Positano is one of those dreamy places when it comes to worth visiting destinations in Italy. This magical place is definitely a must see for me. Positano is part of the Amalfi Coast, along with other iconic towns like Ravello, Praiano, Amalfi and a few more. The Italian Coast is well known worldwide for its unique Mediterranean landscape and natural diversity, which attract thousands of international tourists annually. The name of “Amalfi Coast” comes from Amalfi town, which is its main cultural and political center.
The Amalfi Coast, especially Positano, is known for being a “high-end” travel destination, as many famous people are going there attracted by the luxurious resorts and Italian fine dining. As opposed to the general belief, the Amalfi Coast can be visited not necessarily on a budget, but for sure with a decent amount of money. All depends on how you are planning to organise the trip. For example, if you want to go there during the peak season, meaning summer, then of course the prices will be higher. Also, if you want to stay in the heart of Positano, be prepared to spend a lot on accommodation.
The Amalfi Coast is a romantic destination for many couples, and it’s one of the top-rated honeymoon destinations in Europe. But it can be a great destination for a group of friends too.
I visited this wonderful place in 2019 and though it’s been some time, I still recall its unique views. My general belief is that the Earth is too big to visit a place twice, but I don’t think that’s the case for Amalfi Coast. Cuz I would definitely go there again, especially that there are a lot of other places which I didn’t get to see in my first visit.
Now, going back to the budget you need for the Amalfi Coast, I’m gonna share with you some tips that will hopefully make your trip planning easier.
Best months to visit the Amalfi Coast
The best time to visit the Amalfi Coast kind of depends on the purpose of your trip. If you want to enjoy the beach and swim in the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea, then you should go there during the summer season or at the beginning of September, when the weather is still warm. But, as mentioned before, that’s the peak season and you should expect everything to be expensive. I went there during spring, more specific in March, and it was the perfect time to see the Amalfi Coast. Nature comes back to life and the temperature is perfect for long walks. Also, during spring and fall season, there are significantly less tourists, which makes it even better.
How do you get to the Amalfi Coast
The closest airport to the Amalfi Coast is Napoli Airport, which is around 65km away from Positano. If you’re thinking of renting a car or booking a private transfer, then the things are very easy. But if you want to save some money, then you can use the public transport. However, you should know that there is no direct connection between Napoli Airport and the Amalfi Coast. First, you have to go to Napoli Central Station. How do you get from Napoli airport to the city? The easiest and cheapest way is to take the Alibus shuttle, which costs 5€ one way. The ride is about 20 min long. Once you reach the central station in Napoli, you have to take Circumvezuviana to Sorrento, which is kind of a starting point to the Amalfi Coast. One way ticket costs 3,60€ and you’ll arrive in Sorrento in about 1h. If your accommodation is on the coast, and not in the city of Sorrento, I suggest you to take into consideration the idea of a private transfer or even renting a car.
Accommodation in the Amalfi Coast
This topic is a special one indeed. If you’re dreaming of having breakfast on one of those iconic hotels balconies in Positano, then you need to know that the prices for such hotels are crazy, no matter the season. I’m generally willing to pay higher for an accommodation if I’m 100% sure it’s worth it, and I’m not paying just the branding of that location. And as much as I love Positano, I don’t think such prices are worth it. Especially that I didn’t plan on visiting only Positano, so staying there wouldn’t bring me a major benefit. My plan was to find an accommodation that allows me to easily reach any town on the coast. This is why, after a long debate between Sorrento and Salerno, I chose Sorrento, with the promise that next time I’ll give Salerno a chance as well. What made me choose Sorrento for the first visit, was the fact that it’s closer to Napoli.
So if you don’t want to pay a fortune for accommodation in the Amalfi Coast, you should consider Sorrento or Salerno for spending the nights. Or, if you are going to rent a car and you won’t depend on the public transport, you can find very good accommodation options in the small towns along the coast.
Do you need to rent a car in the Amalfi Coast?
I would personally not rent a car there. Reason being the traffic which is a hot mess, due to the very tight streets and insufficient and expensive parking spots. I don’t think scooters would be a better idea, due to the same reasons. Still, if you don’t find these as being too hard to handle, then go for it, cuz it will definitely help you to get around faster. If that’s the case, you should go for a small and compact car, as it will be easier to park it. Also, it’s important to have a car insurance in Amalfi, in case any unwanted event happens.
If you want to use the public transport, then the bus 5070 or Sitabus is the way to go. This bus has a special route for tourists, and it will take you everywhere between Sorrento and Amalfi town. Check its schedule here.
Tip: From Sorrento, it’s very easy to go to Capri. You just need to take a ferry and you’ll be there in 30 min.
What to eat in Amalfi
We’re talking about Italy, so we already know what’s a must in terms of food: pizza & pasta. But when it comes to the Amalfi Coast, there’s definitely some specific things you should try. For example, you cannot miss Pizza Napolitana, which is originally from Napoli – where pizza was invented, but since Amalfi is so close, they took advantage of the Napolitan recipe as well. You should also have Scialatielli, which is a local seafood pasta, usually made with shrimps, calamari, mussels and clams. Lemons are a symbol of the Amalfi Coast, so in terms of desserts, Delizia Al Limone is the winner. It translates to Lemon Delights and it’s the best combination between sweet and sour. Finally, make sure that you’ll have some Limoncello on your table too. This is a very famous traditional drink in Italy, made of lemons, alcohol, water and sugar, and I’m sure you’ll love it.
Enjoy your trips! 🥰
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