The Amalfi Coast: Tour through the towns of Positano and Maiori
We continue to introduce you to interesting places in Campania.
This time we tell you about the pearl of the Apennine peninsula, the UNESCO heritage and one of the most beautiful places on the planet: the Amalfi Coast.
Today we will take a virtual journey to a place where millions of tourists from all over the world come every year. We’ll drive through the towns of the Amalfi Coast, from Positano to Maiori, and tell you what to see in them.
The Amalfi Coast is one continuous road along the sea, literally “serpentine” carved into the walls of rocks, which connects 2 towns – Salerno and Sorrento. On the coast is located a number of small villages, which must be visited, but about this we’ll talk a little later.
Simultaneous feeling of horror, animal fear, excitement, admiration and a slight dizziness – this is what one experiences when you first took a ride on the local bus along the Amalfi Coast!
The narrow, winding road runs more than 300 meters above sea level, and between the water and the road is a chasm, which is better not to look into! But it is this panorama, the touches of nature, the palette of colors of greenery, rocks, sun, sea and clouds that leave in the memory an inexpressible emotion!
The beauty and colorfulness of this place can only be compared to the park “five lands” Cinque Terre. We recommend, by the way, to visit it too.
You got it right – just the road to the coast can be safely attributed to the main attraction of this region! And now talk about those wild villages and towns that every tourist should visit.
The first thought that visits here – how could anything be built here?
Itinerary of the Amalfi Coast: The most interesting and beautiful cities
Positano
The first village you meet on your way along the coast is Positano!
It is a small and very old fishing village on the rocks with amazing architecture. It is home to only 4,000 people.
Some people associate the name Positano with Neptune, god of the sea (for the Greeks he was called Poseidon “Poseidan”). According to legend, he founded the city because of his love for a nymph named Pasitea. In general, the village is so ancient that no one remembers the whole story. But it is known that the Greeks and Phoenicians frequently visited the territory of Positano, perhaps to trade with the locals or to refuel their ships.
In Roman times, Positano was often visited as a resort by wealthy Romans, as evidenced by the excavation of ancient structures similar to villas. They were all destroyed by landslides during the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius in 79, which buried Pompeii and Ercolano!
Today Positano is one of the most popular resorts in Italy. During the summer season it is, it should be said, not the cheapest.
Let’s move away from history and talk about the entertainment in Positano and what you can see there:
The village is located between the main road and the sea. The entrance starts from the main road, the “serpentine” runs through the whole village. The traffic here is one-way: one side is the entrance, the other is the exit.
The beaches of Positano:
Pretty big and wide, but in the season it is still a bit crowded for all the vacationers. The beach is paid, you can sunbathe for free only near the boat station – it is of course not the cleanest place and again a bit crowded, but no one is offended.
Be sure to walk along the Amalfi Coast, you can find many interesting and beautiful places.
Cafes, restaurants:
As in any tourist spot, they are here for every taste and color! The cuisine is super everywhere, just look for where you feel more comfortable!
Parking:
Many people travel along the coast in a rental car, so parking is an issue. During the season, parking prices start at 6 euros/hour! Not a lot, but the fine will also unpleasantly surprise you:)
There are a small number of communal parking lots along the road, but private (and therefore more expensive) are much more.
Hotels, apartments:
- Hotels and other accommodations in Positano are usually all bought out before the season, so here you only need to pre-book online.
- The locals rent rooms mostly for the week, rarely for a day.
- There is a small chance to find a place to stay on the spot. To do this, you need to walk around the village and look for signs that say “Affito”. Not all locals are familiar with the Internet, some rent apartments the old-fashioned way.
View all hotels and prices in Positano
History:
Positano’s main attraction is the Santa Maria Church, that’s where everyone meets if they get lost.
Getting around the village:
Locals walk, and it’s not easy – the mountains after all, but they live here for 90-100 years. Make your own conclusions. 
Shopping:
Shopping as such in the village is not, but sold a lot of souvenirs, most of which are made by hand of residents
Praiano.
Further along the Amalfi Coast you will meet a small village called Praiano. It has only a few streets and a population of no more than 2000 people.
It is much smaller and cosier than Positano.
There is very little historical data about this village. It is known only that fishing has always been the main activity of the locals. An important trade to this day is the cultivation of lemons.
It is a very picturesque and peaceful place. If you are an artist, photographer, poet, yogi – you will definitely like it in Praiano, you will find beautiful landscapes (like the local lemon gardens!), tranquility and the simple joys of life.
Between Towns.
On the road from Praiano, just before reaching Conca dei Marini, there are 2 interesting places.
The first is Fiordo di Furore, an enclosed beach-lagoon under a picturesque bridge. You can’t get here by car, only on foot. However, according to tourist reviews for 2019, all the stairs leading to the beach were closed, and you can only get there by boat. But you might get lucky.
The second place is Grotta dello Smeraldo. This is a grotto in a cave, where you can get for 6 euros. You can not say that it is “Wow”, but it is an interesting place.
