Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is simply the most beautiful place on earth.

Positano: It is probably the most famous place and also the most touristy, however Positano is absolutely beautiful. Just stroll through the small streets down to the beach where you can swim, take a ferry or (expensive) water taxi to hidden bays or Capri and Ischia, just check out the small kiosks at the righthand side for tickets. Try the lemon granita at the stall near the bus station or get a cocktail at the kiosk bar L’alternativa right at the beach. Also Bar Internazionale is a lovely and more authentic cafe and bar right at the main street. For dinner it’s nice to escape the crowded streets and take the bus up to Montepertuso, the village in the hills above Positano. Here you find restaurants La Tagliata and Il Ritrovo. Also a must-do is the Sentiero degli Dei, the path of the gods hiking trail with amazing views. Starting in Nocelle, where you also find the best gnocchi at restaurant Santa Croce, you can end in Bomerano after 6km or in Amalfi after 15km. Sturdy shoes, water and sunscreen are important for this walk.

Praiano: The town next to Positano has a more relaxed, authentic charm, so it’s a good place to stay. Just sit at the piazza San Luca or San Gennaro with the locals, eat at excellent restaurant Kasai, have cafe and cocktails at Bar del Sole, go down all the stairs to beach Marina di Praia or, for more party-vibes, to Beach Club One Fire down from San Gennaro.

Amalfi: Amalfi is an overcrowded traffic hub, but the small piazza, narrow alleys and the Duomo di Amalfi are beautiful nevertheless. Right next to the cathedral there is Pansa, the best Pasticceria in town. The restaurant Da Gemma is an old and delicious institution with a terrace looking right on the piazza. In summer there often are free concerts in front of the Duomo, just make sure you don’t miss the last bus or ferry.

Minori: Here you have to try the desserts and cakes at Sal de Riso, have a look inside Basilica di Santa Trofimena and buy absolutely fresh and delicious pasta at the seemingly unremarkable shop Il Pastaio di Marco della Pietra.

Sorrento: The city is usually extremely crowded with tourists, but the Convento di San Francesco is a lovely, calm place. Just a few steps away you have a stunning view of the volcano Vesuvius, just sit down at bar La Villa, watch the people and enjoy the sunset. You can also taste the delicious ice-cream at Puro Gelato, shop at Nec Moda or maybe see a concert at Villa Fiorentino.

Ravello: Up in the hills Ravello is another stunning place. Here you find the famous Concert Society Festival, the Oscar Niemeyer Auditorium, the Villa Rufolo and the Duomo di Ravello. Have a coffee at Caffe Calce on Piazza Centrale and visit the gardens at Villa Cimbrone with the Terrazza Dell’infinito and its breathtaking views of the coast. Buses to Ravello start in Amalfi.

Salerno: Salerno is very different from the picturesque, touristy villages. It’s a busy city with a huge harbor, a big shopping street, interesting, old alleys and the pretty gem Il Giardino della Minerva, a hidden garden. You can either walk here or take an elevator. The Cathedral of Salerno is also very beautiful, here you can go down into the magnificent, golden crypt.
Pizzeria Trianon is nice for a quick lunch and good pizza.
Close to Salerno you find the village Vietri Sul Mare which is famous for it’s ceramic workshops, so shop for souvenirs at Ceramica Solimene, a building you can’t miss just because of its unique architecture.

Napels: The city is very interesting and has stunning museums, just be attentive in some corners like around the central station. The Madre museum shows cool contemporary art and has a great rooftop, while exceptional Museuo Archilogico presents beautiful marble statues and archeological finds. When you want to try the most famous and apparently best pizza try Antica Pizzeria da Michele, but be prepared to wait. For fantastic fashion go to Traffic Multilab.
Highlights are also Pompeji and the Vesuvius about half an hour from Naples, where you can spend a day exploring the ancient city and hike on the Vulcano.

Getting around: The many towns along the breathtaking coastline are stunningly beautiful and all have a different vibe, so its great to explore them one by one. The Sitabus drives along the Amalfitana between Naples and Salerno and stops in all towns. The buses are often crowded and so are the streets, so make sure you have time, relax and just enjoy the view.

There are so many more amazing destinations in Italy, find ideas for trips to the beautiful island of Capri and Sicily for Pugila here or here and the Aeolian Islands of Stromboli with its volcano and the chick jet set island Panarea.