The Amalfi Coast is a dreamy destination, with stunning landscapes of colorful architecture on top of ragged cliffs against a crystal blue sea. This is a popular sun-seeker’s getaway destination and rightly so.
Our journey on the Amalfi Coast begins and ends in Naples on a catamaran charter. This is a great way to see the highlights. However, spending a day and evening in each location may not be enough time to experience everything each place offers. For many of these places, I would have gladly spent 3-4 days or even an entire week.
Procida
Our first stop was Procida, an island just off the coast of Naples southern Italy. While technically not part of the Amalfi Coast, it is a charter destination with a sizable port. However, we thought it was just a fishing town, as we moored on the other side of the island with a small marina and beach.
We wandered up to the Belvedere Piazza Dei Martiri, a small plaza with views of the Mediterranean, and to the Santuario S. Maria delle Grazie Incoronata, a small Catholic church. Then we headed down towards the water for dinner at La Lampara located in the La Corricella Hotel at sunset.
Capri
The next day, we sailed across the Gulf of Naples to Capri. Also, not technically on the Amalfi Coast, it is an island that often gets included as part of the Amalfi Coast along with the islands of Procida and Ischia. Capri is a well-known upscale destination for glamorous celebrities and jet-setters. We had to visit just to see what all the hype is about.
We spent the afternoon swimming near the Faraglioni di Capri, the large rock formations found near the island of Capri. This is a must-do when in Capri! In the evening we enjoyed all the glitz and glamour of dining out in Capri at Terrazza Tiberio, located in the 5-star Capri Tiberio Palace.
Positano
After a lunchtime stop for some swimming and snorkeling Golfo di Salerno, we cruised into the Porto de Positano. There is a beach area by the port that is popular with visitors to Positano.
Positano was our actual first stop on the Amalfi Coast and it did not disappoint with its colorful cliffside buildings, and narrow streets lined with cafes and boutiques.
The thing to do here is eat and shop. So after a cliffside dinner, my girlfriends and I went shopping for sandals and the guys went shopping for pirate shirts and Limoncello.
Amalfi
The town of Amalfi was once a powerful maritime republic and the Arab-Norman Sant’Andrea cathedral in the square survives from this era.
The town is actually set below the steep cliffs on the Amalfi Coast, so there is less uphill and downhill walking here. At a shop in the town square, we found lemons the size of grapefruits. The Sfusato Amalfitano lemons are exclusively grown in towns on the Amalfi Coast and are perfect for making limoncello.
Tramonti
Tramonti which directly translates to “among the mountains” is not a coastal town nor a widely traveled tourist destination in the Amalfi Coast. Tramonti, however, is a UNESCO World Heritage site that is surrounded by beautiful terraced vineyards including Tenuta San Francesco.
Tenuta San Francesco produces wines from hundred-year-old vines of grape varieties such as Tintore, Piedirosso, Pepella, Falanghina, and Ginestra. We had a wonderful time at the vineyard with a guided wine tour, wine tasting, and lunch.
Ravello
After lunch, we visited another non-coastal Amalfi Coast town and UNESCO Heritage Site, Ravello. We wandered around the small cliffside town around the Duomo di Ravello, exploring art galleries and small boutiques till it was time to return to the catamaran for the journey to our next destination.
Capaccio Paestum
Capaccio Paestum was the farthest east and the farthest south that we would go on this trip. It was not part of our original itinerary nor is it part of the Amalfi Coast, but we met a couple during lunch at the vineyard who said it was a must-do, so we asked our Captain to take us there. It is always good to be friendly, flexible and talk to people while traveling as you never know where it might lead.
Because it was a detour from the Amalfi Coast, our Captain was not familiar with the area which made for some logistical challenges, but it was all so worth it to get off the beaten track.
We visited Il Granato, a buffalo dairy farm where we were able to visit the buffalo and get treats of fresh buffalo mozzarella and other cheeses and homemade buffalo yogurt and ice cream.
We then visited the Archaeological Park of Paestum, a complex of the most well-preserved ancient Greek temples in the world. Yes, in Italy, not in Greece. The temples dedicated to Hera and Athena date back to 550-400 B.C. This UNESCO World Heritage Site, despite its significance and its allure, surprisingly is not a highly visited tourist destination. A wander through the grounds is currently free.
Sorrento
After our adventures in Capaccio Paestum, we sailed back west along to coast to Sorrento. Because of the long sail back, we didn’t arrive until evening, but just in time for dinner and a night out.
This is a busy town perched on top of a cliff. If you arrive via the Marina Piccola, the Sorrento Lift provides an elevator service for a fee to the Villa Communale Park in town. We decided to take the scenic route and walked our way up, but in hindsight, I’m not sure that was the best choice. Also, we did not have the option to ride the elevator down as it was closed by the time we decided to go back to the catamaran so check the operating times.
Ischia
Our last stop on this trip was Ischia. This was my favorite of the three islands we visited on this trip. Procida was charming and Capri full of glitz and glamor, but Ischia is the most stunning.
Being at Ischia Ponte, with its rocky cliffs, the Castello Aragonese d’Ischia looks like a castle in the sky. Walking towards the dome cathedral glistening in the sun, felt like entering a storybook medieval fairytale.
It could have been the time of day we arrived or because it was our last night on the catamaran, but the place was magical and the evening perfect.
Check out our post on How to Book a Yacht Charter if you are interested in visiting the Amalfi Coast by sea.
