Every year, approximately 5 million people flock to one of the most famous coastal stretches in the world. With its high cliffs, postcard landscapes and dreamy waters, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most spectacular destinations in Italy.
The secret to enjoying the visit is to understand which of its cities best suits your needs. For this reason, choosing where to stay on the Amalfi Coast is of fundamental importance for the success of your trip.
Despite the proximity, there are substantial differences between the small coastal towns. Do you prefer the hustle and bustle of Positano or the relaxed atmosphere of Conca Dei Marini? Are you on a honeymoon or on vacation with your family? Is it important for you to have access to the beach or do you want a mountain landscape?
Below we will find out together which are the best places to stay on the Amalfi Coast and I will provide you with a list of the best hotels in Amalfi Coast.
Where to stay in the Amalfi Coast: the best places
The Amalfi Coast is the final stretch of the Sorrento peninsula. It covers an area of over 110 km² and has 13 municipalities ranging from Sorrento to Salerno.
In the middle, connected with the suggestive SS 163, there are the iconic cities of Positano and Amalfi, the hottest and most fashionable spots on the Amalfi Coast. Continuing south you will find Maiori, a location particularly suitable for families thanks to its long beaches.
Those who love trekking can choose to stay overnight in Praiano, the place from which the famous hiking trail known as the Path of the Gods starts. Finally, along the entire SS 163, you will arrive in Salerno, the largest city on the Amalfi Coast and an excellent base if you intend to travel by car.
Highway 163 is 40 kilometers long, but travel times are not so fast. It is a succession of blind curves and overhangs (wonderful to travel by motorcycle or convertible), but it could be particularly busy and dangerous for less experienced drivers.
Haven’t you decided yet where to sleep on the Amalfi Coast? Perfect, I’ll try to clear your head with this brief overview:
• Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast for a honeymoon: Positano – Ravello
• Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast without a car: Amalfi – Sorrento
• Hotels on the Amalfi Coast with the family: Maiori – Minori
•Where to stay on the Amalfi Coast by spending little: Salerno
• The best places for a beach holiday: Positano – Maiori
Sorrento
Sorrento is the official starting point of the Amalfi Coast and the easiest city to reach. Starting from Naples, just take the Circumvesuviana from the central station and in about 55′ you will be on the coast.
Its accessibility is both a blessing and a curse at the same time. Being perfectly connected involves a considerable flow of tourists, especially during the summer season. The positive aspect of this accessibility is that Sorrento is the perfect place to stay on the Amalfi Coast if you want to take day trips to Naples and Pompeii.
It is a city with a charming historic center and numerous terraces overlooking Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples. The range of accommodations is wide and ready to satisfy all budgets. On the other hand, the atmosphere is not exactly typical of the coast.
Positano
The pastel-colored houses overlooking the sea are the most iconic image of Positano. Enjoying so much beauty also costs a lot of effort, get ready to face steep climbs and descents.
Despite this, Positano remains one of the most beautiful and popular towns on the Amalfi Coast. It will not be difficult for you to meet celebrities from entertainment and sports (Michael Jordan usually spends his holidays in these parts), as well as wealthy tycoons from all over the world.
Positano is located in the center of the Amalfi Coast, has a small sandy beach and is full of life, both day and night. During the day, go shopping in the center and then treat yourself to an evening of Music on the Rocks, an elegant nightclub carved into a rock overlooking the sea.
Hotel prices are by no means accessible, Positano is by far the most luxurious and expensive city on the whole coast.
Amalfi
Amalfi is the largest city along the coast and one of the most popular cities to stay after Positano and Sorrento. It is the perfect place for those who want luxury without the super-high prices of Positano.
Amalfi was one of the four Maritime Republics and boasts interesting cultural and historical sites, as well as comfortable and accessible beaches. The historic center is full of medieval buildings and the main attraction is undoubtedly the imposing Amalfi Cathedral. The city is located 40 minutes from Sorrento and 40 minutes from Salerno and is connected by hydrofoils to the island of Capri and other coastal towns.
