What I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to the Amalfi Coast
I don’t say this lightly: the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been. Like, jaw-on-the-floor, tears in your eyes, how is this real kind of beautiful. But I also left with a loooong list of “Whew, I wish someone had warned me about that.”
Because as magical as it was… it was also a very logistically challenging trip. If you’re planning to go, especially if you’re somewhere between bougie and budget like me (and maybe don’t have the emotional bandwidth for constant logistics in 90-degree heat), here’s what I really wish I knew before going.
Timing is Everything (And I Learned That the Hard Way)
Let me set the scene for yall— it’s mid-July, I’m sweating through my linen dress, and I’m shoulder-to-shoulder with what feels like every human being on Earth trying to get a seat on the SITA bus. That was my intro to Amalfi. 😅
If I could do it again, I’d go in late spring or early fall. April to early June or September to mid-October (after the busy season, but the water will still be very warm!) seems to be that sweet spot where the weather is still gorgeous, but the crowds thin out just enough for you to breathe. Plus, everything’s a little cheaper… hotels, boat rentals, gelato (OK, maybe not gelato).
In peak summer, it’s still stunning, but you might find yourself spending more time dodging selfie sticks than soaking in the view.
The Roads Are Beautiful… and Absolutely Terrifying
Listen, I consider myself a decently calm passenger, but the roads along the Amalfi Coast? They're not for the faint of heart. Cliffside switchbacks, buses the size of whales barreling around corners, and Vespas weaving between them like it’s Mario Kart: Death Wish Edition.
Driving it yourself is technically possible, but unless you’re an adrenaline junkie with a sixth sense for Italian road etiquette, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Here’s what did work:
🚍 Taking the ferry or SITA bus between major towns (but get in line early, especially in high season).
🚖 Splurging on a private transfer when I was exhausted or staying in a more remote spot like Praiano.
🛵 And yes, renting a scooter can be a vibe… if you’re confident, covered by travel insurance, and cool with the occasional heart attack.
Tourist Traps Are Real—But So Is the Magic
Look, I’m not here to tell you to skip Positano or Amalfi. They’re iconic for a reason. But they’re also expensive, packed, and, in some cases, more about the photo ops than the soul of the place.
Some of my favorite moments came from the less Instagrammed towns:
✨ Ravello: perched high above the sea with music echoing from Villa Rufolo.
✨ Atrani: just a five-minute walk from Amalfi but felt like another world—quiet, local, peaceful.
✨ Praiano: our sleepy home base with real people, real sunsets, and the best lemon pasta I’ve ever had in my life.
And please, please hike the Path of the Gods if you can. Just trust me and do it early in the morning, before the sun decides to scorch you alive. You’ll feel like you’re walking through a dream (and by the end, maybe crawling through it, but still worth it).
Final Thoughts From Someone Who Learned the Hard Way
The Amalfi Coast isn’t the easiest trip but it’s an unforgettable one.
It’s the kind of place where one moment you’re grumbling about how many stairs there are (spoiler alert: so so so many stairs) and the next, you turn a corner and see the sun hitting the water just right, and everything in your brain goes quiet. All the stress, the sweat, the missed buses… it just melts away.
If you go, give yourself grace. Don’t overschedule. Pack comfy shoes. Drink all the espresso. And don’t be afraid to get a little lost. That’s where the best memories usually find you.
