Amalfi Coast: the honeymoon that never really ends
Where to base yourself, when to go, and the one restaurant worth the switchbacks.
The Amalfi Coast has a habit of making even the most jaded traveller stop mid-sentence, usually somewhere around the first hairpin bend where the road drops away and the sea appears, impossibly blue, several hundred feet below. For honeymooners, it remains one of Europe's most reliably romantic destinations, and one that rewards a little planning around where exactly to stay.
Where to base yourselves
Positano gets the postcards, but it's also the most expensive and crowded base on the coast — worth two or three nights rather than the whole trip. For a quieter, still spectacular alternative, Praiano sits between Positano and Amalfi town, offering similar views at noticeably lower prices and a genuine local feel in the evenings.
Ravello, perched higher up the cliffside, suits couples who want gardens, quiet, and some of the best sunset views on the entire coast, while Amalfi town itself is the most practical base for day-tripping by ferry.
- Positano: glamorous, expensive, best for 2–3 nights
- Praiano: quieter, excellent value, good ferry and bus links
- Ravello: elevated, romantic, ideal for a couple of slower days
- Amalfi town: central and practical, good base for exploring by boat
When to go
Late May to mid-June, and again mid-September to early October, are the sweet spots — warm enough to swim, without the crushing August crowds and heat that push temperatures past 30°C and fill every restaurant terrace. July and August should be avoided entirely if peace and quiet matter to you.
A sample 8-night itinerary
- Nights 1–2: Naples, for pizza, the archaeological museum, and a day trip to Pompeii
- Nights 3–5: Praiano, with a boat day to Capri and an evening in Positano
- Nights 6–7: Ravello, for gardens, quiet dinners and the coast's best views
- Night 8: Amalfi town, ferry trips and a final dinner by the harbour
The restaurant worth the switchbacks
Above Positano, in the hills near Nocelle, sits a small family-run restaurant with a terrace looking straight down the coastline — reachable only by a genuinely hair-raising drive or a scenic hour-long walk from Positano itself. The lemon-drenched pasta alone justifies both the walk and the vertigo, and booking ahead is essential since tables are limited and the view sells out the seats fast.
Budgeting for 2026
Expect to spend £2,800–£4,200 per couple for an 8-night trip including mid-range hotels, ferries between towns, a Capri day trip, and dinners out most nights. Renting a car is not recommended — the coast road is narrow, congested in summer, and parking is genuinely difficult; ferries and the SITA bus network cover the coast well.
- Book accommodation at least 6 months ahead for a May or September wedding trip
- Ferries between towns are often faster and far less stressful than the coastal road
- Pack proper flat shoes; nearly every town involves steps, sometimes hundreds of them
The Amalfi Coast rarely disappoints, but it rewards couples who resist trying to see everything. Pick two or three bases, slow down, and let the coastline do the work it's always done for honeymooners.