The Enchantment of the Amalfi Coast: A Detailed Account of Our 4th Travel Day

Our next day in Italy brought us just as many wonders as the previous ones. This time, we ventured to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Amalfi Coast—a place where stunning landscapes, azure blue waters, and world-famous Italian cuisine combined to make the day unforgettable.

With its dramatic cliffs, deep gorges, and charming villages clinging to steep hillsides, the Amalfi Coast offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is home to iconic towns like Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello, each with its own unique charm.

Driving the Amalfi Coast: An Unforgettable Adventure

Driving along the Amalfi Coast’s winding roads is both a thrilling and scenic experience. The narrow, cliffside roads were literally carved into the rock, hugging the dramatic coastline with sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

However, this journey is not for the faint of heart – the road winds through tight curves with towering cliffs on one side and sheer drops on the other, while narrow lanes are shared with local buses, impatient drivers, and fearless motorcyclists, all with minimal guardrails to heighten the sense of adventure.

Tip: If you’re an experienced driver and enjoy a bit of a challenge, this drive is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! But if you’d rather sit back and admire the views, consider taking a bus or ferry instead.

Parking on the Amalfi Coast: Challenges & Smart Solutions

Finding a parking spot here can be tough, so here’s what you need to know:

Blue lines = Paid parking (€3/hour in Positano).
Yellow lines = Reserved for locals—do not park here!
White lines = Free parking—we found none in Positano!

Pro tip: Park in the nearby villages of Montepertuso or Nocelle, where you can find free parking and then take a local bus to Positano for just a few euros.

Many travelers advise against driving on the Amalfi Coast due to the challenging roads and limited parking. However, as we were traveling with a small child and had limited time, we chose to rent a car—and we don’t regret it!

Driving worked perfectly for us – it gave us the freedom to stop whenever we wanted, set our own pace without worrying about bus timetables or ferry schedules, and with my experienced husband behind the wheel, navigating the tricky roads felt smooth and safe.

If you prefer public transport, you can reach Positano from Sorrento via the SITA Bus (Route 5070). There are two main stops: „La Sponda” (near the beach) and „Chiesa Nuova” (higher up, good for scenic views).

Summer ferry options: Boats run from Sorrento and Capri, offering a relaxing, scenic ride to Positano.

Check schedules in advance at sitabus.it for buses and local ferry websites for boat timetables.

Morning Arrival & Parking in Positano

We started our day exploring the charming town of Positano. After another early breakfast, we hit the road and arrived by 9:30 AM. Luckily, we found street parking, where blue-lined spaces were available for just €3/hour, a bargain compared to the €10/hour parking garages.

Positano is a dream destination for artists and photographers. With its pastel-colored houses cascading down the cliffs, it feels like a real-life postcard. We spent around three hours soaking in its beauty.
Since Positano is built on a steep hillside, expect a lot of stairs. A baby carrier is a much more practical choice for little ones. We carried Liny almost the entire time, only taking her out when we reached the beach.

Our walk started from the parking area, leading us through narrow, winding streets, shaded by lush wisteria vines and fragrant lemon trees—a magical experience.

First stop: Church of Saint Catherine, located right next to our parking spot.

We began our exploration along Viale Pasitea, a street perfect for taking stunning photos right from the start. At the heart of Positano, the Santa Maria Assunta Church stands proudly with its iconic colorful majolica dome, visible from almost anywhere in town.

Best viewpoint:
For the most breathtaking panoramic shots, head to Via Cristoforo Colombo—a must-visit spot!

After soaking in the spectacular views, we made our way downhill from Piazza dei Mulini, soon finding ourselves beneath a beautiful, flower-covered bougainvillea pergola. The vivid colors and intoxicating scents were absolutely mesmerizing.

As we continued, we passed art galleries, historic boutiques, and stylish fashion stores, selling Positano’s famous linen clothing. Our walk led us to the picturesque square of Santa Maria Assunta, then to Marina Grande Beach & the port.

Here, Liny happily hopped out of the carrier and joyfully ran along the seaside promenade—a precious memory that made the day even more special.

We stopped at the Covo dei Saraceni bar for a refreshing lemon sorbet—a great place to relax and take in the views.

A hidden gem:
Right next to the hotel begins the Path of Love (Sentiero degli Innamorati)—a scenic trail leading to Fornillo Beach. Though we didn’t have time to explore it, this romantic coastal walk is highly recommended for its breathtaking sea views and peaceful atmosphere.

