During our week-long stay in the Amalfi coast, we rented a small apartment through a family friend but there are plenty of options for visitors. Whether you prefer to opt for an AirbNb – saving a bit by cooking some meals at home – or choose the convenience of a hotel, I recommend a rental car for access to all the picturesque towns dotting the coastline. Each day of our stay we explored a different one and they were all uniquely beautiful. Ravello, Artrani, Amalfi, Positano. It is worth noting that driving in this area of Italy is not for the faint of heart. The narrow road sits on the edge of a cliff and winds tightly around the coastline. While it does make for some truly stunning photos, it can be quite scary so I suggest choosing a smaller car, which will make sharing the road easier.

Le Sirenuse is one of the oldest and most beautiful hotels in Positano and after seeing it in the 90s film “Only You” starring Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr., I knew I had to see it. I managed to get a table for lunch on their terrace and WOW. The bill was pretty $$ but it was completely worth it. The food was incredible and the view was even better. Treat yourself because this is truly an Amalfi Coast institution.

Chez Black was also on my list of restaurants to try in Positano, but we never made it there. A couple of years later, I noticed it is also mentioned in the book “One Italian Summer” (a great read!) as a great place to eat, which makes me even more eager to try it next time we visit.

We had our final dinner at Hotel Onda Verde in Praiano. Our table was right on the edge of the cliff overlooking the sea, it was a beautiful end to a memorable trip and the food was very good.

Another great Praiano restaurant is Il Pirata . We loved both the food and the vibe so much that we ate there twice during our short stay on the coast. Think lively music, a romantic setting and waves crashing nearby. Truly perfect.

There’s no shortage of beauty in this corner of Italy and each day can be devoted to exploring a different town, each uniquely special.

Ravello – After a quiet breakfast in the main square, we explored the different shops and had fun peeking into the many private gardens. A favorite was Villa Cimbrone, a private hotel with public access to its stunning gardens and terrace overlooking the sea.

Positano – the most popular of the coast for good reason. With its narrow crowded streets, tiny shops and stunning beach, this town truly feels like being inside a postcard.

Atrani – a town so small you may miss it if you don’t pay attention, but highly worth a stop if only for the climb to a beautiful view of the sea.

Amalfi – memorable for its black and white duomo, we loved getting lost wandering the town’s intricate streets.