It’s one of the most popular destinations in Italy. And, while I think it’s generally pretty overrated, I think it’s absolutely worth visiting to see for yourself, swim at the beaches, eat all the seafood pasta, and buy everything with a lemon print. Today I’m sharing my top 10 tips for visiting the Amalfi Coast so you know what to expect and how to prepare for your vacation.
10 Tips For Visiting The Amalfi Coast And What To Expect There
Disclaimer
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Positano is a day trip
I’ll just say it. Positano is pretty overrated. Just my opinion of course.
I think it’s best to see it as a day trip to hang out at the beach and stroll the streets, but unless it’s your dream to stay there, I don’t think it’s worth basing yourself there.
Other towns can give you the same dreamy, Amalfi Coast vibe for a slightly cheaper cost and fewer crowds. There’s less Instagram hype of course but, in my opinion, better value.
It’s so easy to get between the towns that you can visit Positano as a day trip easily.
Stay in Praiano
This brings me to the much smaller, less Instagrammed town of Praiano which is where I recommend staying.
I stayed at La Maurella and it was perfect.
The balcony views were a dream, the chic French decor was gorgeous, it had parking, and a bus stop nearby.
You can walk down the road to a small beach area and restaurants which is really convenient or even have dinner under the lemon trees right next door.
You could also choose somewhere like:
- Amalfi – if you want to enjoy a beach holiday mixed with history and art experiences
- Sorrento – if you plan to visit Pompeii or other sights near the Amalfi Coast
- Ravello – for an even quieter stay
Awesome B&B in Praiano
Use public transport to get between the towns
When you driving on the Amalfi Coast, you’ll be on a windy, coastal road with the standard Italian aggressive driving.
You can also expect a lot of random interruptions to the flow of traffic like people parked in the street or tourists crossing.
It can be a bit intense, especially if you haven’t driven in Italy before and are not used to the claustrophobic feeling of narrow roads.
If you get to the coast by car, it’s a good idea to leave your car parked at your hotel then use the bus to get from town to town.
It saves you the pressure of driving and also parking. With the crowds of a place as popular as Amalfi Coast, you’re either going to waste time trying to find a parking space or pay a premium for a place in a lot.
In my opinion, it’s just way more convenient and cheaper to use the bus.
If you stay at the hotel I recommended above, there’s a bus stop just a short walk away and it’s only about €1.50 for a bus ticket.
Bus stop near the hotel
Take a private boat tour of Capri
I was on the fence about visiting Capri, but in the end, I’m glad I did.
And I think what made it worthwhile for me was doing a private boat tour of the island.
Was it expensive? Yes. But did the experience bring value worthy of the cost? Absolutely.
I loved having a bit of space from the crowds while still being able to see the big sights like the Blue Grotto. And I especially loved being able to take swim breaks and jump off the boat into the water as much as I wanted.
It was such a fun day and my favorite experience on the Amalfi Coast.
It had the freeing feeling of just cruising the island (in style), seeing sights, and enjoying the sunshine as opposed to the feeling of being a tourist on a structured, scheduled tour.
Read my full review of the private boat tour of Capri here for more details.
If you prefer something other than a private boat, you can take a ferry over and explore the island on foot yourself or take a shared boat tour.
Taking a private boat tour in Capri is well worth it!
Be prepared for crowds and overpriced everything
It’s one of the most iconic and popular places in Italy and with that comes the crowds and prices.
Because of this, it requires a little planning to make sure the trip runs smoothly and you can get the most out of it.
- Book your tours in advance
- Get to the beach early if you want to use an umbrella
- Arrange your transport (if needed)
While you’re there, you can expect crowds of people and hiked up prices for basic things. For example, the popular leather sandals were selling for €60 when they are €20 elsewhere in Italy. That’s a pretty big increase!
Even the gelato was a lower quality (watery and fewer toppings) than I’ve found almost anywhere else in Italy yet it was more expensive.
It might seem contradictory since I talked earlier about a private boat. So to be clear, I have no issue with spending money or things being expensive or hiked up a little as long as they provide value for the money I spend.
Having to spend more for a low-quality product is just a scam to me.
It just goes with the territory of a place with this kind of popularity. I don’t think it makes it not worth visiting, but it’s good to have realistic expectations.
Positano sandals
Try the limoncello freeze
This is an awesome drink and one I’ve been recreating at home with my own version of it.
You can get these all around by looking for ‘lemon granita’. It’s a sweet, refreshing lemon slushie made with lemons, sugar, ice, and water usually.
You can also get a touristy version served in a lemon cup – but it’s not just any lemon, it’s a huge limone sfusato grown on the Amalfi Coast, which is a fun experience.
If you prefer an alcoholic version, you can find them with limoncello added at some restaurants.
The one I’ve been recreating at home for fun has:
- 1 shot limoncello
- 1 shot tequila
- a little stevia or sugar syrup
- lots of ice
- water or lemon soda to blend
It’s the perfect summer cocktail!
View this post on Instagram
Stay for 1-week max
I feel like the Amalfi Coast is good for a long weekend or a week max, to be able to see it in person but that’s about it.
Or at least, that’s about all I would be able to handle anyway.
To me, there are just a lot more authentic places to visit in Italy that are just as beautiful and fun to experience.
For example:
- For gorgeous beaches, nearby Sardinia is heaven. Here’s my full guide on how to plan a visit to Sardinia if you’d like more details.
- If you like food, perhaps somewhere in Tuscany or Bologna.
- For amazing mountains and hiking, the Dolomites are incredible.
Eat lots of seafood pasta
While you’re on the Amalfi Coast, make sure you try all the seafood pasta you can. Whether it’s mussels, clams, lobster, or mixed seafood, it’s all delicious.
It’s going to be hard to find a bad one, so don’t stress too much about where to go.
My favorite spots were in Praiano dining under the lemon trees at Costa Diva or beachside at Trattoria Da Armandino.
Still dreaming of all the seafood pasta
Wear comfortable shoes to walk in
There’s a lot of walking up and down hills on uneven ground and in and out of crowds while you’re visiting the Amalfi Coast, so it’s best to do it in a comfortable pair of shoes.
High heels are not going to be your best friend here.
Flip flops, comfortable sandals, or sneakers are your best options.
If you bring your hiking shoes, you can also do hikes like the Path of the Gods (Sentiero degli Dei) trail.
Expect commercialized beaches
Lastly, another tip for what to expect and that is commercialized beaches.
It’s where you can have time on the beach with full access to umbrellas, lounge chairs, and even drinks brought to you. Of course, you will be paying for all of this. Imagine the Waikiki, Bondi, or Miami beach vibes.
If you’re looking for a laid back, just put your towel down and be in nature type beach day, then this isn’t really where you’ll get that.
You can put your towel down at beaches and not pay for an umbrella or anything – I did this at almost every beach. But while surrounded by it all, it’s not going to have much of a ‘one with nature’ feel to it.
If you want a relaxed, easy beach day to enjoy some drinks by the water, then this is perfect!
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