Praiano, Amalfi Coast, Italy

How we got there: Refer to Step-by-Step Guide to Getting to the Amalfi Coast Blog Post.

Where we stayed: La Conchiglia

Price: €322 for 2 nights

Pros: This hotel was right on one of the main beaches in Praiano. There are 2 main beaches and from what we heard, the beach we stayed at was the more accessible one of the two. We had a great view and private terrace from our room. Breakfast was included and made to order by the cutest Italian ladies! The owners were fabulous and assisted us with transportation around the Amalfi coast. This hotel is HIGHLY recommended!!

Cons: Due to the cliffs, we had to transport our luggage up and down a pretty big hill, however I do not believe this is unique to this place.

What we did:

When we arrived in Praiano, our theme for the next couple of days was pure relaxation. Since we stayed right on the beach, the first day we went to the Marina di Praia Beach. Chairs were €15 a piece and there several restaurants and bars right next to the beach. Be sure to bring water shoes or flip-flops because the beaches are ROCKY...we were not prepared for that. That evening we ate at Il Pirata, which was fabulous! It was one of the best meals we had in Italy. We walked there from our hotel and made sure to get a reservation on the patio outside.

The next morning, we took the bus to a beach club in Positano called Spiaggia di Arienzo. We did have to walk down about 200 stairs to get to the beach. When we left, we took their complimentary water taxi to Positano and took the bus back from there. Chairs were €25 a piece. You can pre-book and ask for a front row chair. Restaurant on site and servers bring drinks/food to your chairs. That evening, we went to a little market, found our favorite rosé, stocked up on cheese and crackers, and had ourselves a romantic picnic on our private terrace.

Takeaways:

-Due to the cost of accommodations in Positano, Praiano is a great alternative if you want to enjoy the romance of the Amalfi Coast and not break the bank.

-Be prepared to walk! This city is on the cliffs of the coast, so you will definitely get your steps in.

-Bring water shoes, as the beaches are rocky, not sandy.