The Ultimate Amalfi Coast Itinerary: Top Villas, Boat Tours & Michelin Dining
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Just a few hours south of Rome, Italy's Amalfi Coast unfolds into a breathtaking landscape of rugged cliffs overlooking cerulean waters. Lush with lemon groves and olive trees, it's an Italian paradise that attracts crowds in droves. According to recent data from Oliver's Travels, Campania—which includes Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast—ranks as the second most searched region in Italy. For high-demand destinations, it is essential for travelers to make reservations early and plan well in advance for the experiences they want to have. Use this guide to help you plan your visit to the Amalfi Coast right and enjoy a relaxing, peaceful escape to one of Italy's most beautiful destinations.
Begin by booking a villa rental with the UK-based Oliver's Travels (awarded Best Villa Company in the World by Condé Nast Traveller readers). For the past 20 years, they have curated an intriguing portfolio of handpicked villas and châteaux. One thing your rental will not be is ordinary. Indeed, our Villa Minette in Sant'Agata was the oldest villa in the town (dating back 600 years)—the two-foot-thick walls and tiled floors were testament to its remarkable heritage. The team at Oliver's offers concierge services to manage every aspect of your trip, from arranging private chefs and transfers to organizing activities and babysitting. More importantly, they were in constant contact about the villa, ensuring check-in formalities went smoothly. Our on-site contact was indispensable for planning, dinner reservations, and car transfers. We arrived to a stocked refrigerator as well—a thoughtful touch after a long day of traveling.
The best way to familiarize yourself with the region and its stunning scope is by boat—touring by car promises lots of time on winding roads sitting in traffic. For your first day, work with the villa concierge to arrange a private guided boat tour—they'll handle the transfer to and from the marina as well. Touring by boat allows you to explore seaside towns such as Positano, Praiano, and Amalfi, with time at the end for a swim.
Another must-see experience is a visit to Pompeii, just a short one-hour drive from Sorrento or Sant'Agata. Given the staggering size of this archaeological site, it's essential to book a guide to make ideal use of your time. We worked with Access Italy, a company with 40 years of experience arranging tours across Italy. Owned by Italians, the team is based in Rome and has spent decades cultivating a portfolio of seasoned local guides. For Pompeii, our driver was a 25-year veteran of the company, and our guide was in her 30th year in the business. Seeing the crowds at Pompeii, she wisely reversed our tour route and started us at the end so we could enjoy the museum in peace. She then guided us through the expansive site, targeting the highlights with depth and optimal timing to best avoid the masses—of course, she knew everyone who worked there, which helped move things along. Even her advice on the best times for snacks and bathroom breaks made the entire visit a smart, seamless way to explore one of the most popular tourist sites in Italy.
Demonstration kitchen for cooking classes at Don Alfonso 1890
Don Alfonso 1890
A cooking class is an excellent way to understand the local cuisine, as is dining in one of the region's legendary restaurants—and you can do both at Don Alfonso 1890, a Michelin-starred restaurant and hotel in Sant'Agata. I suggest breaking the experience up and booking the cooking class for lunch one day and dinner the following day, as both will leave you quite satisfied. Cooking classes are held in a charming, fully equipped private kitchen overlooking a lush courtyard. Here, a team of chefs will guide you through three dishes, putting you to work cleaning crawfish, cutting pasta dough, and slicing citrus and eggplant, all while demonstrating how each recipe can best be adjusted for home cooking. The experience comes loaded with time-honored clever techniques, and you'll leave with several new recipes—but the highlight of the experience is taking a seat at the beautifully laid table and dining on your creations. Wines are paired with each course, and you'll get a chance to peek into their stunning main kitchen to see how a Michelin-starred restaurant operates. The four-hour experience will leave you in need of a nap and a light dinner, which is why I suggest booking your dining experience for the following day.
Michelin starred dishes at Don Alfonso
Don Alfonso 1890
Don Alfonso 1890 is both sophisticated and inviting; a true family-run establishment that takes guests on a historic tour of the centuries-old culinary heritage and traditions of the Amalfi Coast. Dishes are inspired by the organic produce of the family farm, Le Peracciole situated on 17 acres across the tip of the Sorrento Peninsula. The farm yields everything from olive oil and fresh vegetables to lemons for their famous limoncello. The multi-course menu features the local best—consider the smoked yellowtail served with wild fennel seeds and fried garlic mayonnaise, a fresh and brightly flavored taste of the sea. Similarly, the lobster and mozzarella skewer over pineapple ravioli with vanilla beetroot heart and spumante jelly is exquisite. Classic offerings such as beef ravioli with a Genovese ragout drizzled with a parmesan and black truffle foam are impeccably prepared as well. Regardless of what you order, plan for an evening of dazzling bites and true Italian hospitality.
Al fresco dining at Bellevue Syrene
Bellevue Syrene
Pair your dinner with unparalleled views at Bellevue Syrene, located in the heart of Sorrento. Here, the spectacular fuchsia-blue hued sunset is as delicious and fabulous as the cuisine. The al fresco dining room faces the sea, so everyone has a prime view, and live soft piano music accompanies the ambiance. Views of Mount Vesuvius just add to the spectacle. When you can tear your eyes away from the horizon, consider savoring a dish of succulent tomatoes and burrata, or sea bream in a silky potato cream. Their Sorrento lobster with a savory shallot dressing is equally delicious. The cocktails and mocktails are certainly worthy, but the wine list is more tempting, with several older vintages offered from Italy's top wine regions.
A few other things to consider: Skip a rental car and book all transfers to and from the region prior to arriving. You'll spend your time enjoying the scenery rather than white-knuckling it through the many hairpin turns. Everything is in demand so book in advance as much as possible to avoid disappointment.
Sunset at Bellevue Syrene
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