AVOID MAKING THESE 9 MISTAKES ON THE AMALFI COAST IN THE SUMMER

If you’re thinking of renting a car for your trip to the Amalfi Coast… you might want to reconsider! State Route 163, the road connecting all the coastal villages, is not only full of hairpin turns and sometimes very narrow, but in the summer—since it’s the only passable route—it often becomes incredibly congested, to the point that very strict traffic regulations are enforced. So, although having your own vehicle is usually an advantage, here it might be the opposite: no one likes getting stuck in traffic on vacation! Instead, I recommend using the ferries (I’ve explained all the benefits of traveling by sea along the coast here!) or water taxis to get between the main villages: not only will you save time, but you’ll also get to admire them from a unique perspective!

One thing to keep in mind when planning a trip to the Amalfi Coast is that accommodations fill up very quickly during the summer. So, don’t leave anything to chance! Book your hotel room or apartment a few months in advance, and if you want to have lunch or dinner at a highly rated restaurant, make reservations for that as well.

With temperatures constantly rising, it’s not advisable to spend too much time outdoors during the middle of the day—that is, from noon to 4 p.m. Temperatures often reach highs of 40 degrees, and walking in the sun during the hottest hours can be exhausting and sometimes dangerous for children and the elderly, especially along the many stairways or steep streets in town centers. My advice? Try to schedule your cultural visits or trips to the villages for the morning or late afternoon, and spend the midday hours at the beach or in the cool of a restaurant. Also, always bring along cold water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat—you’ll see, you won’t be able to do without them!

A mistake that women in particular tend to make is underestimating the uneven narrow streets and stairways of coastal villages and, as a result, wearing shoes that aren’t suitable for the terrain. So, leave your heels at home and save your flip-flops for the beach! The cobblestone alleys and scenic trails call for much more comfortable and stable shoes, so pack a pair of lightweight sneakers for longer walks and comfortable sandals for your days on the Amalfi Coast.

If you plan to spend your vacation on the coastal beaches, you should definitely keep this in mind: some are really small, while others aren’t easily accessible because they may require long walks downhill or may even be reachable only by sea. Before you start your trip, find out about the beaches’ accessibility and the services available—you’re sure to find the one that best suits your needs!

A very common mistake—made especially by tourists coming from far away—is trying to visit the Amalfi Coast in just one day or even in a few hours. This happens for several reasons: often, people set out without doing any research beforehand, or they listen to so-called “travel influencers” and their social media posts, which are expertly crafted to attract as many clicks as possible. In reality, this is nothing more than misinformation, which makes it seem as though the Coast consists solely of Positano and can even be easily reached in a day from cities like Rome. Well, that’s not the case at all! The Amalfi Coast stretches for about 50 km and includes as many as 15 different municipalities: reducing it to just Positano and Amalfi is a real sacrilege! So, do your research well before you leave: find out about the distances and the best ways to get around. You’ll discover that you absolutely cannot reduce your trip to a quick stopover!

If you decide to use public transportation to travel from one village to another, you’ll almost certainly end up taking the ferries. Travelmar operates numerous trips throughout the day. If you want to avoid long waits in the sun, however, I recommend checking the ferry schedules: they may sometimes change depending on sea and weather conditions. Click here to visit their website.

As I mentioned above, the Amalfi Coast is a popular destination in the summer… and, as a result, quite expensive. In high season, in fact, the costs of hotels, restaurants, parking, and activities can be significantly higher than at other times of the year. Planning your expenses in advance can be a smart move: compare prices and look into any travel packages or deals, making sure to book the most popular activities in advance (such as private boat tours or restaurants with a view). You’ll see—you’ll definitely be glad you avoided some extra expenses!

In conclusion, visiting the Amalfi Coast in the summer is certainly an extraordinary experience, but it does require a little planning. Planning ahead will allow you to spend less time waiting in line, reduce stress, and devote more time to exploring its scenic beauty, local cuisine, and villages that are truly one-of-a-kind.