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Language

The Amalfi Coast is clearly more than a jumble of picturesque houses. But what most people don’t realise is that it also plays host to an ancient dialect (some would argue language) called Neapolitan.

But wait: isn’t the Amalfi coast in Italy? Don’t Italians speak… Italian? Yes and no. You see Italy, as a unified state, is a relatively new invention, with even The Italy Magazine admitting it was, “Against all geopolitical odds (that), the Italian Republic was born in 1871 after several nation states unified to form what we now call Italy.”

“European Statesmen Count Metternich once called Italy nothing more than a geographic expression.”

As a result, there are various regional dialects humming along beneath the surface, Neapolitan being one of them. This means that on the Amalfi Coast, as in the rest of the Napoli region, you will find people who prefer to speak Neapolitan, the old language of the Kingdom of Two Sicilies.

And while the vast majority also speak Italian, knowing a few well placed phrases in Neapolitan is even more impressive. And when it comes to differentiating yourself from the 25 million tourists who pass through each year, you’re going to need something special to catch the eye of the Napolitano bella/bello of your dreams.

Currency & Exchange

Italy uses euros, the same currency now used by most Western European countries with the exception of the United Kingdom, Switzerland and Norway. Prior to traveling, you can buy some euros (enough for one day or whatever your preference) and then exchange your money in the banks to get the best rates. You can also use the ATMs (called bankomat) at all main squares of every town, major airports and train stations. Credits cards are commonly accepted in most shops, restaurants and hotels.  If you are going to take taxis, please note that most taxi drivers prefer cash payments as credit card transactions require them to pay a commission to the banks.

Useful Phone Numbers

National numbers

Carabinieri: 112

Emergency (police): 113

Firemen: 115

Car emergency (ACI): 116

Guardia di Finanza: 117

Health emergency: 118

Fire emergency: 1515

Sea emergency: 1530

Local numbers

Carabinieri: 089 875011

Health Guards: +39 089.871122

Provincial Tourism Office: +39 089.857657

Tipping

As for tipping, you’ll never see anywhere that tipping is included in the price of meals. As a result, you can dare to tip 15 to 20% in most places.

• Avoid high season
  To save money and avoid crowds it is best to travel in either May/June or September/October.
• Get an early start
  If you have to travel in high season, you can avoid overly crowded busses and ferries by getting an early start. I always manage to get a seat on the 8:30 bus from Sorrento to Positano, although you need to show up at least 15 minutes early to grab one (otherwise you have to stand in the aisle).
• Rent a beach chair
  It may seem expensive at first, but the beach chair/umbrella rentals are worth it since they typically come with access to facilities. ( visit: www.lagavitella.it)
• Rent a boat to tour from Praiano or Positano
  This is an absolute must in Amalfi Coast! It is the best way to see the gorgeous grottos, famous Faraglioni rocks and, of course, the blue grotto. We recommend: www.positanoboats.info
• Don’t miss Amalfi
  Despite it being the principle city of the coastline, few people make it to the city of Amalfi (it’s about half way down the coast, or 1.5 hours by bus from Sorrento). Amalfi is a gorgeous city with a stunning cathedral and was the capital of the region when it was an independent and powerful seafaring republic from the 7th to 11th centuries.
• Taste the limoncello (or anything citrus flavored)
  The region is famous for its citrus. You will see lots of lemon trees and giant citrons in every city. Their famous drink is limoncello, but the region also makes incredible lemon candies and lemon chocolate!
• Eat the seafood
  Obviously, it is fresh and delicious!
• What to wear

  What to Wear on the Amalfi Coast in Summer 

  With summer in full force, crowds of people go to the Amalfi coast to get their year’s dose of vitamin D. With highs of 85F/29C and lows of 64F/18C in the months of July and August, expect plenty of sunshine. With the crush of tourists around, it might even feel a little bit hotter. 

   

  Start by reading these general tips on packing for summer travel: 

  Capsule Wardrobe for Summer 

  Top Summer Dresses Perfect for Europe 

  Lightweight Jackets for Easy Layers 

  Best Walking Shoes for Europe’s Cobblestone Streets 

  If you are a bit more flexible in your planning and you are visiting the area in late fall or early spring, expect highs of 9F/26C and a lot fewer people. 

    

  Amalfi Coast Packing List for Summer 

  The Amalfi Coast is the perfect location to try wearing statement pieces you might not want to wear on more casual beaches in other parts of Europe. Compiling your wardrobe with colorful maxi dresses, off-the-shoulder styles and bright kaftans suit Capri and Amalfi just fine. 

