Complete Guide to The Amalfi Coast.

 

Stretching between the Gulf of Naples and Salerno is one of the most beautiful and picturesque coastlines in Italy and perhaps the World. With warm summers and relatively mild winters it is the perfect holiday destination and one that is extremely popular with tourists from around the world. Welcome to a Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast.

Places covered in this Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast.  – Naples, Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano, Capri and Amalfi Town.  

 

This was the first post I wrote and truly happy to start with such a stunning location. As we were going to cover 2 beautiful and completely different locations on this trip I could only do justice by braking it down into 2 parts. We start our journey in the Amalfi Coast and travel all the way to Roman capital and the Vatican.

Lets start our journey on a Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast.

How to plan your trip to the Amalfi Coast 

Planning our summer break we narrowed down to the Amalfi Coast and Rome this time. Keeping costs in mind as we were looking to travel during the peak season we started booking well in advance.

The Amalfi Coast is one of the most expensive destinations in Italy. With high demand during the peak summer months prices are soaring so make sure to book your accommodation early. We planned our holiday around the 2 most popular destinations in Italy – Starting in the Amalfi Coast and culminating in the capital Rome.

We used 2 different destinations when booking air tickets which can help at times. Fly into the Amalfi Coast and we flew out from Rome. 

 

How to get to the Amalfi Coast 

We booked our tickets well in advance (Rule No 1: try and book as early as possible especially if you are looking to travel during the busy school holiday period). Looking at various combinations we found it cheaper to get 2 one way tickets from 2 different airlines. This was my first attempt at using two separate airlines and must say being apprehensive did not face any issues.

 

The most popular and commercial airport serving the Amalfi coast is Naples, which is well connected with all the major airports in the UK and Europe.

We booked our flights from London to Naples and the return from Rome to London. Next we looked up trains and got some great deals on the Trenitalia, travelling between Naples and Rome. (http://www.trenitalia.com).

 

Let’s start our journey with a Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast.

 

Day 1. Naples & Pompeii

An early flight out of London and we land in Naples to give us a good part of that day. As we got out of the airport there were a few options to travel within the city but as we wanted to make the most of that day we took the quicker but more expensive option of a taxi.

A taxi from Naples Airport to the city centre costs roughly €25 and takes just under 30 minutes.

 

Early check in agreed with the hotel in advance and we are all set to explore Naples and Pompeii.

Where to stay in Naples 

Choosing accommodation in the heart of the city may cost you a bit more but has its merits. You save on transportation costs and can easily walk around. Majority of the tourist attractions in Naples are around the city centre so choosing your accommodation in the city centre helps. 

Our hotel was a short walk from the main shopping area so a quick lunch at one of the authentic Napoleon Pizzerias and we were off to discover Pompeii.

Eating in the City Centre 

There are a number of restaurants dotted around the city centre tucked away in the narrow lanes which is very Naples (nothing fancy) but the food is absolutely amazing.

They are rustic with a few seats on the street but give you a feel of the local life of Naples. The city centre is quite busy with both locals and tourists and you can easily spend a few hours browsing through the shops and eateries.

 

Trip to Pompeii from Naples 

Our first stop Pompeii.

With limited time in Naples we needed to cover a fair bit so after doing some research we decided to go with the taxi. There are other options like the train and bus but as I was travelling with kids on a fairly tight schedule we decided to use the taxi. 

A round trip from Naples to Pompeii including a waiting time of 3 hours cost  just under €100.

 

You can negotiate prices with the taxi drivers who will show you a chart of costs to various tourist destinations in and around Naples. It’s a 30 minute drive from the city center traffic permitting.

Tickets to the great ruins can be bought at the entrance and if you do have any form of a European ID there is a discount available so make sure you carry one. With the discounts the 4 of us paid roughly €25.

How much time do you need in Pompeii. 

You can easily spend a whole day here if you want to see Pompeii in detail but a 3 hour trip with kids is more than enough to get a good feel of this historic site.

You can opt to take a trip to Mount Vesuvius which we didn’t as it was 36 degree C and included a lot of walking.

Out tour of Pompeii included a small break in the centre of the ruins which houses a cafe. The cafe serves snacks, hot and cold drinks and ice creams.

 

We returned to the hotel in the evening and were ready to discover the city of Napoli.

We did not spend too much time here as there is not much to see or do in Naples city itself. A relaxed walk around the city centre followed by a lovely Neapolitin pizza at Rosati.

Rosati is one of the popular pizzerias that has been serving the popular Neaopolitian Pizza for many years .

You cannot come to Naples and miss the Napoli pizza.

 

Day 2.  Naple to Sorrento

There are many ways to get to Sorrento from Naples (Ferry /Train /Bus or Taxi). If you are travelling on a budget then surely the train or bus is more pocket friendlyway.  Having read a few blogs and articles on the train journey we decided to avoid this and went with the more relaxed option of the taxi. You can negotiate rates with the official taxis and we managed to get a great deal for just under €100 from Naples to Sorrento.

