Postcard from Positano

I realized recently that I had never gotten around to posting photos from our time in Positano and the Amalfi Coast. Which is downright crazy, because this may be the most beautiful place I have ever been in my life. This post won’t cover any fashion because who cares what I’m wearing when the scenery is this stunning! But I hope it is helpful to anyone traveling to the Amalfi Coast on a cruise ship or for vacation.

Naples was the last stop on our Mediterranean cruise and while there are endless options for a port day here (Sorrento, Pompeii, Capri, Blue Grotto, etc.), I would highly suggest a private tour of the Amalfi Coast. We booked our tour through FrancescoMarrapese.com. The cruise ship we were on, Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas, didn’t have an excursion that did exactly what I wanted to and Francesco had AMAZING reviews on Trip Advisor. His good friend and Sorrento-native Marco hosted our tour. He picked us up from the port at Naples and shared extensive information on the area as we drove the hour drive to Positano.

Most surprisingly to me was that I didn’t realize that Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello are technically villages, not cities. So while I could spend the rest of my life at these beautiful places, it is easy to see all three villages in a day.

What to Do

Since we had about nine hours to see everything we wanted to, we were go-go-go the whole time! But if you have a bit more time to spare, here is what I would suggest:

Sunbathe at Spiaggia Grande: This is the famous beach at Positano adorned with orange and blue umbrellas. Arrive early to secure a beach chair! Jeremy and I hiked down through Positano, dipped our toes in the Mediterranean, and relaxed on the beach for a bit after some shopping.

Day Trip to Capri: For only about 35 euro round-trip, Capri is a must see if you have the time to! A high-speed ferry will take you to and from Capri from Positano passing the Faraglioni Rock Formations. Be sure to take the chairlift at Anacapri to Monte Solaro for an amazing view!

See Amalfi by Boat: Touring the Amalfi Coast is the best way to spend a day here. The are countless tours offering cliff jumping, grotto and cave tours and transfers to Capri. Most include prosecco and limoncello, as well!

Shop: Positano was my favorite stop on the cruise for shopping! There were so many adorable boutiques from the main road down to Spiaggia Grande. The Amalfi Coast is famous for it’s handmade sandals and ceramics, as well.

Path of Gods Hike: It’s a 3.5 hour hike, albeit pretty strenuous, but I hear the views are AMAZING!

Where to Eat

Depending on the hours of your tour, I would suggest waiting to grab lunch until you get to Ravello. It is the highest of the three villages and as such, offers the best views. There is a seafood restaurant upon arrival, but Jeremy and I ventured further into the village for pizza 🙂

Also, be sure to try all things lemon. We had the lemon shaved ice in Positano and it was delicious and so refreshing! We also capped off our lunch with shots of limoncello.

Where to get the Best Shot of Positano

Although Positano is gorgeous from every vantage point, we found the perfect turn-off to snap some photos. And since there is only one way in to the city and one way out, it is tough to miss this token spot, Marincanto Hotel. We pulled off into their valet area, apologized to the workers, and ran off to snap some photos before continuing on to Amalfi. If you get the chance to see the coast by boat, you’ll have an even better view!  **insert all the heart eyes**

What to Wear

Be sure to wear light layers and comfortable shoes! As these villages sit carved into cliffs, you will be navigating up and down steep cobblestone paths. I made the mistake of wearing a low heel and about fell on my face a few times!

The mid-May temperature was much warmer than my weather app suggested – easily warm enough to go swimming! So if you are visiting the Amalfi Coast between May and September, a light sweater for the cooler mornings is all you need. All of the walking is sure to get you heated up! And, of course, a bathing suit. There are quite a few beaches along the Amalfi Coast depending on how many steps you want to hike down 😉

Of all the places Jeremy and I visited on our honeymoon, we agreed that if we could return it would FOR SURE be a week in the Amalfi Coast. Marco suggested the perfect Amalfi Coast week-long itinerary: stay in Sorrento for a week (hotel prices are reasonable) and spend a day at each nearby destination: Positano, Pompeii, Ravello, Amalfi, Capri, Sorrento, or Naples. They’re each only a short taxi drive away and small enough to see everything in a day!