We were so focused on our recent site redesign and launch that we never got around to posting the final stop on our European vacation last fall, so today I’m sharing our trip to the Amalfi Coast!
When planning our honeymoon, I remember debating between Cinque Terre and the Amalfi Coast….both beautiful, but quite different too. We opted to make Cinque Terre the first stop for our honeymoon, so this time we wanted to check out Amalfi since we’ve heard such great things!
Well, the first big difference between these destinations is that getting to Cinque Terre is simple, you just hop a train from almost anywhere in Italy or the South of France and you’re there. However, to reach the Amalfi Coast, you’ll need to take a bus, hire a car or drive yourself. We took a bus and let me tell you that 2 hour ride was a bit CRAZY! I don’t reccommend driving yourself, the roads are curvy, frequently just one lane and very close to the edge.  If you’re afraid of heights (like me) – the journey can be a bit tense! But….once you get there, it is completely worth it. The Amalfi Coast has some of the most amazing views.
We spent our first two nights in the town of Ravello – high in the hills in Amalfi – and then spent our last 2 nights in Sorrento – a coastal town on the other side of Amalfi.
Where to sleep: Thanks again to Katie at Ever After Honeymoons for the help with our lodging! We spent our first two nights at the Hotel Caruso in Ravello. Staying here was our one splurge for the trip (SO worth it in my opinion), besides….how often do we get to Ravello. The views + the pool. You just can’t beat them. This is the most amazing hotel at which Jason + I have ever stayed. Seriously, just look at these photos! And it is even more amazing in person. Offering you 360 degree views of the town below, hillsides dotted with lemon trees and the gorgeous coastline, in our opinion this is the best location in Ravello.
We spent a lot of time walking around Europe, but once we arrived at Hotel Caruso, we spent most of our time on property by the pool (and we got lucky since the rest of our trip to Sorrento was cold + rainy). In addition to the incredible views, we were hosted by an incredibly friendly and attentive staff. The team at Hotel Caruso really takes the time to get to know their guests and make sure that each visitor enjoys their stay.
While enjoying the incredible pool, we decided to give the pizza a try for lunch….delicious!  Our dinner at their restaurant later that evening was just as good. The restaurant offers the same views as the pool!! Stunning…
Fave Memory – As you may have guessed, the views from our hotel, the Hotel Caruso, in Ravello! I know we’ll never forget the views or the pool. In fact, wishing we were there right now! :)
Foodie Pick: There are two big ones for me. First, the Castelvetrano olives here are AMAZING! My faves were the olives from the bar at the Hotel Caruso in Ravello. I actually could have made a meal out of them. :) Secondly, if you visit Sorrento, our fave restaurant there (we ate there both nights it was so good!) was Inn Bufalito. It has the most delicious mozzarella and great daily pasta specials.  On our second night Jason had one of his favorite dishes ever – pasta with fresh grated truffles – yes, he still talks about that dish!! The atmosphere is great, friendly servers and the food – we still dream about it and wish they’d open a location in Los Angeles. :)
There was actually lots of great food options in this area. We also checked out Cumpa’ Cosimoin Ravello (thanks to Alison Events for the tip on this one!). This place is an experience! If you go, you’ll meet Mama who runs the place and everyone there is having such a fun time! This is just a short walk from the Hotel Caruso.
If you get a chance, stop by a limoncello factory! Our awesome cab driver actually stopped by one owned by a friend of his family on the way up to Ravello. The owner spoke no English and we don’t speak Italian, but we got along just great as he had us sample his freshly made limoncello and taste the grapes about to be made into wine (yep, it was a winery too). Once you arrive in the Amalfi Coast, you’ll quickly learn that you need to try the limoncello, it’s what they’re known for. Super fun.
We would’ve loved to take a boat ride to Capri, but the weather for us in Sorrento wasn’t the best. We can’t really complain though, since we had great weather almost everywhere else. But our last day in Sorrento it poured, so we drank wine and ate pizza. :)
Oh, and if you are debating between Cinque Terre and Amalfi, here are my thoughts. If you love small towns (think bed and breakfasts) with a strong sense of Italian history and hiking, I recommend Cinque Terre. If you perfer a more glamourous hotel where you can really relax and just enjoy being in Italy, Amalfi is for you.
We don’t have our next trip planned yet, but if you have any recommendations or requests for us to visit and review great destinations or hotels, let us know if the comments below.
We stayed in Positano. It was a highlight of our Italy trip. We stayed at a somewhat luxurious hotel (with those views, everywhere is luxurious to me!) and ate dinner at a fish restaurant down on the beach (wish I could remember the name). I love Cinque Terra too but the Amalfi Coast is too incredible to miss I think…
I would recommend Argentina. It is such a beautiful and diverse place to visit! On the south there is a glacier, on the north the Iguazu Falls, and in Buenos Aires, everything you would love to eat and explore in an European country but half the cost. Great food doesn’t hurt either. I would live there
Oh wow. wow. wow.
The Amalfi coast is gorgeous! Definitely a great place place to honeymoon.. or adventure around at!
