Amalfi Coast Do's and Dont's
BY MAHI KUMAR
We all know that the Amalfi coast is a major travel hotspot. So before you plan your trip, here are our Do’s and Don'ts.
13 MARCH - 2024
From Positano sunsets to eating your bodyweight in spaghetti vongole, the Amalfi coast is a MUST for your Euro Summer.
Nestled along the southwestern edge of Italy, the Amalfi Coast is the location that effortlessly balances charm and authenticity. You all have the image that conjures up as soon as someone says Amalfi: pastel-hued villages clinging to dramatic cliffs with winding coastal roads that could make any driver gasp (in awe or sheer terror). I personally was not going to risk it on a scooter, but I can see the appeal of skrrrrting down the highway. The main spots on the coast are Amalfi, Positano and Ravello, each with its own unique character. Amalfi flaunts its maritime history, Positano seduces with its boutique-lined alleys, and Ravello perches regally on the heights, offering panoramic serenity and incredible villas housing gardens.
Why is it a tourist hot spot? Well, aside from the obvious jaw-dropping scenery, it's a culinary haven. Imagine savouring fresh seafood overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Plus, there's this laid-back vibe that insists you slow down, sip some limoncello (I’ve done way too many limoncello shots so I’m tapped out), and appreciate the simplicity of la dolce vita (a phrase my friend Krishant repeatedly echoed throughout our holiday). It's the kind of place that makes you question your return flight date. The Amalfi Coast isn't just a destination; it's an immersion into the essence of coastal Italian life, where every twist in the road reveals a new chapter of the story.
With so much to offer, it’s no doubt that there’s millions of visitors a year, with visitors in summer hitting a peak with big crowds, lines and wait times. So if you’re planning a trip to the coast, here’s my top Do’s and 3 Don'ts to help you have as smooth a trip as possible.
DO Have a plan but get ready to be flexible
I’m not telling you to have everything planned from start to finish but if you have 5-6 days on the coast, it’s important to have a brief idea of what you want to cover. For us, we had 8 full days and were based in Amalfi. We knew that we would want to walk to Atrani one day as it was close, visit Ravello, take a ferry to Capri, rent a boat, visit Praiano for lunch and so on. By having these loose plans and knowing what we wanted to do, we were able to aptly pivot when things didn’t go exactly to plan.
The coast is so busy at that time of year, so we had to pivot at least 3 times. On the day we wanted to go to Capri, ferries were cancelled, however, as we knew we also wanted to go to Ravello, we could quickly pivot and ended up exploring the gorgeous villas and then strolled back to Amalfi by heading into Atrani first.
So, know what you want to see and where you want to go, and be ready to pivot. Contingency plans are a must during Euro summer, and power to you if you can do it in 30 degrees with a smile on your face.
DO Rent a Boat
You’re on a coast; the biggest disservice you can do for yourself is not renting some sort of coastal transport such as a boat or yacht. If you’re in a decent sized group like we were, I strongly recommend renting a private boat for the day.
We went across the coast, and visited beautiful swim spots while downing prosecco and savouring a charcuterie board. We parked up at a beach club in Praiano for lunch where I had a delectable lobster pasta (a fine break from my daily dose of spaghetti vongole), and after a full day of sun and fun, we exited the boat in Positano for the evening.
The views throughout were breathtaking and being able to share it with people you love is a truly special experience.
DO Book a cooking class for an authentic farm to table experience
The Amalfi Coast is renowned for its stunning landscapes, with picturesque coastal views, charming villages and lush greenery. Cooking classes in this region often take place in settings that allow you to enjoy these breathtaking views while learning to cook. We did our cooking class at Amalfi Heavenly Gardens, and I can definitely say that this was true for us.
It was a true farm to table experience because we were in the garden looking and picking the produce. We had the opportunity to work with fresh, local ingredients (and the girls all dubbed zucchini flower piped with hot ricotta as my spirit vegetable… I’m not sure if it was an innuendo but I loved it nonetheless).
This was such an invaluable experience for so many reasons. For one, it provided an authentic Italian experience. We learned the cultural significance of some dishes, worked together to create it, had limoncello and prosecco while creating them and the social experience of it all was unparalleled. Despite the price tag on the experience, I would do it again ten times over as it was one of the most fun days spent laughing with friends.
It is the best way to immerse yourself in the culture and drink, eat and laugh not only with your friends/family but also the locals.
DONT Stay in one town the whole time
I have so many friends who say that all they did was stay in Positano for a few days, or in Sorrento. Now, I’m not knocking how you want to travel at all, and that’s a completely valid way to build your itinerary if you intend on coming back to do the other towns, but I think that the beauty of the coast is deeply rooted in exploring the whole coast.
For example, I loved the small square of Atrani (and wow did it glow by night). It felt intimate housing a handful of restaurants, but as we sat there eating our vongole and drinking a hugo spritz, it felt so cosy and authentic. Spending your whole time in Positano, whilst known for breathtaking views, to me would feel like a bit of a tourist trap where prices are exponentially higher and more curated.
I would recommend staying in Amalfi as a base due to its centrality and the perfect mix of culture (with a beautiful Duomo in the central square) and the convenience it has to other coastal towns.
DONT Forget to book restaurants in advance
In peak time, you’ll actually be surprised how many restaurants are booked out. Our group, in particular, wanted to go to a restaurant called La Sponda in Positano. On the day the bookings opened, my friend Pin (who is one of the most organised girls ever) logged on, and within 5 minutes, it was completely booked out. We unfortunately therefore missed out on going there.
Now, I’m not trying to scare you and say all restaurants are like this, because that certainly isn’t the case, but it’s something to be aware of; particularly if you have hot spots that you want to visit.
My unforgettable recommendation (which was one of my top meals for 3 months of travelling) was actually Rada in Positano. The meal was absolutely delectable and had the perfect mix of fresh seafood and rich pastas. Not to mention that the view of Positano beach and the pastel-hued houses in the hills was breathtaking. It was certainly a dinner with a view (I mean.. look at the picture from the restaurant stairs), and heading into an elusive club in the caves called Music On The Rocks was also a highlight.
DONT Forget about the transport
The buses and the ferries are the main mode of transport across the coast. These buses and ferries aren’t the best means of transport. Ferries are cancelled on any day that’s choppier than expected, and the buses often have large cues (and some may just not come).
We decided to go to a swimming spot called Furore de Fiori, and were stranded waiting for a bus for almost an hour and a half after the scheduled time. With delays, cancellations and overcrowded buses to be expected, the best thing you can do is have a can-do attitude but also consider private transport if you really don’t want to miss doing something.
We had rented a private van that could transport us for a few different outings, which was cheap due to the size of our group. This meant that we could efficiently get to places and not have to worry about whether or not they would be stranded.
Hopefully this gives you the best guide to travelling in Amalfi!
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