How to explore the Amalfi Coast - 10 days travelling the southern Italian coastline

Italy is one of my favourite countries; the stunning scenery, amazing food, and just overall chilled vibe. I've been to Milan, Lake Como and Lake Garda on previous trips and couldn't wait for Adam to see why I loved it so much. 

The Amalfi Coast was high up on our travel bucket list and we we're both craving a mix of adventure/relaxing by the pool and this gorgeous Italian coastline just seemed like the perfect choice. Here is our full itinerary and recommendations for your own trip to this beautiful area of Italy. 

Day 1: Belfast - Dublin - Naples 

+ First stop on our Italian summer trip was the city of Naples. After ducking and weaving through the busy streets in our taxi, we checked into the well-located Mercure Angioino Napoli. 

+ Time to find your bearings and explore the area. We headed out to the harbour direction first, desperate to taste that first slice of proper pizza from Gino Sorbillo with the view of Vesuvius. 

+ We then headed inland to explore the city at dusk. The gardens at Villa Comunale, the architecture in Chiaia & San Ferdinando and the Royal Palace of Naples. 

Day 2: Naples  

+ Sight-seeing day in Naples; highlights included the Maradona shrine, Spanish Quarter, Castle Saint'Elmo (via the funicular) and San Martino viewpoint for stunning views  across the city. 

+ Of course we can't forget the sweet treats and food. Leopoldo Cafebar for coffee and ice cream, Konosfoglia, Sfogliatella, Bar Pasticceria and of course Pizzeria da Michele from the movie Eat, Pray, Love. This pizza was great and we had to queue and its full of tourists but it was so worth it to eat in the home of pizza on the streets of Italy watching time pass by.

Day 3: Pompeii & Vesuvius  

+ People might put you off driving in Italy (and to be fair I wasn't the one actually driving) but we love doing this as part of our travel as it gives us freedom to explore. Pick up hire car at Naples Airport. 

+ Head to Mount Vesuvius, depending on your hiking abilities you may need to park and then pay for a bus to drive you to the main starting point. From the main entrance on the hike is not too bad, a little tricker than what you're led to believe on TikTok but that could be the blazing heat, so bring plenty of water if you're heading in summer time! 

+Time to explore the Pompeii ruins. You can take guided tours here but we used Get Your Guide's self-guided audio tour and shared headphones which was much cheaper and again allowed us to go at our own pace. The guides are £3.99 (pp) and were helpful if you like to know what you're looking at and was available for Vesuvius too.  

+ We stopped for food at Hortus Pompeii right outside the ruins because we were just far too hungry to wait and look anywhere else. It was decent food and had fans blowing so we were we happy enough. Then we travelled on to Sorrento. 

                   

                      

Day 4, 5 & 6: Sorrento & Capri 

+ After a long day exploring Pompeii we checked into Miramare Hotel Sorrento, and spent day 4 chilling by the pool before heading to the gorgeous Portamarina seafood restaurant down by Marino Grande where we walked up and through the town to Fresco Gelateria for some lemon sorbet. 

+ Corso Italia is the main street where you can enjoy the vibey area and find lots of little trinkets, souvenirs and plenty of gelato, especially at Raki Gelato. 

+ Take a day trip to the stunning Capri island. We pre-booked our ferry from Sorrento with Caremar Ferries for 9.25am and arranged to head back at 6.40pm

+ Explore the Main Square, take in the beautiful scenery at Gardens of Augustus, enjoy the chairlift to Mount Solaro, visit the beautiful Anacapri. There are many eateries, I would suggest to aim for an early or late brunch to avoid the queues. By skipping breakfast we were eating Pizza at 11am at a beautiful window seat in Al Capri without having to book, by the time we were leaving the restaurant was queued right down the street. For a late afternoon treat head to Gelateria Buonocore. 

Day 7: Positano & Drive to Amalfi

+ Drive to Positano and spend the day taking in the stunning costal scenery. Hike the "Path of the Gods" or, park at the top, hike downhill explore Positano all day and get the bus back up. 

+ After the long walk down you deserve breakfast at the beautiful and delicious Casa e Bottega. Explore the centre and walk along Cristoforo Colombo beach for those classic views of the 'vertical city' and enjoy lunch at Chez Black (book in advance or get lucky like we did) Then head back out for a chill on the beach if you get a space and take the bus back up to your car. 

+ Drive the absolutely beautiful coastal route to Amalfi, stopping off to admire the scenery any chance you get and arrive in the town ready to enjoy some gelato as you people watch on the steps of the Duomo. 

                                           

Day 8, 9 & 10: Amalfi 

+ We stayed at the Aurora Hotel in Amalfi, where we had breakfast included as well as sunbeds in our very own little alcove on the beach. Day 8 was spent relaxing at the pebble beach and topping up the tan. Be aware that renting a car means having to pay for parking at the hotels too which did work out pretty expensive but for us we couldn't not drive on this trip, we skimp in other ways! 

+ Go on a boat trip! There are various ways you can do this; group tours, private guided tour or rent a boat and self-drive. We rented with Viator, fun and terrifying fact, you don't need a boat license to do this! This honestly was the most amazing way to see the coast, swim in the Mediterranean sea, admire a different view of Positano and feel pretty cool. 

+ Do a lemon tour! Our very knowledgeable and super friendly guide led us around the stunning farm on the Classic Lemon Tour. 

+ Explore the town; cute shopping, a lovely chocolate shop (try the pistachio spread) and lots of spots to stop off for Aperol Spritz or Limoncello. We enjoyed dinner at Lo Smeraldino and sorbet at Mago del Gelo. 

Day 11: Naples to Dublin 

+ After an amazing time explore and relaxing in Amalfi it was time to drive back to Naples Airport and drop off the hire car and starting the journey back home. 

I was so glad that our Amalfi Coast trip lived up to our expectations, and it made me fall in love with Italy even more. I hope this has been a helpful little guide if you're heading off soon, and that you have the best time in this beautiful country! 

Debbie x 

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Most, if not all, pics are taken by my husband Adam

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Links to trips, experiences and guides: Classic Lemon Tour,  Get Your Guide & Viator