The road trip from Naples to Sorrento is very scenic and takes just under 2 hours. 

For help with the train timetables and fares please refer to link below. http://www.sorrentoinsider.com/en/naples-to-sorrento-train-schedule.

We left Naples after breakfast and reached Sorrento in the afternoon just in time for check in.

We checked into our lovely boutique hotel a short walk from the main square and a great location again. The main street of the city runs through the heart Sorrento with shops/cafes/restaurants/ice cream parlors and even a cinema.

A relaxed lunch followed with some chilled Limoncello at the famous Fauno Bar and Restaurant in the heart of the square and yes comes highly recommended.

 

 

We walked around the city and returned to the hotel for the kids to have a quick swim in the pool and some time for us to relax and enjoy the Sorrento sun.

 

Evening in Positano.

We decided to spend the rest of the day and evening in the picturesque town of Positano. If only I knew before how beautiful this little town is I would surely planned more time here.

 

Headed for the bus station which in the town centre and few steps away from the Sorrento train station.

Bus from Sorrento to Positano 

The cheapest way to travel around the Amalfi Coast is by bus. Bus fares from Sorrento to Positano is under 5 Euro. 

The CITA buses go all the way from Sorrento to Amalfi and Ravello. Just be mindful that the buses can get very crowded and uncomfortable in the peak hours. The buses are used by both locals and tourists and can get really hot during the summer months even though they are air conditioned. You could be standing for most part of the long journey and must say this was not very pleasant. Try and use the buses off peak hours.

The normal journey should not take more than 40 minutes but during the peak summer holidays you could get a fair bit of traffic which could increase this to over an hour easily.

I must admit once you get off the bus and get that first glimpse of Positano you forget all about the journey.

We spent the evening walking round the narrow lanes and market stalls all the way to the beach. It is a steep walk down hill but one which you will enjoy going through the shops and admiring the beauty of this fairytale town.

There are some unbelievable views from the beach of the town literally carved into the mountain.

The different coloured houses add to the beauty of this gorgeous town. We had a lovely dinner in one of the many restaurants dotted along the beach and I would highly recommend this.  

A bit of local shopping and WE finished off with a Gelato, which you just can’t miss when you are in Italy.

Some great souvenir shops and not to miss the locally made Limóncello.

I could have easily spent a few days in Positano alone so if you can please do so.

You could use Positano as a base to travel around the Amalfi coast with some good transportation link to most of the cities.

Positano is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places I have visited in my life.

 

 

 

Day 3.  Capri & Anna Capri

A good night’s rest and we head to the picturesque island of Capri. There are plenty of ferries and private boats that you can use to get to this island from Sorrento. 

How to get to Capri from Sorrento – Ferry from Sorrento to Capri.

We headed to the Port in Sorrento which is situated at the bottom of the hill. You can get to the port by either walking down or using a passenger lift.  

We did not buy tickets in advance as there are plenty of companies at the marina offering last minute deals with regular ferries that leave every 30 minutes. We got on to a fast ferry which took us to the island in around 45 minutes.

Return fares from Sorrento to Capri by ferry is roughly €30. 

 

As you approach the Island you get a feel of the beauty and the popularity of this island. Capri is a millionaire’s playground with yachts dotted around the island and is a view by itself.

Once you land on the island you have plenty of shops and restaurants lined across the marina. This is where you can have a quick bite/drink before you head up to the main town located at the top of the hill.

There are a few option you can choose from to get to Capri town from the Marina.  Bus / Taxi or the more picturesque mode of transport the funicular. I would suggest this as it offers some stunning views.

The taxis are rather expensive on the island but they are straight out of a movie and none you have seen before.

Round trip cost on the funicular is under €10 per person.

You get beautiful views of the sea and the island on the way up so keep your camera ready.

After you reach the top there are plenty of shops and restaurants and places to buy souvenirs. There are some high end designer shops if you fancy.

In the middle of the town is a bus station where you can take a bus or get a taxi to go further up to Anacapri (a must). This time we decided to go with the taxi and with that open top this was a ride of a lifetime.

Taxi Ride from Capri to Anacapri is about 20 minute and will cost you €25. Avery scenic drive which offers you great views of the island

 

Things to do in Anacapri 

Once you reach the town centre it looks like a set out of the movie. Anacapri is a small little town lined with whitewashed houses covered with colourful flowers and small shops and cafes.

We walked along the narrow lanes and had a snack at this family owned pizzeria. It was very basic with no seating but seemed famous as there were plenty of locals and tourists getting their share of the delicious pizza.

You could easily walk around the town for hours admiring the beauty and the surprises at every corner.

 

Spending a few hours here is not enough but we had to say our farewell and headed back to Capri.

Things to do in Capri

Capri is much bigger and lots more tourists here. It’s beautiful yet swanky with a lot of big labels dotted around the main square.

