Are you planning a visit to the Amalfi Coast but don’t know where to start? Discover our practical tips to make the most of your trip and discover this beautiful corniche.

 

First of all, it’s important to know where you’re going to start on the Amalfi Coast, to avoid the many comings and goings along the corniche. Let me explain: the road fromAmalfijusqu’à Sorrento is winding, sublime and very popular with travellers. As a result, it is often jammed at peak times (beach outings, lunches, etc.) Sometimes there’s very little space in the lane, because here buses, trucks, cars and scooters all travel together!

To take full advantage of the Amalfi Coast, we stayed there for a week because we didn’t want to run and exhaust ourselves in traffic jams and you know what we did right! We took our time from the moment we woke up in the morning, through breakfast, to dinner in the evening. Drinking coffee in the blazing sun at 9am and seeing the horizon as far as the eye can see is very relaxing, I promise! We relaxed in the little coves and enjoyed our lunches in the villages! Time stands still!

We’ve written a few articles about our experience and our favorites of the Amalfi Coast:

• The hilltop villages of the Amalfi Coast
• Santa Caterina, an Italian-style luxury hotel
• Our night at the sublime Casa Angelina hotel

 

There’s something special about it that I loved. coast Amalfitaine. This coast is more expensive than the Gulf of Naples. Luxury yachts dock in the harbors during the day and shine brightly at anchor in the evening. However, if you look hard enough, it’s possible to get by for not too much money!

By way of background, the Amalfi Coast is located in Campania, Italy, and Naples is surely the region’s best-known city. She stretches from Sorrento (Italian: Sorrento) to Salerno (Italian: Salerno) and takes you through charming villages such as Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, Ravello, Atrani, Minori et Vietri sul Mare.

 

| HOW TO VISIT THE AMALFI COAST

 

• On the move

You start your trip in the town ofAmalfithe surrounding area, then continue your journey on the Praiano, Positano and end your journey with Sorrento (or vice versa). You can change hotels as often as you like, staying a few days here and there. You either have your own vehicle (car or scooter) or use the bus as a means of transport.

 

• In sedentary mode

You find accommodation (with obligatory parking or nearby if you have a car) on Amalfi, Positano or Sorrento and you’ll never leave.You visit the surrounding area for the day and return to your starting point in the evening. In spite of everything, this mode forces you to drive, because distances are not necessarily far from one point to another, but traffic jams are definitely there! If I had any advice to give you, I’d choose the roaming mode, the one we opted for because it’s the most practical and functional.

 

• Travel

Bear in mind that if you’re coming by car, you’ll need to take your parking budget into account, as it’s not easy, if not almost impossible, to find free parking along the coast. You can either pay for private closed/open parking or for parking spaces allocated by hotels, mainly for their guests but sometimes also for foreign visitors. If you’re booking one or more nights at a hotel, you should know that parking is often free for guests.

When you find a parking space outside the secure parking lots, remember to put a few euros in the ticket machine, as the police will line you up! We didn’t find any parking meters within 2,50€/h.

It’s also possible to stock up on petrol on the coast, but don’t forget to fill up beforehand – it’ll save you money!

We therefore recommend that you riding a scooter for greater freedom and to avoid the almost constant traffic! What’s more, the scooter can be parked anywhere, even on the edge of a bend, for great photos, and there’s a vacation, Dolce Vita feel to it. Please note that there are very few lookouts where you can park your car and enjoy the panorama.

 

➡️ Book a vintage vespa tour from Naples to discover the Amalfi Coast

 

 

| MOVE ON THE AMALFI COAST

 

• En voiture

Amalfi → Praiano: allow half an hour to get there, with traffic jams and winding roads! Be patient, as the coast is not ideal for motorists, and you’re bound to have parking problems, as there’s hardly any space between the sea and the mountains! Think about renting a scooter for €55 a day, with a minimum rental of 24 hours.

 

• En bus

A bus links the Amalfi coast to Sorrento. Tickets are not bought on the buses but in tobacconists or shops in the small villages along the coast Amalfitaine. We’re in Italy, so siesta time is crucial… which means that between noon and two, it’s harder to find tickets, so think about it!

Be careful, we’ve often seen buses on the road, but they’re full to bursting! They run every 20 minutes or so, when traffic permits, day and night (I think until 11pm), and serve several villages.

There is a 1 or 3-day pass Unique Coastal valid on SITA buses and trains. Circumvesuviana

Be careful, as the coast is protected by Unesco, camping cars are prohibited between Positano and Salerno.

 

 

| WHERE TO STAY ON THE AMALFI COAST?

 

• Hébergement Luxe à l’italienne
  

Accommodation is the most expensive part of your trip! There’s a wide choice of accommodation on the coast Amalfitaine: luxury and Michelin-starred hotels, which are often located on the cliffsides so have superb views! If your budget allows it, I recommend you book at least one night in these absolutely magnificent hotels, if only for their location, the setting, the overflowing pool, the direct access to the sea, the view on the morning of breakfast or the glass of wine during sunset on the private balcony. All the little pleasures that make your trip to Italy so special.

It’s good to take a luxury break every now and then, and this is exactly the place to do it.If you’d like some hotel ideas, I invite you to read our articles on hotels. Casa Angelina and the hotel Santa Caterina cliffside.