Amalfi
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Next on the way is the town of Amalfi – the “capital” of the Amalfi Coast.
The history of this town goes back to the time of Hercules. According to legend, the town got its name after the nymph, the beloved of Hercules. Locals believe that he himself, by the will of the gods, was buried here.
Documentary mention of Amalfi did not appear until the 4th century AD. Until the first half of the 9th century the coast of Amalfi belonged to the Romano-Byzantine Duchy of Naples. Throughout its history the city served as a military and merchant navy, and was an important strategic location.
The current urban center of Amalfi is fully in keeping with the medieval city, so it still retains impressive vestiges of its historical past. There are no new buildings and nothing modern here. Only the sea, the rocks and the noisy tourists…
The central architectural landmark of the city is the Amalfi Cathedral of St. Andrew the Apostle.
In general – welcome to history.
Ravello.
Then, after Amalfi the winding road will lead you to a crossroads.
Which way to go, left or right? We turn left and go uphill and we reach Ravello, another city on the Amalfi Coast. To be more precise, it is again not a town, but a commune or village.
Ravello is located on a mountain, about 300-400 meters from the sea. From here you have a magnificent panorama of the sea. A truly divine view worthy of Poseidon!
In Ravello, there are lots of cafes and restaurants from the terrace of each of them you can admire the landscape.
The local cuisine is also good. Since this is a fishing village, you have the chance to taste freshly caught fish and seafood. And don’t forget to try the local wine and limoncello!
As a matter of fact, this is the land of limoncello. All the residents make it at home, just like we used to make moonshine in the 90s. Each owner is proud of his recipe and will gladly pour you a glass. They deliberately treat tourists, so that you under the impression to buy a few bottles to take with you.
We recommend you to give up the car in this village – walk! There are gardens, greenery, colorful nooks and lanes everywhere. And the mountain terrain and fresh air will only make you more awake and healthy.
Then we have two roads along the Amalfi Coast, a mountain road with silence, quietness and beautiful sights, or a road back to the sea, to explore other cities.
Minori
The next town on our way is Minori. Its main attraction is the beautiful promenade. If you like running, rollerblading or biking, you’ve come to the right place. Here you will enjoy an active walk along the sea and an atmosphere of complete relaxation.
The town is busier, with many tourists in season. All the architecture of the coast is typical – bars, restaurants, pharmacies, banks and many cars.
If you don’t want to worry about a parking spot next to the beach, book it in advance here.
Maiori
We finally reached the most modern point on the Amalfi Coast, Maiori.
Here we find the mountain stream of the same name which in the middle of the 20th century nearly washed away the village! Little remains of the historical sights then – a couple of churches, the castle of St. Nicola, a few grottoes and observation towers.
Today Maiori is a modern front line hotels, villas, a wide beach and a cool promenade. In general, a mecca for young and active tourists.
Honeymooners, photographers and bloggers love this place. Even filmmakers often choose Majori to shoot their masterpieces.
Maiori is considered the last island of civilization. Farther along the Amalfi coast there are only mountains, the sea, vineyards, areas for photo shoots and small “farmsteads” with a few houses immersed in gardens, bushes and flowers.
A paradise place, in a word. Tourists can drive through here and admire the picture. At the end of the road will lead you smoothly to the town of Salerno.
How to get to the Amalfi Coast
From Naples:
- By car through the town of Sorrento (you can choose a car from different rentals through this verified website);
- by car through the town of Angri – here you have to go through a mountain pass. If you go without a local guide, we do not recommend this route;
- You can book a shuttle service;
- By boat from the port of Naples.
From Sorrento:
- local buses to Positano and Amalfi from the train station;
- pleasure boat;
- you can book a sightseeing day trip from the train station, then you will be picked up and brought back.
From Salerno:
- There are shuttle buses to Amalfi from the train station;
- Take a cab; book online and get a price here;
- From the port of Salerno to Amalfi or Positano by boat along the coast.
Traveling through Italy and reaching double-faced Naples, don’t miss the opportunity to see the Amalfi Coast. Its towns and villages are a living picture with sea air and incredible flavor. Benvenuti!
The Amalfi Coast, Italy: dream villages and beautiful beaches
The road along the coast is full of steep turns, but the scenery is dazzling. Vertical cliffs plunge into the incredible Mediterranean Sea, and a series of seaside villages extend along the coast among olive groves, lemon trees, oaks and pines.
Amalfi is the most important and populated town, popularly known as: “Citta Bianca”. Its cathedral, its most iconic monument, was designed and built at the height of the republic’s independence and stands at the top of a steep staircase. The Baroque interior is accessible through 11th-century bronze doors made in Constantinople.
Some hotels with good reviews:
– Hotel Floridiana. Located in the heart of Amalfi, about 130 euros.
– Hotel Santa Caterina. 5 stars luxurious and very expensive.
– Le Palme, 3 stars with very good value for money.
