Amalfi Coast
The Amalfi Coast is home to 13 towns that stretch over 30 miles across the Mediterranean Sea. With its dramatic cliffs and vibrant villages, it’s a dream destination!
We stayed in Sorrento for five days and used this as our home base while exploring the sights between Naples, Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast.
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Getting to Sorrento:
The closest airport to Sorrento is Naples International Airport. Many arrive in Sorrento by the Circumvesuviana train. The most common way to travel along the Amalfi Coast is by rental car or a private tour. Taxi services are also available, but the most affordable option is to take the bus.
Sorrento is perched on the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Naples, it’s a charming coastal town that serves as a perfect gateway to the Amalfi Coast. With its stunning sea views, lemon-scented streets, and vibrant piazzas, Sorrento is a picturesque starting point for exploring this breathtaking region.
Day 1- What to do in Sorrento:
Old Town & Piazza Tasso: Piazza Tasso is a lively square, surrounded by cafes and shops at the edge of Old Town. It's the biggest square in Sorrento. We enjoyed exploring the narrow streets and visiting shops selling leather, ceramics, lace, and limoncello.
When you visit you’ll notice everything is lemon-themed 🍋. They have lemon candies, lemon chocolates, lemon ornaments, limoncello, lemon embroidered tablecloths, and ceramic lemons. This is a lemon/orange tree (both fruits are grown on one tree). Just about every souvenir you'll find in Sorrento has some connection to these two fruits.
Lemon-Lime Grove/I Giardini di Cataldo: There is a large lemon/lime grove in the middle of Sorrento. It smells like fresh citrus and is a nice break from the busy Piazza Tasso.
Marina Grande: Marina Grande is one of the more charming parts of Sorrento. Wander the picturesque fishing village with colorful boats, and try fresh seafood at the waterfront trattorias.
Relax on Sorrento’s Beaches: Enjoy the sun and sea at Marina Piccola or visit one of the public beaches.
Day 2- Pompeii & Naples:
We spent one day visiting Pompeii & Naples. We got an early start and took the Circumvesuviana train which runs from Sorrento to Naples. It took 20-minute to arrive in Pompeii. The entrance to the archaeological site is right across from the Circumvesuviana station.
Pompeii-
The official ticket office is inside the main entrance. Audio tours are available at a separate kiosk or you can hire a guide if you don’t have a prearranged tour. Click here to join an organized tour of Pompeii.
Pompeii is a historical treasure that tells a captivating story of a bygone era. This ancient Roman City, buried and preserved by the volcanic eruption of AD 79, offers a unique glimpse into daily life over two millennia ago. Through the excavation, you get an insight into the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. It’s incredible how it was preserved, down to the pottery and the statues.
We spent about 2.5 hours here before we caught a train to Naples (30 minutes).
Naples-
Naples is buzzing with energy and reminds me of what Italy would have been like years ago. It also seems to be a little more rough as the guidebooks pointed out. Our goal wasn’t to conquer Naples but to get a feel for its vibe and our #1 reason for visiting was to try the PIZZA.😉🍕
Discover the Historic Center:
Start your journey in the heart of Naples by exploring the historic centre. Wander through the narrow, winding streets, admire the architecture, and visit iconic landmarks like Spaccanapoli Street and the Church of San Domenico Maggiore.
Visit Naples Museums:
Naples boasts many museums, offering a unique glimpse into the city’s history and art. Don’t miss the National Archaeological Museum, home to a vast collection of artefacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum, as well as the Museo di Capodimonte, which showcases Italian masterpieces.
San Gregorio Armeno:
Next, take a stroll along San Gregorio Armeno. This is Naples’ Christmas street. It’s devoted to the Neapolitan obsession with Presepe or Christmas cribs. The “cribs” are fantastical nativity scenes, bursting with a cast of characters from Naples folklore.
Eat Pizza:
You cannot come to Naples, the birthplace of pizza, and not give it a try. The most iconic is L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, a beloved Naples institution and famously the spot from the movie Eat Pray Love. This is where Elizabeth Gilbert had her out-of-body pizza experience.
First, take a numbered ticket from the attendant and wait to be called. Once seated (and it might be a while), you can order your choice of Margherita or Marinara.
We watched this lady hoist this bucket up and down. I guess it saved her a few trips down the stairs.
We returned to Sorrento by ferry. It was a 35-minute ferry ride to Sorrento.
Day 3- Amalfi Coast:
We got an early start so we could beat the crowds on the Amalfi Coast. We drove our rental car along the coast but if you’re not comfortable driving, I recommend hiring a driver or joining a tour. You can also take a boat tour from Sorrento, stopping at Postiano, Amalfi and Ravello. The cheapest option is taking a bus.
