The Scenic Coastal Tour for Foodies: Positano, Sorrento, Lemon and Grotto Hunting

  • Day 1: Positano
    Estimated time from Amalfi: 14 mins (4.1 km)

    Start your Amalfi Coast adventure with some colorful photos along the picturesque Marina Grande. Hike up the cliff sides to the charming Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta and see the Byzantine inspired 13th-century black Madonna. Sample some parmigiana di melanzane at Next2, made with local eggplants. Wind down by the last light of day with a limoncello cocktail and the sea breeze at Franco's Bar.

  • Day 2: Sorrento
    Estimated time from Positano: 30 mins (23.7km)

    Head to the land of lemons, Sorrento. Check out the ruins of the ancient fishing village of Marina Grande that clings to the steep hills, the suggestive waterfall cove Punta Campanella and visit Villa Pollio, the grand house of a wealthy ancient Roman family. Join a cooking class and learn to cook the local pasta dish, gnocchi alla sorrentina.

  • Day 3: Lemon-Lover's Tour
    Estimated time from Sorrento: 22 mins (9 km)

    Take a scenic drive on the Amalfi Coast to the Limoncello Factory in Sorrento to see how the prized lemon liqueur is made. Then, get a taste of authentic lemon gelato at Bar Giardiniello. Finish the day with a visit to the iconic lemon-covered terrace at Il Giardino dei Limoni.

  • Day 4: Grotto Exploration
    Estimated time from Sorrento: 15 mins (4.4 km)

    Set off to the mysterious Blue Grotto of Capri. Bask in the blue shimmering light that envelops the cave from the refraction of sunlight, then explore further by boat to other cave formations. Enjoy fresh seafood with an elevated view of the island at Il Riccio.

  • Day 5: Foodie Explorations
    Estimated time from Capri: 25 mins (8.9 km)

    Take a ferry or private boat to explore the lesser known but just as beautiful island of Ischia. Hierbascentrum offers a delightful tour of its herb gardens with samples of locally produced liqueurs. Then, try the local cuisine over dinner in Ristorante Lo Scoglio di Frisio that overlooks the sea and the scantily clad crowds on the beach below.

  • Day 6: Scenic Drive to Amalfi Coast
    Estimated time from Ischia: 2 hrs (44.4 km)

    Get in scenic drives and photo ops on the way to the town of Amalfi. Check out the Amalfi Cathedral and grab a morning pastry and caffe sospeso at Pasticceria Savoia. Go to the postcard-perfect Salerno Harbour and have some tacos at Namaste Beach Club.

  • Day 7: Coastal Excursions
    Estimated time from Amalfi: 34 mins (23.9 km)

    Take to the sea with a private tour on the coast. Take a swim at Furore Fjord and explore the Emerald Grotto. Have a seafood lunch at Marina di Praia and sunbathe on their beach beds. At night, take in views of the sea and moonlit cliffs from the luxury of Hotel Luna Convento's terrace atop a 9th-century monastery.

  • Day 8: Foodie Finds on the Amalfi Coast
    Estimated time from Amalfi: 39 mins (21.5 km)

    Visit the terraced lemon groves of Amalfi to learn about the farming process of the fruit. Then, climb to the heights of Ravello for a fantastic view of the coast and lunch at Ristorante San Giovanni del Toro. Afterwards, enjoy an aperitivo of local fare at Ristorante L'Incanto, served on a terrace where one can feast their eyes on the glorious coast.

  • Day 9: Final Day Exploration
    Estimated time from Amalfi: 15 mins (4.8 km)

    Wrap up your trip in good taste with a visit to the botanical gardens, Villa Cimbrone, which will give you views of the entire coast. Enjoy an Aperitivo, snack and chat with the locals at Caffè Calce before one last dinner overlooking the coast at Ristorante Il Pirata.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Positano Photo Session (1 hour, Free)
  • Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta (1 hour, Free)
  • Next2 (1.5 hour, €35)
  • Franco's Bar (1.5 hour, €20)
  • Marina Grande (1.5 hour, Free)
  • Punta Campanella (1 hour, Free)
  • Villa Pollio (2 hours, €10)
  • Cooking Class (2.5 hours, €60)
  • Limoncello Factory (1 hour, €11)
  • Bar Giardiniello (1 hour, €5)
  • Il Giardino dei Limoni (1 hour, Free)
  • Blue Grotto of Capri and boat tour (2.5 hours, €28)
  • Il Riccio (2 hours, €60)
  • Hierbascentrum tour and tasting (1.5 hour, €25)
  • Ristorante Lo Scoglio di Frisio (2.5 hours, €50)
  • Pasticceria Savoia (1 hour, €5)
  • Namaste Beach Club (2 hours, €30)
  • Furore Fjord and Emerald Grotto tour (2.5 hours, €25)
  • Marina di Praia (2 hours, €40)
  • Hotel Luna Convento's terrace (1 hour, Free)
  • Lemon farm visit, (2.5 hours, €20)
  • Ristorante San Giovanni del Toro (2 hours, €45)
  • Ristorante L'Incanto (1.5 hour, €20)
  • Villa Cimbrone (2 hours, €10)
  • Caffè Calce (1 hour, €10)
  • Ristorante Il Pirata (2 hours, €50)

  • Total Estimated Costs: €565

Transportation

As the Amalfi Coast is quite hilly and transport can be tricky, we recommend hiring drivers or private vehicles for scenic drives and tours which can cost between €100-€250 a day. Ferry and boat options to explore the coast and the nearby islands are also available at rates ranging from €19-€30 per route. If you prefer to travel independently, you can rent a scooter or car which cost around €20-€50 a day.

Useful tips

For those with more time available, we recommend additional exploration of the lesser known towns along the coast such as Atrani, Maiori, Cetara and Vietri sul Mare. If you have less time, you may opt to skip some of the suggested sights and take a more direct route. Remember to plan ahead for booking restaurants and tours as they can fill up quickly during the high season from June to August.

Airports

The nearest airport, Naples International Airport (NAP) is located about 70 km from Amalfi Coast and it can take around 90 minutes by car to get to your accommodation. Alternatively, you can fly into Salerno Costa d'Amalfi Airport (QSR) which is closer to the coast but offers fewer flight options.

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