Another early start for us as we boarded the train from Pompeii to Sorrento, followed by a quick change onto the bus that would carry us along the winding coastal roads to our destination — Amalfi. I’d pre-booked our bus tickets via the Unico Campania app, which made the whole process far easier and removed any last-minute stress.
What followed was an incredible journey. Every hair-raising bend revealed yet another breathtaking view, each one more impressive than the last. The bus drivers are astonishingly skilled, navigating what often feels like single-lane roads with calm precision — a quick toot of the horn signalling oncoming traffic around blind corners.
Seeing the Amalfi Coast unfold before you is something truly special, a moment that stays with you long after the journey ends. It was a joy to watch fellow passengers fall silent, simply staring out of the window, rendered speechless by the scenery.
We’d spent some time debating where to spend the day. Positano came highly recommended and was firmly on the list, but I found myself drawn to the slower pace and expansive views promised by Amalfi itself. So we stayed on the bus until the final stop, and I’m so glad we did.
We were dropped near the port and even in November there were people sunbathing on the beach and taking dips in the shimmering water. We wandered around, taking far too many photos just steps from where we’d arrived, before heading inland. Standing on the steps of the Duomo di Sant’Andrea Apostolo, we spotted a sign for a lift and wondered where it might lead. It turned out to be a shortcut up to the Belvedere Cimitero Monumentale, but walking felt far more fitting.
First though, an essential ritual: an espresso stop. We found the perfect spot at Dolce Vita de Meme, just far enough from the more tourist-heavy areas. Properly caffeinated, we set off in search of the steps leading upwards. The route felt like a labyrinth, winding staircases, unexpected turns, dead ends and post card perfect homes perched improbably high into the rock face. As we climbed, the views became ever more spectacular. We passed solo travellers hunting for the perfect selfie and happily helped capture their Amalfi Coast moment.
I could have stayed up there for hours. It was hypnotic, soft clouds drifting across the sky, birdsong in the air and the sun carving a glittering path across the sea. Truly beautiful.
We made our way back down to the port to catch the bus back to Positano.
The bus dropped us on Viale Guglielmo Marconi, followed by a walk downhill into the heart of Positano. Narrow streets lined with boutique shops, bakeries and traditional Positano goods led us towards the shore. After a quick photo stop at the Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, we found a lovely beachside café and settled in for pizza rossa and a limoncello spritz.
Now, I’m an Aperol girl through and through, but being on the Amalfi Coast, it would have felt wrong not to try the local classic. That said (and this may be controversial), Aperol still wins hands down!
It was the perfect spot to while away an hour or two, watching the sun dip behind one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world.
As evening approached, we meandered back uphill, taking narrow staircases and hidden shortcuts to reach the bus that would take us back to Sorrento and onwards to Pompeii. An unforgettable day, filled with memories I know I’ll return to often.
Tip: If you’re short on time and can only visit one place on the Amalfi Coast, for me, it has to be Amalfi itself, outstandingly beautiful and wonderfully unhurried.
