Amalfi Coast Cicerone

Where to Stay, Eat, and Experience the best of Italy’s most iconic seaside

With its cliff-hugging villages, fragrant lemon groves, and aquamarine waters, this UNESCO-listed stretch of coastline has been luring travelers, artists, and dreamers for centuries.

But the magic of Amalfi isn’t just in its scenery. It’s in the long lunches that stretch into sunset, the hand-painted tiles, the sound of church bells, narrow winding roads hugging cliffs, boats in turquoise water.

Whether you’re planning your first visit or looking for new ways to rediscover this timeless region, here’s everything you need to know about where to stay, eat, and explore along the Amalfi Coast.

Palazzo Avino

Ravello

Overlooking the coastline from its perch in Ravello, Palazzo Avino—fondly known as the “Pink Palace”—is a 12th-century villa turned luxury hotel. With dramatic sea views, a peaceful rooftop terrace, and interiors that blend historic charm with elegant design, it strikes a perfect balance between romance and refinement. Don’t miss a dinner at Rossellinis, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, where Amalfi’s finest ingredients are transformed into edible art.

Treville

Positano

For a stay that feels more like a cinematic escape, Treville is the ultimate retreat. Once the private home of Italian director Franco Zeffirelli, this boutique hotel is a cluster of villas set within lush gardens and winding stone paths. Each suite is individually designed with eclectic flair, and nearly every corner offers views that feel too perfect to be real. It’s Positano at its most intimate and exclusive.

 

Hotel Santa Caterina

Amalfi

If you’re looking for timeless elegance, coastal views, and a touch of heritage, Hotel Santa Caterina delivers it all—and then some. Family-owned since 1904, the hotel is carved into the cliffs just outside Amalfi. Guests can descend to the sea via a vintage elevator, unwind at the private beach club, or stroll through lemon-scented gardens. It’s warm, polished, and the kind of place that inspires guests to come back, year after year.

Rossellinis

Ravello

If you’re looking for fine dining with a view that actually makes you pause, Rossellinis is your spot. Located at Palazzo Avino, this Michelin-starred restaurant is all about elevated Mediterranean cuisine served with quiet sophistication. The dishes are artful and seasonal—Amalfi lemons, fresh seafood, and just-picked herbs—served on a terrace that overlooks the sea.

 

Cumpa Cosimo

Ravello

Walk into Cumpa Cosimo, and you’ll feel like you’ve just been adopted by a very passionate Italian grandmother. Netta Bottone has been feeding locals and lucky visitors for decades, and her cozy trattoria has no menu—she simply tells you what’s cooking that day. Don’t overthink it, just say yes. The pasta is generous, the vibe is old-school, and the hospitality is unmatched.

 

Da Lorenzo

Scala

Just above Ravello, in the quieter hillside village of Scala, you’ll find Da Lorenzo—a low-key restaurant with a million-dollar view. It’s refreshingly simple: grilled seafood, a carafe of house wine, and sweeping views across the valleys. There’s nothing flashy here, just honest food, friendly service, and the kind of peaceful atmosphere that makes lunch last a little longer than planned.

 

Maestro’s

Positano

Located at Treville Positano, Maestro’s is what happens when you combine cinematic cliffside views, a lush private garden, and seasonal Mediterranean cooking. There are only a handful of tables—and the ingredients often come straight from the property’s garden. It’s intimate, romantic, and very Positano (in the best way).

 

Glicine

Amalfi

Dining at Glicine, located in Hotel Santa Caterina, feels a bit like slipping into a quieter, more elegant time. The menu has classic Italian flavors with a modern edge—think handmade pastas with delicate sauces, seafood that lets the freshness speak for itself, and thoughtful wine pairings from the hotel’s cellar. It’s elevated without trying too hard.

 

Pasticceria Pansa

Amalfi

Sometimes, the best part of your day is the simplest: a perfect sfogliatella and a strong espresso. Since 1830, Pasticceria Pansa has been serving both to locals and visitors right by Amalfi’s cathedral. The pastry is flaky, filled with citrus-scented ricotta, and best enjoyed while sitting outside, watching the world (and a few very fashionable Italians) pass by.

Villa Rufolo

Set in a peaceful garden with dramatic sea views, Villa Rufolo is part history, part dreamscape. The mix of Moorish architecture and Mediterranean landscaping inspired Wagner—and once you walk through the grounds, you’ll understand why. If you’re here in the summer, the Ravello Festival brings classical music performances to the villa’s terraces at sunset. It’s pure magic.

 

Villa Cimbrone 

A short walk from the center of Ravello, Villa Cimbrone is home to one of the most iconic views in all of Italy: the Terrace of Infinity. Stone busts line the edge of a dramatic cliff, with the endless blue of the Tyrrhenian Sea stretching out below. It’s one of those places that looks surreal in photos—and even better in person.

 

Duomo di Amalfi

Right in the heart of the town, Amalfi’s cathedral is impossible to miss—and well worth climbing those steps for. Its mix of Romanesque, Moorish, and Baroque elements creates a layered, fascinating facade, while inside you’ll find peaceful cloisters and intricate mosaics. It’s a beautiful reminder of Amalfi’s rich history as a maritime powerhouse.

 

Path of the Gods

This hike lives up to its name. The Path of the Gods stretches for about 7 kilometers from Agerola to Positano, winding high above the coastline with views that seem too perfect to be real. It’s not a difficult hike, but you’ll want good shoes and plenty of water. Every turn brings another photo-worthy panorama—and a deep appreciation for how wild and beautiful this part of Italy really is.

 

Path of the Lemons

If you’re looking for something less strenuous (and more citrus-scented), the Path of the Lemons is a gentle walk between Amalfi and Minori. It weaves through terraced lemon groves, small alleyways, and quiet neighborhoods. The pace is slow, the smells are divine, and the reward—gelato in Minori or a cold limoncello—is well worth the walk.