Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
I lived in Italy in my 20's…
I was lucky to spend six months residing in Florence. I have a real passion for the country and everything it represents: food, love, art and passionate people. I am fifty percent Italian and with a name like Vizzi, I fully embrace and love my roots. While we’ve been in quarantine/lockdown these past few months I’ve been day dreaming about old travels and thinking up all the places I’d love to go next. While we can’t travel yet, hopefully this post helps you plan out your next Italian adventure!
Last summer we planned a trip with my parents and sisters to explore the Amalfi coast. I didn’t think anything could beat my time living in Florence in my twenties, but for summer there is absolutely nothing like the Amalfi Coast.
We started our journey in Pompeii to visit the ruins. It was quite hot so we didn't stay as long as we would have liked. My recommendation is not to go in July and August. June or September are better times of year. In those months you are met with fewer tourist and the weather is a bit milder (this works in your favor because this area is a true outdoor destination). We discovered that Pompeii was limited when it came to restaurants and dining. My best advice: bring snacks and wait until you leave the area to find a place to eat.
After leaving Pompeii we moved on to Capri, an island off the coast of Italy. We took an early morning boat over from Sorrento where we were staying to Capri. The commute was short, only twenty five mins. Capri is wonderful for shopping, and I highly recommend stopping at the famous Il Sandala Caprese. It opened its doors in 1964 and is known for making custom sandals on the spot. They measure your feet, and you pick out your leather and style and come back in a hour to pick up your sandals. There are others that are knock-offs but I would stick to the original. While we waited for our shoes to be made, we picked up some gelato and strolled the small back streets. There isn't a ton to do there and in my opinion is a perfect day trip excursion.
After our day in Capri we made our way back to our home base of Sorrento. We stayed at the Hilton Sorrento Palace which I highly recommend for its great customer service, wonderful accommodations and prime location. Sorrento is central for day trips all around the area (like our Capri trip). The hotel is on the larger side with amazing views. You can catch some of those views in the two pools that overlook the city. (You could spend your whole day at the pools and not be mad about it.) Another great perk is having breakfast on a sun-soaked patio off of your room. Nothing beats starting your day with fresh squeeze OJ and a true Italian cappuccino.
Along with day trips, we also did some overnight excursions. I would highly recommend spending 1-2 nights in Positano. It has to be my favorite place on the Amalfi, coast hands down.
Renting a boat for the day (with a captain included) is one of a Positano must-do activities! Since my husband is an experienced boater we went just the two of us. It wasn't a fancy boat by any means, but it was so fun to explore some caves and see all the beautiful mega-yachts on the water. We went to lunch at a wonderful place you get to by boat, Conca Del Sogno. It was one of the best lunches I have ever had. There are beautiful views over looking water and a private beach club to the right giving a great vibe with house music. You’ll spot tiny bikinis, lots of laughter and fun everywhere. The food and the scene were a dynamic combination creating a memorable experience. Don't forget to throw your high heels into your beach bag for the restaurant scene, and I hope you like rose - it is flowing everywhere! We found that it was hard to get a table at Conca Del Sogno so my number one tip is to make a reservation a month in advance. After you eat you can hang around for a dip and an extra glass of wine.
For a great final night we stayed in Positano. We started our evening at the famous Hotel Poseidon for a cocktail at the outdoor patio with beautiful view of the city at the Il Tridente Bar. They hand make each cocktail with old school Italian perfection. It’s an amazing experience. The prices are steep but worth it since they have the best views around. As the sun sets it gets even better! This is one of those spots where you might get a glimpse of a celebrity or two (possibly a Kardashian).
After cocktails, we walked around the corner to Ristorante Max. We sat outside in a cute courtyard. It was lovely and quaint. If you are into museum art, I highly recommend sitting inside. It has some of the most interesting decor. The meal was fabulous homemade pasta TO DIE FOR! We sat next to a couple that just got engaged minutes before and were beaming with excitement. We sent over champagne and had fun chatting with them. After dinner we scooted off to our final destination, Music on the Rocks. We danced long into the night until early morning.
What a truly fabulous time in Amalfi coast. I absolutely cannot wait till next time. My feet are calling for some new sandals and dreaming of the warm salt air and fabulous hospitable people. Below are some quick links to favorite places I mentioned above! Be sure to drop a comment and let me know your favorite travel spots and if you’ve been to any of mine.
Places to stay
Places to eat | drink
Things to do