Driving along the Amalfi Coast is breathtaking and a little intimidating! It’s famous for its narrow hairpin bends and limited parking. We’re glad we had our own car, we enjoyed taking our time to explore and stop to take pictures along the way.
*The Amalfi Coast has imposed restrictions to help curb over-tourism. If your rental car plate ends in an odd number, you can access the road on odd-number days. If it is even, you can access it on an even number of days. This was added in 2022, before driving the Amalfi Coast, see if this restriction is still in place.
Positano-
Explore the Cliffside Village: Wander the narrow streets lined with colorful buildings and boutiques, framed by dramatic sea views.
Relax on the Beach: Sink your toes into the dark sand at Spiaggia Grande and bask in the Mediterranean sun.
Hike the Path of the Gods: Discover breathtaking panoramas along this famous coastal trail.
Dine with a View: Savor dishes at the cliffside restaurants.
Shop for Linens and Ceramics: Find unique, locally crafted souvenirs in the charming boutiques.
Amalfi-
Our first stop in Amalfi was the 9th-century Amalfi Cathedral, located in the heart of the town. It’s the #1 attraction in Amalfi and one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. The cathedral is dedicated to St. Andrew, the town’s patron saint, and houses his relics. The cathedral’s Cloister of Paradise is the most beautiful part of the church. It’s an enclosed courtyard adjacent to the cathedral. The cloister is a serene space. It’s home to a beautiful garden, ancient Roman statuary, Moorish arches, and palm trees.
Historic Center:
Take a leisurely stroll through the Piazza del Duomo, and indulge in fresh seafood at local trattorias. We explored the backstreets and found stands selling lemon gelato and beautiful ceramics.
Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Museum of Paper, showcasing Amalfi’s historic paper-making tradition.
Unwind on the sun-soaked beaches.
Ravello-
Ravello Italy is a small charming town that offers a peaceful retreat from the more popular destinations along the Amalfi Coast. I could have spent a day here enjoying the views and shops.
Villa Cimbrone Gardens:
The Villa Cimbrone Gardens is my favorite stop on the Amalfi Coast. Villa Cimbrone, a 12th-century residence is now a luxury hotel. Next to the hotel are the Villa Cimbrone Gardens. These gardens are filled with sculptures, beautiful hedges, and rose gardens. Once inside the gardens, don’t miss the Infinity Terrace (Terrazaa Dell’Infinito). This terrace is filled with stone busts and offers a stunning panoramic view of the Amalfi Coast… Probably my favorite travel photos I’ve ever taken were on this terrace!
Villa Rufolo:
Wander through the lush, terraced gardens, don’t miss the famous Terrace of Infinity. Step inside the 13th-century villa to admire its architecture and frescoes. The villa often hosts cultural events and exhibitions. Check if any musical performances or concerts are scheduled at Villa Rufolo.
Explore Ravello’s beautiful ceramic shops.
Day 4- Capri:
We took the 45-minute ferry from Sorrento to the island of Capri. Try to take the earliest ferry of the day to beat the crowds. If we were to do it again, with more time in Italy, we would have spent a couple of days in Capri.
Blue Grotto:
At the Marina, we then took another boat to get to the Blue Grotto. This is Capri’s most famous attraction so expect lines, there could easily be an hour's wait depending on how busy it is. But it's worth a few boat rides to see the amazingly blue water that reflects off the limestone bottom.
I couldn't believe how small the opening was to get inside the Grotto. You have to lie down as you enter so you don't bump your head. It’s also pretty small once inside. When the waves are too high it is impossible to enter the Blue Grotto. Luckily, the weather was perfect the day we visited.
Mount Solaro:
We took a chairlift up to Monte Solaro to see amazing views of Naples and the Faraglioni Rocks.
Make sure to save time to soak up the views! Next, we headed down Monte Solaro for a fairly easy 45-minute hike.
Spend some time in the town of Capri:
Capri has a variety of high-end shops, especially along Via Camerelle where you’ll find luxury fashion brands like Gucci and Prada. The town also has charming local boutiques with handmade crafts and souvenirs.
Garden of Augustus:
We loved our stroll through the dreamy Garden of Augustus. This botanical garden offers stunning views of the gorgeous blue waters and the rugged landscape. There is a beautiful Monastery in the middle of the gardens.
Day 5- Sorrento:
We struck up a conversation with this beautiful and friendly Italian woman. She was enjoying the sunset with her puppy and was so kind to let us get their picture. By showing an interest in the locals, you can create memorable and authentic interactions during your visit to the Amalfi Coast.
Greg played a game of soccer with local boys! The connections we make during our travels are always our favorite memories!
Check out more post on Italy:
Amalfi Coast- Salerno Cruise Port Guide
One day in Sicily, Italy (Messina Port)
4 Days in Rome
Tips for cruising the Mediterranean