 

• Hébergement en hôtels et en AirBnb

Don’t worry, you’ll also find airbnbs in the villages of Amalfi, Praiano and Positano. Prices remain high on the coast, averaging in high season 70€-80€ minimum per night + breakfast in Bnb. Try to book in advance for the best choice and prices, as there’s not much to choose from in high season. We realized it a little too late!

We never booked anything in advance because our schedule changed several times, but we had no choice in terms of accommodation, we took what was available! However, we did have a few pleasant surprises on airbnb, such as a €50 night in the heights.

I’ll remind you, but try to find accommodation with parking or nearby parking if you have a car.

The closer you are to the coast, the more expensive it is. For save money for accommodation, we recommend sleeping in hilltop villages about 1/2 hour’s drive from the sea, such as Agerola or San Lazaro. At the last minute, we stayed at Hotel Leonardo in Agerola and were pleased with the location and comfort. the ‘belvedere hotel on the coast offers an incredible view of the bay!

Take a look at the last-minute offers like booking car, we found a number of fares on sale the day before for the day after.

 

| WHERE TO SWIM THE AMALFI COAST?

 

All along the corniche, there are mainly only coves for swimming. Some coves are free and public (it’s up to you to find rocks that aren’t taken by hotels or private beaches), but most of them charge a fee for sunbathing. These coves can be reached by boat from one village to another, or by staircase to the foot of the cliffs.

These coves are not always easy to find, but ask the locals and they’ll be able to guide you. The waters are turquoise and so pleasant that it would be a shame to miss out. Once you’re down there, you feel privileged, hidden and a little alone in the world. These coves have to be earned, as you often have to climb down all the steps and then back up again, but the setting is well worth the detour. Many hotels have access to their own private beach, which is sometimes open to the public. These beaches are of course subject to a charge! Expect to pay around 20 euros a day for a mattress, towel and parasol. Quite reasonable when you consider the prices on the Côte d’Azur!

But since we’re nice people, we’ll let you in on our little secret: at Praiano, take the stairs from the church square, recognizable by its dome! Head down to the beach with its orange umbrellas. The first row is reserved for hotel guests Casa Angelina but the rest is open to the public. Spend the day here, cooling off in the blue waters or under the giant misting device. Food at very reasonable prices (cocktails €10, salad €8, pizza €5-6)

For those who don’t have the motivation to walk down the hundreds of steps, there are landscaped sandy beaches for a fee in the village of Amalfi or Positano. For those who prefer wilder coves, go to Sorrento. We give you all the tips for this little secret spot in this article dedicated to Sorrento.

 

 

| THE AMALFITAINE COAST BY BOAT

 

 

| WHAT’S ON THE AMALFI COAST?

 

The Amalfi Coast is Italian Dolce Vita. You’ll find beautiful churches, hilltop villages and good restaurants, but people also come here to enjoy the many cliffside panoramas and simply relax. There are plenty of water activities on offer (jetskiing, boating, etc.), as well as mountain walks and swimming.

We also visited the emerald grottoes open from 9am to 4pm (admission €5/p, duration 10 minutes). The visit is very disappointing and unnecessary during your stay on the Amalfi coast. I really felt like a tourist! It’s true that you can see a bit of this emerald water, but only on a very small area! The grotto isn’t bad, but I was expecting to see and experience something different, like a 20-minute stroll rather than an express return trip! The tour is overdone by Italian songs, which give the impression of furnishing the stroll. The gondolier doesn’t mind asking you for tips before you leave. No need! Please note that the parking lot is very small and can accommodate around 5 cars! The best time to see the caves is at 1pm when the sun is at its zenith!

 

 

| EXCURSIONS POSSIBLES A LA JOURNÉE DEPUIS POSITANO, SORRENTE OU NAPLES

 

• • EXCURSIONS TERRESTRES

For those who don’t have time for a leisurely tour of the Amalfi Coast, there are day-trip options for discovering villages or a small stretch of coastline. Several departures are possible from cities such as Naples, Sorrento, Salerno, and even Rome, so click on one of the excursions below to find the one that suits you best.

I find these excursions interesting because they combine transportation, a guided day trip from Naples or Sorrento, a traditional Italian lunch and, for some, an optional boat trip.

 

 

• EXCURSIONS MARITIMES

There are also day trips by boat, so make the most of them, as the Amalfi Coast is sublime from the sea, and you’ll have the chance to get a better idea of the relief.

 

| EXCURSIONS ET TRANSFERTS PRIVÉS SUR LA CÔTE AMALFITAINE

 

For those of you with family or friends looking for private excursions, I recommend you click on the proposals below. These day trips allow you and your guide to stop wherever you like, ask questions and get recommendations for local addresses.

 

• EXCURSIONS PRIVÉES

 

• TRANSFERTS

Several private transfers are available from Naples, Rome, Sorrento or other cities. Click below to book and check availability.

 

We have fond memories of our trip to the Amalfi Coast, so we invite you to read our article on the Amalfi Coast:

• les villages perchés de la côte Amalfitaine pour découvrir de bonnes adresses gourmandes.
• Santa Caterina, un hôtel de luxe à l’italienne
• Notre nuit au sublime hôtel Casa Angelina
• Découvrez aussi Naples dans les alentours
• Les Cinque Terre si vous parcourez l’Italie. On a adoré ces petits villages perchés colorés, il y a de superbes vues et de bons restaurants.
  • • •  

 

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