Positano and Praiano

The Amalfi Coast is my favourite place on earth. Brett and I did long distance for 2.5 years and the seaside town of Positano was the first place we met up in after starting that long-distance journey. We loved the charm and beauty of this old, romantic Italian town, built into the rugged cliffs, so much so that we returned 4 years later to get married. Our wedding planners, Rossini Weddings, helped us arrange the most perfect prewedding week so this post is dedicated to a place that is very close to our heart. If you are heading to the Amalfi Coast here is a list of our favourite places.

WHEN TO GO

July and August are the best months to go weather wise but if you want to miss the crowds, get better hotel rates and get a seat at the best restaurants, go to the Amalfi Coast in early June, the week before peak season starts.

WHERE TO STAY

We have stayed in both Positano and Praiano and now that we have, I highly recommend staying in Positano. There is more to do in Positano, it is prettier (although the whole coastline is gorgeous this town is just on another level) with more restaurants and shops within walking distance, and there is a large pebble beach that is easily accessible by a long path whereas most other beaches require you to walk down (and up) A LOT of stairs. No need to worry about overeating gelato and pasta though! One of my favourite, more affordable but luxurious hotels to stay at in Positano is Hotel Palazzo Murat. This is a gorgeous 18th-century building with the most stunning courtyard where you can enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner or breakfast under the centuries-old citrus trees. Hotel Palazzo Murat is in the heart of Positano and perfectly situated 250m from the beach. The hotel staff are extremely accommodating, and nothing is too much for them. They will assist booking transfers, taxis, reservations and the hotel provides a boat tour along the Amalfi Coast. On arrival you are given a welcome glass of homemade lemonade, which to this day, is the best lemonade I have ever tasted!

DOG FRIENDLY

The Amalfi Coast would be the perfect place to holiday with your furry bestie. There were little dogs at the beaches we went to and we even saw a dog kayaking with its owner. As most of the restaurants are outside it wouldn’t be an issue taking them with you and if it wasn’t so far for Benji to travel from South Africa, I would have taken him in a heartbeat.

WHAT TO DO

• Go on boat trip around the Amalfi Coast: We booked a full day boat tour with Plaghia Charter and it was the best thing to do with our guests before the wedding. Plaghia Charter were incredible! They were so accommodating, let us plan our own itinerary and were the nicest people to deal with, both in person and via email. I cannot recommend them enough, they went above and beyond to make it a special day for us, including bringing out champagne for us to toast.
• Visit Capri: Pop over to the island of Capri where you can also do all your designer shopping. This is where my girl crush Olivia Palermo holidays and once you see how beautiful it is you will understand why it's the destination of choice for the rich and famous.
• Limoncello Tasting: Il Gusto della Costa in Praiano is a local shop with guided Limoncello tastings. They make their own limoncello using traditional methods to enhance the aroma and taste and even package their own products so you know it truly is the good, authentic stuff.
• Shop in Positano: If you walk down to the beach there are so many gorgeous shops and you will be spoilt for choice. I personally think this is the place to buy beautiful handmade, Italian hats and shoes. I bought the most comfortable pair of handmade loafers and now I regret not buying another pair because they were so reasonable, and they are the comfiest shoes I own! Note to self, don’t listen to your husband when he says you only need one pair of shoes, you will regret it! There is also beautiful artwork and ceramics. I need to go back just thinking about how much I couldn’t bring back with me.
• Have a cocktail at Le Sirenuse while watching the sunset: I haven’t included this under “where to eat and drink” because just going here, sitting in this spectacular setting and sipping on a cocktail is such an experience. This hotel and view is nothing less than dazzling.
• Hike The Path Of The Gods: If you like to be active while on holiday we highly recommend you wake up early and walk the beautiful and peaceful trail known as the Path of the Gods. It is 6km long and will take you about 3 hours from Praiano or Positano (be prepared for lots of stairs). The trail is easy to follow, just look out for the red and white lines that mark it along the way and take lots of water.
• Pompeii: Visit the preserved site of the excavated ruins of streets and houses from the once flourishing and sophisticated Roman city, Pompeii which was buried under meters of ash after the huge eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. It is quite a sombre experience.
• Di Furore Beach: I would say is the one beach you have to go to. It is a small, picturesque slice of heaven.
• Gavitella Beach: is famous for its spectacular view of Positano, Li Galli and the Island of Capri and its superb sunsets.

WHERE TO EAT & DRINK

• The Brasserie, Covo Dei Saraceni: Enjoy a lemon spritz on the water’s edge. We had a welcome cocktail here on our first day with our wedding guests and ended up staying for hours. Their food and service was incredible.
• Da Adalfo: Is one of those places everyone raves about and you will see it on Google reviews as a place you must go to. You cannot pre-book via email and they do not take bookings via phone although your hotel might be able to get you a reservation. What I recommend doing if you really want to go is booking lunch at the restaurant next door, La Sirene on one day and while you are there, walk over and make a booking in person. Do not catch the free transfer boat, the queue is so long, spend the extra EUR 10 and get a water taxi. If you do get a reservation, order the mussels!
• La Sirene: Is right next door to Da Adalfo. Although less hyped up I personally preferred this restaurant. They were much friendlier and welcoming and their sun lounges were 10x nicer than Da Adalfo’s. We had an incredible long lazy lunch here the day after our wedding.
• Tramonto d’Oro: has been run by the same family since 1952 and it is one of our favourite places to have dinner. Book a table outside on the terrace and order the lobster linguine.
• Ristorante Il Pirata: is a beautiful little romantic hidden gem in Praiano where you can sit outside on the rocky edge and enjoy fresh, well priced food. Go at night, with the soft lighting around you and the moon above, it is a gorgeous place to dine. This is where we booked for dinner with our parents and bridal party the night before our wedding.
• One Fire Beach: One Fire Beach is a popular, charming beach club located at the Gavitella Beach in Praiano. They play great music and have a really cool vibe.
• Next 2: is a stylish, contemporary wine-bar and restaurant.
• La Conca Del Sogno: is a beach club restaurant situated in the village of Nerano and is the place to go if you want to sip on cocktails, have something to eat and take a dip in the crystal-clear waters. You could spend a good couple of hours here.
• Casa Angelina: if we didn’t get married at the venue where we did, we would have had our wedding here because they have the most incredible views up the coast to Capri from their rooftop restaurant.  
• Bagni d’Arienzo: is a famous seafood restaurant and bar on Arienzo Beach. You can only get here by boat and was one of our favourite places to go to for lunch. Order the seafood starter. 

TOP TIP

• Water Taxi everywhere: We met Gennaro on our first day and used him the whole time we were there to take us back and forth between all the places below. WhatsApp him and tell him Megan sent you! Gennaro, Tel: +39 347 562 6659 / www.frankieboatours.com

This is Gennaro, water taxi extraordinaire!

The Amalfi Coast is one of those places that cannot be put into words, only experienced. If you haven’t been yet, put this at the top of your bucket list. If you know anyone travelling to Positano or looking for some European summer inspiration, share this post.

All pictures taken by Vanilla Photgraphy.