July 10, 2024
Annette Ambrose Photography, a destination wedding photographer who is also getting married in Positano, shares her guide to traveling to the Amalfi Coast, Italy.
Amalfi Coast: A Slice of Paradise in Southern Italy
The Amalfi Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is renowned for its breathtaking coastal views, lemon groves, and vibrant villages.
Located about three hours south of Rome and an hour south of Naples, this stunning coastline features crystal blue waters, magnificent cliffs, and charming towns that offer a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Whether you’re a honeymooner seeking romance or an adventurer looking for scenic hikes, the Amalfi Coast has something for everyone.
Tips for Touring the Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast offers various transportation options to explore its picturesque towns:
- Ferry: The most scenic and economical way to travel between towns like Positano and Amalfi. Ferries from Salerno offer stunning coastal views.
- Train: Travel from Rome to Salerno, then take a ferry to Positano for a hassle-free journey.
- Private Driver: For those arriving by plane, arranging a private drive from Naples or Rome can save time and stress.
- Scooter: Rent a scooter to explore the coastal towns at your own pace.
How to Get to Positano
Via Ferry from Salerno: Take a train to Salerno, then a ferry to Positano. This route is not only affordable but also offers breathtaking views.
Via Private Driver: From Naples or Rome, hiring a private driver can simplify your trip, allowing you to enjoy the scenery without the hassle of multiple transfers.
I personally think the best way is to ride the train from Salerno. You can train to Naples and then train to Sorrento. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Positano but that direction involves a lot more hassle to find drivers and the trains.
The Salerno train station to the ferry port is right next to the train station and you just walk straight out and boom you are at the ferry port. Naples is a lot bigger of a city and it involves more transfers to the transportation which are not close together.
Transportation around the Amalfi Coast
I was directed in person to completely different routes than what I Googled leading up to the trip.
FOR EXAMPLE: When I was trying to get to Positano, I noticed that the direction online was not the direction I would recommend traveling. Instead, I found that taking a train from the Rome Train Termini station to Salerno was a lot easier.
Catching the ferries out of Salerno was a lot easier in person than trying to figure it out online.
When I looked online they were sold out and when you go in person, there were a lot more time slots to Positano. Our Airbnb host in Rome said they run ferries a lot more back and forth to Positano from Salerno and just show up at the station.
There are public buses that can take you to the cities.
However, take note, they do fill up and get crowded fast!
Exploring Positano: My Top Things to Do
Positano, a dreamlike village perched on the Amalfi Coast, is the epitome of Italian coastal charm.
Here are my favorite activities and must-see spots:
1. Rent a Scooter: Explore Positano and neighboring towns like Amalfi and Maiori. Highlights include Fiordo di Furore, Salvatores Fruit Stand, and the picturesque Amalfi town.
2. Visit Beaches: Spend a day at Spiaggia Grande or Fornillo Beach. Enjoy the sun, swim in the crystal-clear waters, or relax at a beach club.
3. Take a Boat Trip to Capri: A 30-minute ferry ride from Positano, Capri offers stunning landscapes, the famous Blue Grotto, and luxury shopping. Don’t miss a visit to Da Paolino Restaurant for a refreshing lemon spritz.
Take a ferry from Positano to Capri for the day to explore the island. The Grotto is a must-see thing and it is so unique and beautiful. It is only about a 30-minute ferry from Capri to Positano which leaves around 8 -10 am and the return ferry leaves around 5-6 pm back to Positano.
After a little happy hour, head back into town and have lunch then ride the “Funicular” (cable car) up the hill from the port in Marina Grande and the Piazzetta in Capri town above where all the luxury shopping is.
Other Capri Activities:
- Chair lift on the highest peak of Capri: Anacapri Montesolaro
- Hotel Caesar Augustus & Augustus Gardens
- Luxury shopping on Capri
- Blue Grotto
- Da Paolino Restaurant
- Limoncello tasting
- Boat tour
4. Enjoy the Sunset: Sip an Aperol Spritz and watch the sunset from a rooftop bar like Franco’s Bar or Il Tridente.
5. Explore Local Cuisine: Indulge in authentic Italian meals at restaurants like La Tagliata, Franco’s, and Chez Black. La Tagliata and Ritrovo offer 7-course meals with transportation included.
Accommodations in Positano
Staying in Positano provides a true vacation feel with beachside restaurants and stunning views.
Make sure to get your hotel accommodations early for Positano for rooms with views overlooking the water. Those hotel rooms seemed to be booked out the earliest.
Positano does have luggage service providers right at the dock if you need help with suitcases up all the stairs depending on where you are staying. Blue Porter in Positano is the luggage service that can help you with your suitcases to your hotel if you don’t want to walk up the stairs/hills.
NOTE: Positano is on a hill and there are a lot of stairs so make sure you plan to either hike everything up, hire a luggage service, or if you have a private driver they can drive you straight to your hotel versus walking everything up.
Here are my top hotels in Positano if you don’t want to rent an Airbnb or book a room off booking.com:
How Many Days to Spend
Four days is a perfect introduction to the Amalfi Coast, allowing you to explore Positano, Amalfi, and Capri. However, you can easily extend your stay to a week to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of the region.
Other Towns to Visit
Almafi Coast:
- Positano
- Furore
- Praiano
- Ravello
- Atrani
- Almafi
- Conca dei Marini
- Scala
- Minori
- Tramonti
- Maiori
- Cetara
- Vietri sul Mare.
Other Italy Towns:
- Sorrento
- Cinque Terre
- Puglia
- Pompeii
- Matera
- Bari
- Alberobello
- Portofino
- Sardinia
Activities and Sightseeing
I do not think that Positano is overpriced at all (controversial, I KNOW). For the most part, all of the food is the same price as Rome. Sure, the hotel accommodation can be more pricey but everything else seemed to be the same price-wise.
The Positano crowds? Those aren’t too bad either. The tour buses stop in the town of Amalfi so the tourists come through the day and leave at night. So once the sun sets, you can tell the town itself isn’t super busy.
In fact, for most of the restaurants, you do not need to get dinner reservations.
MY FAVORITES:
- Fiordo di Furore: Swim in the most crystal-clear water and relax on the beach.
- Amalfi: Visit Piazza del Duomo and Amalfi Cathedral.
- Grotta dello Smeraldo: Explore this stunning sea cave.
- Shopping in Positano: Discover boutiques selling lemon-themed products and linen clothing.
Where to go for cocktails & the best views:
- Franco’s Bar
- Dry Martini Sorrento
- Il Tridente Rooftop Bar
- The Champagne bar at Le Sirenuse in Positano.
Where to take pictures:
- The Path of the Gods
- Villa Cimbrone in Ravello
- The Path of Lemons
Beaches in Positano:
- Spiaggia Grande Positano
- Spiaggia di Atrani
- Fiordo di Furore
Where to eat:
- La Tagliata
- Franco’s
- Chez Black
- La Sponda
- Terrazza Celé
- Il Tridente at Hotel Poseidon
- Zass 11 San Pietro di Positano (michillan)
- Hotel Poseidon
- Saracendo d’ Oro
- II Ritrovo
- Capitano
Discover the Amalfi Coast
Positano’s beauty is like a dream, with its picturesque streets, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. Whether you’re sipping a lemon spritz, exploring historic sites, or lounging on the beach, Positano offers an unforgettable experience.
This is your sign to book your tickets to Italy now and immerse yourself in the magic of the Amalfi Coast.
Save this guide and start planning your dream trip to Positano.
Ciao!
LOOKING TO BOOK YOUR WEDDING ON THE AMALFI COAST?
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