Is The Amalfi Coast Worth it?
The Amalfi Coast was my summer trip this year. After some reflection on our stay I wanted to share if the Amalfi Coast is worth the visit. The Amalfi Coast is beautiful, but overrated and overcrowded. The trend this summer has been all things Amalfi Coast and sadly because of that tourism in this area has these small coastal cities feeling overcrowded. I want to emphasize how the culture and landscape are not the cons of this location, it is the crowds of tourists. If you have the flexibility and freedom to avoid the crowds or you are someone that does not mind the hustle and bustle then Amalfi Coast is your place to visit this summer!
Who should go to Amalfi?
My recommendation is to see the Amalfi Coast by boat. This was how I visited the area and I found it gave freedom to be away from the crowds and overpriced hotels. This may not be everyone’s choice depending on the boat you are staying on it can feel a little like camping. I recommend the rental company Sunsail if you are interested in a sailboat! I am not recommending a cruise ship as I find this being one of the issues that has brought too many crowds to the area. If you are not by boat, then driving around the coast is tricky with the small lanes and winding roads. Then there is an issue with street parking which is not available in most areas, so confirm with your hotel before arriving that there is parking. Taxis are available but in cities like Amalfi they are limited leading to long wait times.
My vacation was a combination of different locations we traveled to by sailboat. We started in Amalfi then Positano, Capri, Ischia, Procida, and ended in Naples. From my experience the cities that are connected by ferries such as Positano, Capri, and Amalfi have the most crowds. After about a week visiting we learned that the best time to visit towns is in the evenings after the last ferry has left. It is also much cooler than the afternoons. You get to walk around with the evening breeze enjoying gelato and shopping, for many stores don’t close until 9pm.
Italy Off the Beaten Path
Amalfi Coast is a beautiful area to vacation so here is where you should go if you decide to visit the area. The spots that are a little less traveled and more local are Ischia, Procida, Ravello. Ischia is a quaint coastal town with bars, shops, and a castle to explore! The Castle is a must see and there is a hotel that is open to the public. The view from the top is breath taking and the cafe has amazing sandwiches and coffee. On the island of Ischia is the town Sant’Angelo, it is a great maria town to walk around for cars are not allowed down by the water. From here we took a taxi to Poseidon. This is a thermal pool garden and spa and was one of my favorite days. You can spend the whole days exploring around 11 pools each there own temperature. There is a sauna, spa treatments, and a cafeteria for lunch. There is also beach access if you prefer swimming in the sea.
Coffee at the Castle.
Procida is said to be the oldest fishing town in Italy. There is access to this island by ferry but easy to walk around and explore marina di corricella, which is a coastal area with no car access. If you are arriving by ferry I recommend getting a sweet and coffee from Dal Cavaliere.
The town of Ravello is near Amalfi and we traveled here by a hired driver. The town is full of streets to walk and shop and gives a very peaceful energy. The location is set upon the cliffs and offers a beautiful view down to the coast. I recommend exploring the garden where they have a classical music festival every year. The Amalfi coast is a beautiful place to visit if you know where to go!
Ravello Gardens
Have you been to Amalfi or did you skip it? Tell me below.