  As you won’t always be stylishly sipping a glass of cold white wine under a big umbrella, basics are always good to pack. A pair of white jeans with a colorful top or a cute little romper will go a long way. 

  We’ve got a roundup of 20 beautiful maxi dresses – get ready to update your travel wardrobe with these versatile styles! 

  Packing a glamorous pair of sandals is also a no-brainer when packing for the Amalfi coast. A big floppy hat or straw hat and a pair of Italian sunglasses will protect you from the sun and will keep you stylish.

  Even though you might not be wearing them all the time, put a pair of flip-flops in your bag. On days where you decide to sunbath or swim in the ocean, you’ll need them to get back and forth from the water. 

  Find out the benefits of polarized sunglasses for women who travel, plus my top picks!

  The pebble beaches that can be found everywhere in the area can get very hot.

  Packing several pairs of stylish bikinis or swimsuits is a must, as well. Combine with a bright sarong and a straw tote to fit in perfectly. 

It’s all about good timing on the Amalfi Coast

Many hotels, restaurants and attractions are firmly chiuso (closed) from November until Easter.

High summer sees narrow coastal roads clogged, soaring temperatures and the occasional frayed temper, so it’s best to avoid July and August.

Spring and autumn, though, are wonderful in this region  spring for its swathes of bright wildflowers and autumn for warm seas and bountiful seasonal produce including mushrooms, black truffles and chestnuts.ivate transfer from Rome!

Suggested by travellers

Praiano

Is basically two villages which grew together, so if you choose to stay here, be careful on which of the two sides you choose to stay at.
Vettica Maggiore has great views of Positano, the Li Galli Islands, Capri, lovely Sunsets. A lot of Hotels on this side, and also the place the “Bar del Sole” is located at, which has always been a popular hang out place. Others have opened over the years, but there was a time when this Bar/Cafe was the only choice to go to.

Praiano (proper) is on the other side, facing the Capo di Conca, it’s also generally the quieter side. Though, it is easier to reach the beach, and the Africana Night Club is also on this side (though except perhaps at the 1 Hotel very near it, you won’t get sound disturbance). It does not offer views of Positano, but of the Bay towards the Conca Cape. No direct Sunsets, but on this side one sees the Sunrise.
Regarding the Busses, besides the crowded SITA busses (depending on time of year), there was also an inner Bus service, driving through Praiano/Vettica Maggiore (from top to bottom and to the “La Praia” beach) and from/to Positano – as it was from the same Company as the Inner-Positano Bus “Flavio Gioia”. This Bus is not part of the UnicoCampania/UnicoCostiera ticket – it was around €1 each trip.

What not to miss

• Praiano is made up of two centres, both of which are tuny – Vettica Maggiore, which is the upper town along the main corniche road and Marina di Praia, the lower town which is tucked into a cleft in the cliffs at sea level, a little further east towards Amalfi.
• Like Positano, Praiano also features pretty coloured houses, a maze of little lanes and flights of steep steps. Look out for the majolica-tiled votive shrines dotted around the town.
• The first thing you’ll want to do is go for a swim as the sea is irresistible. There are several small beaches, some sandy, some pebbly, all of which are much quieter than those at Positano.
• The next big attraction here is the Grotta dello Smeraldo, a natural feature a couple of miles from the town. Essentially it’s a flooded cavern in which sunlight turns the water an iridescent shade of green while all around are weird and wonderfully shaped stalactites and stalagmites.
• There are several lovely churches in the town, including the Church of San Luca Evangelista with a beautiful majolica floor. The Church of San Gennaro, the Church of Santa Maria a Castro and the Convent of San Domenico high above the town and with breathtaking views.
• It’s worth spending a day in Positano (four miles to the west) to explore the cute little stairways and passageways between the steeply raked buildings.
• And then it’s only a couple of miles or so in the other direction to Amalfi town – with its Duomo, paper museum and splendid piazza and seafront. Make sure you’re back in Praiano for sunset, the most spectacular along this coast.

Choosing one of the best places to stay in Praiano could make a sensible choice for enjoying the Amalfi coast while escaping the crowds.

Positano

Location scouts go weak at the knees when they round the bend in the Amalfi Coast road and spy Positano nestled in the cliffs, rising like a staircase from the bright blue sea towards the citrus and olive groves. Positano’s unbleached peach and pink buildings are stacked so neatly, that there are plenty of properties with exquisite views. But some of the best views are of the town itself. Our list of the best places to stay in Positano offers a selection of both views.