I spent 10 weeks in Italy two summers ago in college, and I spent a weekend in both Cinque Terre and Amalfi. Both were gorgeous, but I loved Cinque the most! It was so perfectly ITALIAN and it was so beautiful hiking from town to town, then relaxing at the end on the beach :) I couldn’t even IMAGINE what a dream it would be to honeymoon there. I love your pictures!
I have a friend that is currently on her honeymoon at the Amalfi Coast. I’m so jealous. I’ve been wanting to go for so long. I think it needs to be on my list of places to visit next! Thanks for sharing.
What an amazing post. I’m going to Italy next fall and you just inspired me! Do you have the same kind of post for your trip to Cinqua Terra? We’re doing both and considering your amazing post, I’d love to see your suggestions!
Jen! I LOVE this post! I’ve been dreaming of Italy for quite some time and Amalfi Coast seems like the place for us! I love that Jason’s favorite dish ever was pasta with truffles because my husband has the same story but only we were in LA! I believe it was at Cecconi’s in West Hollywood. Have you ever been there? I doubt it can compare to your dish in Italy, but I have to say it was heavenly! Thanks for the great post!
I spent a semester abroad in Italy and had the opportunity to spend time in all different sections of my favorite country. So sad that it rained in Sorrento when you were there, you should definitely try to take a trip back some day. I would recommend Sicily on your next visit, Taormina and Agrigento were the most spectacular places to just relax and enjoy the beauty of Italy. I would also spend a lot of time in Florence, I am a bit biased since I lived there but I think its the most wonderful place to be (just no ocean view!) I plan on having my honeymoon in Agrigento some day because the beach was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen! So glad you got to enjoy Italy!
I’m not sure if I missed it but did mention where you stayed in Sorrento?
Hi Tenille, Unfortunately, I can’t recommend where we stayed but I’ve heard great things about the La Minervetta Hotel in Sorrento! http://www.laminervetta.com/ – hope that helps!
Sooo….I guess I’ll be going to the Amalfi Coast the next time I’m in Europe. It’s gorgeous there.
Gorgeous hotel, but at 900 euros a night – definitely a splurge!
I went on a trip with several classmate for a spring break during high school. We stopped in Sorrento for one day/night and it was my absolute favorite. The view is unforgettable, the water, the city itself, the lemon trees everywhere! I would LOVE to go back someday for a longer trip and explore more. I wish I could remember the hotel we stayed in but it was somewhat a classic elegant type of place and the view from my room was facing up the hill where there were tons of olive trees!
It’s a bummer it rained while you were there, but Ravello sounds and looks better if that’s possible!! Thanks for sharing!!
The Amalfi Coast is amazing. Talk about stunning!
You make the right decision. Cinque Terre is sweet, but the ‘Divina Costiera’, as they call it, is simply great! And what to say about Ravello? A classic seaport for elite tourism, with a direct view over Maiori and Minori, is a precious pearl carved in the rock. I’m working on an article about it and let me tell you were so lucky with your honeymoon. I’m a bit jealous right now! :)
I’ve been plotting our honeymoon to Italy, and this made me even MORE excited. I’m going to have to stay there for at least a night.
What time of year were you there?
We were there in early October. :)
Jessica – I hope I’m not too late and you haven’t taken your honeymoon yet but I just discovered this post. You HAVE to go to the Amalfi Coast for at least a few days. It’s such a magical place and soo so so relaxing. I went through last year and am saving for a return trip. Positano is a must and day trips around the coast are warranted. Happy planning!
I also had my honeymoon on the Amalfi Cost in late July of 2012! We spent 5 days in Sorrento and toured the coast & then a few days in Florence.
One of our favorite things was laying out on the bathing platforms in Sorrento all the way down by the water. It was great swimming but looking up at the town above you and all the rocky exterior was truly amazing. Such a great honeymoon destination!
I am in the midst of planning my honeymoon and the Amalfi Coast is on the list! Your pictures look beautiful!
I am just wondering how you (and others who have posted) went about travelling to Sorrento and Ravello. I am reading a lot about this on travel forums but it sounds very confusing and that is the last thing I want on my honeymoon! We will be coming from Rome and returning to Rome afterwards. Is it better to do Sorrento first and then Amalfi/Ravello? The latter sound (and look) more relaxing so I was hoping to save them for the end of the trip.
Europe really has a lots of great places for honeymoon. Italy and Greece are something that you should see at least once in life
I think one of the more romantic cities to visit is Italy. I personally went there on my honeymoon and my husband and I loved the food and the people there! I would strongly suggest Rome and Florence. Although it can get very touristy, especially in the summer, they are very beautiful places with so much history and culture. To break free from the tourist crowd, I would suggest you to try some home-dining options. We went to dine with one of the local hosts on onAppetour, and were treated to a fancy meal at their homes on the rooftop! It is very simple to book a dinner with the
hosts on their website too! Other than that, I would also suggest you to try aking one of those Vespa tours, especially in the Florence country-side. Riding on the vespa with your partner across the green landscape is actually very thrilling and romantic! Hope this helped!
Hello! I was interested in getting in contact with who wrote this post! I know it’s 2017 now but this was a top article for Honeymoon on Amalfi coast and I fell in love when I read article. Would love to know details of actual budget flight and accommodations. Thanks!