Less than a kilometer from Amalfi, stands Atrani, a town of 800 inhabitants named as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Stay in Amalfi if you want to breathe an authentic atmosphere, are interested in culture and want easily accessible beaches.
Sant’Agata and Nerano
Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi is a pretty hillside village overlooking the Gulf of Naples and Salerno, with Vesuvius and the Li Galli Archipelago completing the evocative panorama.
From here you can visit the ancient Greek necropolis and the Monastery of the Desert, a Carmelite monastery that has attracted famous travelers, including the German writer Goethe. A short distance away is the fishing village of Nerano, whose beaches are located in the center of the Punta Campanella Natural Marine Reserve.
The rocky bottom and clear waters are perfect for snorkelers and divers, but be careful: according to Greek mythology, the sirens sang here to tempt Ulysses and his crew.
Both Sant’Agata and Nerano boast an exceptional gastronomic tradition. Taste regional specialties such as Sant’Anna tomatoes and Monti Lattari cheese and don’t miss the legendary Nerano spaghetti with zucchini pesto and provolone del Monaco.
Ravello
Ravello is a small village perched on a cliff overlooking the sea. Many visitors only stop during the day as there is no direct access to the beach, allowing those who stay to enjoy quiet evenings with few crowds and spectacular views.
Ravello (in my opinion) is the most romantic place on the Amalfi Coast and a must for all couples who are on their honeymoon and looking for the glamour of Positano and Amalfi without crowds and at an affordable price. If you decide to stay here, remember to visit Villa Rufolo and its splendid gardens overlooking the sea.
Maiori and Minori
Maiori is home to the largest beach on the entire Amalfi Coast and many other coves that can only be reached by boat. It is a little less characteristic than other cities on the Amalfi Coast, but it is also much less expensive.
Its sandy beaches and cheaper prices make it a perfect destination for families. Mum and dad don’t have to worry about carrying toys and strollers down steep slopes and children can play safely in the sand.
Maiori is known for being an ancient Roman settlement and is home to the Villa Marittima Romana, the most important archaeological site from the Roman era on the Amalfi Coast. After exploring the city, book a boat trip to the splendid Pandora’s Cave and to visit the many beaches of Maiori accessible only by sea.
The nearby Minori enjoys a cooler microclimate and is almost always blessed with a pleasant sea breeze. Known as the “City of Taste”, the terraces of Minori are home to vineyards and lemon trees, even if for centuries the fame of the city derived from the production of handmade pasta.
Praiano and Conca dei Marini
Located exactly halfway between Amalfi and Positano, Praiano and the Conca dei Marini are too often overlooked. From Praiano you will have a spectacular view of the Bay of Positano and the island of Capri.
Even its beach is second to none and is exposed to the sun from sunrise to sunset (a not so obvious detail for coastal beaches). However, the highlight of the area is the famous hiking trail known as the Path of the Gods.
Conca dei Marini is home to just a few hundred inhabitants, mainly fishermen. Despite being one of the smallest towns on the Amalfi Coast, Conca dei Marini is famous for a typical dessert: the sfogliatella di Santa Rosa.
The best hotels on the Amalfi Coast
Tip: You can rent a car here to enjoy the Amalfi Coast!
To conclude the guide on where to sleep on the Amalfi Coast, I want to leave you a list of the best hotels on the Amalfi Coast based on reviews, location, cleanliness and value for money.
• The best luxury hotels on the Amalfi Coast: Il San Pietro di Positano (Positano) • Hotel Santa Caterina (Amalfi) • Palazzo Avino (Ravello)
• The best boutique hotels on the Amalfi Coast: Hotel Villa Franca (Positano) • Casa Angelina (Praiano)
• The best honeymoon hotels on the Amalfi Coast: Belmond Hotel Caruso (Ravello) • Le Sirenuse (Positano)
• The best resorts on the Amalfi Coast: Hotel Lidomare (Amalfi) • Residence Hotel Panoramic (Maiori)
• The best budget hotels on the Amalfi Coast: Florida Residence (Positano) • Hotel Relais Villa Annalara (Amalfi)
This article was translated by CrowdsourcedExplorer.com
