Right as Rain in Italy’s Amalfi Coast

I’ve taken enough of a break from detailing last spring break’s Italy trip, so let’s get back to it! When I left off, my mom and I had traveled through Rome, Naples, and Pompeii, arriving in Sorrento, a charming coastal town on the edge of the Amalfi Coast. Getting into the city by night, we settled into our hotel, strolled around for a bit, and had yet more exquisite Italian food and gelato, prepared to begin exploring the Amalfi Coast the following day.

Sorrento by night

Having fallen madly in love with Cinque Terre years before, I expected the Amalfi Coast to be a southern Italian version of that. Beginning with a bus ride to the town of Amalfi, we were met with dreary weather and an excess of tourists, but we made the most of the day anyway.

While Amalfi itself was packed with tourists, my mom and I found ourselves wandering away from the main square, up steps leading through steep hillside houses, and eventually landing in a tiny town called Atrani with a population of 913 an area of just 0.08 square miles/0.2 square kilometers. The seafront village, with its whitewashed stucco buildings, moss-covered steps, steep rocky backdrop, and complete lack of automobile access, was exactly the reason I had adored Italy when I visited Cinque Terre years before.

Amalfi’s main plaza

Overlooking Atrani

Steps of Atrani

Atrani’s plaza

Returning to the touristy hustle and bustle of Amalfi, we escaped from the rain for a bit for lunch, and we then boarded a bus for Ravello, perched high above Amalfi and overlooking the sea. The rain prevented us from fully enjoying our exploration of the town, staying dry inside local artisan shops and any temporary shelters we could fine, but at least we were treated to some magnificent views.

The view from Ravello

Our next stop was Positano, eastward on the coast, where houses, shops, and cafés are stacked from the sea to the peak of its hill. There, we watched the day turn to dusk as tiny lights flickered on one by one on the hillside. We said farewell and headed back to Sorrento for a dinner in a beautiful garden restaurant before setting off to explore Capri the next day.

Exploring Positano

Good night, Positano

I have no doubt that the Amalfi Coast was intended to be seen on a sunny day with blue skies as far as the eye can see, but the weather simply can’t be controlled when traveling, so we did what we could with what we had. Sure, I would love to revisit the region with more picturesque weather, but, nonetheless, the Amalfi Coast was a sight for sore eyes that certainly lives up to its hype.

See you in Capri!