Spiaggia Libera is the only free beach in Positano – a mix of pebbles and black sand with crystal-clear waters. While it’s a beautiful spot, the sea gets deep quickly, which might make it less ideal for families with small children. We didn’t plan to swim that day, but it’s a good thing to keep in mind if you’re visiting with kids.

Be prepared—Positano is as expensive as it is beautiful!

After a leisurely stroll along the seafront, we climbed back to our parking area via steep staircases winding through whitewashed houses. We took a short break halfway up and were rewarded with yet another spectacular panoramic view over the town and the sea.

On the Way to Ravello

When we returned to our car, we saw that every parking spot was taken—someone was lucky to grab ours just in time! Liny fell asleep almost instantly, exhausted from all the excitement, while we eagerly continued our journey toward Ravello.

The breathtaking Amalfi Coast panoramas accompanied us as we navigated the winding coastal roads. Although Ravello is only 25 km away, the journey took about an hour due to the narrow and curvy roads. Perched 362 meters above sea level, Ravello greeted us just as Liny began to wake up.

Ravello’s charming streets are mostly pedestrian-only, so visitors must park outside the town gates.

The Duomo di Ravello, a simple yet elegant white church, stands at the heart of the square. After skipping lunch in Positano, we took a well-deserved break at Duomo Caffè Ravello Costa di Amalfi, a cozy terrace café, where we finally enjoyed a delicious meal.

Exploring Villa Cimbrone’s Gardens

After lunch, we took a leisurely stroll to the famous Villa Cimbrone. The entrance fee was €10, and no advance booking was needed. While the villa itself is now a luxurious five-star hotel, part of its stunning gardens remains open to visitors.

Just inside the entrance, we found Chiostro (the Cloister), a charming courtyard with a picturesque well at its center.
We followed the Viale dell’Immensità (Avenue of Immensity), a shaded pathway lined with flower-covered pergolas and towering trees. The cool resting spots along the way provided a welcome escape from the midday sun.

The Terrace of Infinity: A Must-See View

At the end of the garden path, we arrived at Terrazza dell’Infinito (The Terrace of Infinity), offering an unforgettable view over the Gulf of Salerno.

Writer Gore Vidal once called this „the most beautiful view in the world”—and we couldn’t agree more! For me, this was a bucket-list moment, exceeding all expectations. We found it hard to leave, but we had to move on.

On our way down the steep staircase, we stopped at Belvedere di Mercurio (Mercury’s Overlook), a viewpoint perched on the edge of a cliff, before slowly making our way out of the villa.

A Stroll Through Ravello’s Charming Streets

We wandered through small artisan shops, enjoying the relaxed afternoon atmosphere of Ravello.

Before heading back to the car, we passed by Villa Rufolo, another famous villa known for its stunning gardens and historic architecture. However, we decided to save that visit for another time.

On the Road to Sorrento

We made our way back to the parking lot and set off towards Sorrento. Along the way, we made a short stop in Amalfi to explore this iconic coastal town.

Even though we were already quite tired from the long day, we couldn’t resist a quick stroll through Amalfi.

Amalfi’s Piazza & The Duomo

Our Our first stop was Amalfi’s most famous landmark, the Duomo di Sant’Andrea.

Piazza Duomo – The lively main square, bustling with cafés, shops, and street performers.

Right in front of the cathedral, we admired the Fontana di Sant’Andrea, a beautiful fountain that serves as one of Amalfi’s most recognizable landmarks.

We wanted to try the famous Delizia al Limone (a lemon-infused dessert) at Pasticceria Pansa, but the long queue and crowded terrace made us look for an alternative.

Instead, we found a charming little pastry shop next to Porto Salvo restaurant, where we enjoyed lemon pastries, gelato, and espresso.

The café’s terrace overlooked the cathedral, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing break.

After our dessert break, we took one last stroll along Amalfi’s main street, soaking in the atmosphere before heading back to our car.

By 7.30 PM, we arrived back at our accommodation in Sorrento.

Final stop: We walked over to Taverna Sorrentina, a cozy restaurant we discovered on our first day in Sorrento, for a well-deserved dinner.

After dinner, Liny quickly fell asleep, while we sat on our terrace, gazing at the beautiful night view—a perfect way to end a magical day.

Farewell to Our Stay

This was our last night at this hotel, and we had already started preparing for the next leg of our journey to Naples. However, we had several exciting stops planned along the way. Stay with me for the rest of the adventure!