loved our time Vincenzo Capri Boat Tours. We were able to see all of the Grottos, including Blue, which was just incredible. After all of the hiking, this made for an extremely relaxing late morning adventure!
Walks
Go see incredible sights like Villa Jovis, Arco Naturale, and Villa Lysis. It’s all an uphill but gradual walk with views worth the effort!
And more …
Where To Eat
Da Paolino Capri - Via Palazzo a Mare 11
If there’s only one piece of advice you take from this guide, for your sake I hope you dine at Da Paolini. I recently read a BuzzFeed article on the top 15 places you should eat at in your life - this should be on it. I had seen a few pictures online and read great reviews, but photos cannot encapsulate this experience. We had an absolutely phenomenal lunch at Da Paolini. The outdoor dining area is shaded by the rows of lemon trees. We had the Grilled Mozzarella on Lemon Leaves, Tomato Mozzarella with Basil Salad, Spaghetti Paolini, and the Ravioli Capresi in Lemon Sauce. The use of lemon in the food and the fantastic local wine combined for an unforgettable experience! I will return and can imagine dinner under the lemon trees will be even more memorable!
Salumeria da Aldo - Via Cristofor Colombo 26
If you like sandwiches, you’ll LOVE this! Freshly baked bread, classic Italian meats, and cheeses, delicious olive oil, tomato, and spices. It’s simple but just so amazing and one of the best sandwiches I’ve had. I plotted our itinerary, so the boat arrived in Capri just before lunch!
And more…
Amalfi
Related Links: The Lemons of the Amalfi Coast - Coming Soon
Amalfi is a very historic village dating back before the 8th century. It was a significant power in trade centuries ago, and the Mediterranean architecture is still present today. It’s a beautiful city that is bustling with tourists and residents alike.
How to Get Here
If staying in a nearby village such as Positano or Ravello, simply use the public bus or get a ferry ticket. The bus is much cheaper, but the ferry is faster and offers a far more beautiful view!
What To Do
Tour
Sightsee
Visit Amalfi Cathedral and the Museum of Paper
Shop!
There are so many fun places to shop here!
Where To Eat
Ristorante la Caravella - Via Matteo Camera, 12, 84011 Amalfi
This now over 60-year old restaurant is different than most. It’s a sort of art gallery meets restaurant set up. Head Chef Antonio Dipino doesn’t disappoint in this Michelin Star gem. This checks all the boxes and keeps things regional yet in a bit fancier preparation. We had the ‘Light Lunch’ menu with wine pairing. It included Mozzarella stuffed anchovies, Tubetti pasta from Gragnano with a fish ragout, Whitefish gratin stewed with Greco di Tufo wine, Almond Parfait with Coffee Mouse, and a spoon of Lemon sorbet. It was amazing! You may have seen pictures of the ceramic donkey’s from Amalfi. This is a very popular piece of art in Amalfi symbolizing luck. These are featured here and available in their gallery store next-door for purchase.
Sorrento
This beautiful city is located on the Bay of Naples with great views of Mount Vesuvius and the island of Capri. Sorrento is perfect for a day trip or even to stay a night.
How to Get Here
Sorrento is easily reached by ferry, train, or car. The port is much lower than the central city, so if you come in by vehicle, there’s less of a hike up. The ferry is much faster though.
What To Do
Piazza Tasso
This open area seems always to be busy and full of cafes for a coffee and people watching!
Gelato
Again, anytime you are in Italy is the perfect time for gelato!
Basilica of Sant’Antonio
This Basilica was named for Sorrento’s patron saint and is the city’s oldest church. It’s charming and worth the visit!
More shopping!
There’s always time for more shopping!
Where To Eat
Fuoro 51 Wine Bar - Via Fuoro, 51, 80067 Sorrento
When in Italy, drink the wine! Fuoro 51 is an impressive wine bar with an excellent range of wines from all over Europe and even some other international areas. The food is, and the service is even better! We had so much fun there and enjoyed two wonderful bottles of wine! Next time I stop in Sorrento I’m coming straight to Fuoro again for wine and a snack!
I'm a US expat, blogging photographer and world-traveler who may or may not like tequila a bit too much.