The town itself is a colourful stack of buildings, with roads so narrow you can’t fit a car through. To that add girls in floaty florals – Positano is is famous for Moda Positano fabric popular in bright fifties fashions – and colourfully painted fishing boats. Magenta fronds of bougainvillaea stir gently in the breezes.

As well as being beautiful, Positano is colourful and lively, full of kids queuing for gelati and families playing on the beach. Though of course it also has immaculate boutiques for the chic Milanese to peruse and restaurants to please even the most gourmet palates.

What not to miss

• The spectacular sea views. These open out along the coast, and if you’re in the right spot you can peer across the bay to Capri.
• Don’t fall too deeply in love with pretty Positano that you don’t explore more of the Amalfi Coast while you’re here. Take a boat trip (www.positanoboats.info)
• For some night time action head out to Music on the Rocks, a spectacular club carved into the rock.
• Pick up a pair of made-to-measure handcrafted sandals, created while you wait. There are numerous shops continuing this tradition which began at the end of the Second World War.

It’s extremely busy here during the peak summer months. So if you want to book one of the best places to stay in Positano get organised and plan well ahead.

Take a boat tour into the Grotta dello Smeraldo Cave

The Emerald Cave is a natural phenomenon that is one of the most beautiful caves in the whole of Italy.
Located in-between Amalfi and Praiano, the Smeraldo Cave is one of the few caves in the world that is bathed in a natural emerald light.
The effect is simply amazing and the colour of the water and the cave itself are gorgeous.
Visit for more info: www.positanoboats.info

Watch the fishing fleets at Cetara

Cetara is one of the most authentic and unspoiled villages on the Amalfi Coast.
This small settlement has not been effected by tourism and retains virtually all of its original charm.
If you want to see what the towns of Amalfi looked like before the area became saturated with tourist attractions then this is the place to visit.
Furthermore, Cetara has the only fishing fleet that still operates in this region and you can watch the fishermen in action in their small brightly coloured boats.Aside from the fishing activities, Cetara also has a range of high quality restaurants that serve delicious fresh seafood.

Take in the gorgeous waterfalls of the Valle delle Ferriere

The Ferriere Valley is a protected area in the province of Salerno and is a wonderful region to explore for those who enjoy hiking and the outdoors.
Throughout this region you can find some absolutely stunning natural scenery and there is a myriad of hiking and cycling trails that wind through the luscious forests.
This protected area is little travelled and you will not encounter the usual bustle of tourists found at the busy coastal towns of Amalfi.
Furthermore, the trails present some interesting view points and allow you to see some of the towns from unusual angles that are not normally seen.

Visit the Island of Capri

Capri is a truly magical place and one of the most popular destinations on the Amalfi Coast.

This island sits just off of the western edge of the Amalfi Coast and can be reached via regular ferries from several of the coastal towns.
Capri is known for its gorgeous landscapes, its array of beautiful beaches and its superb mountain views.
Consider taking a boat trip from Positano to explore this magical place and ensure you stay through until the evening.
At night, Capri has a vibrant nightlife and the main square has a handful of bustling bars and a superb atmosphere.
Also consider taking an organised trip to see the famous Blue Cave Grotto – this cave complex is absolutely stunning and a boat trip through this subterranean world will surely impress.

Visit for more info: www.positanoboats.info

Visit the charming town of Furore

Furore is a town that is often overlooked but it has a great deal of attractions and is a fantastic place to visit in the central section of the Amalfi Coast.
The roads leading up to Furore are quite spectacular and rise past dramatic limestone cliffs and row upon row of terraces packed full of gorgeous vines.
Within the confines of this town you can find a selection of beautifully painted murals decorating the walls of some of the houses and shops.
These murals have been hand painted and show some colourful depictions of life on the Amalfi Coast.
Furthermore Furore offers some brilliant views out to the sea and of the surrounding coastal towns and cliffs.

Visit the Ruins of Pompeii

The archaeological ruins of Pompeii cover around 440,000 square meters, a vast area that would take at least three full days to explore completely. Remember that Pompeii is an entire buried city with squares, temples, baths, public buildings, private villas, and shops…just a visit to the city’s forum takes about an hour.
That said, you can easily follow a shorter itinerary that includes some of the buried city’s most famous sites, giving you an idea of what daily life was like in this Roman city.
Here we suggest a few sites that you should include during your visit to the ruins, marking them with the same names as included on the free map provided at the ticket office and info point at the entrance to the ruins.