And to eat, you can go to La Caravella restaurant, one of the oldest and most famous in the city. It has a Michelin star, 50 years of screed and 25,000 selected bottles of wine in its wine cellar.
Another of the small villages on the coast overlooking the Bay of Naples and many vantage points where you can see Naples (visible across the bay), Mount Vesuvius or the blue waters of Ischia and Capri. The narrow road that connects Sorrento and Amalfi winds along the highest cliffs of the Mediterranean Sea. Here you can see the remains of the sixteenth-century walls, the Duomo, republished in the fifteenth century, with its neo-Gothic facade, and St. Francis of Assisi. The Correale Museum has collections of Greek and Roman finds and Capodimonte porcelain with a section of paintings from the 17th and 19th centuries.
I leave you with a few hotels of different prices where you can stay in Sorrento:
– Minervetta, a 4-star boutique hotel with a great design. The price is about 250 euros per night.
– Grand Hotel De La Ville. 4 stars in a classic style.
– Il Nest Hotel Sorrento. 3 stars with a good view.
40 km from Naples is another tourist destination of the Amalfi Coast with a population of only 3,800 people and located among the cliffs. It is small and its lanes are narrow, making it a quaint and very beautiful village. Here is the luxurious 5-star Il San Pietro di Positano with a spa, great views and a private beach. It belongs to the Relais Chateaux chain. Its restaurant has a Michelin star.
– Hotel angelina, a romantic designer hotel located on the first line, has 39 luxurious rooms and beautiful views.
Some good level restaurants are Ristorante Max, Il Grottino Azzurro, Terrazze-Music on the Rocks, Donna Rosa or La Cambusa.
It is one of the most popular and exclusive tourist destinations in Italy. The main attractions are the Duomo, Villa Rufolo and Villa Simbron (both with beautiful views of the coast) and the Church of San Giovanni del Toro, built before 1000.
To sleep in, I leave you with a few hotels:
– http://www.palazzosasso.com/ is one of the most luxurious and expensive hotels in Ravello. The Rossellinis Restaurant has designer cuisine and two Michelin stars.
– http://www.hotelcaruso.com / large hotel, part of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World. Try dinner on the outdoor terrace of the Belvedere restaurant.
– Villa San Michele http://www.hotel-villasanmichele.it.
One of the most famous restaurants is Cumpá Cosimo, run by Mamma Netta. Of their home cooking, fusilli and gnocchi stand out:.
Capri, the chicest island in the Mediterranean
Its privileged geographical position, dominating the Neapolitan Gulf, as well as its magnificent natural beauty and mild temperatures in all seasons, have made the island of Capri a desirable destination for emperors, kings and princes from the remotest antiquities. Considered in Roman times as “a place given by nature to rest the spirit and the pleasure of the senses,” it is now a tourist destination for Italians and foreigners alike.
Luxury and glamor in Capri
We can’t help but look at Marina Grande, its beautiful harbor, walk its streets until you reach the famous Piazzetta or Piazza Umberto I, which is known as the center of social life in Capri, as it has several bars and restaurants that are always bustling.
Capri has two main locations, the first is Capri, which is located in the eastern half of the island. The other part of the island is Anacapri, which is in the highest part of Capri, so you have to get to it by bus or cab. Anacapri is 980 feet high and is the one that boasts the most “nightlife” of the two.
Capri is the perfect place for diving and we will find crystal clear waters surrounded by the most beautiful mountains. Also famous for its beauty is Grotta Azurra, a cave more than fifty meters deep that deserves attention.
Some well rated hotels on the island (I’m not saying they are the best):
– Minerva. A romantic 4-star hotel with 19 rooms.
– Hotel La Tosca is a simple hotel, 5 minutes from the Piazzetta. Everything is new and very clean. The owner, Ettore, knows the island to the millimeter and will give you directions on what to visit, what places are good for lunch.
– Hotel Luna is 4 stars. I leave you with a traveler’s comment: “Hotel Luna is a wonderful hotel. The location and views are the most beautiful in Capri. The service is exceptional.”
And where to eat: Le Grottel, Il Faraglioni or La Capannina (a place where some celebrities flocked).
Off the coast of Vesuvius is Ischia, the largest island of the Parthenopean archipelago and, although unknown in Spain, is an important tourist destination in the Italian campaign. Its volcanic origin has given rise to a number of attractions, such as hot springs, which have also made it a sought-after spa.
There is a huge variety of spas with thermal baths, pools and hot tub spots, etc., where you can stay all day at an affordable price. Other activities to do: is to visit the Castle of Aragon and get close to the village of San Angelo, a quiet Mediterranean place steeped in time. I leave you with a few hotels:
– Aragona Palace Hotel. 4 stars highly recommended by tripadvisor travelers.
– Il Moresco Hotel and spa. 5 stars with excellent reviews.
The island offers a good choice of places to eat: Alberto, Damiano, La Romantica or Emmanuela.
