The Amalfi and Sorrento Coast is made up of many towns and villages along its 34 mile coastline and below we will give you just a small overview of three of the main ones – Amalfi, Positano and Sorrento.
There is really no ‘wrong’ place to stay in Amalfi however as we mention in our trip information for Italy getting around is key as the roads are narrow, windy and parking can be difficult so the location of where you are staying is a key factor for the general ease of travelling and access to shops, restaurants or sightseeing.
Amalfi
Amalfi is a more traditional Italian town with historical significance and a thriving market. It is larger than Positano, with a population of 5000, but smaller than Sorrento which has a population of 16,000 so it does have less restaurants, shops and accommodation options than Sorrento.
Amalfi does however have more beach club options and is a great base for transportation with better links for getting around the Amalfi Coast either by car, bus or ferry.
Legend has it that the Greek god Hercules named the town after his beloved lady friend Amalfi who died young and he chose the most beautiful place on earth in which to bury her and it is here that she finally rests.
Amalfi was also once a maritime powerhouse in Italy in the 11th Century with palaces filled with gold but the town was looted by Pirates then destroyed by earthquakes and then the plague! It’s one of the many reasons why Amalfi oozes charm, culture and history.
All the main towns on the Amalfi and Sorrento Coast are touristy and are busy in the summer months, you are not going to escape that whichever town you stay in however, where you select your accommodation specifically to be will make a difference. Further away from the main town on the cliffsides above Amalfi will give you challenges for moving around ie limited parking, footpaths and streetlights with narrow and windy roads but, will be quieter and with the right location will give you stunning views across the Amalfi Coast. Refer to our main trip for Italy for more information.
Amalfi does have many beach club options with Marina Grande the main beach across from Piazza Duomo. It has rows of brightly coloured beach umbrellas and sun beds for hire and each time the umbrellas change colour it means you’re at a different area to rent from.
There are free public areas by the sea at either end of the beaches but in the summer months these can be very busy so renting sunbeds may be your only option.
All of the beaches on the Amalfi Coast are rocky so don’t expect golden sand beaches, think more grey sand and pebbly so rock shoes are recommended but, they are not a necessity. Much of the town is flat and easily walkable with charming narrow streets and alleyways and there are many hikes from here including the highly recommended ‘Path of the Gods’.
Amalfi has a great selection of restaurants, bars and shopping and is arguably cheaper than Positano but more expensive than Sorrento, due to its size. It’s not a party town so don’t expect any clubs or late night bars with live music. It is a laid back, picturesque town, with dramatic cliffs as a backdrop, beautiful blue water, stunning scenery and is a great base to tour other Amalfi Coast towns and take boat trips out to Capri and around the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Positano
A 40 minute drive from Amalfi is Positano. A beautiful cliffside town with a great selection of restaurants and extensive shopping options. We often get asked which is better Positano or Amalfi and the reality is they are quite different so it is a personal preference.
Amalfi is more traditional with an emphasis on handmade ceramics, souvenirs and craft shops whereas Positano is more upmarket with many luxury brands and designer boutiques.
There are more exclusive restaurant options in Positano with the fantastic Il Tridente and its rooftop terrace and amazing cocktails and Adamo and Eva, arguably the best upmarket seafood restaurant on the Amalfi Coast.
There are a great selection of beautiful beaches in Positano with the most popular Spiaggia Grande (Marina Grande). The beaches are mainly made up of hire sunbeds and umbrellas with entrance fees but there are free areas where you can throw your beach towel down however, like all the beaches in the summer expect them to be busy. You really won’t mind though as you swim out into the beautiful turquoise water looking back onto the stunning cliffs and beautiful pastel houses built into them.
Like most beaches on the Amalfi and Sorrento Coast they are not purely sandy beaches, they are rocky, pebbly grey sand beaches – but this is the geology of the region and is not a negative, just the reality of what to expect.
As Positano is built more into the dramatic cliffs the roads and paths are steep so this does need to be considered and as it is smaller in size, with less accommodation options and with a generally more upmarket vibe and nightlife – it is more expensive.
Positano is a stunning town with spectacular views, especially at night, and if you can get accommodation with a sea view it is one of the best places in the world to watch the sunset with a glass of Limoncello or Costa d’Amalfi.
Sorrento
Just an hours drive from Naples, 30 minutes from Positano and another 40 minutes on to Amalfi is Sorrento. Not technically on the Amalfi Coast but on the Sorrento Coast and the Bay of Naples it is a larger town with a population of 16,000 which means there are significantly more accommodation, restaurant, shopping and nightlife options making it a great base for those wanting to explore the area.
From Sorrento there are good transportation links to all the coastal towns either by taxi, bus or ferry as well as boat tours out to Capri or your own boat hire or a day trip to Pompeii.
Sorrento has a much more lively feel than our other towns with a mix of locals and tourists and as it is larger with more options it is cheaper but it is less scenic than Amalfi or Positano. Whilst there are great views it doesn’t have the dramatic cliffs than other areas and because it is larger doesn’t have the charm that many of the smaller towns offer.
Like our other towns there are beaches in Sorrento with free areas as well as those with entrance fees and the beaches here are not as expansive and are made up of several smaller ones. Regardless, the water quality is amazing and its no surprise the Campania region encompassing the Amalfi and Sorrento Coast has been awarded Blue Flag status.
Sorrento is a great place to base yourself to tour the region giving more options on price and availability to suit your time and budget. It has many public parks and significant landmarks and Sorrento’s old town is a picturesque labyrinth of narrow, winding streets, historic buildings and lively cafes and shops.
