Basic Information About the Amalfi Coast

Charming towns such as Positano, where colourful little houses with terracotta roofs cling to the almost vertical terrain above the turquoise sea, make for great spots to head to for lunch and to people-watch from a seafront restaurant or pebbled beach. For a taste of the traditional, try Amalfi itself where you can wander in and out of little boutiques browsing the leather goods, bright pottery pieces and handmade notepaper the area is known for. Or for a bird’s eye view of the coast, the historical town of Ravello with its famous Cimbrone gardens and maze of pathways offers dramatic vistas out to sea.

You must head out onto those beautiful azure waters at least once with a boat trip to celeb favourite, Capri, or a guided boat tour of one of the famous grottos. And with the local tipple being limoncello, a trip to the vertical lemon farms to see and sample the production is a great way to get a taste of the region.

When to Visit the Amalfi Coast

The pleasant weather means a luxury villa holiday at any time of year would be special. Peak season is considered to be Easter to the end of September, but the most popular months are July and August. In this high summer period, you’ll be able to catch lots of the vibrant festivals that are on, such as the fireworks seen over the bay from Positano in August or Ravello’s classical music festival in September.

What We Love About the Amalfi Coast

The views are out of this world. Don’t drive yourself along the hairpin bends of the coast road, only because you’ll miss out on the jaw-dropping sights from the window. A taxi or even a chauffeur-driven day out in a classic Fiat 500 convertible is an experience not to be missed.

Getting to the Amalfi Coast

Naples airport is approximately 1 hour from Sorrento and Ravello and 1 hour 15 from Positano. However, in the summer months, these times can increase due to traffic on the mountainside road.

The Best Places to Eat and Drink in the Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi coast is known mainly for its seafood and its lemons and the food is as stunning as the views. From perfectly executed pasta to seafood fresh off the boats, your tastebuds are in for a treat.

If you have a head for heights, La Tagliata, just outside Positano in Montepertuso, is a real hidden gem with many of the ingredients grown on-site and locally sourced meats. You’re almost in the clouds as you look down on Positano. A fabulous spot from which to watch the sun go down before heading back to your luxury villa for the evening.

For upmarket glamour try Rossellini’s in Ravello for local specialities with with two Michelin stars.

For a more relaxed lunch, try any of the cafes along the coast that serve fritti misti (deep-fried mixed seafood) cooked fresh off the boats and washed down with crisp white wine, or for pizza like nothing you’ll taste in the UK, the trattorias in Amalfi will serve you well on a luxury villa holiday here.