We wondered around the streets and before we knew it was time to move on.

Capri is perfect to walk around and is very beautiful.  Small whitewashed houses with colourful flowers, small cafes offering some traditional delights and designer boutiques. 

 

 

Boat trip around Capri Island.

Next we took a boat to go around the island which was recommended when I read about the must do’s.

There are a few sites including the famous Blue Grotto which we skipped. The over an hour wait for a 3 minute boat trip into the Grotto did not appeal to me with kids.

You can hire a private boat or use one of the larger ones to go around the island.

We opted for the larger boat which cost us €15 per person for a 2 hours trip around the island.

 

 

The views are mesmerising and a must if you visit Capri.

 

Once we were back on the island we had a late lunch at the marina and must say it’s nice to just sit here and see the world go by.

As we sat and enjoyed the views the kids were busy splashing around in the water before it was time to say goodbye to Capri.

Back on the boat and we headed to Sorrento. 

 

 

 

Day 4.  Trip to Amalfi town. 

Day 4 and there is more to see and do along the Amalfi coast. Today we head to the historic town of Amalfi.

How to get to Amalfi from Sorrento – Bus from Sorrento via Positano 

We decided to take the bus again which took an hour and a half. A late start this time and we avoided the rush hour and would recommend the same. However the last 30 minutes of the ride is a winding uphill journey so if you do suffer from travel sickness suggest you take some medication.

The buses pass through Positano and once you start the climb the views are breathtaking.

 

The bus station in Amalfi town is located in the heart of the old town, very close to the marina where you can get ferries to Sorrento and Naples.

Things to do in Amalfi Town 

We headed towards the town centre which has a beautiful piazza near the famous Cathedral.

The main attraction of Amalfi town is the Amalfi Cathedral, a medieval Roman Catholic cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo.

A great place to relax and watch the world go by from one of the many cafes dotted around the piazza.

There are shops dotted around the centre if yo want to shop or simply walk around the narrow lanes of the old town. 

As the Mrs. decided to sample the local shopping it was time for me to head to the beach with the kids.

 

Beaches in the Amalfi Coast – Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast.

Like most of the other beaches in the Amalfi they are pebbled but with crystal clear waters.

The only sad thing is that most of them have been privatised so you will need to pay a fee to use them. You can hire beach chairs and umbrellas here but they all come at a price and to give you a flavour we paid €32 for 2 chairs and an umbrella.

We spent the next few hours here enjoying the sun and the water. Plenty of kids around and once we had our fair share of the beach we decided to walk around the city.

It is very busy in July so be mindful there are long waiting times at the restaurants in the city centre. A lot of walking if you want to see the whole town wear comfy shoes. 

Getting our share of the souvenirs it was time to head back to Sorrento and this time we decided to take the ferry. (€60 for the four of us.)

 

Some good travel tips that might help you plan your holiday better. 

 

 

Ferry from Amalfi to Sorrento via Positano 

I must admit that this was one of the most scenic ferry trips I have ever taken. On the way to Sorrento it makes a stop at Positano where you will surely use your cameras as the views when you leave Positano are just jaw dropping.

 

 

Day 5.  Sorrento and back to Naples.

Our last day in Sorrento and we decided to wander around the city for one last time. We walked through the lanes into the main square (Piazza Tasso) and visited the Chiostro di San Francesco.

After spending a few hours walking around the town it was time to say our goodbyes to Sorrento and head back to Naples.

This is where we start our second leg of the holiday with a train ride to Rome.

I had pre booked a taxi from the city centre the previous night and yes you can negotiate rates with them.

Taxi from Sorrento to Naples station cost us just under €100 for a minivan. Once again the train and the bus are cheaper options.

It took us just over an hour to get to Naples main train station from Sorrento. 

A quick look around the station, a coffee and it was time to wiz off to Rome on the high speed train.

 

Hope you enjoyed our Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast.

Please follow us on the next leg of this journey where we discover Rome and the Vatican. 

Hotels Used on this trip

Renaissance Naples Hotel Mediterraneo

Hotel Capri  Sorrento

Must Do – Complete Guide to the Amalfi Coast.

• Walk the streets of Sorrento
• Admire the coloured houses of Positano.
• Walk the steps of the cathedral @ Amalfi town.
• Sip on a Limenchello
• Visit the Cathedral Duomo @ Sorrento
• Take a trip to the gardens of Ravello.
• Enjoy the beaches of Sorrento, Amalfi and Capri.
• Visit the ruins of Pompeii
• Take an old fashioned taxi ride in Capri.
• Take a boat tour into the Grotta dello Smeraldo
• Enjoy a boat ride around Capri.
• Walk along the Piazza Tasso in Sorrento town.
• Wonder around Mariana Grande and Piccola in Sorrento.
• Have a Napoli pizza @ Caffe Rosati in Napoli.
• Treat yourself to a gelato
• Admire the blue waters of Capri and the yachts in them.
• Spend an evening in Positano.