Amalfi is beautiful. As a 19-year-old, I did not realize could visit so quickly for so cheap. Here is the ultimate, 24-hour Amalfi Coast Travel Guide for my fellow nomads.
The rumbling of the surf slipped through the open window as the Mediterranean breeze tickled our faces. Our hair was stiff with sea spray. Our shoes were full of sand. As we shivered from our midnight, Mediterranean plunge, we sipped hot chocolates and listened to the waves.
It was a perfect end to our first and last day in Positano.
The Positano on the Amalfi coast is a seasonal destination. The weather remains in the mid-sixities, the daily forecast calls for thunderstorms, and many businesses close temporarily. So why on earth did we hike to Positano, Italy only to enjoy 24 hrs on the Amalfi Coast?
- Positano, Italy costs an arm and a leg to visit during the summer (especially from the US.) Hopping over from Madrid during the off season was a good way to check it out.
- Why not?
If you are thinking about visiting Positano and seeing a little of the Amalfi coast, allow me to share a few tips, recommendations, and photos from our trip.
Travel
At 12:30pm our plane touched down in Naples, Italy. With only three hours before our bus to Sorrento, we decided to visit L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. This pizzeria is famous for Elizabeth Gilbert’s recommendation in her famous “Eat, Pray, Love” scene. It was well worth the hype.
“Please go to this pizzeria. Order the Margherita pizza with double mozzarella. If you do not eat this pizza when you are in Naples, please lie to me and tell me that you did.“
– Elizabeth Gilbert
After a brief walk around Naples, we hopped on our bus and headed for Sorrento. From Sorrento we wound our way along the coast to Positano. Arriving late, we enjoyed the softly lit town briefly before hitting the hay.
Tips:
- Naples is sketchy. Make sure you have an eye on your belongings. To my women readers, please travel with friends.
- Traveling to Positano is complicated. The closest airport to Positano is Naples. While you can take a ferry directly to Positano during the summer, it shuts down for the off season. Unless you are willing to pay for a private driver or taxi, you need to first travel from Naples to Sorrento, then from Sorrento to Positano.
- Naples to Sorrento: I would advise taking the train between Naples and Sorrento. While we took a bus to Sorrento, our return to Naples by train was much fast and cheaper.
- Sorrento to Positano: To travel from Sorrento to Positano there is a bus.
See
When we awoke, Positano was nestled in a soft mist. Two, delightful Italian women at our hotel Villa La Tartana provided us with breakfast. While our conversations were confined to “grazi” and “prego, belle!” they made our brief stay perfect. After cups of coffee and bites of fresh lemon cake, we hopped on the bus to Amalfi. We enjoyed a day of shopping, eating gelato, and taking in the beauty of the coastal town. While it drizzled in the afternoon, the weather didn’t ruin our Amalfi outing.
Tip:
- During our 24 hours, we missed the bus twice. The buses often leave early and only sell tickets inside Tobacco shops. Tobacco shops open between 8am and 9am, so if you need an early bus, make sure to buy the tickets the day before.
Shop
Amalfi is known for its paper, limoncello, wines, ceramics, and other handmade crafts.
Dalla Carta alla Cortolina is beautiful store tucked inside a historical paper mill. It is full of beautiful antiques, but also small, quality treasures. Nino and Friends is a chocolate chop with a few locations along Amalfi coast. If you’re looking for chocolate, cookies, limoncello, or just a free sample, it is worth a stop.
Eat
Trattoria Dei Cartari, a family owned Italian restaurant, was recommended to us by the owner of an antique store for lunch. We ate homemade gnocchi and pasta as a light rain pattered onto the cobble streets.
Tip:
- When traveling, I have discovered the best way to avoid touristy, over priced restaurants is to either a) ask a store owner (or a trusted local) where they like to eat or b) leave the main square and explore the back streets for the authentic “mom and pop” eats.
We returned to Positano that evening. In November, the sun sets at 5pm, so we had to be a little creative with our time. We popped in a few shops, rested at the hotel, and then split a bit down by the ocean.
Tip:
- If you are not careful, food can cost you a pretty penny during your stay. I would advise taking advantage of smaller cafes or delightful grocery stores for bites throughout the day and doing a “sit down” meal in the evening.
Slipping on swimsuits and sweats, we made our way to the sea. One perk of risking the November rain was a deserted beach. We hyped ourselves up with a little One Direction before charging into the salty–and surprisingly warm–water of the Mediterranean.
We took off the next morning. While limited, our time had been lovely. You may be wondering, would I recommend going in the off season instead of summer?
No. While our time had been lovely, Positano is a summer destination and much of the town shuts down during the off-season. However, if you’re near by and want to go…go! It is still enjoyable. Plus, you’ll have the beach completely to yourself for a midnight swim.
Do you think you’d travel to Amalfi Coast in 24 Hours? Is the 24-Hour Amalfi Coast Travel Guide enough to convince you that–yes–you CAN do it!
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