If you are dreaming of enjoying a warm, sunny holiday soon, Italy’s stunning Amalfi Coast is the perfect destination. In her latest article, our founder Susie Marquis recommends her favourite restaurants, beach clubs and more, along with a selection of beautiful villas to rent.
Travelling to the Amalfi Coast in the Spring does have many advantages, with fewer crowds and a mild climate, and moreover, it is also an ideal time for outdoor activities, from energetic hiking to slower picturesque walks. From late March/early April, the Amalfi Coast and the island of Capri are officially open for the season, with ferries operating by late March. Restaurants and shops, which close during the winter, will generally be open by Easter in early April.With a fascinating history, Positano was originally a quiet fishing village, until it became popular with writers, musicians and artists in the 1950s for its stunning beauty and wonderful views – including Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
Positano is a pedestrian town with many stairs, and cars are left in a central car park. For exploring other beautiful towns and villages, you can also take buses, taxis, a rental car, or join a tour to visit other beautiful destinations along the coast, including Praiano, Amalfi, Ravello, Pompeii and Sorrento. There are also water taxis used for transport to nearby villages, beaches and islands.As well as beautiful Positano, we offer many more luxury villas in (and between) the charming towns and villages, including Praiano, and further south on the coast in Ravello and Amalfi. The seaside resort of Praiano, situated between Positano and Amalfi, has retained its atmosphere as a quiet fishing town throughout the centuries, and also has a small beach called Marina da Praia.
We also have villas to rent near the pretty town of Furore and further south on the coast in Ravello – and also on the beautiful islands of Capri and Ischia. Ravello is a popular destination with its reputation as the City of Music, and offers a vibrant cultural scene, including the annual Ravello Festival.
To the north of Positano is Sorrento, which sits on a cliff overlooking the sea, around 50kms south of Naples. The coast here is also known for hiking, including the spectacular Sentiero degli Dei (‘Path of the Gods’), starting from Agerola and following a route high above the coast to Positano. Visitors will benefit from sensational views of the sea, including public gardens, with a lift down to the seaside. Mt. Vesuvius can also be seen in the distance.
A personal selection of our best tried and tested recommended restaurants on the Amalfi Coast:Hostaria di Bacco, FuroreA historic friendly restaurant in Furore, with terraces benefitting from beautiful views of the sea, and offering regional cuisine on the menu.
Da Paolino, CapriA historic restaurant offering wonderful island cuisine to both locals and holidaymakers, and famous for its excellent food and wine served beneath Capri’s lemon trees.
Il Riccio, Capri A seaside restaurant at Anacapri, offering Mediterranean cuisine with a focus on delicious, regional fish and seafood dishes.Conca del Sogno, Massa LubrenseIn a stunning location overlooking the sea, this popular seafood restaurant is the perfect location for lunch by day, and/or a drink at sunset.
Lo Scoglio, Marina del CantoneLocated in the seaside village of Marina del Cantone on the Amalfi Coast, the restaurant is known for its world-famous zucchini pasta.Cumpa Cosimo, RavelloClassic historic Italian cuisine and a relaxed atmosphere is enjoyed here by celebrities as well as locals and travellers, both indoors or on the terrace.
Da Adolfo, PositanoOne of the best restaurants in Positano with a classic menu, but book in advance as it can be hard to get a table.Il Pirata, PraianoA unique and much loved restaurant offering delicious food, with a fascinating history and built into the rocks by the sea. There is also a Beach Club.
More Recommended Amalfi Coast Beach Clubs and Restaurants:One Fire Beach and Kasai, Praiano A relatively new restaurant at One Fire Beach at Praiano. The beach club is open from May through October and offers delicious fresh food and drink.La Fontelina, CapriA popular restaurant, La Fontelina is on a beach which is perfect for both relaxing on a sun lounger and swimming in the sea.  
Arienzo Beach Club, Positano Arienzo Beach Club is located on a beach away from the crowd, with a terrace restaurant offering traditional cuisine upstairs. A complimentary shuttle boat service is available every day from/to Positano main pier.La Scogliera, PositanoThis beach resort sits in a unique place overlooking Li Galli Islands. It is perfect for relaxing by day on the beach, and a romantic lounge bar for a relaxing evening with a cocktail.
A selection of Recommended Villas to Rent on the Amalfi Coast:Villa Vite, 3 bedrooms, 6 guestsA beautiful old country house located in Maiori, this luxury villa is surrounded by landscaped gardens growing lemons, vegetables and herbs, with incredible sea views from the terrace.
Villa Viola, 4 bedrooms, 8 guestsFound in a lemon orchard between Salerno and Amalfi, this stunning manor house has floor-to-ceiling windows and a large terrace, all with panoramic views of the sea.
Villa Parisi, 6 bedrooms, 12 guestsInspired by the typical houses of the Amalfi Coast, this luxurious villa has stunning views of the Sorrento coastline and Naples, stretching across to Vesuvius.
Villa Praiano Beach, 5 bedrooms, 10 guestsSnuggled against the cliffside, directly above the main beach at Praiano, this villa has breathtaking sea views from its terraces and also benefits from direct access to the beach.
Villa Furore, 5 bedrooms, 12 guestsA short walk from the centre of Furore town, this villa dates back to the 16th century and includes the original fortifications and a small lookout tower which protected the property from invaders.
Villa Tuoro, 4 bedrooms, 8 guestsSituated in a peaceful location on the beautiful island of Capri, this stunning luxury villa to rent is surrounded by Mediterranean plants and lemon trees. Set in a unique position, the villa offers privacy and beautiful views to the sea and the Capri sunsets.
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