Amalfi Coast
Italy, Europe
Pastel villages clinging to cliffs above a sea so blue it looks edited.
A 50-kilometre stretch of cliff-hugging coastline south of Naples, where pastel towns like Positano and Amalfi tumble down to the sea. Lemon groves, winding coastal roads, and seafood define the southern Italian summer here.
Our honest take
The Amalfi Coast is as beautiful as advertised but the roads are terrifying, parking is impossible, and summer crowds make it stressful. Go in shoulder season, stay in one town, and take ferries between villages. Don't try to drive.
Why go
- Every village is a postcard — Positano, Ravello, Amalfi, Atrani
- The food is peak Italian — fresh seafood, limoncello, handmade pasta
- Path of the Gods hike gives you the coastline without the traffic
Skip if you can
- Driving yourself in summer — hairpin turns, no parking, road rage
- Day-tripping from Naples — too rushed, you need at least 2 nights
- Positano beach — tiny, overcrowded, €20 for a sunbed
Things to do
- Coastal drives
- Beach relaxation
- Boat tours
- Italian cuisine
Where locals eat
Fresh hand-rolled pasta with mussels, clams, and prawns in light tomato or white wine sauce
Trattoria da Gemma in Amalfi (book ahead) or La Caravella for the upscale version
Lemon sponge cake filled with lemon cream — made with Amalfi Coast lemons, which are genuinely different
Pasticceria Pansa in Amalfi (since 1830) or Andrea Pansa on the main piazza
Mixed fried small fish (anchovies, squid, shrimp) in a paper cone — the seaside snack
Any beachside restaurant in Atrani (quieter than Amalfi, same food, lower prices)
Fermented anchovy sauce drizzled over spaghetti — Cetara village specialty, like Italian fish sauce
Acquapazza in Cetara (the source village) — order spaghetti con la colatura
Costs
Ferry day pass: €15-25. Lunch: €15-25. Dinner: €30-60. Limoncello: €5 everywhere.
Airport, transport, and accommodation options
Good to know
- Hundreds of steep stairs — not wheelchair accessible
- Sunburn is severe with sea reflection
- Book restaurants in advance in summer
- Ferries cancel in rough seas — have a backup plan
Prices, visa rules, and transport details may change. Always verify with official sources before booking. Last updated: August 2026.
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