Where the Locals Go: Amalfi Coast
Picture your perfect summer, and the Amalfi Coast probably comes to mind. The cliffside pockets of colorful buildings, the winding streets, the pervasive scent of citrus—this stretch of coastline along the Sorrento Peninsula is what storybook Italy looks, feels, and smells like.
It’s popular for a reason, but when done the right way—the local way—you’ll discover layers of this summer destination that most visitors never experience. We connected with our community of expert advisors and trusted Italian locals for their insider recommendations. Valentina DeSantis, owner of Lake Como’s Passalacqua and Grand Hotel Tremezzo, along with the sister duo Atillia and Mariella Avino, who helm Palazzo Avino in Ravello, share how to unlock the real Amalfi Coast.
What to do
The better question is what not to do. First rule: Reserve enough time to explore all the villages—Ravello, Sorrento, Positano, Praiano, Amalfi, and beyond.
“They are all unique and deserve enough time to enjoy properly,” Mariella said.
Attilia agreed. Don’t pack your itinerary. Wake up (and enjoy the sunrise if you’re up early enough), savor breakfast with a view, and wander around the cobblestone streets. Have lunch in a vineyard; then, retreat to your hotel pool to lounge the afternoon away. End the day with a candlelit dinner al fresco.
When you’re not eating or relaxing, take a boat and explore the coast, Valentina said. Also don’t miss La Cascinetta, Scuola di Gioia, Palazzo Avino’s brand-new cooking school, where you’ll learn how to prepare Italian favorites in an ancient vineyard.
And whatever you do, don’t drive. Either hire a driver, take a ferry, or enlist a private boat to get around.
Where to eat and drink on the Amalfi Coast
Days here were practically made for eating and drinking. Here’s where to go.
Lo Scoglio: Valentina’s favorite. The restaurant has been around since the ‘50s, and still serves sophisticated local dishes by the sea.
Da Lorenzo: Mariella called this gem a “one-of-a-kind family restaurant.” Get the local antipasti and fish. It’s the only place she’ll eat at that’s not one of Palazzo Avino’s (excellent) restaurants.
Terrazza Maraviglia: A no-brainer at Palazzo Avino, perfect for locally sourced small bites and fresh pasta.
Palazzo Avino Lobster & Martini Bar: Lobster and Prosecco? Martinis made from seasonal ingredients? Say less.
Rossellinis: Where Michelin-Starred elegance awaits. You’ll love the beautifully simple, elevated, and traditional take on Italian coastal cuisine.
Villa Maria: This cliffside Ravello gem is perfect for lunch during a day trip.
Zass: "With a Michelin Star, this is one of the most exceptional restaurants in the area and a true favorite of mine,” Ben said. “Arrive early for an aperitivo on the terrace with views of Positano.”
L’Antica Trattoria: Classic Sorrentine dining in a beautiful garden.
By the beach: Not a restaurant, but rather a mindset. Valentina’s favorite place for a spritz is by the beach in Positano. Sometimes simple spontaneity reigns.
Where to shop
Mariella, Attilia, and Valentina are all fashion icons, so we of course had to ask them about their favorite boutiques in the region.
The Pink Closet: Palazzo Avino’s meticulously curated on-site boutique filled with clothes, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and home goods crafted from local female artisans.
Camo Coral Museum: Ravello’s Coral Museum is certainly worth visiting, as is its attached boutique, which sells beautiful vintage jewelry made from, of course, coral.
Emporio Sirenuse: Le Sirenuse’s lifestyle brand embodies the Amalfi Coast’s effortless breezy vibe. Expect the softest fabrics, vibrant ceramics, and everything you could need for the chicest resort vacation. Don’t miss their current collaboration with Comme Si—coziest pajamas ever.
Where to stay
Palazzo Avino: Old-world Italian nobility gets a contemporary, pink-hued refresh in this restored villa, where every detail is a study in discreet luxury. Away from Positano's Instagram hordes, you'll find award-winning cuisine, rooms that feel like private art collections, and warm, impeccably intuitive service.
Vesper Perks include a $100 spa credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Le Sirenuse: Where generations of impeccable taste have transformed a family villa into Italy's most coveted address. Hand-painted majolica tiles catch Mediterranean light just so, while Michelin-Starred plates and antique treasures create an atmosphere that’s perfectly Italian. It's where la dolce vita was invented.
Vesper Perks include a $100 spa credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast: Centuries of history condensed into one romantic clifftop palace, where medieval bones meet modern luxury. The infinity pool seems to pour directly into the Mediterranean, while spa treatments and legendary Belmond service make leaving feel like a genuine tragedy.
Vesper’s Belmond Bellini Club partner perks include a hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Villa Margherita, A Belmond Hotel, Amalfi Coast: Possibly Italy's best-kept secret, this garden-wrapped villa offers intimate luxury for those who prefer their Amalfi Coast without the crowds. Classic Italian design meets personalized service in a setting so peaceful you'll forget the rest of the world exists.
Vesper’s Belmond Bellini Club partner perks include a hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Casa Angelina: A modernist dream above Praiano's coastline, this adults-only sanctuary proves that less is more. Clean lines and coastal minimalism create spaces that feel like meditation retreats, while the private beach club and rooftop terrace offer front-row seats to the Mediterranean's daily light show.
Vesper perks include a $100 hotel credit, daily breakfast, an upgrade, and extended check-in/out whenever possible.